Upcoming Library Events & News
February, 2019
 

The Jacob Edwards Library is honoring National Black History Month with a selection of historic photographs from the rare African American albums taken by William S. Bullard, in Worcester.  Following the success at the Worcester Art Museum featuring other images, the Jacob Edwards Library is delighted to be hosting some of the unique images that have been curated by Frank Morrill. Later in the month there will be a presentation by Mr. Morrill and his co-researcher on this project Dr. Janette Greenwood of Clark University.

For our younger patrons we are pleased to host: Take Your Child To The Library Day again this year. It will be celebrated on Saturday, February 2nd, from 9 am to 1 pm there will be lots of activities, including a visit by local author Todd Civin. 

There is always something going on or something to do at the library! Feel free to drop in anytime!
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Please read on for all of this month's upcoming events and news.




 Ongoing Events: Book Club & Knitting

 Teen Events
Children's Corner

Library Hours & Holiday Closings:

Monday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm 
Sunday: Closed

The library will be closed on 
Presidents' Day
Monday, February 18

staffpicksFebruary's JEL Staff Picks

Looking for a good book? Here are some that JEL staff have recently enjoyed! Clicking on the title will take you right to  the library's catalog, where you can check to see if it's available, and put a hold on popular titles.

Blood Communion by Anne Rice
John Woman by Walter Mosley
Orchid and the Wasp by Caoilinn Hughes
Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
War of the Wolf by Bernard Cornwell
Wild Fire by Ann Cleeves



Please join us in welcoming February's Featured Exhibitor, Frank Morrill. 

Mr. Morrill will be displaying photographs from the collection of William S. Bullard, of Worcester and North Brookfield. Between 1894 and 1917, Bullard photographed the area's streetscapes, businesses and local residents. 

The Bullard Collection consists of approximately 240 images of people of color, mostly living in the Beaver Brook area along Park Avenue within the first four decades of having obtained their freedom.  Approximately 80 percent of the portraits were identified by Bullard in his logbook, which is the key to the collection.

An Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 pm. All are welcome, light refreshments will be served.
boxofficeFilm Screening -  Book Club
Thursday, February 14 at 6:00 pm

"Four friends in a book club are inspired to spice things up after reading Fifty Shades of Grey. With each of them in a different romantic situation, the women gather inspiration and try new things later in life."

Rated PG-13. Running time 104 min.

Presented as part of the Library Box Office series, sponsored by the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.
bullardWilliam Bullard Photographic Collection
Thursday, February 21 at 6:30 pm

Please join us for a presentation by Frank Morrill and Dr. Janette Greenwood on the discovery and research of a uniquely rare treasure trove of glass plate negatives of African Americans/Native Americans in Worcester.
 
The negatives are those of the late itinerant photographer William S. Bullard, of Worcester and later North Brookfield, who, between 1894 and 1917, took a vast amount of images of the city's streetscapes, businesses and local residents.  

Morrill, who has published books about Worcester and other local communities, purchased the Bullard collection - approximately 5400 glass plates - to use in further research and publishing focused on the city streets and architecture.  It wasn't until his granddaughter, Hannah, accidently discovered in 2013, a negative of a person of color that was incorrectly filed, that research began that led to this historical treasure.  

There are approximately 240 images of people of color, mostly living in the Beaver Brook area along Park Avenue within the first four decades of having obtained their freedom.   Approximately 80 percent of the portraits were identified by Bullard in his logbook, which is the key to the collection.   Morrill and Greenwood have researched the identified Bullard sitters for the past four years and have discovered a large number of descendants many of whom had never seen a photo of, or knew the history of, their ancestors. 

Sponsored by the Southbridge Cultural Council

oherinGospel & Blues with Robin O'Herin
Thursday, February 28 at 6:30 pm

In honor of Black History Month, the Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host musician Robin O'Herin.

Robin specializes in historically rich, often interactive concerts that include original and traditional American music.  Let her take you on a journey of musical exploration through the Delta and Piedmont regions of the South. Song selections may include Robert Johnson, Blind Willie Johnson and Robin's own original blues and fingerstyle ballads. In 2013, Robin was a Boston Blues Challenge Finalist.
All welcome! Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.
                                            Sponsored by Southbridge Cultural Council.
ongoingOngoing Events

Book Club 
Monday, February 4
6:30 pm

The book club will meet to discuss  The Radium Girls by Kate Moore   this month.
  
This is a no-commitment book club, attend as many or as few meetings as you like! The group meets on the first Monday of every month. 

Copies of March's discussion book 
( Grief Cottage by Gail Godwin) 
will be available at the Information Desk 
for checkout.
Knitting
Knitting with Sonya
Every Tuesday, 
10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Stop by and join our knitting circle in the Reading Room every Tuesday! 

All handcrafters (not just knitters!) are welcome to join, whatever your level experience. Stuck on your current project or wanting to learn a new technique? Chances are one of the group will be able to lend a hand!  Drop by for a few minutes or stay for the full two hours. 
We hope to see you there!




childrensWelcome to the Children's Corner!

Check here to find out about upcoming events in the Children's Room.
The library will be celebrating
Take Your Child to the Library Day
a national program highlighting 
library services,
Saturday February 2, 2019. 
We hope you will drop in to see what the library has to offer our community, especially the children. 
We are open from  9 am to 1 pm .
All welcome!
Meet Author Todd Civin
Saturday, February 2nd 10:30 - 11:30 am

We are pleased to host author Todd Civin who wrote  A Cup of Kindness (illustrated by Jason Boucher) from 10:30 am- 11:30 am. 
Mr Civin will read from his book and talk about what it is like to be an author and how he writes his stories that  focus on acceptance and awareness of children with disabilities.  All welcome!
magic_ribbons_book.jpg
Story Times

Story Time
Wednesdays at 10:30 am
Stories & Songs for 3-4 year olds, but all ages are welcome to join us. Come for story time, and stay for the craft!

Toddler Time
Fridays from 10:30 - 11:15 am
Stories & songs geared for 2-3 year olds, but all ages welcome. Playtime and music before and after.

Hora de Cuentos
Monday, Febrary 18th at 6:30 pm
Join us for stories and songs in Spanish and English on the third Monday night of each month.

Tinkering Thursdays
Thursdays, 3:00-4:00pm

STEM-related hands on activity using everyday and recycled items to design your own creations!



Ask the staff about Snap Circuits!
Crafty Wednesday
Every Wednesday

Stop by the Children's Room any time on Wednesdays to do a special craft. This is a drop-in program that runs all day. Simply stop by the Children's Room desk to get your craft supplies, and take home a masterpiece. 

 
Construction Club
Tuesdays,  3:00 - 4:30 pm
Saturays, 10:00 am - Noon

We'll bring the LEGO bricks, you bring the ideas! This is a drop-in program, so there is no need to register. Best for children over 5.

Completed Lego projects go on display in the Children's Room for a whole week. If you are in the library, stop by the Children's Room to see different Lego projects on display. 

librarynewsLibrary News

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Discounted and Free Admission to Museums & Attractions

Did you know? The library offers passes to a variety of area museums and attractions! 
 
Locations include:
Old Sturbridge Village
Eric Carle Museum
Ecotarium
Zoo at Forest Park
Magic Wings
Mystic Aquarium
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens
Worcester Art Museum
Salem Witch Museum 
The Trustees locations
USS Constitution Museum
Massachusetts ParksPass
AJ Petro Pool (seasonal)
 
See  our website for details.
Thank you to the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library for sponsoring this program!
Stargaze with our Telescope!

The library now has a telescope which can be checked out and taken home - just like a book. Use it to spend a night stargazing in your own back yard! Who knows what you will see?


Instructions and tips on what to look for are included. Must be checked out by an adult 18 or older. 
Please ask at the desk for more details!

Library eBooks

Looking for free eBooks? Look no further than the library! You can download FREE ebooks to your computer or device, as well as digital audiobooks.

To browse our collection, click here. Or on your mobile device or eReader, download the Overdrive app to get started. All you need is your library card number!

If you have questions or are having trouble, please ask us! Drop by, call, or email!

 
New bags available!

The Friends of the Library now have these fantastic new book bags available for sale! You can purchase bags at the Information Desk.

All proceeds support FOJEL, who provide funding for library events and programs (including, but not limited to, Summer Reading & Museum Passes).

Only $5 each, available in black, navy and maroon, 
they are perfect for carrying your library materials home!

The annual BOOKSALE is coming up 3/28-3/30


student_help.jpg
bookBook a Librarian!

You can now "Book a Librarian!" Contact us to schedule a personalized 
20-30 minute session.

Possible topics include:
-Help downloading eBooks
-Using your new mobile device or tablet
-Book recommendations
-Using the library catalog
-Placing holds & using your online account
-Setting up an email account
-Getting started on your research paper
-Formatting a Word document


Call 508-764-5426  
to schedule an  appointment.


Jacob Edwards Library
Upcoming Meetings

The Friends of the Library will hold their next meeting on  Monday, February 25
at 6:00 pm.
 
The Friends extend an invitation to all library patrons to join their group. To learn more, please visit  FOJEL's page on our website.
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  The  Board of Trustees  of the Jacob Edwards Library will next meet on 
Tuesday, February 26
at Noon 
in the Mills Room. 
 
All meetings are open to the public.
We hope to see you at the library soon! In the meantime, stay warm and snuggle up with a good book!

Sincerely,

The Jacob Edwards Library Staff
Programs at Jacob Edwards Library may be recorded for Southbridge Public Access TV 
and/or photographed for promotional purposes.

Copyright © 2019. All Rights Reserved.