Upcoming Library Events & News
February, 2020
 

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Love Your Library Month!

The weather outside may be blustery, but the atmosphere inside the Jacob Edwards Library is cozy, collaborative, and chock-full of wonderful programs throughout the month of February! Join us for one event or several, and experience the community-based programming your library has to offer. 

Digital Newspapers Available

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Is that paper copy of the newspaper currently in use? Did the weather impact your paper delivery? Why not read the newspaper in digital format?

The Jacob Edwards Library provides online access to The Boston Globe and The New York Times, both inside the library and remotely. These newspapers can also be searched back to the year 1980 for research.  Simply log in using your library card account at our online databases page here.

February's Art Show - The Photography of William Bullard, 1897-1917: Worcester's People of Color Community, Part II


Image: Portrait of an unknown soldier at Greenhill Park about 1917.  The services were not integrated at this time.  Image from the Bullard Collection courtesy of Frank Morrill.

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host the part two of The Photography of William Bullard, 1897-1917: Worcester's People of Color Community throughout the month of February 2020.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 pm.  All are welcome, light refreshments will be served.

On Thursday, February 27, there will be a presentation by Frank Morrill at 6:30 pm. and he will be joined by a descendant of one of the people featured in the exhibit.


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.



Featured  Exhibition The Photography of William Bullard, 1897-1917: Worcester's People of Color Community, Part II
  -Film Screening:  Green Book
-Road to the Vote: The Boston Women's Suffrage Trail
- Bullard Collection Presentation by Frank Morrill


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

The library will be CLOSED ON 
Monday, February 17, 2020.









February'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.



Lots more to discover!
 
 


Image: Portrait of an unknown soldier at Greenhill Park about 1917.  The services were not integrated at this time.  Image from the Bullard Collection courtesy of Frank Morrill.     


The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host the part two of The Photography of William Bullard, 1897-1917: Worcester's People of Color Community.

Throughout the month of February, in celebration of Black History Month, another part of the Bullard collection will be on exhibit. Through some good luck, retired teacher Frank Morrill had the opportunity to buy this significant historical collection of a uniquely rare treasure trove of glass plate negatives of African Americans/Native Americans in Worcester.  Last year, another part of the collection was displayed . This year's exhibit will display many portraits that have never been exhibited in public before.  Also featured at the Presentation on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 6:30 pm will be a discussion by one of the descendants discovered through the research on the Bullard negatives. 

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 several books about Worcester and other local communities, purchased the Bullard collection, approximately 5400 glass plates, in 2003 to use in further research focused on Worcester streets and architecture.  In 2013 his granddaughter, Hannah, accidently discovered a negative of a person of color that was incorrectly filed and research began that led to this rare 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 Professor Janette Greenwood of Clark University  have researched the identified Bullard sitters since 2014 and have discovered a large number of descendants, many of whom had never seen a photo of, or knew the history of, their ancestors.

An Opening Reception will be held on Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 pm.  
All are welcome, light refreshments will be served.




Sponsored by The Southbridge Cultural Council. The Southbridge Cultural Council is a local agency funded by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Light refreshments provided by the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.
boxofficeFilm Screening - Green Book
Thursday, February 13 at 5:45 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present the film Green Book as part of its Library Box Office Series, on Thursday, February 13, 2020 at 5:45 pm.

"A white bouncer bonds with a black musician while chauffeuring him around the Jim Crow South." Starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali. Rated PG-13. Running time 130 minutes.

*Please note special start time of 5:45 pm* Films are screened in the Pioppi Room on the first floor of the Library. 

Movie poster image ©Universal Pictures. Movie description quotations: Swank.com.

Sponsored by Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.
Thursday, February 20 at 6:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present  Road to the Vote: The Boston Women's Suffrage Trail. We would like to invite you to celebrate the centennial of women's suffrage which was granted with the 19th amendment to the constitution. All welcome! Light refreshments will be served.

The Boston Women's Heritage Trail (BWHT) is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to bringing the contributions of women to their rightful place in the history of Boston. BWHT has developed a series of walking trails in different neighborhoods of the city which point out sites where influential women lived and worked. "The Road to the Vote," a suffrage trail, was developed in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the nineteenth amendment to the United States Constitution which gave women the right to vote. This presentation highlights local leaders and significant events in the decades-long quest for equality at the ballot box.

"The 19th Amendment: First introduced in 1887, the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed by Congress on June 4, 1919. The Amendment reads:
"The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation."

After passage by Congress, amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. On June 25, 1919, Massachusetts became the eighth state to ratify the amendment. On August 19, 1920, with a yes vote from Tennessee, the required thirty-six states had ratified the agreement. The amendment was certified on August 26, 1920 a day now celebrated as Women's Equality Day."
Text from Road to the Vote: The Boston Women's Suffrage Trail.

Sponsored by Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.


Image: Portrait of an unknown soldier at Greenhill Park about 1917.  The services were not integrated at this time. Image from the Bullard Collection courtesy of Frank Morrill.

Frank Morrill returns to the Jacob Edwards Library to present a talk on the historic Bullard photographic collection from the Beaver Brook section of Worcester.

Stunning new images from the historic Bullard Collection will be included in the 2020 exhibit.


Sponsored by The Southbridge Cultural Council. The Southbridge Cultural Council is a local agency funded by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Light refreshments provided by the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.
ongoingOngoing Events

Book Club 
Monday, February 3
6:30 pm

The book club will meet to discuss The Woman in the Woods by John Connolly  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 
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!

Teen Corner

February's Craft - Collage in the Style of 
Romare Bearden


"Secret Garden," by Stephanie C. Magazine paper on board.

Join us in February as we celebrate African American History Month and honor the legacy of artist Romare Bearden by creating collages in the style of this renowned 20th-century creative master!  Using recycled materials such as magazines, newsprint, and other used papers, we will create our own collages in the style of Bearden's by analyzing his use of color, texture, form, symbols, imagery, space, time, and mood. 

All materials will be provided. All welcome!

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childrensWelcome to the Children's Corner!

Check here to find out about upcoming events in the Children's Room.
Take your Child to The Library Day

 Saturday February 1 at 10:30am-12:30pm
Craft, stories and games!
 Come see what the Library 
has to offer you and your child!! 
Sponsored by FOJEL
 


Pumpernickel Puppets

 Wednesday February 19, at 10:30am
C ome  relax during School vacation and enjoy a 
Puppet Show
  "Sir George and the Dragon" 


Sponsored by The Southbridge Cultural Council. The Southbridge Cultural Council is a local agency funded by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.




"Monday Night STEAM"
Mondays, 6:30pm-7:30pm
Botley the Coding Robot, try our "Hack" Computer ,Kinetic Sand, Snap Circuits, Picasso Tiles, Play Dough  and much more!!   Each Monday will feature one fun activity, every week will be different.  




Tinkering Thursdays
Thursdays, 4:00-5:00pm
STEM-related hands on activity using everyday and recycled items to design your own creations.




Toddler Story Time
Wednesdays at 10:30 am
Stories & Songs  for preschoolers, stay for story and create a craft.


 

Friday
Story Time
Fridays 10:30 am
S ongs, story and playtime for the
 little ones 3 and under.




Crafty Wednesday
Every Wednesday

Stop by the Children's Room any time on Wednesdays to make 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,  3:00pm - 4:30pm
Saturdays, 10:30am-12:00pm

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
Magic Wings
Mystic Aquarium
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Roger Williams Park Zoo
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens
Worcester Art Museum
Salem Witch Museum 
USS Constitution Museum
Massachusetts Parks Pass
 
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 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!

BOOK SALE
The Friends of the Library will be available to receive donations of gently used books and DVDs on the following  dates:

Saturday, February 1, 2020 
Saturday, February 15, 2020
Saturday, February 29, 2020
from
10 am to 12:30 pm 

As there is limited space, the Friends can only accept materials that meet the following criteria: Book donation guidelines

 






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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 a
monthly meeting
on 
Monday, February 24, 2020
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 meet on 
Tuesday, February 25, 2020  at Noon 
in the Mills Room.
 
All meetings are open to the public.

We hope you leap into the Jacob Edwards Library this February! See you soon!


Image: "Literature (Detail)" from The Crimson and Gray, Vol. II, No. 2, February 1919. Published Quarterly by the Students of Mary E. Wells High School, Southbridge, Mass. 

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.