Library News & Events
February, 2021


The Library is offering curbside service at this time.
Please call 508-764-5426 to reach a staff member.

 Curbside Pickup
Available
Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm

Image by Ed Zilch from Pixabay

Curbside pickup service continues this month. This contactless-service will be available Monday through Friday, from 9 am until 5 pm, and will remain in effect for the near future.  Patrons may request items by calling the Library at 508-764-5426, or by placing holds in their personal library account.  Patrons may request up to ten (10) items per transaction when calling. Items from the CW/MARS catalog may be requested; however, only items in the JEL collection are subject to immediate availability. 

Please click here
 for additional information on curbside pickup.



Items may be returned only through the book drop 
at the rear of the building, due to challenges posed 
for safe materials handling.

  • Late fees accrued during our closure will be waived
  • Normal lending periods have resumed:
What are the loan periods for library materials?
Most books, books-on-CD, and music CDs are loaned for three weeks. New books are loaned for two weeks. DVDs and videogames are loaned for one week. Magazines are loaned for one week.
  • No donations can be accepted during the pandemic, due to the challenges posed for safe materials handling
  • Materials being returned will be quarantined and will not be checked in for 72 hours.  There will be a 3 day delay in seeing recently returned items no longer appear on your account. Dates and times may be subject to change
  • If returning compact discs, please place a rubber band around the case
 
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Art Exhibition 

William Bullard. Circa 1900. "May Johnson, near her home at 1 Winfield Street."


The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host the third part of the exhibition 
"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. Over the past two years, other selections from the collection were displayed. This year's virtual exhibit will display many portraits that have never been exhibited in public before.

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.


CONCERT at the Library by 
Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards
Thursday, February 18th at 6:30 on Zoom



ANNOUNCEMENTS /NEWS

February is Black History Month






February is American Heart Month

Image by No-longer-here from Pixabay


World Read Aloud Day

 Since 2010, World Read Aloud Day has highlighted the importance of sharing stories by challenging participants to grab a book, find an audience, and read-aloud! Now an international event: over 173 countries and counting. World Read Aloud Day is all about bringing people together through stories and that will be more important than ever when the shared experience and connection of reading aloud is so needed in our communities. Join us in celebrating the joy of reading!



February 12: Chinese New Year

Image by OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay  

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Town of Southbridge Resources: 



Library Resources:




Community Resources:


The Literacy office at the Jacob Edwards Library is closed until further notice. Please use the following contact information to get in touch:

Holly Christo, Executive Director:  [email protected] for tutor support and information.

Andrea Cignarella, Program Assistant: [email protected] for new students and online classes.

Mass.gov - Get Help
a good starting point for social assistance programs



March Rec
 
We look forward to seeing you all again soon! 

***
 
Please read on for all of this month's news.




Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards 
Zoom Concert - Feb. 18, 2021 at 6:30 pm


Ongoing Events: Book Club & Knitting:
POSTPONED until further notice

 Teen Events

Children's Corner



Library Hours & Holiday Closings:

Curbside Service Available:
Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Please call 508-764-5426 or email [email protected] 
for staff assistance.

The Library will be closed 
on Monday, February 15, 2021
in observance of
President's Day.
Live CHESS Tutoring!

Introducing live chess tutoring! Do you want to improve your cognitive skills? Perhaps you are looking for a new pastime? Brainfuse now offers live chess tutoring and resources from expert chess players. Check the website for more information. From the homepage, you will see it as the last item under the Expert Help column.

Image by BrainFuse
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!
  
Events



The Jacob Edwards Library is hosting a concert by well-known Folk group Mark Mandeville and Raianne Richards on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 6:30 pm via Zoom.

Mark Mandeville & Raianne Richards have contributed their first decade to the legacy of American folk and country music, sharing emotively intelligent lyrics, unmistakable vocal harmonies, and a unique blend of instrumentation with audiences throughout the US and Canada. The songs poetically reflect their personal experience as factory workers, teachers, community organizers and natives of postindustrial mill towns in central Massachusetts. Accompanying themselves on guitar, harmonica, ukulele, penny whistle, electric bass, and most uniquely clarinet, their live performance is often punctuated by humorous commentary.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/7213888816?pwd=TnJUZlNjbXg3UkY1T0wyR3d6dTdKUT09

Meeting ID: 721 388 8816
Passcode: jelconcert



Sponsored by the Southbridge Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
ongoing
Ongoing Events


Stack of Books
Book Club 
**POSTPONED**

The monthly book club is currently on hold, and will resume when it is safe to so so. 
  



Knitting
Knitting with Sonya
Every Tuesday, 
10:30 am - 12:30 pm
*POSTPONED*

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
Image by Andrew Martin from Pixabay  

Welcome to Children's Page
Happy Valentine's Day
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Image by Andrew Martin from Pixabay  




Celebrate World Read Aloud Day with
 Jacob Edwards Library on
Wednesday February 32021

World Read Aloud Day, founded by LitWorld in 2010, celebrates the joy and power of reading aloud to others.
Ms. Liz Storytime Live on Facebook
Wednesdays at 10:30am

Connect with Ms. Liz, Children's Librarian by listening to her read from some of the amazing books we have in the Children's collection at the Jacob Edwards Library! Live on Facebook every Wednesday at 10:30am!
NEW


Crafty Wednesday
Every Wednesday
Curbside - pick up a craft to complete at home.

Call us 508-764-5427 and pick up a craft to make at home!  Every week will be different!




 
*POSTPONED*
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. 

*POSTPONED*
"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.  




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



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


 
*POSTPONED*
Friday
Story Time
Fridays 10:30 am
Songs, story and playtime for the
 little ones 3 and under.






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 of Things is currently unavailable for checkout at this time. 

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 backyard! 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 or Libby app to get started. All you need is your library card number! 

 Patrons  currently have access to all 9 library systems across the state.

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! 

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!





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bookBook a Librarian!

You can now 
"Book a Librarian!" 

Contact us to schedule a personalized 
20-30 minute phone 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
-Getting onto Zoom or Google Meeting

Call 508-764-5426  
to schedule an appointment.


Jacob Edwards Library


Upcoming Meetings

The Friends of the Library will hold their 
monthly meeting
on 
Monday, February 22, 2021
at 6:00 pm.
**CANCELLED**

Due to COVID-19 related restrictions, no donations can be accepted at this time.
 
The Friends extend an invitation to all library patrons to join their group. To learn more, please visit FOJEL's page on our website.
______________________

The Board of Trustees of the Jacob Edwards Library will meet on 
Tuesday, 
February 23, 2021 
at Noon 
via GoToMeeting. Details will be available on the Town of Southbridge website, under Public Meetings Calendar, for all public meetings.
 
All meetings are open to the public.

 
The Library is working to safely increase services and access. Strict adherence to State protocols are in place for the safety of all. 
Stay well and be safe!

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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 © 2021. All Rights Reserved.