Library News

Jacob Edwards Library

March 2024

Library Hours

Monday & Thursday 9 am - 8 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9 am - 5 pm

Saturday 9 am - 1 pm

Curbside pickup is available during library hours!

Ask A Librarian

Need help navigating the new catalog? Have another tech stumper? For a personalized, 1-on-1 reference session, please call the Library at 508-764-5426 x105 or email [email protected].

Boston Public Library eCard

Thanks to the generosity of the Boston Public Library, anyone who lives, resides part-time to attend school, owns property, or works in Massachusetts is eligible to apply for a BPL eCard!

BPL eCards are virtual library cards that grant users immediate access to Boston Public Library's extensive electronic resources - from archaeology and genealogy to history and science, homework help, historical newspapers, downloadable audio, video, music, magazines and more!

For more information about eCards, please visit BPL's eCard FAQ.

To sign up for a card - use this link: https://www.bpl.org/ecard/

March Art Exhibit

Women's Handwork

Meet & Greet

Thursday, March 7th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present this annual exhibit in honor of Women's History Month.

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Crocodile River Music

Thursday, March 14th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to welcome back Crocodile River Music!



African rhythms, history, and culture merge into an evening of movement, cultural exploration, and joy. Internationally recognized, the group consists of members from Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Tanzania, and the U.S. Crocodile River Music’s mission is to connect audiences with African artists and cultures through performance and education. They are a diverse group of people committed to presenting African art, music, and culture to audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and capabilities. 

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

In March, we will discuss Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher, winner of the 2023 Hugo Award for Best Novel and nominee for the 2023 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel and the Nebula Award for Best Novel of 2022.

From the publisher:



"This isn't a fairytale where the princess marries a prince. It's one where she kills him. From Hugo, Nebula, and Locus award-winning author T. Kingfisher comes an original and subversive new fantasy adventure. After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra-the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter-has finally realized that no one is coming to their rescue. No one, except for Marra herself. Seeking help from a powerful gravewitch, Marra is offered the tools to kill a prince - if she can complete three impossible tasks. But, as is the way in tales of princes, witches, and daughters, the impossible is only the beginning. On her quest, Marra is joined by the gravewitch, a reluctant fairy godmother, a strapping former knight, and a chicken possessed by a demon. Together, the five of them intend to be the hand that closes around the throat of the prince and frees Marra's family and their kingdom from its tyrannous ruler at last."

Afternoon Author Talk

Carol Bernardone

Wednesday, March 27th

2:00 - 3:00 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host Carol Bernardone who will present a reading from her book Growing Hope: The Therapeutic Benefits of Gardening.

Gardening is fundamental to providing healthy air, nutritious food, and beauty for the world. But even beyond this, the art of gardening provides many therapeutic benefits for children! You don't have to be an expert gardener to let your green thumb flourish and share all that can be learned in the world of horticulture! Whether you are a teacher, therapist, or parent of young children, you might be on the constant prowl for new activities that help create a safe space where kids can grow. Inside this guide, you will discover:

• The many benefits of gardening with real-life examples of how gardening can shape minds, overcome challenges, and transform life for the better.
• Important steps to take for beginner gardeners with inspiration on how to incorporate gardening in educational and therapy settings.
• How gardening has transformed many different lives and provided healing methods through various case studies.
• Powerful tips to make gardening more collaborative with suggestions for creating partnerships through plants and nature.
• Realistic methods to help introduce gardening in the classroom, during therapy, or at home to empower all ages and improve valuable life skills!

Beyond this, you will find practical advice and valuable insights from the mind of Carol Bernardone, a school-based occupational therapist assistant in special education with over 25 years of experience. Anyone can benefit from the practice of connecting with nature! If you are ready to discover the ins and outs of using gardening for therapeutic benefits, this is the book (and program) for you!



Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Eclipse Presentation

Thursday, March 28th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host Dino Tata, NASA Solar System Ambassador and member of the Aldrich Astronomical Society for a presentation on the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse.

Thanks to a generous donation by Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library, Gereen and Corey Alarie, the Library is able to provide one free pair of eclipse glasses to each attendee!

Sponsored by Aldrich Astronomical Society, Friends of Jacob Edwards Library, and Southbridge Recreation Department.

Mad Honey

by Jodi Picoult

Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising their beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined that she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in and taking over her father’s beekeeping business.

Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. 

And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet she wonders if she can trust him completely...

Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves." - Provided by publisher

Database Spotlight

hoopla

The Jacob Edwards Library provides FREE access to hoopla with your library card! Hoopla is a streaming service that lets you instantly borrow eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies & TV - 24/7 - and items are always available, so there's no waiting!

Get started at https://www.hoopladigital.com/

TAG Meeting

Tuesday, March 19th

3:00 - 4:00 pm

Join our Teen Advisory Group (TAG) and help us improve our library services for teens. At TAG you will weigh in on library programs and services, earn volunteer hours, make new friends, and build your leadership skills.

Open to Southbridge students/residents ages 12-18. 

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Join us on March 2, 2024 at 10:30 am

for Storytime and Craft

Lego Club

Tuesdays

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Saturdays

10:30am-11:30am

Crafty Wednesday

All Day

Every Week



See you at the library!

Jacob Edwards Library

508.764.5426

[email protected]