Library News

Jacob Edwards Library

May 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!

Please note: the Library will be CLOSED on

Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day.

Summer Reading

Summer Reading for all ages will be held from June 24th - August 2nd.

Lunch for patrons 18 and under will be held Monday-Friday, beginning Monday, July 1st.

Stay tuned for more details!

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/

Only have one borrow left? Check out hoopla BingePass, which gives you 7-days of unlimited access to one of multiple streaming collections with only one borrow!  https://www.hoopladigital.com/browse/binge

Chess Park

This is a conceptual rendering of the future Chess Park that will be located on the Southeast corner of the Library accessible from Main Street. Joseph Coan, Landscape Architect created the rendering. The plan was approved at the Board of Trustees meeting on September 26, 2023. The Trustees, Staff, and Friends are very excited to share this future development for the community!

At the Town Council meeting March 25, 2024, management of the funds raised through the fundraising efforts was approved by the Council:

"Vote the creation of a Chess Park at the Jacob Edwards Library and to allow the Town Manager to work with the Finance Department to establish and create an account to receive donations." 

Fundraising announcement coming soon!

OSV AmeriCorps Programming

Join OSV AmeriCorps members at the Jacob Edwards Library for free activities, crafts, and workshops based on 1830's history. Ages 5 to adult.

Saturday, May 18th

10:30 - 11:30 am

Wool processing and dyeing

Wednesday, May 29th

3:00 - 4:00 pm

Pollinators and seed bombs

Mindfulness Meditation with Iris

Saturdays, May 11, 18, & 25

9:30 - 10:30 am

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host Iris Vega, certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher and mentor, to present a series of sessions.

Inviting Mindfulness Meditation into your daily routine is an opportunity to cultivate awareness and presence.

You may bring your Yoga mat if you prefer doing the practice lying down.

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

May Art Exhibit

Janine Adamo Laliberte 

Meet & Greet

Thursday, May 2nd

6:30 - 7:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present the work of artist Janine Laliberte.

From the artist:

“Janine Adamo Laliberte loves texture, color and energy. She takes mediums such as molding paste, joint tape, acrylic paint, spray paint, ink, paper, tape and whatever else she has lying around and combines them to make something new. Janine relies on her intuition to lead the way. She constantly asks herself “What If” with every piece. Those “what ifs' 'lead her to many different combinations and subject matters in her work. There’s a constant back and forth as though they are talking to each other. 

Janine also has a love for nature. She can’t get enough of color, texture and the unique shapes it has on display. Flowers are always surrounding her in everything she does. It’s hard not to stop and look at the flowers when they are in full bloom. If she would have one superpower it would be to fly. Janine is drawn to feathers, wings and the idea of flight in animals. You can explore Janine's love of nature throughout her work. The use of color, texture and the vibrancy that captivates her soul while painting.”

Janine has had her work on display at the following locations:

Artevaggio Art Gallery, Atlanta GA

Synergy Fine Art Gallery, Atlanta GA

Phoenix and Dragon; Solo Exhibition, Atlanta GA

Hudgens Center for the Arts; Juried Group Exhibition, Atlanta GA

Johns Creek Art Center; Juried Group Exhibition, Johns Creek GA

Fickle Pickle; Group Exhibition, Atlanta GA

Arts Clayton Gallery, Atlanta GA

Sprinkler Factory, Worcester MA

Birch Tree Bread Company, Worcester MA

Sturbridge Coffee House, Sturbridge MA

Homefield Kitchen and Brewery in Sturbridge, MA

A feature article in the Northside Woman Magazine was written about Janine finding her way through depression through art.

More information can be found on the artist's website: 

https://janineadamolaliberte.myportfolio.com/test

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Catnip Junkies

Thursday, May 9th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host a concert by Catnip Junkies.

Catnip Junkies specialize in the iconic sounds of New Orleans jazz, swing and brass band music to create a truly unique and unforgettable experience. The musicians are not only skilled players, but also passionate performers who know how to engage a crowd and create a lively, fun atmosphere. From classic tunes to modern hits, their repertoire has something for everyone.

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

In May, the group will discuss Acton, Massachusetts author Paulette Stout's novel, Love, Only Better, featuring a virtual appearance by the author!

From the publisher:

"Sometimes we find ourselves when we're not even looking. Rebecca's life is a bit of a disaster. Her boss is the worst and her bestie is moving out to live with her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Rebecca's love life just stormed out the door after she faked it in bed. But how is she supposed to fake something she's never experienced? It's humiliating and Rebecca swears everyone in Manhattan can tell just by looking at her on the sidewalk. She deserves better. When her doctor's advice falls flat, the next offers a different path. One she'd never consider in a million years if she wasn't so desperate for answers. And for Kyle. The gorgeous photographer who moves in across the hall is impossible to resist. Kyle is everything Rebecca isn't - bold, charismatic, and fearless. When they ride his black motorcycle, all her troubles melt away. Except for one. After hiding her secret becomes impossible, Rebecca summons the courage to fight for the life she wants - knowing it could be her last chance."

Johnny Cash - Songs & Stories

Thursday, May 16th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Longtime New England musician/author Matt York will perform the songs of Johnny Cash and tell stories about Cash's career spanning from the 1950's to his passing in 2003. He'll discuss Cash's emergence as a groundbreaking artist in the 1950's, his marriage to June Carter and many of his other career highlights.

In both 2022 and 2023, York was nominated for the Boston Music Award for Best Country Artist and his album "Gently Used" was named one of Worcester Magazine's best albums of 2022. 

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

Afternoon Author Talk

Mary Anne Kalonas Slack

Wednesday, May 22nd

2:00 - 3:00 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to present an Afternoon Author Talk with Mary Anne Kalonas Slack. She will be discussing her debut novel The Sacrificial Daughter.

The Sacrificial Daughter tells the story of Mary Ellen Kelleher, who finally embarks on her own journey to find her place in the world— one in which she is in charge. Through a series of realizations and experiences while far from home, Mary Ellen returns ready to shake up her - and her mother’s - world. But when a mother’s love becomes a daughter’s burden, is there really a way out? The book is set in Worcester.

Mary Anne Kalonas Slack’s short stories have been published in the literary ​magazines MUSED and Adelaide, as well as in the 2023 anthology, Our Wild Winds, published by Quabbin Quills. She lives in Central Massachusetts with her husband. "The Sacrificial Daughter" is her first novel.

For more information visit the author's website at:

https://maryanneslack.com/ 

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Badger & Nault

Thursday, May 30th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

The Jacob Edwards Library is pleased to host a concert by Badger & Nault.

Freddy Badger is an old-time banjo player, guitarist, and singer; in the American/Western European roots music tradition. He released his debut EP 'Good Time People' in the spring of 2022 and can be seen playing around central Massachusetts.

Bridget Nault is an accordion player, guitarist and singer out of Holden, MA. She is a Berklee educated musician that can be seen all over the state (and beyond) playing her original songs and with her duo Screen Door.

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

Happy Place

by Emily Henry

"Harriet and Wyn have been the perfect couple since they met in college--they go together like salt and pepper, honey and tea, lobster and rolls. Except, now--for reasons they're still not discussing--they don't. They broke up six months ago. And still haven't told their best friends. Which is how they find themselves sharing a bedroom at the Maine cottage that has been their friend group's yearly getaway for the last decade. Their annual respite from the world, where for one vibrant, blue week they leave behind their daily lives; have copious amounts of cheese, wine, and seafood; and soak up the salty coastal air with the people who understand them most. Only this year, Harriet and Wyn are lying through their teeth while trying not to notice how desperately they still want each other. Because the cottage is for sale and this is the last week they'll all have together in this place. They can't stand to break their friends' hearts, and so they'll play their parts. Harriet will be the driven surgical resident who never starts a fight, and Wyn will be the laid-back charmer who never lets the cracks show. It's a flawless plan (if you look at it from a great distance and through a pair of sunscreen-smeared sunglasses). After years of being in love, how hard can it be to fake it for one week...in front of those who know you best?" - Provided by publisher

Teen Advisory Group

Tuesday, May 21st

3:00 - 4:00 pm

Open to Southbridge students/residents ages 12-18.

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

Join us on May 4,2024

at 10:30 am

for Spring Planting Fun

Give a plant to mom on Mothers Day

Lego Club

Tuesdays

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Saturdays

10:30am-11:30am

Crafty Wednesday

All Day

Every Week



Have you noticed our daffodils are in bloom? Thanks to some thoughtful master gardeners who planted these, and other bulbs, on a chilly day in the fall!

More trees are on their way from the Opacum Land Trust Thousand Tree Program and will enrich our environment.

See you at the library!

Jacob Edwards Library

508.764.5426

jelibrary@cwmars.org