From the Director

Welcome to the new edition of our library newsletter, where you will find information about library services, online resources, programming and other library activities. We welcome your feedback, so do let us know if there is anything else you would like included in our newsletter.  

I'd like to tell you about a project that I have been involved with for the past 3 years. As a Veteran, I have always felt that we must do everything we can to support our troops. I have held programming for Veterans and their families for over 25 years during my career. Given that experience, I was invited to participate in a national effort to create a database of online programs for the Libraries and Veteran's National Forum. This is a database for all types of libraries to learn about specialized programs that serve the veteran population and their families. We have held several of these programs for our Sharon Public Library Veteran’s Club and hope to expand our reach to the post-Vietnam veterans.

Please spread the word, and ask your veterans and their families to contact me directly via email at lamend@sharon.ocln.org. Thank you. 

Lee Ann Amend

Museum Pass Update

The last two years have severely disrupted library museum pass programs. When museums began to reopen to the public in 2021, they moved to timed-ticket systems because of room capacity limits; these are still in place for many institutions. Some museums have not yet reopened; others are no longer able to work with libraries to offer discounted admission. As a result, our museum pass program (generously funded by the Friends of the Library) offers fewer options than before, and the process to reserve current passes may require additional steps by the patron.

We currently have 13 museum passes. More are being added as they become available. There are different types of passes. Some must be picked up and returned to the library. Some are e-tickets that require using a promo code (and a separate reservation with the museum) while others are simple e-tickets.

For information about museum passes, please visit our website. Scroll down to the MUSEUM PASSES button and click on it to bring up the current list of available passes. Clicking on the tan bar with the museum's name on it will explain how that individual pass works. Clicking on the museum's logo on the left hand side will take you directly to the museum's website where the most current information is available for that particular venue.

Lucky Duck Books

Tired of being on hold for weeks for the latest books by your favorite authors? Come in to the library to browse our Lucky Ducks collection! We are purchasing additional copies of high demand titles (primarily fiction) that are designated "no holds". This shelf is located next to new fiction and it's 'first come, first served'. These copies are non-renewable and are also subject to overdue fines of 50 cents/day, to ensure that they are back on the shelf in a timely manner for other patrons to borrow.

Virtual

Learn How to Download eBooks, Audiobooks & Magazines

May 9th @ 10-11AM via Zoom

Learn how to borrow digital ebooks, audiobooks and magazines with the free library Libby App.

We'll cover everything from getting started, placing holds, borrowing from other library networks, and much more!

Virtual

Hidden Gems of New England

with author Alison O'Leary

May 17th @ 7-8PM via Zoom

Based on the book Inns and Adventures by Alison O'Leary and Michael J. Tougias, join us for a virtual trip over mountains and back roads of New England to discover secluded swimming holes, old-growth forests, sites of hostage-taking and cannibalism, stunning vistas and cozy inns. Become inspired to plan your next road trip!

In Person

Planning for Medicare:

Countdown to 65

May 24th @ 7-8PM

Library Community Room

This seminar will help those approaching Medicare eligibility to understand their health insurance options outside of employer-sponsored coverage. Topics covered will include:

• Explanation of Medicare
• Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicare Part D
• Programs available to retirees such as COBRA
• Where to go for additional help

In Person

Life in a Word Workshop

May 25th @ 6:30-7:30PM

Library Community Room

This workshop will focus on the word "Change". It was the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who said "the only constant in life is change". Because we are creatures of habit, change does not come easily. This session explores what the word "change" means to each of us as we share our stories.

Virtual Chess Club

Sundays via Zoom @ 4:30-5:30PM

May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

For ages 8 and up and all chess skill levels are welcome! Play other attendees in live online chess matches and learn chess strategy.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom meeting invitation.

Contact: Jay Oliver @ spl.chess.club@gmail.com.

All who register need to create a free chess.com account if you don't already have one. Then email your chess.com username or existing chess.com username to

Jay Oliver at: spl.chess.club@gmail.com

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Departs Boston

For nearly 200 years, Boston was home to one of the country's oldest and most respected publishers. Last year Houghton Mifflin Harcourt sold off its trade division (general interest books in fiction and nonfiction) to Harper Collins and its parent company, Newscorp, as part of a plan to restructure HMH from a print-based publisher to a technology learning company. And last month, HMH was sold to Veritas Capital, a private equity investment firm.

What We Lose When Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Leaves Boston

Coming up next month:

• NewsBank With print newspapers increasingly moving to digital-only, NewsBank offers OCLN patrons access to online collections of local and national newspapers. Search archived and current articles, events, people, government, sports and more with the largest collection of full-text U.S. newspapers. Includes obituaries, editorials, announcements, etc. The collection includes the Patriot Ledger, Brockton Enterprise and Boston Metro papers as well as Black Life in America and Heritage Hub (genealogy tool for searching obituaries).