Library news & updates
Dear Patrons,

Happy National Poetry Month! To celebrate, I would like to get some original local poetry up on our website! If you have some poetry you would like to share, send it to me at jsnook@cwmars.org. Let me know a title, how you want it credited, and the date you wrote it. It doesn't have to be recent. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece. Use a pen name if you want to keep your identity secret (like Batman). Let's get literary!

Now on to the elephant in the room: If you follow the newspapers, you may have seen this. And then this. You may also have seen some of these local meetings. I cannot engage in political advocacy, but it is my job to encourage awareness and provide factual answers to questions. With that in mind, be aware that the future of the Library is completely contingent on a prop 2.5 override which will be on the warrant at the May 7 town meeting and on the ballot at the May 8 election.

This override is much bigger than just the Library, and I encourage you to watch the local meetings if you want to know more--or attend one! But the salient fact to readers of this newsletter is that if the override fails, the Library will be closed by the 4th of July. Douglas will become the 6th town in the Commonwealth not to fund a public library, and the first town with a population over 750 not do do so. As a decertified municipality, Douglas residents will not be able to borrow items from neighboring libraries.

In other news, I just finished the Alchemy Wars trilogy by Ian Tregillis. It's really good if you like steampunky things, as I know many of you do. :)

Thanks for Reading,

Justin Snook
Library Director
Friendship: Powered by Tea
When Sarah Guimond saw the Friends of the Library annual membership mailing in February, she decided to kick friendship up a notch.

In 2016, Sarah happened across a cup and saucer set up for auction on eBay. It is gold-trimmed bone china, sporting an engraving of the Simon Fairfield Public Library with the words, "JW Wixtead, East Douglas Mass." Wixtead was one of the first appointed Library trustees when the building was given to the town in 1903, and passed away in 1923. Assuming he commissioned this cup, that puts it between 94 and 114 years old. Sarah, who is always on the lookout for historical stuff to collect, wanted to bring this teacup home as it was being auctioned from another state. So she bid on it and won.

Fast forward to February, 2018: Sarah decided to post the teacup on We Are Dynamic Douglas for auction--with the results going to the Friends of the Library. Keith Menard offered the winning bid of $125.00, and received the teacup on the first of March. When asked what he intends to do with this priceless artifact, he said, "It will proudly be displayed in my 1870's colonial."

Both Keith and Sarah are now honorary Friends of the Library. We thank Sarah for bringing this local historical treasure home, and Keith for his generous donation to the Friends and commitment to preserving the artifact.

Sarah said, " I hope other people will be encouraged to try to help the community in some way, even a small way."
Spring Storytime
Technically, it is Spring. At least it is trying real hard. Storytime continues regardless!

April 2 to May 30

  • Mondays @ 10am: ages 15 months to 2
  • Mondays @ 1pm: ages 3-5
  • Tuesdays @ 6pm: ages 3-5
  • Wednesdays @ 10am: ages 2-4

Please call Miss Debbie at 508-476-2695 to for questions or sign-ups!
April Book Clubs:
  • Greatest Book Club Ever: April 5, 6:30pm -- Holes by Louis Sachar

  • Intrepid Readers: April 10, 6:30pm -- Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

  • Young Readers: April 12, 6:00pm -- Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

  • Senior Center Book & Film Club: April 25, 11:00am -- Wonder by R. J. Palacio

  • Book Bunch: April 26, 6:00pm -- Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

  • Reading to Cooper: May 3, 6:00pm -- Reader's choice. The greyhound doesn't care. :)
Other Events:
  • Music, Movement, & Storytime with Deb Hudgins: Every Tuesday at 1:00pm.

  • Chess Club: Every Tuesday at 5:00pm.

  • Lego Clubs: Wednesdays at 3:30pm.
  • Group I -- April 4
  • Group II -- April 11
  • Group III -- April 25

  • Annual Town Meeting: May 7 at 7:00pm

  • Annual Town Election: May 8
Brought to you by the Friends of the Simon Fairfield Public Library.