Jacob Edwards Library

Library News

May 2026


Seeds, Star Wars Day, and Jazz!

FEATURED EVENT


Paint Class: "Blue Ridge Mountains"

Thursday, May 28

6 - 7:30 pm


Simone Germain, owner of Art by Simone, will teach participants how to paint a small art piece on a block of wood using acrylic paint.


For more info click here.

 

FEATURED CHILDREN'S EVENT


Mother's Day Craft:



Join us to paint a Spring Ornament for Mom!


Saturday, May 2

10:30-11:30am

 

May Art Show


Mokuhanga Magic:

Woodprints by Lynita Shimizu


Available for viewing throughout the month.


Meet & Greet

Thursday, May 7

6:30-7:30 pm


Lynita Kagarise Shimizu’s introduction to Japanese woodblock printmaking began in the Kyoto atelier of traditional master, Tomikiichiro Tokuriki. She later joined a group of printmakers in Tokyo studying under contemporary printmaker, Yoshisuke Funasaka, with whom she remains in contact. Today you’ll find Lynita in her Ashford, CT studio overlooking a beaver pond at the edge of Yale Forest, making prints filled with energy and color.





Click here for more information.

 

JEL Book Club

Wednesday, May 20

2 - 3 pm


In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in May the group will discuss Feeding Ghosts by Tessa Hulls, winner of the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Memoir or Autobiography.


"An astonishing, deeply moving graphic memoir about three generations of Chinese women, exploring love, grief, exile, and identity."


Get the book here.

 

All Month Long


Adult Displays:

  • Star Wars - Be one with the force
  • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • National Hamburger Month


Young Adult

  • Take & Make: Sequin Suncatcher
  • Displays:
  • Mental Health Awareness Month
  • BookTok


Children's Room Displays:

  • Bike Month
  • Mother's Day

Hoopla spotlight


Gain valuable insights, tools, and strategies during Mental Health Awareness Month to nurture your

mental well-being.


Start streaming here

Read free with the Libby app

Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more for free from your local library with Libby, the library reading app.


Get started with Libby here

Events

JEL programs are always free and all are welcome.

Programs are all ages unless otherwise noted.


Fridays, May 1, 8, 15 & 29, 2-3 pm - Meditation

Teens/Adults

Join Iris Vega, certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and Mentor. All levels of experience welcome! You may bring your Yoga mat if you prefer doing the practice lying down.


Saturdays, May 2 & 16, 10-11:30 am - Southbridge Chess Club

Come play, learn, and connect! A friendly environment for all ages and skill levels, from complete beginners to seasoned players. Boards provided. Bring a friend, bring your moves, or just bring curiosity.

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Saturday, May 2, 10:30-11:30 am

Children

Mother's Day Craft: Paint a Spring ornament for Mom!


Monday, May 4, 1 - 2 pm

Friends of Jacob Edwards Library (FoJEL) Meeting

Adults

Monthly meeting of FoJEL, the fundraising organization for library programs.


Monday, May 4, 3 pm

VIRTUAL: A Discussion with Romance Author Rebecca Zanetti

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Saturday, May 9, 10 am - 12 pm

Seeds of Knowledge

Help us clean up the Library gardens and learn how to awaken your gardens for the spring. Please wear gloves. You do not need to have a green thumb to participate! More info.

Rain date: Saturday, May 23


Saturday, May 9, 10:30 am

VIRTUAL: Ticks & Tick-Borne Threats

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Monday, May 11, 7 pm

VIRTUAL: A Guardian and a Thief with Author Megha Majumdar

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Monday, May 11, 9:30 am

VIRTUAL: Job Search Help - Beware Of Job Scams

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Thursday, May 14, 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Catnip Junkies Concert

Catnip Junkies specialize in the iconic sounds of New Orleans jazz, swing and brass band music to create a truly unique and unforgettable experience. More info.

This program is supported by a grant from the Southbridge Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.


Monday, May 18, 7 pm

VIRTUAL: Banning Books in America: Not a How To with Author Samuel Cohen

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Monday, May 18, 7 pm

VIRTUAL: The Construction & Demise Of Penn Station

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Thursday, May 21, 6:30 - 7:30 pm

Southbridge Trails

Ray Arnold, Chairman of the Southbridge Trail Committee, will give an overview and history of the 3 main town trails. There will be time for Q&A by attendees. More info.


Monday, May 25 - Library closed for Memorial Day


Tuesday, May 26, 12 pm

JEL Board of Library Trustees Meeting

Adults


Tuesday, May 26, 7 pm

VIRTUAL: Sounds Like Trouble To Me - A Legal Thriller Inspired By True Stories

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Wednesday, May 27, 9:30 am

VIRTUAL Job Search Help - Using Emotional Intelligence To Reset Your Career

Adults

Click here for more information and to register.


Thursday, May 28, 6 - 7:30 pm

Paint Class: "Blue Ridge Mountains"

Teens/Adults

Featured event

Recurring Events

JEL programs are always free and all are welcome.

Programs are for children & caregivers unless otherwise noted.

Mondays 6:30 - 7:30 pm - Imagination Station - Children's Room

5/4 - Kapla Blocks

5/11 - Plus Plus Blocks

5/18 - Build a Fort

5/25- No program, the library is closed.


Tuesdays 3:30 - 4:30 pm - Construction Crew (LEGOs) - Children's Room

5/5 - Create a Hat

5/12 - Scene from a book

5/19 - Dragon

5/26 - Spring Scene


Wednesdays

10:30 - 11am: Tiny Tykes Storytime - Children's Room

Preschoolers

5/6 - Mom and Me

5/13 - Dinosaur

5/20 - Turtle

5/27 - Corduroy


Wednesdays

9am - 5pm - Crafty Weds - Children's Room

Drop in anytime all day to join us.

5/6 - Mother's Day Card

5/13- Paste Flower

5/20 - Egg carton Turtle

5/27 - Buttons


Thursday May 28, 3:30 - 4:30 pm - Sensory Space

"Picasso Tiles" Increases cognitive development, enhances creativity, promotes social & emotional development, and improves motor skills. Ages 4 to 10


Fridays 10:30 - 11:00 am - Tales for Twos Storytime - Children's Room

5/1 - Mommy and Me

5/8 - Numbers

5/15 - Colors

5/22 - Parachute fun

5/29 - Music/Motion


Saturdays 10:30 - 11:30 am - Construction Crew (LEGOs) - Children's Room

5/9 - Create a Hat

5/16 - Scene from a Book

5/23 - Dragon

 


“A place for everyone across the Board”

Jacob Edwards Library Chess Park and Performance Space

The Chess Park Ad Hoc Committee is fundraising for the Jacob Edwards Library Chess Park and Performance Space. To access the rendering proposed for the space on the southeast corner of the library property and most detailed information, please click here.


Questions? Please contact Bernadette Meade at bmeade2979@gmail.com

 

Now Hiring

Library Aide

For more information, visit the Town of Southbridge Library Aide job posting.


Library Hours


Monday & Thursday 9 am - 8 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9 am - 5 pm

Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm (through May 23)


Curbside pickup is available during library hours. Please call (508) 764-5426.

Jacob Edwards Library

508.764.5426

jelibrary@cwmars.org

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