Most true independent and foreign films get squeezed out of commercial theaters by Hollywood blockbusters and face skyrocketing marketing costs that make it daunting - if not impossible - to reach appreciative audiences.  The Jacob Edwards Library subscribes to the Film Movement series to bring "art house" independent and foreign films to you.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.  

 

Members of Sturbridge Lyme Awareness of Massachusetts (S.L.A.M.) will present a program to raise awareness and increase education on Lyme Disease, in the Pioppi Room.  A short film on the topic will be shown, followed by discussion time with a question and answer session.

 

S.L.A.M. is a local advocacy group and is committed to raising awareness of Chronic Lyme Disease and supporting legislation for better treatment and a cure.  Chronic Lyme remains controversial in the medical community and until legislation is passed, Lyme sufferers struggle to get appropriate treatment and insurance coverage.

 

Over 200,000 people a year are now affected, in this country, by Lyme Disease and the co-infections that are associated with Tick Borne Disease (TBD). Current CDC testing is only about 35% accurate which means many go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for far too long. Poor testing leads to Chronic Lyme Disease which can effect every part of the body and has no cure. Fibromyalgia, MS, ALS and Autism are just a few of the diseases linked to Lyme Disease.

Libraries across the state of Massachusetts are obliged to file a Long-Range Plan every 5 years, in order to maintain eligibility for grant funding. To this end, the Jacob Edwards Library has organized two focus groups to obtain input from the community, which will assist us in setting goals and objectives, and retool to be responsive and proactive to community needs.  From this process, the service model is developed. The support and input of the community is a vital component of this important survey.