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Blogging at the Library
Check out our new blog on the homepage!
Check the blog for the latest updates and news from JEL. To read beyond the most recent entries, or to view the entry in full, just click on the link! You can also subscribe in your RSS reader or by email to stay up to date!
To go straight to the blog, click here. | |
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JEL has a new Facebook page! "Like" us for updates on library events and more! |
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Due to changes in the tax tables, the publication dates have been moved back for IRS tax forms and publications. A limited selection of forms is availably currently at the library, and we hope to receive in the near future. The IRS has announced that they will be discontinuing mailing tax packages to individual filers. To get forms and instructions:
-Download from the IRS website (library staff is available to assist with downloading forms)
-Call toll-free, 1-800-829-3676 to request forms.
-Obtain them at the library (forms only - the IRS will not be sending us any instructions in hard copy). Please click here for more information. AARP volunteer tax assistance program is already booked up. If the library has other sessions to offer, we will post it immediately. Also, assistance is available through the Council on Aging - 508-764-5436. |
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Holiday Closings
The library will be closed Monday, February 21st in honor of President's Day |
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Sign up today!
A free introduction to the internet for seniors!
Sponsored by Catholic Charities and Senior Service America, this new program will allow those with little or no computer experience to learn! Please call to schedule a session or to learn more: 508-764-5426
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Memorial Gifts and the Library
In recent months, the library has received some donations to honor the memory of a recently deceased family member or friend. This is an excellent way of celebrating the life of a loved one. Library staff has the opportunity to acquire books from a wish list that would otherwise not have been possible to purchase due to budget limitations. Please consider remembering your friend or family member with a memorial gift. |
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Website Tip of the Month
Mixing in Math
MiM offers over 200 English and Spanish resources that are fun, and blend math with fitness, nature, cooking and other areas familiar to grades K-6 children and their caregivers |
| Library Hours | |
Monday:
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday:
9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Friday:
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday:
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
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2 GB USB Flash Drives are now Available at your Library!
$10 Each! |
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Did you Know?
You can pay your overdue book fees online?
Click here to login to your account! Have Questions?
Call us at 508-764-5426
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Meeting to take place in the Mills Room, at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 28th.
The Friends extend an invitation to all library patrons to join their group.
They run an ongoing booksale, on the lower level, of gently used books that are available for purchase. The money generated goes to support the programs at the library. The staff is very appreciative of this support.
The annual book sale will be on Thursday, March 24th, starting at 5:00 p.m., and will run through Saturday, March 26th at noon. |
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Board of Trustees |
Jacob Edwards Library
Meeting to take place in the Mills Room,
Tuesday, February 8th at 12 Noon. |
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Jacob Edwards Library
Greetings!
February is a time of celebration: to fête Black History Month, we are pleased to have a program on Burkina Faso, Africa, presented by local residents who have visited several times, an exciting Hip Hop program during school vacation week, and will be screening Munyurangabo, an award-winning film from Rwanda! Additionally, this month's exhibit by Fr. Ernest Trahan documents his life and achievements in Lesotho, Africa.
On February 24th, please join us for a presentation by distinguished author Leila Philip, as she discusses her book, A Family Place. All proceeds from book sales at this event will be donated to the Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library.
And of course, our recurring programs continue - Knitting with Sonya, the Inkwell Imaginings writing group, the new Teen Center, and the Anime Club.
Read on for the details on all of these programs and more! |
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February's JEL Staff Picks | |
Looking for a good book? Here are some that JEL staff have recently enjoyed! Clicking on the title will take you right to the library's catalog, where you can put a hold on the popular titles!
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February's Art Exhibit: Fr. Ernest Trahan
Reception Thursday, February 3rd at 6:30 p.m. | |
The Library will present an art exhibit of the works of Fr. Trahan, celebrating Black History Month during the month of February. The show will commence on Tuesday, Feb. 1, and run until Monday, Feb. 28. There will be a reception for the artist from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the Main Hall on Thursday, February 3rd, with refreshments pro vided by the Friends of the Library.
Ernest Wilfred Trahan was born in Southbridge in 1927 and attended Academie Brochu in Southbridge. In 1942 he went to Canada to join the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. He studied under the direction of the Brother at Mr. St. Charles Academy, in Rhode Island. He later returned to Canada for further studies and became a primary school teacher. After his studies at St. Michael's College in Winooski, Vermont, he was sent to teach in Lesotho, South Africa. There he taught for twenty-six years, including two years in Zimbabwe. During this time he also designed schools and churches for Fr. Gilbert, and Oblate Father of Mary Immaculate and Vicar General of Lesotho.
After spending a few years as a hermit, he entered the seminary in Lesotho, and was ordained a priest in Lesotho in 1976. In 1977 he founded a retreat house, the Foyer of Charity. He was assigned to the parish of St. Anne in 1983 and, in 1987, became the Rector of the Minor Seminary in Leribe. As the Diocesan Chancellor of the Leribe Diocese from 1988 to 1996, Fr. Ernest served in many parishes of Leribe. In 1996 after some twenty years of ministry, he retired in his hometown in Southbridge. Throughout his life in Africa and working in different media, he enjoyed recording his colorful surroundings.
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Library Catalog: Get the Best Results
Wednesday, February 9th at 10:00 a.m. |
This is your opportunity!
Space is limited, so please call 508-674-5426 to register. Wondering about something other than the catalog, like how to download ebooks or access a database? We can teach you that too! Have you ever wished someone could show you how to use our online catalog? Then you're in luck! Sign up for this one-hour session to learn the basics of using our catalog, plus some tips and tricks!
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Library Box Office Presents: Munyurangabo Thursday, February 10th at 6:00 p.m. | |
The Friends of the Jacob Edwards Library present Munyurangabo, which will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Pioppi Room, lower level. Candy will be available for purchase.
Munyurangabo was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the AMI Film Festival, and an Official Selection of several International Film Festivals, including the Berlin, London, and Toronto Festivals. Synopsis:
"After stealing a machete from a market in Kigali, Munyurangabo and his friend, Sangwa, leave the city on a journey tied to their pasts. Munyurangabo wants justice for his parents who were killed in the genocide, and Sangwa wants to visit the home he deserted years ago. Though they plan to visit Sangwa's home for just a few hours, the boys stay for several days. From two separate tribes, their friendship is tested when Sangwa's wary parents disapprove of Munyurangabo, warning that 'Hutus and Tutsis are supposed to be enemies.'" About the Library Box Office:
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. |
Burkina Faso Presentation
Thursday, February 17th at 6:30 p.m. | |
 Community member Robin Marinelli and some of her friends, who have visited the West African nation of Burkina Faso several times, will present a glimpse of the life and culture there. For those wondering about life on another continent, or those interested in learning more about heritage as it pertains to Black History, please accept this as your invitation to join us!
The program is free and open to the public. There will be various items of everyday life in Burkina Faso on display, including fabrics and clothing, which may be of interest. |
Author Event: Leila Philip
Thursday, February 24th at 6:30 p.m. | |
Come enjoy a rich literary event and support your library!
 In this special event, distinguished author Leila Philip will read from her award-winning memoir, A Family Place: A Hudson Valley Farm, Three Centuries, Five Wars, One Family and talk about how she conducted research for this book, which covers almost three centuries of one family's continuous tenure on a farm in Columbia County, a colorful Hudson Valley past she uncovered, complete with renegade aunts, Civil War heroes, manor lords, and tenant farmers.
The 45-minute presentation wi ll be followed by a 15 minute Q&A session, in which Philip hopes to engage lively and frank discussion about the challenges of researching and writing family stories.
After the event, books will be for sale, and Leila Philip will be on hand to sign copies of her book.
All proceeds from Book Sales will go to the library to fund educational programs.
Does your family have interesting stories that you'd like to write down, but you haven't known where or how to begin? Bring your questions, get ideas, and come away inspired to beging writing down your own family tales!
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Vacation Week Fun for Teens!
Week of February 21st | |
Even though school is not in session, the library has plenty of fun things to do!
Anime Club - Tuesday, February 22nd at 3:10 p.m. - see below for more!
Girl Power - for girls in grades 5-8. Wednesday, February 23rd at 10:00 a.m. Sign up required, please call the library 508-764-5426.
Movie: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Thursday, February 24th at 12:00 p.m. 1939 version starring Mickey Rooney.
Hip Hop with Rhondae Drafts: Learn more about history and perfo rmance of hip hop, and how this pop-cultural phenomenon happened! Funded by the Southbridge Cultural Council. More information soon!
Wii for Teens, Friday, February 25th at 2:00 p.m.
The children's department will have some drop-in crafts and activities as well, so stop by! Did you know that there is a dress-up corner in the children's room? An important part of creative play is using props and your imagination! We have some of the essentials. |
Inkwell Imaginings
Mondays, February 7th, 14th, and 28th at 6:00 p.m. |
The writing group continues with its weekly schedule this month - all aspiring writers are welcome!
"Remember the first sentence you ever read? Okay, so probably not. Do you remember, though, tha t wonderful feeling the vivid scenes and imagery gave you? Sweeping you up in a maelstrom of emotion, chaos, and tragic beauty that so seems to elude you no matter how many times you re-write it or bang your head on the table?
Well, welcome to the club. In the immortal words of Douglas Adams: "DON'T PANIC!" There is hope and there is help. While this group won't be the answer to all of your descriptive dilemmas we may be able to help you through at least a few scenes on your way to your ultimate masterpiece.
We welcome you with open arms and bleeding pens to Inkwell Imaginings, a writing group started by two struggling authors (much like yourself), looking to provide an outlet and support through the trials and tribulations of the writing world. While not experts we can lend a helping hand and sympathetic ear, allowing each of us to grow and empower you and your quest to become published... or just to write a story that you can be proud of." |
Knitting with Sonya
Tuesdays, February 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd at 10:30 a.m. |
From 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday come knit with Sonya in the Reading Room! Assistance will be given to anyone needing help with a pattern. Any handcrafters are welcome to join! |
Teen Center
Mondays, February 7th, 14th, and 28th at 4:00 p.m. |
Monday afternoons from 4:00-5:30 p.m. check out the Teen Center in the Jacob Edwards Library. Usually held in the Pioppi Room on the first level, it is a safe space for teens to hang out, eat snacks, talk about issues that they're dealing with, and watch videos or listen to music. All of the activities are related to violence prevention and media literacy, helping teens to really understand what they images they see are telling them. Two counselors (Natalie and Amparo) from the Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts, located in Worcester, run this group weekly. Anyone wanting more information on this group can contact Natalie at 508-852-7600 x239. |
Anime Club for Teens
Tuesdays, February 1st, 8th, 15th, and 22nd at 3:10 p.m. |
The Anime Club continues to meet in the Pioppi Room, every Tuesday after school! Stop by from 3:10 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. for some fun!
Manga - Video Games - Cosplay - Movies - Parties
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Despite all of the snow and inclement weather, it is winter! So wrap-up well, and visit the library. Why not check out a Wii Game, and keep up your exercise regime indoors? We look forward to seeing you!
Staff Jacob Edwards Library |
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