February Means Programs!
Library Lines                 February  2019
We're Teaming Up With the
 Council  on Aging for Tax Time!

If you've ever used the services of the the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program at the Council on Aging you know how much of a relief it is to have free assistance with and preparation of your taxes. This year, we're partnering with the COA to offer additional help sessions here at the Library.

In addition to the sessions at the COA during the daytime on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the Library will have these time slots on Thursdays, 
February 7 through April 11: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.  

To make an appointment at either the Library or the COA, for tax preparation or assistance, or for tax questions, call: 508/946-2490.

For a complete list of documents some taxpayers might need to bring to the appointment, visit:  aarpfoundation.org/taxaide . 
Build Your Own Terrarium

Stop by the Library at 2:00 p.m. on Wed., Feb. 27 for a fun afternoon of building a terrarium with your friends. Go green with an easy craft project, where all materials will be provided including plants, soil, and glass containers. If you have your own supplies or would like to bring decorative items, like china animals, please do so.

The class will be led by Mary Ann Cunningham, library plant person and longtime volunteer for all things green. She has never met a plant she didn't like.

You MUST have a reservation to attend as seating is limited.   Stop in, call the Library at 508/946-2470, or email Libby Fox at lfox@sailsinc.org.
Tax Talk Time!

Eric Hadsell, from H&R Block, returns on Thurs., Feb. 14 at 3:00 p.m. to help you through that new, very different, 1040 form and its new schedules.

The 2018 tax year has brought many changes, including the elimination of the 1040EZ and 1040A forms, changes to the standard deductions, and exemptions, and much more.   There will be a presentation on the new 1040 form and schedules, and time for all your questions.
February Vacation Week is STEM Week at the Library
 
Tues., Feb. 19, 1:00 p.m.--2:30 p.m.   Dashbot Robots
 
Tony Ghelfi of FrankenSTEAM will bring Dashbot robots to the Library.  Kids ages 8-12 are invited to register for this 90-minute program.  Using Blockley and Wonder apps, participants will learn to code the robots and, if time permits, they'll play robot soccer!   Space is limited.  Call 508/946-2470 to register.  

Tues., Feb. 19, 4:00-5:00 p.m.  Lego-Mania  
 
It's a BLOCK PARTY! Lego building bricks and DUPLOS will be available for kids of all ages. No registration required.  All ages welcome.
 
Tues., Feb. 19, 6:00-7:45 p.m.  Movie Night
Bring your dinner and/or snacks and make a night of it with a showing of the new release The House with a Clock in its Walls, rated PG.  

Wed., Feb. 20, 10:30-11:30 a.m.   
Fun with STEM and the Easton Children's Museum

Calling all future scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians!  Test theories and predictions through a    compil ation of some of our favorite STEM experiments.  Learn  to ask questions, define problems, construct explanations and design solutions while having fun!  Space is limited.  Best for ages 5-9 and siblings are always welcome. Call  508/946-2470 or stop by the Library to register.
 
Thurs., Feb 21, 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.  3D Printing with Borobot
 
Richard Oakley from Borobot, a Middleborough group focused on providing STEM learning opportunities, will visit the Library with 3D printers for a live demonstration.  Want to learn more about Borobot?  Here's your chance.  Richard will answer all your questions.  Get excited about STEM in Middleborough!  Drop-in.  No registration required and all ages are welcome.

Thurs., Feb. 21, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.  Snap Circuits

Try your hand at working in teams to create with Snap Circuits.  Build with Rover, Arcade, Motion or any of the other sets.  Snap Circuit sets are typically geared toward ages 8 and up.  Siblings welcome.  No registration required.

STEM vacation week is funded through the generosity of the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.
Families Love the Library

Don't miss out on these and other great events at the Library all month long.  Check the website for our regular weekly programs.

Sat., Feb. 2, Take Your Child to the Library Day 

Bring your child(ren) to the Library for ongoing activities throughout the day.  All kids who sign up for a new library card on this day will receive an extra surprise!

Mon., Feb. 4, 1:30-2:30 p.m.  Preschool Play and Learn with Ms. Gina

Join Ms. Gina for stories, crafts, hands-on activities and more.  For kids 2.9 to      5 years of age and their caregivers.  Space is limited.  Click here to register. 

Tues., Feb. 5, 6:00-7:00 p.m.  Game Night

Old-fashioned family fun with board games, puzzles, and more! All ages welcome.  No registration required.

Tues., Feb. 12, 6:00-7:00 p.m.  Craft Night

Have a knitting project or scrapbook?  Bring it! Perfect time to make some valentines.  We'll have craft supplies available for all ages.  No registration required.

Wed., Feb. 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m.  Valentines Party

Kids ages 3-6 and their families are invited to a Valentines party at the Library. Stories, crafts, hands-on activities and more! No registration required.

Sat., Feb. 16, 12:30-2:30 p.m.  Pokemon Kids

It's been so popular we've expanded the time from one to two hours.  Join other kids who love Pokemon.  Bring your cards or use the Library's decks.  Come to learn, watch, play or just talk about Pokemon!  No registration required.

Mon., Feb. 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sensory Storytime Yoga

Melissa Oddi-Morrison of the Heart in Art will join us for another story complete with sensory activities and yoga.  This program is best for kids who would benefit from a small group environment.  Space is limited.  Call 508/946-2470 or stop by the Library to register.

These programs are funded through the generosity of the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

Chain Maille Workshop & Author Talk for Teens

Visit with local author James Wadsworth, who writes under the name J. W. Elliott, on Sat., March 9 at 1:00 p.m. to hear about the role of medieval chain maille and archery in his fantasy-adventure series Archer of  the Heathland.  Check out the series here.

Teens in grades 6-12 will learn to make a small section of chain maille to take home.  Participants will also get a chance to look at real medieval bows and chain maille pieces.
Wadsworth's books will be available for sale and autographing.

Registration is required for this free program.
Please stop by the Library or contact Teen Librarian Chris Dargelis at 508/946-2470 or by email at cdargeli@sailsinc.org to register for the workshop.

This program was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.

Boston Bruins PJ Drive

We'll be participating again this year in the Boston Bruins PJ Drive, benefiting both kids in need AND the Library. You'll be able to drop off new kids and teen pajamas from February 1 through March 15.  Bins will be located in the Peirce St. entrance, near the bubbler and in the Children's Room, near the puppets. 

Donated items will benefit the more than 50,000 kids and teens in the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) system. The goal is to collect 10,000 PJs this year!

We also have an opportunity to win Bruins prizes for the Library. The libraries that collect the three greatest number of pajamas will each be awarded five tickets to a  Bruins regular season game, and may use them however they wish for their patrons.  There also will be a " 12 Days of PJs" promotion where random drawings will award three each of team-s igned sticks, team- signed jerseys, p layer-signed jerseys, and  photos to libraries to use.

So drop off your donations soon to benefit kids and teens throughout the Commonwealth AND help us win prizes for you!



This Month's Marvelous Museum Pass

Located in the heart of downtown Springfield,  the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission.  This pass also covers the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Springfield Science Museum, the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History.   Each pass allows free admission for four people .   

Please remember you may pick up your pass any time during the three days before your visit.    
 
Thanks to the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library for  providing the financial support for this pass.  Unfortunately, the Springfield Museums are discontinuing the library pass program starting in May, so reserve the pass and check out these great museums by April 30.

Did You Know...

We offer an online index to the Middleboro Gazette dating all the way back to 1852?  Simply visit our website at www.midlib.org, click on the "Local History" tab, select "Middleboro Gazette Index," and scroll down until you see the listing of all the newspapers we have indexed.

The index is searchable by keywords, including names, events and places.  Once you find the citation for an article you're interested in, you can select the appropriate microfilm reel in our Genealogy Room and view the article on one of our two digital readers.  For those who can't make it to the Library in person, email Reference Librarian Libby Fox at lfox@sailsinc.org and request as many articles as you wish.  For a $1/article charge, we'll copy and email you the requested pieces. 

We currently have the newspaper indexed for these time periods:  1 852-1868, and 1905-1979. (Issues from 1980 to 2017 also are available on microfilm, but there is no index for them yet.) We add more years to the index on an ongoing basis, so be sure to check back regularly. 
Save the Date!

Mark your calendar now and look for more information in future newsletters on these upcoming adult programs: 

Tues., March 5, 6:30 p.m.: "Going to Extremes" with travel author and photographer Peter Mandel.
 
Wed., March 27, 6:00 p.m.: Sail Away on the Craft of Pastel Painting with Greg Maichack
Chocolates or Candies?

Does a heart-shaped box of chocolates set your heart on fire? If so, you're among the majority who picked that category as their favorite Valentine's Day treat, according to an (unscientific) employee poll at thedailymeal.com.

The other top nine confections, in order of their being named as a favorite, are: conversation hearts, anything that's on sale on February 15 (seriously), heart-shaped Reeses, Dove chocolates, Lindt Lindor truffles, Hershey's Hugs, Hershey's Kisses, Nerds, and Fun Dip. 

https://www.thedailymeal.com/holidays/most-popular-valentines-day-candies-ranked-slideshow
This newsletter is brought to you thanks to the Friends of the Middleborough Public Library.
Middleborough Public Library
102 North Main St.,  Middleborough, MA 02346
508/946-2470
www.midlib.org

Monday--Thursday:  10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.    
Saturday:  9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.   
Sundays: noon - 4:00 p.m.
Closed on Fridays 
STAY CONNECTED: