Library News

Jacob Edwards Library

June 2023

Library Hours

Monday & Thursday 9 am - 8 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday 9 am - 5 pm

Saturdays 9 am - 1 pm

Curbside pickup is available during library hours!

Visit the CW MARS Libby page to get started.

If you need help, please call 508-764-5426 x105 or, bring in your device and staff will help you connect.

The Sturbridge, Charlton, and Southbridge public libraries have teamed up to celebrate Pride Month! There are programs for all ages (in-person and virtual) - check the calendar of events out here!!

June Art Exhibit

John Polakowski

Meet & Greet

Thursday, June 1st

6:30 - 7:30 pm

JEL is pleased to host an exhibit of John Polakowski’s work!

A native of Southbridge, John Polakowski began his love of art in high school when he was a student of noted local artist Claire Birtz. (Red Covered Bridge, Rose Vase I). Encouraged to develop his natural artistic skill, John began taking art classes at night at the Worcester Art Museum, BayPath at Night and local instructors including Kathy Coggins at Wildvine Studios in Southbridge. (Daisies, Bridge of Flowers). Workshops with JP Goodwin in Albany, NH and Cape Cod artist Mary Giamarino further developed John’s eye for color and texture (The Barn at Davis Hill, Power House, Captain Jack’s Wharf).

John takes his inspiration from nature and the joy of life.  John’s interest in the environment and social justice also influences his work (Hope, United in Turbulent Times.) Breaking with traditional supplies, John has most recently taken to using unconventional items to incorporate into his paintings (Pink and Yellow Vase - found scrap wood, Splash - painted with homemade wine!).

He is a member of Chocorua Art Works, North Conway Art Association, Truro Art Center, The Falmouth Art Center, and Historic New England. John’s work has been exhibited at The Provincetown Art Association and Museum and locally at The Ruth Wells Center for the Arts, The Charlton Public Library. John is a graduate of North Adams State College and has worked locally at The Publick House, Rom’s, Old Sturbridge Village, and other family restaurants throughout Massachusetts. He still resides in Southbridge with his spouse, Billy, and their two dogs Audrey and Barney.

John is honored to have been asked to exhibit during this year’s Pride Month at the Jacob Edwards Library and hopes everyone enjoys the show.

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Crowes Pasture

Thursday, June 8th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

JEL is pleased to host a concert by Crowes Pasture!

Crowes Pasture's Monique and Andy perform moving and inspirational songs that are sometimes joyful, sometimes wistful, and oftentimes, poignant. Their intimately blended vocal harmonies are enhanced by their expressive and unique instrumental style that is best described as "a banjo-guitar romance.

Crowes Pasture has made waves with two EPs and three full-length albums since 2015. 

Over the past few years, Crowes Pasture has performed at a number of renowned east coast music venues including Club Passim, Shalin Liu Performance Center, Rockwood Music Hall, The Bull Run, and Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, and has been a supporting act for The Small Glories, The Kennedys and The Black Feathers. The duo has toured recently throughout Southern Ontario and Quebec.

The duo takes its name from the salt marsh/tidal flats known as Crowes Pasture, hidden away on the north side of Cape Cod, where the ocean tides recede twice a day to reveal intricate patterns on the shifting sands. This recurring cycle of creation and discovery evokes their own musical journey.

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

Juneteenth Celebration with Crocodile River Music

Thursday, June 15th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

JEL is pleased to welcome Crocodile River Music back to celebrate Juneteenth!

African rhythms, history, and culture merge into an evening of movement, cultural exploration, and joy. Internationally recognized, the group consists of members from Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Tanzania, and the US. Crocodile River Music’s mission is to connect audiences with African artists and cultures through performance and education. They are a diverse group of people committed to presenting African art, music, and culture to audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and capabilities.

Crocodile River Music’s goal is to provide experiences that encourage all participants to gain awareness of the intrinsic value of African arts, cultures, and histories as worthy of study in their own right throughout their lifespan, and to encourage participants to further their education about African arts and the lives, cultures, and values of African people as represented through art.

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

Multiple copies of the monthly selection will be on hold - please ask for a copy at the Information Desk.

From the publisher:

"Before Owen Michaels disappears, he smuggles a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her. Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers- Owen's sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother. As Hannah's increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered, as the FBI arrests Owen's boss, as a US marshal and federal agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn't who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen's true identity- and why he really disappeared. Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen's past, they soon realize they're also building a new future - one neither of them could have anticipated."

Recommendations for future titles are always welcome!

Afternoon Author Talk

Lost Towns of the Swift River Valley: Drowned by the Quabbin 

by Elena Palladino

Wednesday, June 28th

2:00 - 3:00 pm

For some researchers, the topics they write about hit close to home. This was literally the case for Elena Palladino, who lives in the historic home once owned by a key figure from her new book on local Massachusetts history.

In April 1938, Swift River Valley residents held a farewell ball to mark the demise of the quintessential New England town of Enfield and its three smaller neighbors, Greenwich, Dana and Prescott. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was sacrificing these towns to build the Quabbin, a massive reservoir of drinking water for residents of Boston. Three prominent residents attended the somber occasion. Marion Andrews Smith was the last surviving member of an important manufacturing family. Willard “Doc” Segur was the valley’s beloved country doctor and town leader. And Edwin Henry Howe was Enfield’s postmaster and general store proprietor. They helped build their beloved community for decades, only to watch grief-stricken as it was destroyed by 412 billion gallons of water. Author and historian Elena Palladino recounts the story of these communities as seen through eyes of those who lived there until the end.

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Pride in Southbridge

Thursday, June 29th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

JEL is pleased to present Sarah Jo Burke, well-known singer and musician in a solo concert! This event is part of our Pride in Southbridge annual celebration which dates back to 2006.

Sarah Jo's stage experience dates back to childhood in the 60's when she was a member of the internationally acclaimed Burke Family Singers. For 12 years she sang, toured and recorded with the group, appeared on television in more than a dozen specials and on variety shows such as the Jack Paar, Mike Douglas and Ed Sullivan shows. Later, she was part of the musical duo, "LiSare" and for 10 years performed and recorded original songs as well as acoustic, folk, blues, jazz and traditional Irish music in concert halls, pubs and resorts across New England and the Midwest.

Sarah's music can be sampled here.

Sponsored by Friends of Jacob Edwards Library.

Song of the Forever Rains

by E.J. Mellow

"The Thief Kingdom is a place hidden within the world of Aadilor. Many whisper of its existence, but few have found this place, where magic and pleasure abound. There, the mysterious Thief King reigns supreme with the help of the Mousai, a trio of revered and feared sorceresses. Larkyra Bassette may be the youngest of the Mousai, but when she sings her voice has the power to slay monsters. When it's discovered the Duke of Lachlan is siphoning a poisonous drug from the Thief Kingdom and using it to abuse his tenants, Larkyra is offered her first solo mission to stop the duke. Eager to prove herself, Larkyra accepts by posing as the duke's potential bride. But her plans grow complicated when she finds herself drawn to Lord Darius Mekenna, Lachlan's rightful heir. Soon she suspects Darius has his own motivations for ridding Lachlan of the corrupt duke. Larkyra and Darius must learn to trust each other if there is to be any hope of saving the people of Lachlan--and themselves. Welcome to the world of Aadilor, where lords and ladies can be murderers and thieves, and the most alluring notes are often the deadliest. Dare to listen?" - Provided by publisher.

Services Spotlight

Book-A-Librarian

Need individual, uninterrupted help from one of our friendly librarians?

JEL's Book-A-Librarian service allows you to reserve appointments with a librarian for up to one hour of uninterrupted, personalized reference assistance.

Book-A-Librarian if you need:

• Training in the library's online research databases for school, business, genealogy, or other research.
• Library tours and instruction in the use of the library catalog.
• Help with general computer basics, including internet navigation and word processing.
• Help with selected government and employment resources.

Please note: Librarians are not legal, medical, or tax professionals. Some questions or topics may lead to a referral to other information providers.

To schedule an appointment, please call 508-764-5426 x105 or email refjel@cwmars.org.

Welcome to the Children's Page

June

2023

Join us this Summer for some great programming and reading fun!

Registration begins on

June 26, 2023

Maggie the Clown will be here on June 26, 2023 at 6:30 pm to kick off the celebration!!

Monday Night

STEAM Club

Join us on Monday evenings at

6:30 pm for STEAM Club!

Activities include art, playdough, puzzles, building circuits, kinetic sand, tinkering and much more!

Lego Club

Tuesdays

3:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Saturdays

10:30 am - noon

Crafty Wednesday

All Day

 Every Week



Tinkering Thursday

Join us on Thursday afternoons from

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Great for kids 5 and up



What is Tinkering?

"to take things apart, put things together, figure out how things work, and attempt to build and make creations using tools."

Remember to sign up for Summer Reading!

See you at the Library!

Jacob Edwards Library

508.764.5426

jelibrary@cwmars.org