Summer Tidings eNewsletter from the Eldredge Public Library!

TIDINGS

eNewsletter of the EPL

Chatham, MA

Summer 2022

"Connecting Chatham to the World"

Looking Ahead...

We have a busy summer ahead packed with programs; our summer reading adventure, the Poetry Walk, History Weekend, concerts, corn hole and more. We look forward to welcoming back our summer patrons and meeting new library users!

Yes, the Poetry Walk is coming soon! Currently we are attending to the final touches, but it will be up and running sometime in June. Please check our website, social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter), or come into the Library for more information. The location of the walk this year will be Training Field Triangle, using the entrance on Old Comers Road.

Did you know you have access to many free digital online resources? Newspapers, genealogy, consumer reports, streaming movies & TV, ebooks, investment (Value Line is now online!), language tools, and so much more! See everything that's available to you at www.eldredgelibrary.org/databases.

History Weekend is June 17-19. Chatham's historical institutions will be open for tours and offering speakers, displays, walking tours, corn grinding, ship-to-shore radio demonstrations and more. Celebrate our town's past! Find details at www.historic-chatham.org.

The building "shell" project will begin mid June with some masonry restoration on the south side of the building. We expect minimal impact to patrons and library programs during the summer. The project will kick into high gear in September.

Amy Andreasson

Library Director

News from the Friends of the EPL

After two years as President of the Friends Board my term is almost over. It has been an unusual time, but it was still a rewarding experience for me. It took our Board a full year to meet in person, and at first we only met outside. We did not return to meeting in the Library until two months ago. I have been very fortunate to have a wonderful Board who has continued the Friends' mission to support and enhance the Library’s role in Chatham. The book sale reopened and is better than ever. The Learning Series returned in person this spring, and the committee has been planning for exciting fall programs. They’d love to have you join them. Our membership continues to grow, allowing us to provide the “icing on the cake” for the Library.

Though Covid presented us with many challenges, there have been several ways our Library experience has been enhanced. We’ve enjoyed best selling authors through Zoom. The OWL has made it possible for meetings and discussion groups to be together in person and virtually at the same time. And how many of us have picked up a free book from the book cart at the side Library door? The Children’s department has been so creative, holding many of their programs outdoors. There are so many wonderful ways our Library has moved forward despite Covid.

We will hold our Annual Meeting open to all Friends members, on June 14th in the Forgeron Meeting Room at 4 PM. We will be electing new Board Members, presenting the Esprit Award, and enjoying a short program about the Library. We’d be happy to have you join us!

Ann Hosmer

President, Friends of the Eldredge Public Library

Tuesday, June 14th at 4 pm

Friends of the EPL Annual Meeting

Forgeron Meeting Room

This in-person program is limited to 40 participants.

Registration is recommended.

A Message From The Youth Services Team

Chugga, chugga, choo-choo! The Eldredge Express is leaving the station! This year we have an exciting collaboration in place for our 2022 Summer Reading Adventure. We are partnering with the Chatham Railroad Museum to bring you “All Aboard For Summer Reading!”

During our 2022 Summer Reading Adventure, we’ll have programs and events for all ages happening at the Library and the Railroad Museum. Throughout the summer we’ll read, learn, and explore everything railroad-related! From cabooses to conductors, railroad history to railroad design, engineers to elephants, and everything in-between!

All Aboard For Summer Reading begins on July 5th and ends August 9th. It is open to all ages, from infants through adults.

· Registration is in person at our kickoff event on July 5^th or any time after that in Youth Services. Online registration is not available.

· Participants will receive paper trackers to record reading and activities during their Summer Reading Adventure. “Station Souvenirs” will be earned by completing a minimum of 120 minutes of reading and one Summer Reading Adventure Activity each week.

· Meghan will bring the “Mobile Eldredge Express Ticket Booth” to the Railroad Museum each week during Summer Reading. She’ll be there on Wednesdays from 9:30 – 10:30 am for Summer Reading Adventure registration or weekly progress check-in.

· Programs will be in person at the Eldredge Public Library and at the Chatham Railroad Museum. We can’t wait to see you!

· The summer calendar will be posted on June 15^th on our website and includes story times, special guest performers, babysitting classes, and more!

· Teen & Tween Night is every Tuesday at the Eldredge Public Library during Summer Reading!

We are grateful to the Friends of the EPL for their generous support of our 2022 Summer Reading Adventure! For more information and up-to-date news about our 2022 Summer Reading Adventure, stay tuned to the EPL’s website (www.eldredgelibrary.org) and social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) or call Youth Services at 508-940-5170.

Check out our Youth Services newsletter and calendar to learn more about Lego Block Party, Junior Friends Planning Meetings, Backyard Magic and more. The newsletter includes Summer Reading Program information. Registration for July programs begins June 15!

FEPL Learning Series

The Friends of the Eldredge Public Library has just completed a successful Spring Learning Series with 11 programs and 375 participants. The Learning Series continues to provide interesting and informative programs for the community, and donations raised support the Library.

As it prepares for its fall program, the Learning Series Committee is reaching out for new volunteers with ideas and energy to develop another quality program. The Learning Series Committee generally meets once a month for about an hour to consider presenters, program design, and scheduling. Additional volunteers are needed to take attendance and monitor individual presentations. Individuals with skills in technology or publicity would also be welcome additions to our team. Anyone interested in volunteering to be a member of the committee or participate in another role may contact our volunteer coordinator, Tom Reid, at learningseries@eldredgelibrary.org

For further information contact the Learning Series Committee at

learningseries@eldredgelibrary.org or call the library at 508-945-5170.

You will find great books at bargain prices at the Friends of the EPL Book Sale located on the lower level of the Library.

Please check the Book Sale webpage for updates, including donation information. Call 945-5170 for daily hours.

Not yet a Friends member? Join us today! Your membership supports youth and adult programs and equipment, museum discount passes, technology needs and upgrades in all areas of the Library and so much more. Thank you for being a Friend! Join online or download a membership form!