Life @ 50+ -
Life-long learning
About Life@50+
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The Jacob
Edwards Library enjoys a rich legacy of excellent service and is
committed to the promotion of reading, education, literacy, culture,
and lifelong learning for persons of all ages in the Southbridge
community.
-Long-Range Plan,
2004
Our Life@50+ programming is
partially funded through the Massachusetts Board of Library
Commissioners with funds from the Library Services and Technology Act
(LSTA), a Federal source of library funding provided by the Institute
of Museum and Library Services. Additional funding was provided
by the Jacob Edwards Library Board of Trustees and the Friends of Jacob
Edwards Library.
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Life@50+ History
 Life@50+ was a culmination of two dedicated
individuals, Margaret Morrissey, Adult Reference Librarian, and
Susan Chaplin, retired Technical Services Librarian. Margaret and
Sue wrote and were awarded the Equal Access Grant in 2007. They
attended formal training sessions through the Massachusetts Board of
Library Commissioners. Equipped with this new knowledge, they
have worked tirelessly to provide services and programs that meet the
specific needs of our 50+ patrons.
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Did You Know? News You Can Use
Reverse
Mortgages - According the HUD,
reverse mortgages are becoming popular in America. They are a
special type of home loan that lets a homeowner convert the equity in
his or her home into cash. They can give older Americans greater
financial security to supplement their incomes.
Click
HERE to Learn More About Reverse Mortgages
DriveSharp
Software Available at JEL
DriveSharp is a
computer software program that focuses  on
the visual systems in the brain that are essential to safe driving. It
strengthens the brain's ability to process what you see so that you can
focus better, keep track of more on the road, and react faster while
driving. Improvements in your visual processing skills decrease
your risk of accident and ensure that you feel more confident behind
the wheel.
The software is
available to check out for home computer use, or in library use.
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Website of the Month
AARP (American Association of Retired
Persons) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all of us as
we age. With over 39 million members, AARP is the leading
nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and
over in the United States. AARP Women's Scholarship Program The AARP Women’s
Scholarship Program changes lives by funding opportunities for women age 40 and
older. Women who are seeking new job skills, training or educational opportunities
but have limited financial resources are encouraged to apply. To learn
more, visit aarp.org/womensscholarship or call 202-434-2110. Support for
the program comes from the AARP Foundation and Walmart. Applications will
be accepted February 1, 2011 through March 31, 2011
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FAQ's
How do I
get a library card? How do I get a card for my child?
What
do I do if my address, telephone, or e-mail address changes?
What do I
do if my library card is lost or stolen?
What do
I do if I have lost or damaged library materials?
What are
the loan periods for library materials?
How many
items may I borrow on my card?
Can I
renew items?
How do I
schedule a meeting or study room?
Does the
Library have parking?
Is the
Library handicapped accessible?
Does
the Library have changing facilities for infants?
Does the
Library have computers for public use?
Does the
Library have copy and FAX services?
Does
the Library have microfilm-reading services?
Does the
Library provide genealogy services?
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How do I get a library
card? How do I
get a card for my child?
Library
cards are FREE! Complete a Library Card Application at
any Check-out Desk. Present a completed application along with a
photo ID that contains your name and current address. Photo ID
without your current address must be accompanied by printed personal
mail, such as a lease, bill or official document. If you have no
printed personal mail, please ask the staff to mail you a postcard,
which you can then present to the library staff as proof of your
current address.
Parents and legal guardians may
obtain a card for a child or legal dependent at the Check-out Desk in
the Children’s Room on the Lower Level of the Library. A parent
or legal guardian must sign for a minor (under the age of 13) and
present a photo ID that has the parent’s or guardian’s name and current
address. Photo ID without your current address must be
accompanied by printed personal mail, such as a lease, bill or official
document. If you have no printed personal mail, please ask the
staff to mail you a postcard, which you can then present to the library
as proof of your current address.
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What do I do if my address, telephone number or e-mail
address changes?
If
your address, telephone number or e-mail address changes, please notify
the Library in person. E-mail address may be updated through the My Account
page.
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What do I do if my library card
is lost or stolen?
Please
call 508-764-5426 to report a lost or stolen card. You are
responsible for all items checked out on your library card, so please
make your report as soon as possible. There is a $1 charge for
replacing your card.
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What do I do if I have lost
or damaged library materials?
If
you have lost or damaged library materials, you must pay for the
replacement cost of the item(s). Please speak with a staff member
in person about lost or damaged items.
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What are the loan periods
for library materials?
Most
books, books-on-tape, books-on-CD, Playaways and music CDs are loaned
for three weeks. New books are loaned for two weeks.
Videos, DVDs, and Games (Wii and DS) are loaned for one week.
Magazines are loaned for one week.
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How many items may I borrow on my card? Lending
policies are established to encourage the maximum responsible use of
library materials by borrowers. New cardholders are limited to
borrowing two items the first time a new card is used. Also, the
library does reserve the right to limit a patron to three books on the
same subject, so that other students and researchers may have access to
materials in order to provide materials on a given subject for other
patrons. Each
cardholder is limited to borrowing a total of 10 videos (VHS) and DVDs
at any given time. CDs, audiobooks and magazines are restricted
to ten at any given time. Wii and DS games are limited to 1 per family. ^ Top
Can I renew borrowed
items?
Yes,
most library materials can be renewed once, as long as there is no one
else waiting for the item. Items may be renewed in person at any
Check-out Desk, by phone, or on-line. Please phone the library
during open hours to renew by phone; voicemail renewals are not
available. On-line renewals are available by selecting My Account on
the library’s website. To renew items on-line, you will need your
library card number and your PIN.
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Does the Library have parking?
Yes,
free parking is available. Parking is available along Main Street
in front of the facility and in the municipal parking lot located
behind the building. Entrance to the parking lot is via Foster
Street.
Parking
on Main Street and in the Foster Street lot has a two-hour limit.
Should the parking lot be at capacity, additional spaces are available
at the municipal lot on Central Street and LaRochelle Way.
Parking is also available in the evenings only at the Savers Bank lot across Foster Street.
There are 2 van accessible spaces nearest the library at its rear/north entrance.
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Is the Library handicapped
accessible?
Yes,
the facility is handicapped accessible from the rear entrance.
The accessible entrance is located at the rear of the building.
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Does the Library have changing facilities for infants?
Yes,
both restrooms on the Lower Level nearest the Meeting Rooms have
changing tables for infants. Please see the Check-Out Desk in the
Children’s Department for access.
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Does the Library have computers
for public use?
 Yes,
17 computers are available for public use. Two internet
accessible computers are located in the Children’s Department on the
Lower Level for children eleven and younger; four are located in the
Young Adult area for teens aged twelve to seventeen; nine are located
in the Computer Room on the Main Level for persons eighteen and
older.
Two
computers are located on the Second Level for word processing purposes,
as well as a third in the Children's Department.
A
valid library card is required to use the computers. In order for
a card to be valid, the account must be clear of all fines. You may
also obtain a one-day guest pass with a valid ID.
All
computers have print capability; the cost to print is 20¢ per page for
black & white, $2.00 per page for color copies. Please bring
a storage device with you if you wish to save your work. Flash
drives may be purchased at the Information Desk for $10.00. Computer reservations may be made in person through the Reservation Station in the Computer Room.
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Does the Library have copy
and FAX services?
The
Library has a public photocopier located on the Main Level. The
cost to copy is .20¢ per page. The Library does not have a public
FAX service.
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Does the Library have microfilm-reading services?
Yes, two microfilm readers are
located in the Computer Room on the Main Level. Vital statistics,
historical documents and back issues of local newspapers including the Southbridge
Evening News may be searched and printed (50 cents per page).
Please see a staff
member at the Information Desk on the Main Level to access our
microfilm readers. Photo ID is required.
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