All posts by Jeff Hartman
Book Sale, June 10 & 11
As the end of the year approaches, consider supporting the Friends of the Library! You can become a Friend yourself, give a membership as a gift, purchase library merchandise, and much more!
New Young Adult Mural
Artist Yetti Frenkel, who originally painted the natural scenes that decorate the Children’s Room in 2007, returned to the library this past month! She grew up in Lynn and now lives in Newburyport and has created murals for nine different public libraries, as well as numerous other works of public art. She has created several unique mosaics in the past and has combined that concept here with a jewel-toned painting technique. The design for the Young Adult area was inspired by the idea to make something fun, colorful, and geometric to celebrate the exciting and creative work found in the books and graphic novels there. Stop by to see this amazing new art in the library’s lower level!
About Yetti:
I love story-telling, and my artistic work often contains a narrative quality and implied story. For thirty-five years my inspiration was my home town of Lynn, Massachusetts, where I documented scenes of everyday life in the tradition of the Ash Can School. Other series include scenes of commuters on the subway, grooms at Suffolk Downs, and performers I knew when I worked for the Big Apple Circus. These images are created in a variety of media, including watercolor, oil, and pastel.
Pop-Up Library
The Pop-Up Library will offer you the opportunity to browse and check out books, and even get a new library card in your own neighborhood. We’ll be visiting community locations on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and most Fridays throughout the month.
One Book Arbor Day Giveaway!
UPDATE: As of Friday morning, we are out of lilacs, but still have plenty of spruce and persimmon! Starting Thursday, April 29, come to the library to pick up your tree seedlings! No reservation necessary – the seedlings are available on a first come, first serve basis in the Main Library Lobby. We have three options for you: Common Lilac, Persimmon, or Blue Spruce. We will even carry them out to curb-side if you would prefer, just tell us which species you want! We do not have a limit on the number per person, but we do ask you to think carefully about how many trees your property can accomodate. There is a basic guide provided by the Arbor Day Foundation, here: https://www.arborday.org/trees/righttreeandplace/size.cfm, and if you register we will send you a link to a quick information session provided by one of our own local tree specialists. All the details here: https://chelmsfordlibrary.libcal.com/event/7756151
Library Service Update – March 20
Our staff is available to offer support over the phone, via email, and online chat. We can help with questions about ebooks and streaming services, reading suggestions, your library account, and general reference inquiries!
Our hours for the time being are as follows:
Monday through Thursday: 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Sunday: Closed
You can also use the library WiFi at any time from the library grounds and parking lot anytime!
Online Programs
We will be having Facebook Live storytimes and singalongs on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 11:00 am! We’re also looking to add virtual book discussions soon as well. Follow us on social media for more news about these programs! Past library programs, including lectures, workshops, music, and more, are available through Chelmsford Telemedia’s website:https://www.chelmsfordtv.org/program/library-hour
Curbside Pickup Has Ended
We were thrilled to be able to offer this service while it was still feasible, but updated guidelines from the Board of Health and the announcement of Chelmsford’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 convinced us that the practice was too risky. For now, the best source for library resources is through our e-content page which offers access to online books, audiobooks, music, movies, magazines, and more, including newspapers and research databases.
https://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/econtent
No Need To Renew Items
All due dates will be extended until the library reopens – no need to call and renew! Patrons are asked to stay home and keep their library materials until we reopen, however, the drop-box in the parking lot is available for anyone who must return their items at this time. Since there is no delivery between libraries, any items people have requested are currently suspended and will be reactivated once we reopen.
Donations Suspended
We are currently unable to accept donations of books or other materials. Please hold these donations until things get back to normal and the Friends can plan for the next book sale.
Tax Appointments and Other Programs
All programs, including tax help appointments, are suspended. The AARP is planning to honor existing appointments as best they can at a later date, but do not know when this will happen. However, the IRS has extended the tax filing deadline to July 15.
What’s Next?
At this time, we do not know when we are going to reopen for normal services. The situation continues to evolve, and we will continue to provide updates through our website, social media, and email newsletter. Please sign up for the newsletter to stay informed at https://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/signups/.
What if I have other questions?
Call us: 978-256-5521
Email us: askus@chelmsfordlibrary.org
Facebook Message: https://www.facebook.com/chelmsfordlibrary
Chat: Click “Ask a Question” in the bottom right of our website
This is the plan for now! We will provide updated information as it becomes available. Thanks for your patience! Follow us on social media for online activities and opportunities in the meantime.
Get Creative While You’re Home!
Need to get started on a new project so you don’t go stir crazy? Want to have fun and try something while you collaborate with friends online? Check out Creativebug to learn a new skill or hobby with 1,000+ award-winning art & craft video classes, taught by recognized design experts and artists. You can also see a list of project videos before logging in with your library card.
Each project is a video-based tutorial, led by an expert, providing step-by-step instructions. Each lesson also provides a complete materials list and list of necessary tools. Videos can be watched and rewatched as many time as you like.
Some of the included topics are Art & Design, Sewing, Quilting, Paper, Knitting, Crochet, Food & Home, Jewelry, Holiday & Party, and projects for Kids. Each of these areas are further broken down by category, or you can search by keyword. Besides the classes, Creativebug also offers a pattern library, with free downloads of knitting and crocheting patterns.
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to draw, work with leather, make a dreamcatcher, sew a kid’s apron – or hundreds of other skills – check out Creativebug!
COVID-19 Update – March 18
The library building will be staffed, but closed to the public until further notice.
Update: Curbside pickup ending — Given the announcement by the Board of Health that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 here in Chelmsford, we are going to discontinue our curbside pickup program for the safety of employees and the public. Wednesday night by 9:00 pm will be the last chance to check out library material for the foreseeable future. Call us with any requests! As always, we appreciate your patience during this difficult time.
Digital resources are available at chelmsfordlibrary.org/econtent
What if I have other questions?
Call us: (978) 256-5521
Email us: askus@chelmsfordlibrary.org
Facebook Message: https://www.facebook.com/chelmsfordlibrary
Chat: Click “Ask a Question” in the bottom right of our website
This is the plan for now! We will provide updated information as it becomes available. Thanks for your patience! Follow us on social media for online activities and opportunities in the meantime.
Bookmarked TV!
Every few months, your favorite librarians join Chelmsford Telemedia to bring you their freshest reading recommendations. Check out the archive and follow the CTM page to make sure you don’t miss out on the books that you need to request right now!
Singalong Storytimes!
Summer concert favorite Stacey Peasley is here to help you through the quarantine blues with singalong storytime for the whole family! Check out her Youtube page for more musical fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70UGB9Pd5i4
Coronavirus COVID-19 Update
Dear Library Patrons,
RESPONSE UPDATE 2 – March 16:
Due to updated federal and state guidelines, all town buildings, including the library, will be closed to the public beginning Monday. Watch our website and FB posts as we update you on services that you can access from home. Delivery of library materials has also been suspended by the state- we will catch you up on more details soon! Stay healthy and stay safe!
RESPONSE UPDATE – March 13: Events Canceled
After discussion with Town Manager Paul Cohen, the library has suspended all library programs and children’s activities and all outside use of the meeting rooms. This suspension will continue through the end of March when we will re-evaluate based on updates about the virus. This is a fluid situation – please check back for updates as the situation evolves.
As you may well have heard, Governor Charlie Baker has declared a state of emergency due to developing concerns surrounding the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19. The Chelmsford Public Library is responding to guidelines recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and our own Board of Health.
We encourage any concerned patrons, especially those in high-risk populations, to stay home if they are feeling ill or are simply concerned about potential exposure. We will continue to offer a wide array of digital resources, including books, audiobooks, music, streaming movies and television, and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines at chelmsfordlibrary.org/resources
We are monitoring the situation carefully and will adjust our programming accordingly. Some events may be canceled on short notice at the discretion of either the library or presenters. Please check the library calendar and follow us on social media for updates.
- Our One Book Chelmsford Author Visit with Anne Hood will be postponed until Sunday, September 13 at 2 pm
- Dads and Donuts and Weekday Storytimes are canceled
- The Friday Lecture on Global Sex Trafficking on March 13 has been canceled
- Genealogy Club Interest Group meetings have been canceled
- The Board of Health lecture on the Facts and Dangers of Vaping scheduled for Tues, March 24 has been canceled
- Why We Haven’t Cured Cancer, scheduled for Weds, March 25, has been canceled
- The Bread Making Workshop scheduled for Thurs, March 26 has been postponed
- The Springfest Plotluck and Putt Putt event scheduled for April 4 and 5 has been postponed
We have put safety measures in place that hopefully will help to stop the spread of viruses in the library and in the community:
- Posted signage about proper hygiene and handwashing procedures
- Hand sanitizer at desks and touchless wall sanitizers around the building
Our custodial staff is applying EPA approved disinfectant every six hours (as recommended by the CDC) to:
- Table tops, chair backs, door knobs, crash bars, bathroom latches and doors, elevator buttons and stair railings
- Service desks, computer keyboards and mice, and phones
- Kitchen spaces, refrigerators, sinks, microwaves, and coffee pots
In the children’s room:
- The toys in the play area are now in storage until further notice.
- Headphones have been disinfected and are now stored behind the desk.
- iPads have been disinfected and will be disinfected after each use.
- Theme-related cloth backpacks with toys and book/media collections have been temporarily removed from circulation.
- Toys/instruments/board books used for programming will be disinfected at the end of each program.
Per recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the library is not currently disinfecting borrowed library books or other media when they are checked in nor as they are browsed or used in the building.
Please ask us if you have any questions and in the meantime, please stay healthy and safe!
Becky Herrmann, Library Director, and the Staff of the Chelmsford Public Library