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.
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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 and music CDs are loaned for three
weeks. New books are loaned for two weeks. Videos and DVDs
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 four videos (VHS) and two DVDs at
any given time. CDs, audiobooks and magazines are restricted to
ten at any given time.
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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 facility. Entrance to the parking is is via Foster
Street. Both the Main Street parking and Foster Street lot have
two-hour limits.
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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, eight computers are available for public
use. Two are located in the Children’s Department on the Lower
Level for children twelve and younger; six are located in the Computer
Room on the Main Level for persons thirteen and older. One
computer is located on the Second Level for word processing
purposes. 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. All computers have print capability; the cost
to print is .20¢ per page. 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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