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Slow Economy? Use The Library!

Almost everyone has been effected by higher-than-normal food and gas prices, a weaker-than-normal dollar, and an overall sluggish economy. But one thing that hasn’t become more expensive is the Library.

In addition to books, the Library has movies on DVD and VHS, books and music on CD, cassette, Playaway, and downloadable audio files, computer games, newspaper and magazines in print and online, internet access, passes to local museums and parks, programs and events for kids and adults, and a lot more - and it’s all free!

A writer for The Consumerist came up with a list of 7 Ways Your Public Library Can Help You During A Bad Economy, even if you’re not a big reader. Also, National Public Radio recently aired a story on how Libraries Shine In Tough Economic Times, and how people can benefit from libraries now more than ever.

If you’re looking for something to do, or help with a question, or just a cool place to spend some time, check out the library.

World Wide Wednesday Music Concerts

Like past summers, the Library’s World Wide Wednesdays summer concert series is proving very fun and popular. Even though rain has forced two concerts to be held indoors at the Chelmsford Senior Center, the audiences have all enjoyed the music and dancing each week.

This week’s performance by InkasWasi, brought to life the color of Peruvian culture, through their costumes, songs and dance. Check out some photos from past concerts to be part of the fun.

There are three more concerts scheduled for this summer:

• July 30 - Mariachi Mexamerica - songs of their colorful culture Guadalajara, Mexico
• Aug 6 - Jolly Kopperschmidts - traditional German music in ‘oom pa’ fashion complete in lederhosen
• Aug 13 - ContraBanditos - New England Contra, Barn Dance, Celtic, Old Time Fiddle and contemporary

All performances start at 6:30 p.m., and are held outside at the MacKay Library - in case of bad weather, performances are moved indoors at the Chelmsford Senior Center.

For more information and a complete schedule, please visit http://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/programs/programs/world_wide_wednesdays.html. This program is supported by the Chelmsford Friends of the Library with technical support from the Music Academy of Chelmsford.

ChelmsfordVolunteers.org Is Launched!

A new resource for volunteering in Chelmsford is ready to be used!

ChelmsfordVolunteers.org is a website designed to bring together people who are willing to lend a hand within the community with those organizations who have a need for volunteers.

The Chelmsford Library developed and sponsors it, but ChelmsfordVolunteers.org is really for the community to use and maintain. Organizations can submit their information and volunteer needs, and adults and teens of the town and search to find volunteer opportunities that fit their interests and abilities.

ChelmsfordVolunteers.org is actually two tools in one. First there is a calendar of upcoming events, at which people can volunteer their time. These can range from helping out at the Friends of the Library’s book sale to setting up for the Lowell Folk Festival, and be for one hour at a time or an ongoing weekly schedule.

The second component is the Community Information Database, which is sponsored by the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium (MVLC). This database lists non-profit groups from all over the Merrimack Valley, and includes contact names and information, description of purpose, meeting times, and more.

If you’re a volunteer, check out ChelmsfordVolunteers.org to find the volunteer opportunity that is right for you.

If you’re an organization and would like to have your group and events listed, please use the event submission form or organization update form. Or, contact Kathy Cryan-Hicks at the Library at kcryanhic@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x109 with questions.

Books for Parents of Teenagers

When I couldn’t see the apple on the picnic table, I knew I was in trouble. I was twelve. It was the school-wide eye exams. The tests involved looking through a device somewhat like the old Kenner toy projectors - the ones with the removable slides. As you gazed, the nurse would ask, “Is the apple on the picnic table or is it off? On, off, I could barely see the apple - never mind its placement. Four Eyes - I thought dispiritedly, they are going to call me Four Eyes. I needed glasses and I was not looking forward to it.

Some of us remember when Jan Brady got her glasses. Marcia may have had to wear the braces, but she still got Davy Jones and her date for the dance turned out to have braces too — it was Jan who we really worried about. The path from clear-eyed to bespectacled can be rough. Adolescence can be a road filled with bumps where self-image is a sensitive issue.

Navigating your child’s course through these years can be challenging. Many parents have turned to books like Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls by Mary Pipher, and Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon and Michal Thompson. These two books came out in the 90’s but are still relevant and helpful today. Another updated and popular title is How to Talk so Teens Will Listen - and Listen so Teens Will Talk by Adele Faber - its original version was directed at younger kids and came out in the eighties.

If you are mystified as to why your child went from being a chatterbox to responding in monosyllables, then Not Much, Just Chillin’: The Hidden Lives of Middle Schoolers by Linda Perlstein might give some insight. And if you want to hear what kids really think - in their own words - try Real Boys’ Voices by William S. Pollack or Ophelia Speaks by Sara Shandler. Both feature the unfiltered voices of adolescents talking about their struggles and passions.

Books to hand to your teens directly include Am I Weird or Is This Normal? - a girl’s 411 on what happens to your body, feelings and relationships during adolescence by Marlin S. Potash or The Teenage Guy’s Survival Guide by Jeremy Daldry - a humorous but practical guide on everything from shaving to peer pressure and why girls make guys crazy.

For fictional titles that deal with self-esteem and self-image in these formative years, some oldies but goodies include One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte and The Goats by Brock Cole. More recent titles include: What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know by Sonya Sones, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen and Peter Cameron’s Someday this Pain Will be Useful to You. These titles and others are all available at the Chelmsford Public Library. Check out our website at www.chelmsfordlibrary.org for a complete list.

Chelmsford Curbside Recycling Program

Town of Chelmsford
New Appliance, CRT and Tire Collection Program
Effective July 1, 2008

The Town of Chelmsford has contracted with Appliance Recyclers for a Town-wide curbside recycling program.

One call does it all! No more waiting for town drop offs AND no more waiting in line!

Chelmsford residents can schedule pick-up date and time either by calling 877-228-2898 or visiting www.applrecy.com. Payment options include paying directly by credit card, check or pay online at www.applrecy.com.

Listed in the table are their prices for specific items, and these prices will be effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2010. Appliance Recyclers is also able to take other items (call for prices).

How the program will work:

1. Residents will call Appliance Recyclers, Inc. at 877-228-2898 (toll free) and tell them what needs to be collected.
2. Appliance Recyclers, Inc. will take payment either by mailed check, credit card or online through their website at www.applrecyl.com.
3. Appliance Recyclers, Inc. will tell the resident when they will be in town for collections. Collection will be no more than two weeks from the date the service is requested.
4. The resident must put the item(s) at the curb on the designated morning by 7:00 a.m. Residents disposing of refrigerators and freezers MUST remove the doors before putting them at the curb!
5. If collection is scheduled for the same day that the resident’s trash and/or recycling is scheduled for collection, residents must place items to be collected by Appliance Recyclers, Inc. separately from the trash/recycling so that there is no confusion as to what is what.
6. If the items are not collected as scheduled, the resident should call Appliance Recyclers, Inc. as soon as possible to report the missed collection. Residents should call the Office of Recycling and Solid Waste at 978-250-5203 to report missed collections.
7. Residents of multifamily properties that do not have curbside trash and recycling collection (i.e., those that have dumpsters for trash, totes for recycling) should find out from their property manager where these items should be placed for collection by Appliance Recyclers, Inc. No items should be placed in such a way that they will interfere with the ability of the trash and recycling haulers to empty the dumpsters and totes.

Questions? Contact the Office of Recycling and Solid Waste: 978-250-5203.

This information is also available for download as a flyer [pdf].