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Sign up for One-on-One Computer Training Sessions

The program from last year that funded one-on-one computer instruction at the library has been extended, and we're happy to offer this service again! Sessions start on February 19th and will run for about nine months.

Sessions are being scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday mornings (10am and 11am) and evenings (6pm and 7pm) - contact the Reference Desk at 978-256-5521 x211 to schedule an appointment. Any technology topic is fair game - using a computer, downloading ebooks, getting an email account, learning software like Excel, installing software, or even just a quick refresher.

These instructional sessions are made possible through the BTOP program at UMass-Lowell, focused on improving digital literacy.

For more information, contact the Reference Desk at askus@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.

Watch Videos of Library Programs Online

Is there a program at the library that you'd love to attend but just can't make it? Did you hear a lecture here that was so great you'd like to see it again? You're in luck!

Chelmsford Telemedia records many of the programs held at the Library, for rebroadcast on television. They also provide these programs on DVD to the Library, as well as put them online so they are available anytime.

The DVDs are in our catalog and available in the Library's DVD collection upstairs, and circulate just like regular DVDs.

The online videos are available on the Chelmsford Telemedia website, as well as on the Chelmsford Library Anytime website - a collection of library resources available 24 hours a day.

The videos are in the Exhibits section - just choose what you'd like to watch from the dropdown box. Each video is displayed in the player - such as "The Science of Natural Disasters" with Dr. Chuck Fidler from May 11, 2012:

Thanks to the staff and volunteers of Chelmsford Telemedia for providing this great resource to the community. If you have any questions about Library programs, finding the DVDs, or watching them online, please contact the Reference Desk.

If you have ideas of programs or speakers you'd like to see at the Library, please contact Kathy Cryan-Hicks, Assistant Director of Community Relations & Programs, and kcryanhic@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x109.

New Reading Suggestion Program: Friday Fiction

Everyone is looking for a great book to read this summer - and the library is here to help!

We've transformed our popular "Now... It's Your Turn" program into the "Friday Fiction" reading suggestions group. With an emphasis on popular summer reads and new fiction, this program offers great tips, fun conversation, and great recommendations.

The first gathering is:

Friday, July 13, 2012 at 11 a.m.
Fireplace room in the Adams Building

Feel free to bring suggestions of your own, or just be ready to learn about great titles to read this summer.

Chelmsford Telemedia Introduces Streaming Online Videos

Back in May, Chelmsford Telemedia added a new feature to their website - online streaming versions of many of the programs you can see on the local cable station.

These can be accessed by visiting http://chelmsfordtv.org/streaming.php in your web browser. On the right, videos are grouped into categories:

• Selectmen Meetings
• School Committee Meetings
• Planning Board Meetings
• Government-Miscellaneous
• Chelmsford Public Schools
• Public Access Programming
• Chelmsford Public Library

To view a video, click one of the categories and then scroll down the list of available videos and click on the one you'd like to see. There is also a search box at the top of the viewer to find videos by keyword.

In addition to recording various the governmental functions of the Town of Chelmsford, most of the programs held at the Library will be available here online (these are naturally our favorites). So if you missed a program at the library, a Selectmen meeting, one of the many Public Access shows, or just about anything else that happened in Chelmsford, you can watch (or rewatch!) it at your leisure here - for free, any time day or night. DVDs of each program at also available for $10 - contact Chelmsford Telemedia for details.

Climbing the Family Tree

If you're wondering about how to research your family tree, the Chelmsford Genealogy Group is ready to help.

By Paula McCarron, Chelmsford Patch (reprinted with permission)

Spike Lee, Sarah Jessica Parker, Emmitt Smith and Lisa Kudrow found their ancestors courtesy of the NBC show "Who Do You Think You Are," which focuses on how genealogy can reveal fascinating details of one's family history. But here in Chelmsford, you don't need to be a celebrity to get help in climbing your family tree - and best of all, the help is free.

Judy Sylvia, Coordinator of the Chelmsford Genealogy Group (CGG) started her search after hearing her father-in-law speak about his search for ancestors. Since then, Sylvia works on her own tree but she's also helping others to make their own discoveries through her volunteer work with Chelmsford Genealogy Group.

CGG meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Chelmsford Public Library. All meetings are free and open to all – residents and non-residents, alike.

"If you're just getting started, it's a great because someone in the group has probably already done what you're looking to do. People are willing to share what they know. And we often have guest speakers with thanks to the Friends of the Library who donate the money for speakers' fees," says Sylvia.

E-mail announcements are sent three to six times a month to keep everyone informed of the meetings as well as other local events. Sylvia also forwards requests from people who are searching for a Chelmsford ancestor.

The "hottest" development, a surname database was initiated by club member, Norm Rourke and is under construction by Reference Librarian, Brian Herzog. The database will provide an opportunity to search or share information about a particular ancestor or surname in the very near future through the Chelmsford Public Library website.

Now twelve years into her search, Sylvia recently discovered a 1700's ship captain within her family tree.

"That's the thing. You start with four grandparents, then eight great grandparents and it just keeps going. You keep finding so much that it's never really ever done," she said.

For more information, check out the Chelmsford Public Library's Web site.

This article originally appeared on the
Chelmsford Patch on January 18th, 2011.