All posts by Brian Herzog
Sunday Hours Are Back! 1-5pm Oct 20-May 18
![I [heart] Sundays](https://www.chelmsfordlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/iheartsundays.png "I [heart] Sundays")
Sunday hours at the main library begin this weekend, October 20, 2013, and continue until the weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend, May 18, 2014. Sunday hours will be 1:00 – 5:00 PM, and all regular library services and resources will be available during Sunday hours.
And this Sunday, October 20th, the Merrimack Valley Artisans will present “How Artists Create” – MVA members will demonstrate their art making process from 1:00 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. in the McCarthy Meeting Room.
Let us know what you think about Sunday Hours, so we can best allocate the library’s budget to serve Chelmsford patrons.
If you’re out and about on Sunday, stop in!
Chelmsford Genealogy Discovery Day is Oct. 26, 2013
Curious about genealogy? Are you an expert? Did you start researching your family’s history and could use some help continuing? Join volunteers from the Chelmsford Genealogy Group for Chelmsford 3rd Annual Genealogy Discover Day!
1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
All are welcome to this free event
Members of the Chelmsford Genealogy Group will be available for assistance with your research, provide insight into the best resources, and demonstrate the tools they’ve found useful. Bring what you know…Come see your family tree grow!
- Discover your ancestry with a free genealogy consult
- Find a free treasure at the Genealogy Give-Away table
- Learn how to find ancestors at the best, free websites
- See demonstrations of technology tools
Join the fun at the Chelmsford Public Library, 25 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824. Hosted by Chelmsford Genealogy Club, with generous support from Chelmsford Friends of the Library and the Chelmsford Public Library. For more information, contact Judy at jjsylvia582@aol.com.
Groton Library Joins MVLC Oct. 1st, 2013
On October 1st, 2013, the Groton Public Library will join the other 36 existing members of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium!
Groton had previously been a stand-alone library, so their patrons will now have easy access to the collections of all MVLC libraries.
It also means that Chelmsford patrons (and all other MVLC patrons), will be able to request items from the Groton Library, as well as use the Groton Library as a pick-up location, or a place to return items. If you work in Groton or live not to far from their library, this could make it much easier to use library items. Items from Groton’s collection will also now start filling holds for other library patrons too, which means items you’re waiting for might come quicker.
Groton Library Quick Facts:
99 Main Street Groton, MA 01450 (see a map)
978-448-1167
info@gpl.org
http://www.gpl.orgHours:
Tue – Thu: 10 – 9
Fri: 10 – 5
Sat: 10 – 3
Sun (Sept-Apr): 1 – 5
Closed Monday
Patrons will start seeing Groton items, and Groton listed as a pickup location, in the Evergreen catalog on Tuesday, October 1st. If you have any questions about MVLC or member libraries, please contact the Reference Desk at askus@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521. Welcome to MVLC, Groton!
Read Magazines Online with Zinio
The library just signed up with the Zinio online magazine collection – it allows patrons to read magazines online or on their mobile devices, just like holding the printed magazine in your hands:
Best of all, there is no waiting! If you see something you’d like to read, you can check it out and you’ll keep it until you delete it from your account. The Chelmsford Library’s Zinio magazine collection is starting with 40+ titles – and when you “subscribe” to one of these titles, new issues will automatically be delivered to your account.
Since this is a digital version, many magazines have enhanced content, also – embedded video clips, audio, or links to additional online resources. You are also able to download magazines to read while not connected to the internet.
Using Zinio requires two different accounts (which can be confusing at first). One account authenticates you as a Chelmsford patron, and is used for checking out magazines. The second account is your Zinio account, which is used for reading. One nice benefit of separate accounts is that if you get Zinio magazines from other sources (for instance, the Boston Public Library’s Zinio catalog or if you buy magazines directly from Zinio), everything will appear together in your one Zinio account. When you first create your accounts, Zinio recommends using the same email/password combination when setting up your accounts.
If you have any questions about using Zinio on a computer or your mobile device, please contact the Reference Department at askus@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.
Big Library Read book – Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth – available as ebook!
The Chelmsford Public Library is taking part in the international “Big Library Read” program. This year’s selection is Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth by Jane O’Connor!
In addition to print copies, patrons can also borrow ebook and audiobook versions will also be available from our Overdrive catalog from September 16th through September 30th. Because this book is part of the “Big Library Read” program, there will be unlimited simultaneous use – which means, anyone Chelmsford resident can download one any time between the 16th and 30th.
To supplement the “Big Library Read,” the Chelmsford Library will hold a book discussion on Monday, September 23 from 4:00 – 4:45 p.m. for 3rd and 4th graders who want to talk about this book. To register for this discussion, you can call the Children’s Department at 978-256-5521 x4, or register online.
If you have any questions about the “Big Library Read” program, please contact Maureen Foley, Children’s Librarian, and mfoley@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x4.
Eat Ice Cream and Support The Library!
The Friends of the Chelmsford Library will be doing a fundraiser on at Friendly’s Restaurant!
- 20% of your bill will go to the library if you use the special coupon
- You can pick up a coupon at the library, or print one yourself [pdf]
- This is only good on Thursday, Sep. 12, 2013
- The coupon must be presented at the Friendly’s across from the library, at 20 Boston Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824
Thank you for supporting the Friends of the Library, and the Chelmsford Library! All of these funds will go towards library programming, such as speakers, performers, museum passes, and more!
New Feature for Suggesting Ebooks for the Library to Purchase
The service we use for ebooks (and downloadable audiobooks) is called Overdrive, and recently a new title suggestion feature has been added to our Overdrive catalog.
There are two ways to get to this suggestion feature. First, be sure to search our Overdrive catalog to see if we already have the title you’re looking for. At the bottom of every search page (including the “No Results” screen), you’ll see this banner:
Clicking that will automatically search the entire Overdrive catalog of available titles for your search criteria – not just those that the Chelmsford Library has already purchased, but everything we could potentially purchase too. If the title is available for purchase, click the “Recommend” button, and fill in your patron information. Then, if the title is purchased, you will be notified when it’s available for checkout.
The second way to search for purchase recommendations is through the Advanced Search page. At the bottom are options for the scope of your search:
Choosing “My library’s collection” (which is the default option) will only search what we’ve already purchased. However, choosing “Additional titles to recommend” lets you search all available-to-purchase titles, and gives you the option to click the “Recommend” button to let us know you’re interested.
All patron recommendations are reviewed by the MVLC ebook selection committee, who decide whether or not to purchase them for the consortium.
If you have any questions about this new suggestion feature or Overdrive ebooks in general, please contact the Reference staff at askus@mvlc.org or 978-256-5521 x211.
Volunteer to Help at the Book Sale!
The Chelmsford Friends of the Library has started recruiting helpers for the annual book sale, September 20-22. Sign-up sheets have been placed at both the Main Library and MacKay Branch for anyone who is interested in volunteering.
The Friends are looking for help on Thursday, September 19, from 6-9 p.m. to unload books from boxes and setup for the sale, as well as for various shifts throughout the Book Sale weekend. This is a this fun work weekend and makes a huge impact on the Library – last year the sale raised over $24,000 to help fund library programs and services.
If you can help, please stop by the Library to add your name and phone to the sign-up sheets, or email kcryanhic@mvlc.org to let us know – please specify which shift you would like.
Shifts the Friends need to fill:
|
Thursday Set up: 6-9 p.m. |
Friday 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 1p.m. – 3 p.m. 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. |
Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 1p.m. – 3 p.m. 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. |
Sunday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 1 p.m. breakdown |
Even if you can’t help out, please support the library by visiting the book sale if you can this weekend:
| 2013 Book Sale Hours: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Friday | Sept. 20 | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Saturday | Sept. 21 | 9 AM – 6 PM |
| Sunday | Sept. 22 | 9 AM – 1 PM |
Emergency Spraying for Mosquitos in Chelmsford
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) confirmed that a collection of mosquitoes from a surveillance site in the Carlisle side off town off Proctor Rd has tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV).
Spraying in the area is planned after 8:00 pm for Thursday evening, August 15th to reduce populations of mosquitoes. A map and street listing is available on the CMMCP website.
This is the same type of spraying in targeted areas using the pesticide sumithrin that has been done in the town for resident’s requests. Residents can call CMMCP at 508-393-3055 with any questions or concerns or the Chelmsford Board of Health at 978-250-5241. Followup spraying may occur if conditions warrant it. The Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will continue to test surveillance traps in the area the virus was found.
Avoid Mosquito Bites
- Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours – The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning. Otherwise, take extra care to use repellent and protective clothing.
- Clothing Can Help reduce mosquito bites. Although it may be difficult to do when it’s hot, wearing longsleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
- Apply Insect Repellent when you go outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. Permethrin products are intended for use on items such as clothing, shoes, bed nets and camping gear and should not be applied to skin.
Mosquito-Proof Your Home
- Drain StandingWater – Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or getting rid of items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
- Install or Repair Screens – Some mosquitoes like to come indoors. Keep them outside by having tightly fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.
While Chelmsford Board of Health continues to work closely with the MDPH and the Central Mass. Mosquito Control Project, locally there will be spraying in the targeted area tonight and continue testing, larviciding and all other necessary actions until the problem is resolved.
Information about WNV and reports of WNV activity in Massachusetts can be found on the MDPH website. Recorded information about WNV is also available by calling the MDPH Public Health Information Line at 1-866-MASS-WNV (1-866-627-7968).
Reading Suggestions for the Summer
In case you missed the latest Friday Fiction program, the lists of suggested reads are below. This time, in addition to the usual list of suggestions, there is also a bonus list of staff suggestions for great summer beach reads:
If you need more suggestions, or have specific questions about reading or books, check in with Christine S. at the Readers Services Desk on the main level of the library (across from the Front Desk). She’s there 9:30 – 4:30 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, or you can reach her by email at csharbrough@mvlc.org.
You can also find reading suggestions through our Reading Room webpage, which groups suggestions into lots of different categories to make them easy to locate. It also has links to all of our book groups, great free web resources, and much more.