Library and Community News

Ways to Stay Informed About COVID-19 in Framingham

City of Framingham sealYou can stay informed about COVID-19 in Framingham in several ways:

  • By text: To receive information from the City on a mobile device, text "Join FraminghamMA" to 30890.
  • Social media: Residents also can find updates on Facebook and Twitter @Framingham_MA.
  • Call: For questions regarding COVID-19 in Framingham, please call the Emergency Operations Center at (508) 532-5800.
  • Receive phone messages. If there is an urgent update, the City will employ the "Alert Framingham" phone messaging system, otherwise known as Rave. To sign up for the City's Rave system, please go here:https://www.smart911.com.

Framingham Establishes Temporary Financial Assistance for Those Impacted by COVID-19

In response to the pandemic, the City of Framingham will provide relief of rent, mortgage, and/or utility payments for two months to alleviate the burden for households that have lost their employment and primary income as of March 10, 2020. For application information, visit the Resources for Residents page on the City’s COVID-19 website and select the “Temporary Financial Assistance” tab.

Online Zoom Community Hour with Mayor Spicer and Dr. Wong, April 21, 5-6pm

Mayor Spicer and Dr. Wong will answer resident questions live about how the City is managing COVID-19. Questions can be posed during the hour via the Zoom's Chat function. If you cannot attend and have questions, please email kmcfalls@framinghamma.gov with the subject line: April 21 Community Hour. Click here for information on how to join. A video recording of the Zoom session will be available on the City's Facebook page and Mayor's Facebook page following for those who couldn't attend

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

From Maria Robinson, State Representative, 6th Middlesex District:

Claimants are now able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

You can do so by applying on the Apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance page of the Mass.gov website.

PUA is a program open to the following individuals:

  • Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
  • Those seeking part-time employment
  • Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
  • And claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law




 

Calling for Donations of Homemade Cloth Face Coverings!

From April 19 City of Framingham Press Release:

Framingham Public Library and Health Department to collect and distribute donated cloth face coverings: On Tuesday, April 21, the City will start collecting homemade cloth face coverings at the drive-up book returns at both Library locations, 49 Lexington Street and 746 Water Street. The first phase of this project is collection. Distribution information will be released in the coming days as the City receives donations. People can find examples of how to make a homemade cloth face coverings from the Centers for Disease Control’s website. Once created, please package the cloth face coverings in an envelope or plastic bag, and drop them off at the specially marked drive-up library book returns. Remember, cloth face coverings protect you and others. Thank you for keeping us all healthy and safe!

 

Face mask donation drop off main library
Donation sign in Main Library parking lot
Mask drop off bin at the Main Library
Donation sign in McAuliffe parking lot
Mask drop off bin in McAuliffe parking lot

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Always Available on Hoopla until April 30

Hoopla is happy to announce that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone will be instantly available on both eBook and audiobook until April 30th as part of the hoopla Bonus Borrows collection.

All titles in the hoopla Bonus Borrows collection are complimentary to libraries and cost a hoopla patron zero borrows. The hoopla Bonus Borrows collection is here for a limited time only and runs through April 30th.

For more information about hoopla, click here.

Community Resources to Help You During the COVID-19 Pandemic

collection of street signs that read HELPWe are working on gathering a collection of community resources to help you through the COVID-19 crisis. If you're feeling depressed, anxious, overwhelmed, see our listing of mental health hotlines; if you are struggling with food insecurity, check our listing of food banks. If you're a senior wanting to find special hours at supermarkets and pharmacies, click here.

Services in many other categories will be added on a daily basis.

Kanopy Extends Unlimited Access to Streaming Video Through May 31 thumbnail Photo

Kanopy Extends Unlimited Access to Streaming Video Through May 31

News from Kanopy:

  • We are continuing to offer all films from our Kanopy Kids collection available, at no cost to public libraries.
  • The Great Courses - Infectious Diseases Collection
    We are excited to announce free and unlimited access to the Infectious Diseases collection from The Great Courses. Throughout these 24 free video lectures, Dr. Barry Fox delivers clear and up-to-date information on dozens of infectious diseases—from where they originate, to how they spread, to how we can overcome their devastating effects. Arm yourself with scientific facts about bacterial infections, viruses, vaccines, and more in this engaging course by an award-winning professor and physician. This collection will not incur any fees to libraries. Available now through May 31, 2020.
  • Credit-Free Viewing. Kanopy has extended the Credit-Free Viewing window through May 31, 2020. The films are updated on a weekly basis and are available at no cost for 30 days, once they appear on this list. We continue to add new films and partners to these programs and will update this list on a weekly basis.

If you don't know about Kanopy or how to access this service, click here.