Library and Community News

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.


 

From the Dome to Your Home: a Virtual Planetarium Experience, Friday, April 10 at 7pm

From the Dome to Your Home: a Virtual Planetarium Experience

Friday April 10, 2020, 7:00PM

This Friday, the Framingham State University Planetarium will host our first-ever live, virtual planetarium show! We will re-recreate the planetarium experience in your home, with a live, guided tour of our night sky using our professional digital planetarium software. Our educators will be on hand to answer your questions live, and audience discussion and interaction is encouraged!
Plus, thanks to a generous offer from Spitz, Inc., we are able to provide attendees with a portal to view Solar Superstorms, a stunning fulldome film created originally for planetariums, now specially formatted to display in dazzling HD on your computer screen.

Details

Registration is required for this virtual event. Click here to register shortly before the event's start time.
 
Live presentation: 30 minutes (including Q+A), all audiences
 
Solar Superstorms: 25 minutes, general audiences (advanced)

Visit https://cm-center.org/events/virtualplanetarium  for more information, and head to that same page on Friday to find the link to join this live event.

Scam Alerts from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Keep Calm and Avoid Coronavirus ScamsScammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. Here's how to avoid coronavirus scams.

*  Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. The details are still coming together.

*  Ignore online offers for vaccinations and home test kits. There are no products proven to treat or prevent COVID-19 at this time.

*  Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.

*  Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or WHO. Use sites like coronavirus.gov and usa.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information. And don’t click on links from sources you don’t know.

*  Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.

Stay Informed:

Framingham Coronavirus Community Outreach Is Here to Help You!

Framingham Coronavirus Community Outreach has been created with the goal of linking people who need help to those who are able to help. This is a network for the Framingham community during the coronavirus outbreak. We provide emergency support, emotional support, links to resources, up-to-date store information, and emergency groceries and items along with a link to our comprehensive Resource List.

Email: FraminghamOutreach@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/253780618965941/

Website: www.FraminghamOutreach.org

Mental Health Hotlines to Call

If you're feeling depressed, anxious, or having thoughts of suicide, please call one of these hotlines to speak to a trained, caring volunteer.

  • Call2Talk Emotional Support Line. Mental health, emotional support, suicide prevention. Call (508) 532-2255 or text C2T to 741741
  • Crisis Text Line. Text HOME to 741741 Provides free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text to chat with a trained crisis counselor. 
  • Disaster Distress, for help during natural or man-made disasters (SAMHSA). 1-(800) 985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746