Library and Community News

Scam Alert: COVID-19 Testing Scam from Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (MA SMP)

Massachusetts SMP Coronavirus Testing ScamThe Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (MA SMP) Program warns the public to be wary of anyone other than a treating physician who is offering you coronavirus testing. Be particularly suspicious of anyone offering COVID-19 testing in exchange for your Medicare number, money, or to gain access into your home. Be careful!


“Sadly, the scams around coronavirus testing are spreading almost as fast as the virus itself,” said Lucilia
Prates-Ramos, the statewide director of the MA SMP program. “Testing can only be ordered by a treating physician. We have heard about teams in white coats are going door-to-door offering virus testing. This is NOT a valid offer. What they are really interested in is robbing the elder or stealing their identify. We have heard reports of callers pretending to be a nurse offering test results once they get a credit card number. These kinds of calls are also not for real.”

Read the entire press relase from SMP here.

Our 3D Printer Has Been Drafted to Print Parts for N95 Masks

lulzmini 3d printerFramingham Public Library's 3D printer has been drafted!  Our little LulzBot Mini will be busy, while the library is closed, printing parts for N95 masks for First Responders and Medical Staff all over the Commonwealth. Thanks to Reference Sub and Woburn Technology Librarian, John Walsh for partnering with us.

Metrowest YMCA Providing Emergency Child Care Services for Essential Workers

EMERGENCY CHILD CARE SERVICES FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN OUR COMMUNITY OFFERED AT NO COST.

The MetroWest YMCA is providing Emergency Child Care for the children of health care workers, first responders and other essential needed personnel. Our thanks go to our caring and compassionate staff who are working to make this possible.

This drop-in care is designed to be a last resort for people who fill critical roles in our community and have exhausted all other options for care for their children so that they can work.

The free program will take place in our Framingham Branch located at 280-282 Old Connecticut Path and will serve children in our Early Learning Center as well as our Youth Development Zone serving children from 15 months - 5th grade from 7:00-6:00 weekdays with breakfast, lunch and snack being served by the Y daily.  This program is available on a first come, first serve basis with pre-registration strongly encouraged.

From the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf: An Important Coronavirus Communications Tool

From Jonathan O'Dell, Assistive Technology and Training Specialist, Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

In the age groups most affected by this terrible disease, anywhere from 30% to 50% are considered to be living with profound hearing loss that significantly impacts communication. Imagine being sick and isolated and being in the hospital, not being able to hear, and not being able to speech-read medical providers wearing personal protective equipment such as masks! To at least partially resolve this issue we created the attached tool, which can be used by medical providers, first responders, caregivers, anyone who finds it beneficial.

The two page card is displayed below. Click each image to enlarge. Click here for the Coronavirus Communication Tool in pdf format.

Read the New York Times Online for Free

Complimentary Digital Access to the New York TimesTo access New York Times online for free at home:

Click here (or access the link on the Digital Magazines & Newspapers webpage from our website)

Click the Redeem button which will take you to the nytimes.com log in page. You will receive a code, which gives you access for three days. There are no limits to how many times you can redeem a code.

If this is your first time redeeming a code, you must sign up with an email and create a password.

If this is not your first time redeeming a code, login with your email and password.

For further assistance, please email fplmail6@minlib.net.