Library and Community News

NEW! Framingham Public Library’s YouTube Channel

Check out our new YouTube channel for video tutorials, program recordings, stories for kids and grownups, and much more!

Tales from the Dark: Adult Story TimePhoto of Dana the Librarian

Who says that story time has to be over just because the kids are in bed? Join our Libarian, Dana, as he reads tales both celebrated and obscure, ranging from spine tingling supernatural stories and macabre mysteries to amazing adventures and everything in between! And who knows; maybe the occasional poem and fairy tale might show up as well.  

1000 Paper Cranes poster, photo of paper craneA Thousand Paper Cranes Challenge: Ongoing

Join us in making a thousand paper cranes to decorate the Libraries upon our reopening. An instructional video by Lucas Gustafson, our Origami Club leader, on how to make an origami crane is on our YouTube channel. Watch it, then make away in any spare minutes. To find out why we’re folding paper cranes check out the Wikipedia entry on Orizuru or read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr (available in Overdrive/Libby).

News from the Friends of the Library

Despite COVID-19 and the closure of the Library, The Friends continue to provide support with whatever Library staff need, including purchasing additional Constant Contact and video conferencing tools which allow them to increase their communication with the public and among themselves. We apologize, but we cannot accept book donations until the Library reopens. We sincerely thank you for your past support and look forward to seeing you once the Library is open and our book sales are up and running again!

The Bookmobile Wants to Visit Your House!

photo of bookmobile parked outside buildingThe Bookmobile can’t wait to get back on the road, and to celebrate we want to visit you! Get out your crayons and pens and draw us a picture or write us a story (or both) about why we should visit your house when we are back on the road. The Bookmobile will throw a party at the home of five lucky winners to be selected at random!

For ages K-12. Entry deadline date to be decided.

To enter, click here to fill out a form and attach your picture or drawing.

Framingham Is Collecting and Will Distribute Donated Cloth Face Coverings

photo of woman wearing cloth maskLast week, the City began collecting homemade cloth face coverings at the drive-up book returns at both Library locations at 49 Lexington Street and 746 Water Street. So far, people have created and donated more than 300 face coverings so far!

The first phase of this project is collection. Distribution information will be released as the City receives a few more 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!

From Mayor Spicer: Mental Health Zoom Session, Tuesday, May 5

 

From Mayor Spicer, City of Framingham Newsletter, April 28:

Over the next week, we will be sharing resources that can help with mental health, culminating in a Zoom Community Hour Tuesday, May 5, at 5 p.m: https://framinghamma.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c2219c95d6cb426c1c0de62f5&id=c66201631d&e=bae586e56b on mental health. Stay tuned for the Zoom details.

Please click here for the entire article.

AstroNights: Live Virtual Astronomy Events, from the McAuliffe Center at FSU

The FSU Planetarium on campus may be closed for now, but our innovative approach to learning is as active as ever!

Next AstroNights Event, Friday, May 1, 7pm

We are excited to announce that live virtual events with our planetarium educators will continue under our new series AstroNights! You can now find information about all upcoming and past AstroNights events, and other planetarium-inspired resources, at our NEW page: www.cm-center.org/dometohome. 

We hope you will join us for the next AstroNights event THIS FRIDAY May 1st at 7:00PM! We know that some of you were not able to join live last time, so this time we are offering 2 ways to participate live:

  • Register for the Live Webinar. Registration link will be available on the event page on May 1st at 6:30PM. We have expanded the capacity for this live webinar, but we still expect to reach capacity.
  • View Live on our YouTube Channel! No registration required. The video will not be visible on the channel page until the live stream begins. You may need to refresh your browser.

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.