Library and Community News

Senior Resource Guide on Library Website

Image of elderly woman with cane being helped by a manWe recognize that seniors are particularly vulnerable during the COVID-19 crisis, and so, we have created a resource guide geared to seniors in Framingham. At this time, we are presenting information on special accommodations offered by grocery stores, pharmacies, and banks. This is a work in progress and new categories of services will be added on a continual basis. Here is a link to Resources for Seniors (60+): Local Business Accommodations. You may also access the guide by selecting the menu item from our website: Services->Library Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic->Resources for Seniors (60+): Local Business Accommodations.

Health Care Services for the Spanish- and Portuguese- Speaking Communities in Framingham

The Latino Health Insurance Program is offering important services to the Framingham community in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. These services include health and dental insurance enrollment, SNAP/food stamp enrollment, education about COVID-19, clinical evaluation for COVID-19, and medical orders for testing (when appropriate). Call 508-875-1237, or email help@lhiprogram.org for more information.
Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Just for Kids: Free Children’s eBooks on the Coronavirus

Be A Coronavirus FighterCoronavirus for Kids Comic eBookCOVID-19 gameCover of My Hero is You

Enjoy these free Kids' eBooks about COVID-19:

Thank you to the Massachusetts Library System for providing this information.

Harry Potter & Sorcerer’s Stone Available Now with no Waitlists in OverDrive/Libby!

Harry Potter at HomeThroughout the month of April, our patrons have unlimited access to the ebook and audiobook editions of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, courtesy of Pottermore & OverDrive. 

What's exciting about this promotion:

*  Now includes the audiobook edition

*  Includes over 20 languages (Great for language learners & multilingual families)

*  Includes accompanying activities at harrypotterathome.com

*  It's Harry Potter!
 

Hoopla Announces Bonus Borrows

From hoopla:

"In order to provide relief to libraries and to provide more content to patrons during this difficult time of sheltering at home, we are proud to announce the hoopla Bonus Borrows Collection with more than 1,100 top titles and hoopla favorites.
 

When a patron borrows these titles now through 4/30/20:

  • That circulation is FREE to Libraries.
  • Each patron will be debited ZERO borrows from their monthly hoopla borrows."

Don't have hoopla? Click here to get started. Find Bonus Borrows by viewing the categories for each format and selecting "Bonus Borrows." For example, here's how you'd see Audiobook Bonus Borrows:

Romance eBooks and Digital Audiobooks, Free Access from TumbleBooks

RomanceBookCloud offers a core collection of 1,800 titles contemporary, historical, time travel, paranormal or inspirational romance novels. Titles include award winners and best sellers.

 

AudioBookCloud is a collection of streaming audio books featuring over 1,200 titles, including dozens of genres and interest levels. The collection includes popular literature, classics, children’s and teen books, mystery, sci-fi, history, biography, and more!

TumbleBooks Offers Free Access to eBooks for Children and Teens

Tumblebooks LibraryTumbleBooks announced that it is making its family of online libraries available for free until at least August 31, 2020. Links to these databases are included below and also accessible from the Minuteman Library Networks databases webpage.

TumbleBookLibrary: Grades K-6. Includes unique animated, talking picture books, read-along chapter books, National Geographic videos, non-fiction books, playlists, as well as books in Spanish and French. Plus, the collection features Graphic Novels – a student favorite!

TumbleMath LogoTumbleMath: Grades K-6. TumbleMath combines animation, narration, and sound to create a compelling and enticing story book for students of all ages. The books are all accompanied by supplementary materials such as lesson plans, educational games, plus quizzes in order to test and track progress.

TeenBookCloud logoTeenBookCloud: Grades 7-12. This collection features graphic novels, enhanced e-books with full audio narration and highlighted text, classic literature, National Geographic videos, and more! The site supports a wide range of readers’ interests and levels. Orca Books and Saddleback books offer hundreds of High-Interest/Low-Level content. In addition, our new AP English section makes hundreds of curriculum books available to readers at the click of a button!

Today, April 1, is Census Day

What is the Census and why is it important?

The 2020 Census will provide a snapshot of our nation—who we are, where we live, and so much more.

The results of this once-a-decade count determine the number of seats each state has in the House of Representatives. They are also used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

Over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children.

The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. 

What is Census Day?

April 1 is Census Day, a key reference date for the 2020 Census—not a deadline. We use this day to determine who is counted and where in the 2020 Census. When you respond, you'll tell the Census Bureau where you live as of April 1, 2020, and include everyone who usually lives and sleeps in your home. You can respond before or after that date. We encourage you to respond as soon as you can.

Do they ask about my citizenship status?

There is no citizenship question on the 2020 Census.

Are my answers confidential?

Your personal information is kept confidential. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to protect your information, and your data is used only for statistical purposes.

How do I submit my information?

To fill out the U.S. Census Questionnaire, click here.

Information above courtesy of U.S. Census website.