Food for Fines

During the first week of November, the library will be taking donations for PACH Outreach in lieu of overdue fines! You can donate personal care products and non-perishable food items at the library and we will waive overdue fines on your library account. Please note that this offer does not apply to replacement charges for lost items.

The Food for Fines event will run from November 6, 2018 – November 10, 2018. Contributions must be made at the library in order for fines to be waived.

Suggested food donations include:

• Canned meats, including tuna, salmon, ham, and chicken
• Healthy cereals
• Peanut butter and/or jelly
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Pasta, pasta sauce, and macaroni & cheese
• Baked beans, soups, chili, and canned stews
• Canned ravioli, canned soups
• Juice and juice boxes (preferably 100% fruit juice)
• Milk (shelf-ready, non-perishable)
• Children’s snacks
• Cake and brownie mixes
• Gluten-free, sugar-free, low-sodium, and vegetarian items for clients with special dietary needs

Personal care items:

• Diapers (especially larger sizes)
• Depends & adult diapers or protective panties (especially larger sizes)
• Shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and toiletries
• Toilet paper, paper towels, tissues

Please check expiration dates! We cannot accept any items that are past their expiration dates. Items for holiday dinners would be appreciated.

PACH (Pepperell Aid from Church to Home) is a volunteer-staffed, community-based non-profit organization that provides short-term assistance to Pepperell residents during difficult times. The library accepts donations year-round at our monthly music series as well as in a bin that’s located near the circulation desk.

You can drop off donations year-round in our PACH bin

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The Walking Dead Turns 15

Join us on Saturday, October 13 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the publication of the first issue of The Walking Dead comic book! While supplies last, we’ll be giving away The Walking Dead buttons, bookmarks, comics, and bandana masks all courtesy of Image Comics!

To get some free swag, here’s what to do:

1. Stop by the library desk on Saturday, October 13
2. Present your library card (from any CW/MARS library)
3. Tell us the secret word “KIRKMAN”

If you don’t already have a library card from the CW/MARS network, you can sign up for a card at our circulation desk. Anyone who lives, works, goes to school, or owns property in Massachusetts is eligible to get a free library card at our library. For details on what you need to apply for a library card, please visit How to Get a Library Card on our website.

 

Discounted UMass Lowell River Hawks Tickets Now Available

We are pleased to announce the latest addition to our discounted museum/event ticket program: UMass Lowell River Hawks sporting events! You can reserve these tickets in person at the library, by calling the library at 978-433-0330, or on our website.

To reserve tickets online, visit our website and click on the Museum Passes tab. Once you’re on the museum passes page, you can find these tickets listed under UMass Lowell.

Currently, we offer discounted tickets to Men’s Basketball, Men’s Hockey, and Women’s Basketball games at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. You can learn more about the River Hawks on their website.

Our museum pass program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.

LGBTQ 101 Training

Learn how to be an effective ally to the LGBTQ+ people in your life! On Wednesday, September 12, the Lawrence Library will be hosting an LGBTQ+ 101 training. This program will serve as a basic introduction to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer+ (LGBTQ+) community.  It will also cover terminology, statistics, and some of the issues that LGBTQ+ people face.

Pepperell resident J.D. Melendez will be our educator for the evening. For over 15 years, J.D. has facilitated training for law enforcement, schools, and private corporations on LGBTQ+ cultural competency. He hails from the Bronx, NY, and has been a part of Triangle Community Center, Public Allies-Americorps, New Alternatives for Homeless LGBT Youth, and was a founding member of FIERCE!

J.D. also facilitates our two LGBTQ+ groups. Our youth group meets on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. The adult group meets on the second and third Wednesday of each month. The start time for the meetings is 6:30 PM. Please note that allies are welcome to attend the adult LGBTQ+ group!

The LGBTQ+ 101 training will start at 6:30 PM and will be held in the Library’s meeting room on the lower level. Please register online. We hope to see you there!

Free Digital Magazines from Your Library

You can now access over 50 magazine titles through the eBook/audiobook app Libby. This free app is available from the App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft. If you are a first-time user of Libby, make sure you have your library card handy. A full list of magazine titles can be browsed here.

Additional LGBTQ+ Group Meetings

We are happy to announce that we are increasing the amount of our LGBTQ+ meetings! We’ll now have biweekly meetings for each group. The goal of these meetings is for folks to be able to discuss LGBTQ+ issues and topics in a safe, welcoming environment.

The groups are run by a volunteer: Pepperell resident J.D. Melendez who has been working with LGBTQ+ folks for over 20 years, with a focus on the Transgender and LGBTQ+ Youth communities. Library staff member Amy Lordan, who is a trained ally, co-facilitates.

Also of note: On August 1 at the youth group meeting, we’ll be showing a recently released movie that stars Nick Robinson and Katherine Langford! We’ll have pizza and popcorn!

Here are details on the new schedules:

Teen Marvel Movie Nights

Teens assemble! Come to the Lawrence Library for pizza and a movie. This summer, we’re screening three recent Marvel movies.

To register, click on the link for the movie that you want to see:

• Black Panther on July 19
• Captain America: Civil War on July 26
• Avengers: Infinity War on August 16

The showtime for all three flicks will be 6 PM. All movies are rated PG-13. Teens (ages 12+) are welcome to attend.

Chadwick Boseman at San Diego Comic Con 2016 | Photo by Amy Lordan