Wendell Free Library

Upcoming Events and News

A Message from the Trustees of the Wendell Free Library

A Message from the Trustees of the Wendell Free Library:

As a Wendell resident you might be wondering when the library building will be open again, especially since some local libraries have opened their doors for very limited appointments. Our new director, Anna Lawrence, has been in regular conversation with our Board of Health and the Trustees to assess the changing landscape. With the continuing rise in Covid-19 cases, the potential for more cases with the holiday season, and concern for the health of our citizens, staff, and volunteers, curbside service will remain as is until we reassess in mid-late January. Even with cleaning and maintaining safe conditions, the Board of Health concurs that this is the best option for us for the time being.

We encourage you to take advantage of curbside pickup and to contact Anna with any questions or research you need help with. She loves meeting our community and doing what librarians love to do: connecting our community with resources.

Meanwhile, Anna has been busy. She is taking great care safely processing books, cataloguing new circulation items, weeding unused materials, and making our collections more accessible within the library. New part time library assistants, Jenny Coy and Robin Wilson, have been hired to replace Joy Brenneman, who retired from her position this past summer. We look forward to welcoming them in person. The library has a newly installed energy efficient heating/cooling system thanks to grant money from the Wendell Energy Committee. We are also making plans for the future. Soon, some of the health and exercise classes will be available via the internet. Sylvia Wetherby will continue to do her Playgroup and stories for our little ones with the Community Network For Children Program. Other offerings are being considered for remote learning, in the spirit of “Wendell University” through library-sponsored programs using the technology and internet access now available.

So our beautiful library is alive and well, and we’re looking forward to a time when our doors can be fully open. We ask for your continued support and patience as we all navigate this unusual time. Meanwhile, we invite you to enjoy a good book from the library!

Mara Bright, Trustee Co-chair

Anna Lawrence, Director

Phyllis Lawrence, Trustee Co-chair

Judy Putnam, Trustee

Kathy Swaim, Trustee

Sylvia Wetherby, Trustee

Michelle Wilder, Trustee

New Curbside Hours at the Wendell Free Library

Curbside Hour Change

October is upon us, which usually means more open hours at the library. In order to help Wendell residents have more options for pick-up times, Wednesday curbside has changed and is now 3-7PM. If you would like to request materials, or have any questions about our current open hours, please call the library at 978-544-3559.

Curbside hours:

Mondays, 12-4 PM
Wednesdays, 3-7 PM
Fridays, 12-4 PM

Curbside Service at the Wendell Free Library

Interested in learning more about the Wendell Library's curbside pickup services? Look no further!

Hightlights:

Curbside pickup is available for books, audiobooks on CD, and DVDs
The curbside schedule is Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12-4 PM

Please call the library at 978-544-3559 to place an order and set a time to pick up your materials

Also accepting returns!

Details:
Call the library to place an order, the librarian will find your specified materials, or select materials based on your genre request. Materials will be checked out to your card and placed in a bag or with a rubber band around them with a slip of paper indicating your name. The materials will then be placed on a book cart on the library porch at the pre-arranged time for contactless pickup. Please wear a mask anytime you are on the library porch.

Returns can be placed in the outside book drop any time. The book drop is emptied on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. All materials are then placed into quarantine for a full week before getting checked in. If you see materials on your account after returning them, please do not panic! Your account will be up to date within a week after quarantine is finished.

If you do not know a title of a book to read next, please feel free to ask for recommendations!
We can provide stacks of children's, YA, or adult books that meet your needs.

Some small-scale faxing or printing is available upon request.

As always, please call the library at 978-544-3559 with any questions, or email Anna at alawrence @ cwmars.org

Free Summer Movies at the Northfield Drive-In

FREE MOVIE TICKETS!

Along with other area libraries, the Wendell Free Library is giving away tickets for the Northfield drive-in. Movies are every Wednesday in July and August.

Call the library at 978-544-3559 to reserve your tickets!

July 1: The Princess Bride
July 8: Labyrinth
July 15: The Neverending Story
July 22: Hook
July 29: Willow

August 5: The Secret of NIMH
August 12: Back to the Future
August 19: Willy Wonka
August 26: The Spiderwick Chronicles

Wendell Library Closed

Dear Wendell,

Due to rapidly changing news and protocols concerning COVID-19, the Wendell Free Library is closed until further clarity is available about the situation. We will continue to watch the news and follow state and local recommendations to guide us on how best to protect library patrons, volunteers, and staff.

COVID-19 is a new virus with an unprecedented rate of infection. At this time there are no definitive answers on how long the virus lives on materials such as books and other items the library lends. Therefore, we are choosing to err on the side of caution in the interest of “acting now and acting together” to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Some resources continue to be available.

Internet Access in Library parking lot. No password is necessary. Please refrain from idling cars. Thanks.

Online links to Library resources. Borrow e-books, audiobooks and e-magazines on the OverDrive platform or on the OverDrive Libby app for iOS or Android. You will need your library card number and password. If you don’t know your password, call the library at 978-544-3559 and we can reset it for you. Click this link for access to Massachusetts statewide databases including newspapers, encyclopedias and research articles.

Library items already at home. Materials can still be returned via the library drop boxes. You can also keep them at home until regular library service resumes. No overdue fines will be charged.

Inter-library loans. C/W MARS has suspended the inter-library loan system. In a few days we will call patrons with items already here for them to arrange pickup.

Sign up for or renew a library card. An active library card is required to use some (not all) of the online resources. Call the Library for assistance at 978-544-3559. If you don’t reach us in person leave a brief message with your name and phone number.

As other services become available while we are closed we will provide updates on the Library website and on the Townsfolk list.

Be well,

Rosie
Rosie Heidkamp
Director
Wendell Free Library
978-544-3559

Up-cycle Tote Workshop

Saturday Feb 29 10am-1pm

With Lou Leelyn

Tote making 201 for experienced sewers Please preregister.