What Does Westford Think About The Fiscal Cliff?

We've heard from Washington, now, what's your take?

Just before the holidays, we checked in at the J.V. Fletcher Library to see what folks were thinking about when it came to the Fiscal Cliff debate. While Congress has voted on a short term solution, it's likely that the topic will resurface in the coming months and we want to hear your thoughts! Do you agree with the people we talked to? Did they miss something? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section.

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Banned Books Week Highlights Censorship in Reading

Banned Books Week is Sept. 30-Oct. 6 this year, and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

  The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is an opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week takes place annually during the last week of September (Sept. 30-Oct. 6 this year). The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. More than 11,000 books have been challenged (although not necessarily successfully censored) since 1982, the inaugural year of Banned Books Week. According to the American Library Association (ALA), the vast majority of challenges to books are initiated locally by parents, …

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Life's Work of Westford Art Legend on Display at the PCA

After he passed away in 2007, friends and family found a treasure trove of artwork in William Millett's house on Graniteville Road, which will be on display at the PCA.

  In the forty years before his death in 2007, William Millett spent each and every day at the J.V. Fletcher Library, walking there from his home on Graniteville Road. He became known as one of the quintessential personalities of Westford, and now his life's work will be on display for the world to see. Born in 1922, Millett studied art in Venice, Paris and Boston, working in the historic Fenway Studios before moving back to Westford in the 1960s. Once home, he became a local legend over time for reasons as myriad as the time in Lowell he saved a man from a burning car to his habit of wearing a plastic grocery bag over his hair instead of an umbrella when it rained. But above all, he was known for his art. "He would always be sketching …

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Rabbits Invade J.V Fletcher Library

The Chelmsford 4H Rabbit and the Cavy Club helped local youngsters a chance to meet rabbits and guinea pigs up close at the J.V Fletcher Library last week.

Without further ado, we give you pictures from last week's impromptu petting zoo in the basement of the J.V Fletcher Library...

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J.V Fletcher Library Drops Fines for Overdue Library Books

They're joining several other local libraries that have learned the time spent by employees doesn't pay for the amount of fines accrued.

Tax Guru Helps Fletcher Library Job Seekers Ponder Self-Employment

Tax expert Carol McNeil's presentation at the J.V Fletcher Library earlier this month help reignite a spark of interest in self-employment possibilities among the library's job seeker program.

On most Wednesdays, the J.V. Fletcher Library helps those looking to gain employment. But that isn’t always the case. Earlier this month, Massachusetts Society of CPA representative and self-employment tax specialist Carol McNeil was featured as a speaker in the library’s Job Seekers Network program. While normally the group aims at providing services for those seeking to find new employment, McNeil’s presentation was geared toward everything audience members might need to know if they decide that the best employer might just be themselves. Through her work with the CPA Society and Price Waterhouse Cooper in Boston, McNeil has seen an increasing trend of self-employment. That trend manifested itself the reaction to her presentation by the …

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PHOTOS: Valentine's Day at the J.V. Fletcher Library

Nobody celebrates Valentine's Day like the kids at Westford's library.

The Children's Department of the J.V Fletcher Library hosted kids of all ages to come and make Valentine's Day cards (and play with dinosaurs and legos...)

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Questions Answered on Westford's Upcoming Land Use Development

Westford director of land use planning Angus Jennings was on hand at the J.V Fletcher Library on Tuesday night to provide details on a wide array of land use issues in town and in general.

A packed house filled the J.V Fletcher Library on Tuesday night as Westford land use management director Angus Jennings was on hand to give the crowd some insight into “What’s Being Built Around Us.” The event, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, took a look at the world of zoning and planning while also providing a look at large development projects coming to town in the near future. Jennings, who celebrated his second year on the job in Westford on Tuesday night, let the audience know that town planning can be difficult in Massachusetts compared to other states due to outdated laws. However, he also noted that Westford’s land use future appeared to be bright due to demographic trends and various initiatives and bylaws that would …

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Westford's Librarians on Wednesday's Internet Blackout Protests

The feeling at the J.V Fletcher Library against proposed legislation relating to internet content currently in Congress is comparable to the general opinion of Westford's Congressional delegation.

As dozens of influential websites such as Wikipedia, Craig’s List and Google participated in protests on Wednesday to shine attention on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA), the issue became a topic of discussion in Westford on not just the future of the internet, but the future of information as well. At the J.V Fletcher Library, librarians were generally supportive of the protests, which also had garnered the support of the American Library Association. “Everyone feels that this legislation will be too much,” said Head Librarian Ellen Rainville. “There are some activities depicted on the internet that society should deplore, but the blacked websites helped put the message out that if this passed, there would be a …

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Westford in Pictures: Jan. 16

Looking at Westford in pictures and video.

Hello Westford! It's the end of another day, and that means it's time to take a look back at what's been in Westford through pictures and video. If you have a great Westford picture, share it with us here or in our Neighborhood Gallery. We'll feature it in a future Westford in Pictures! Today's first picture comes from the recent Zentangle class at the J.V Fletcher Library.

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