The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:
The Watertown Free Public Library will remain closed pending guidance from the State of Massachusetts regarding safe re-opening. The Library will update the community when more information is available. This announcement is part of Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s COVID-19 Update for Watertown, issued on Friday, May 15. View the update here: bit.ly/WatertownUpdateMay15
Next week, WFPL will continue to offer curbside book pickup and virtual programs via Zoom. For more information, visit watertownlib.org. Want to stay in the loop? The Library’s eNewsletter is the best way to learn about everything that the Library has to offer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sign up at watertownlib.org/eNews
There are so many ways to access the Library from home. Here’s a list of virtual programs for the week of May 18:
FOR CHILDREN
Springo!
May 1 – 30 | Can you get bingo on our spring-themed outdoor scavenger hunt? Post your bingo board on social media and be sure to tag WFPL! Download the Springo bingo board here: bit.ly/SpringoWFPL
Monday Moments (via Facebook Live)
Monday, 5/18 | 11 AM | Join the Children’s Department for a moment! We’ll show you a quick craft, an easy at-home activity, or try to inspire your day another way: facebook.com/watertownfpl
Story Time (via Facebook Live)
Mondays at 10 am with Kathleen | Tuesdays at 10:30 am with Emily | Thursdays at 11 am with Kazia | facebook.com/watertownfpl
Lunch Bunch Book Group (via Facebook Live)
Mondays and Thursdays | 12 PM | Children’s Librarians will read aloud from The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. This title is available without waiting via Hoopla. If you need to catch up, all of the previous videos are available on our Facebook page: facebook.com/watertownfpl/live
Children’s Baking with Emily (via Zoom)
Monday, May 18 | 12 pm | Today we’re making After School Peanut Butter Cookies from the Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America’s Test Kitchen. This title is available without waiting via Hoopla. Learn more and register here: bit.ly/PBCookiesMay18
Grades 3/4/5 Book Club (via Zoom)
Thursday, May 21 | 6:30 pm | Students in grades 3/4/5 are encouraged to read Lisa McMann’s Going Wild, and join us on Zoom to talk about the book! This title is available from Hoopla with your library card. Register: bit.ly/3-5ClubMay
Story Time Video Library
Story videos and sing-alongs that you can watch anytime at home: watertownlib.org/storyvids
FOR TEENS
Animal Crossing
Come visit WFPL’s Animal Crossing island for freebies, games, gardens, shops, and FRUIT! The island will be open Monday – Friday from 4 – 5 pm and we’ll post the Dodo code to our website right before the gates open: watertownlib.org/animalcrossing
My True Story: Writing Contest for Teens
How has your life changed during the COVID-19 pandemic? Teens in grades 6-12 are invited to submit prose works of 600 to 2,500 words to be judged by a panel of WFPL staff. Finalists in middle and high school categories will win Amazon gift cards! Learn more: watertownlib.org/mytruestory
The Thief Book Discussion Group (via Zoom)
Wednesday, 5/20 | 3:30 PM | This audiobook is available in the Hoopla app, free with your Library card. Recommended for those in grades 6-12. Register for the Zoom meeting here: bit.ly/ThiefGrpMay20
FOR ADULTS
Learn to Make Photo Books With Shutterfly (Zoom Class)
Monday, 5/18 | 2 pm | Learn how to use your photos to make a beautiful coffee table book! Shutterfly makes it easy. Register: bit.ly/ShutterflyMay18
Sock Knitting for Beginners (Zoom Class)
Monday, May 18 | 4 pm | This class will walk intermediate knitters through how to get started with their first sock knitting project. No materials required. Register: bit.ly/SockKnittingMay18
Write Your History: Coronavirus Diaries Program (via Zoom)
Mondays | Alternating Sessions: 11 AM & 7 PM | Join us for a weekly series of writing workshops to help you record your experiences of this time. If you’re willing, the Library will collect these accounts and maintain them as part of our Local History Collection. Learn more: watertownlib.org/diaries
The Moonstone Read (and Watch) Along (via Zoom)
Every Tuesday, Starting 5/12 | 2 PM | Join us in reading Wilkie Collin’s classic murder mystery The Moonstone, which is always available on Overdrive and Libby, free with your library card. After finishing the novel, we’ll watch the BBC Miniseries Moonstone (streaming through Hoopla), and compare it to the book! bit.ly/MoonstoneWFPL
Living Room Trivia (via Zoom)
Tuesday, 5/19 | 6 pm | Missing pub trivia nights? Come to the WFPL’s! You can play alone or with household members, or groups can sign up individually and then discuss their answers in Zoom’s private chat. We will be doing three rounds of ten questions. Come join the fun! (Recommended for adults.) Register: bit.ly/TriviaMay19
Community Yoga (via Zoom)
Every Wednesday | 9:15 AM | To join the class, head to: bit.ly/YogaWFPL
Creating a Stand-Out Resume (via Zoom)
Wednesday, 5/20 | 12 Noon | This session will cover current resume best practices, including tips about what information to include, what to leave off, as well as formatting and content guidelines to give your experience more impact. Learn more: bit.ly/JobSearch2May20
Cloud Storage 101 (Zoom Class)
Thursday, 5/21 | 2 PM | Running out of space on your hard drive or device? Move your files to cloud storage! We’ll cover the basics, including what cloud storage is and how to keep it safe. Requirements: Zoom and a web browser. Register: bit.ly/Cloud101May21
Mad About the Movies: A Ghost Story (Discussion via Zoom)
Thursday, 5/21 | 4 PM | Join Kevin Carson, a Watertown resident with an MFA in Filmmaking and Film Studies, for a discussion of the 2017 film A Ghost Story, currently available on Kanopy. Watch the movie at home (it’s free with your library card!), then join Kevin for a guided conversation about the film. Register: bit.ly/GhostStoryMay21
Craft Corner: DIY Air-Dry Clay (Zoom Class)
Friday, May 22 | 10 am | We will make our own air-dry clay and discuss the many projects you can make with it. Check out the supply list and register via Zoom: bit.ly/AirDryClayMay22
Tech Talk (via Zoom)
Saturday, 5/23 | 2 PM | Join us for an hour long tech session with short demos of library resources and Q&A time for any of your technology needs. Requirements: Zoom and a web browser. Register: bit.ly/TechTalkMay23
HATCH MAKERSPACE
Home DIY: Build Your Own Beanbag Toss (Zoom Demo)
Wednesday, 5/20 | 2pm | Also known as “cornhole,” this is the perfect yard game for sunny afternoons! Did you know there’s a regulation size and style? We’ll cover the tools and materials you need to complete this project step by step. Register: bit.ly/HomeDIYMay20
Book Arts: Case Binding Part 2/2 (Zoom Demo)
Friday, 5/22 | 2 PM | Learn how to make a basic case binding in two parts! In this second session, we will learn how to make the hardcover case and attach it to the text block. Register: bit.ly/CaseBinding2May22