Around Town

August at the Library: Patio Concert, Summer Reading, Community Yoga

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library has a wide variety of events going on this month, here is a selection provided by the library. Look at the calendar links for a full listing. LIBRARY REMINDERS

COVID-19 Reopening | WFPL has resumed full hours of operation, with some COVID precautions still in place. Face masks are required for all people 2 years and older in the Children’s Room. Learn more: watertownlib.org/reopening

Public computers are available for walk-ins and by appointment.

Around Town

See How to Join the Watertown Library’s Knit Graffiti Project, Decorate the Tree in Front of the Library

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Watertown LibraryIn 2020, the tree in front of the Watertown Free Public Library was decorated by the participants in the Watertown Strong Knitting Graffiti Project. The Watertown Library provided the following information:

Based on the success of the Watertown Strong Knit Graffiti Project in Fall 2020, WFPL has decided to again collect donations of knitted, crochet, sewed, and other crafted items to decorate the Maple Tree — and more — in front of the Library on Main Street. Are you a crafter? We will be collecting items that are crafted with the fall theme, Watertown Woodland Wonderland, in mind! Sew a leaf, crochet a fairy, carve a toadstool, knit with fall harvest colors, or whatever your crafter hands can think up.

Entertainment

Watertown Musicians Return to Serenading Visitors of the Watertown Library

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Anaïs MarkwoodThe Watertonics play music and sign on the porch of Thomas Michel’s home, which overlooks the back parking lot of the Watertown Library. On Sunday he was joined by friend and soprano Maria Ferrante. This past Sunday saw the first Watertonics concert since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, an event welcomed by many Watertown residents.  

The Watertonics, self described by co-founder Thomas Michel as “Watertown’s leading front porch busking group” is a local music group who have been giving concerts from Michel’s front porch for a few years. 

The Watertonics’ front porch concerts began with Michel and his friend Ted Sharpe simply practicing together on Michel’s porch, which overlooks the back parking lot of the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL). They noticed many library patrons stopping to listen to the music as they got in and out of their cars and decided to make it more official, naming themselves the Watertonics and establishing a weekly concert schedule of Sunday afternoons. . 

Michel and Sharpe met in graduate school at Duke University and have been playing music together for many years.

Around Town

Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace Reopening Soon, Classes in July

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Hatch Makerspace sent out the following information:

We’re reopening! Hatch staff and volunteers are ready to welcome you back starting Wednesday, July 7th. Hatch will be open Tuesday – Saturday from 1-9 PMHatch will continue to follow all library closures. Masks are required for unvaccinated individuals and strongly recommended for everyone. Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA.

Schools

Watertown Children’s Summer Reading 2021 Kicks Off at the Watertown Library

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The following information came from the Watertown Library:

As the school year winds down, there’s a lot to look forward to! Watertown Free Public Library’s annual summer reading program begins when the academic year ends. We’re here to help keep your student’s reading on track.  

How To Participate

Open the Challenge Card and print it from home. Challenge Cards are also available in the Children’s Room.Read!

Around Town

Watertown Library Lifts Most COVID-19 Restrictions, Opens at Full Capacity

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

Starting on Saturday, May 29, most covid restrictions were rescinded inside the Watertown Free Public Library. With capacity and social distancing limitations removed, patrons were welcomed back to full use of the library. It didn’t take long to feel the buzz that was so common before COVID hit last March. For the past year, library services have been greatly reduced to primarily browsing the collection, checking out materials, and limited computer and equipment use. Now, patrons can walk in and use computers, study rooms, sit and read, work, and use the public meeting rooms. Library operating hours are near pre-covid with the final move to full hours on July 11 when the library will resume Sunday hours.

Around Town

Watertown Library Seeks Donors to Help Cover Cost of Book Mobile

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library is looking to bring books and other items closer to residents by starting a book mobile. The effort got a big boost from a donor, but the library still needs to raise about $70,000 to cover the cost of the custom vehicle, said Daniel Pritchard, a member of the Watertown Board of Library Trustees. “It is a great opportunity to reach the parts of the Watertown community that are not able to get to the Library, and maybe aren’t as mobile and can’t get down there as easily,” Pritchard said. “The Library is also just such an important resource for the Town, and to be able to go out to every nook and cranny in the community and make resources available is a really exciting opportunity.”

Around Town

Free Workshop for Supporting People Developing Mental Health Issues

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Free Public Library:

The Watertown Free Public Library is partnering with Wayside Multi-Service Center to offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) for the Watertown Community. MHFA teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Two sessions will be offered: one for adults interacting with adults, one for adults interacting with youth. Sign up now for a free mental health first aid workshop by clicking here.