Around Town

Library in February: First Watertown, USA Summit, Author Talk, History of Hip Hop

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The Watertown Free Public Library previewed the events coming up in February:

Here’s one of the more delightfully quirky programs we’ve ever hosted: On Tuesday evening, 2/8, join WFPL for Watertown Where?! — the first-ever Watertown, USA summit. We’ll meet up virtually to swap local history stories and share what makes our Watertown unique. Watertowns represented include MA, NY, SD, CT, MN, and TN. 

Also coming up: Jerald Walker will join us virtually to discuss his award-winning essay collection, How to Make a Slave, and the acclaimed Illstyle & Peace ensemble will present The History of Hip Hop at the Library for children grades K and up! Library News

We’re wishing happiness, good health, and relaxation to Library Director Leone Cole as she retires from WFPL after 27 years. The Library as you know it today wouldn’t be possible without Leone’s steadfast commitment to providing exceptional library service.

Around Town

Community Members Will be Part of Search for the Next Director of the Watertown Library

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library will be looking for a new leader with longtime Library Director Leone Cole announcing her retirement. Cole has made her mark on the Watertown Free Public Library, said Chair Leanne Hammonds. “Leone Cole is retiring after 27 years as library director,” Hammonds said. “She has done incredible work at WFPL and she will certainly be missed!”

Around Town

LETTER: A Fitting Way to Honor Watertown’s Retiring Library Director

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. A Fitting Tribute To A Local Superstar

After 27 years, Leone Cole, Our Library Director is Retiring, Here’s An Idea to Thank Her for Her Service to Watertown

Dear Watertown,

Under Leone’s innovative and forward-thinking leadership, our library has become the heart of our community – welcoming, serving, and educating people of all ages and from all walks of life, through even the most challenging of times. Our library has had such a positive influence − in ways we can only begin to imagine − on the lives of so many who have entered that building on 123 Main Street. Book groups, films, music, our History Room, research assistance, the Hatch Makerspace, storytelling, community talks/events, Project Literacy, the Library of Things, courses in finance, exercise, citizenship, and more have brought our community together. As many residents of Newton, Belmont, and Waltham will tell you, our library is their library of choice.

Entertainment

Watertown Library Announces One Book, One Watertown Title for 2022

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

WFPL invites you to participate in One Book, One Watertown 2022! This year’s book selection challenges us to question how we engage with the natural world around us. Braiding Sweetgrass, by botanist and Citizen Potawatomi Nation member Robin Wall Kimmerer, is a “hymn of love to the world” that gifts insight about scientific knowledge, Indigenous wisdom, and the teachings of plants. As a botanist, Robin Wall Kimmerer has been trained to ask questions of nature with the tools of science. As a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, she embraces the notion that plants and animals are our oldest teachers. In Braiding Sweetgrass, Kimmerer brings these two lenses of knowledge together to take us on “a journey that is every bit as mythic as it is scientific, as sacred as it is historical, as clever as it is wise.” Kimmerer shows how other living beings — asters and goldenrod, strawberries and squash, salamanders, algae, and sweetgrass — offer us gifts and lessons, even if we’ve forgotten how to hear their voices. 

This year, we encourage readers to go slowly and savor this beautiful book — either all at once, or in bits and pieces.

Around Town

Watertown Library Events Moved Online Due to COVID, See What’s Happening this Month

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library provided the following announcement:

Due to the recent increase in Covid cases, all in-person Library programs will be canceled or moved online for the month of January. Here’s what this means:

January programs that were scheduled to take place in person will be canceled or held virtually. This eNewsletter includes updated information.January programs that were scheduled to take place virtually will continue.Front Lawn Story Time will move to Facebook Live beginning 1/6/22.Outside groups that have booked meeting rooms can continue to meet.Library services and in-library browsing will continue. We hope to resume in-person programming in February, 2022, but will adjust as necessary.

Around Town

Library Collecting Stories & Images of Watertown Since 1950, Hosting Author Talk & Concert & More in December

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Library is collecting images and stories about the city’s recent history. WFPL is embarking on a mission to collect stories and images from Watertown’s recent history, from 1950 to the present day, and we need your help! Want to volunteer for the Library and help preserve the story of Watertown’s diverse community? Join our corps of Digitization Day volunteers in 2022. Sign up now on our volunteer page. Coming up this month, learn about the language of cults with Amanda Montell, join the Zinesters’ Club (open to teens and adults), or attend a Coffeehouse Concert at WFPL with free refreshments from O’Some Café! 

For Children

Baby Story TimeMondays and Wednesdays | 11 AM | In the Library | A Librarian will read stories and lead activities. For babies who are not walking. Registration required.