Entertainment

Check Out Zine Month at the Watertown Library in February

By |

The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:

If you know, you know. But if you don’t know, it’s okay, because the library is going to teach you all about zines during the month of February. Zines are generally thought of as DIY magazine-like publications of personal expression that are printed and distributed in small batches by the creator–a little like an analog blog. They give a medium for self-expression to anyone, especially people who have historically been silenced by and excluded from mainstream publications. The Library is hoping to encourage the people of Watertown to share their voices by creating their own zines.

Around Town

Free, On-Demand Tutoring Available Through Watertown Library

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

Brainfuse HelpNow, a digital platform offering on demand learning support for all ages and levels is now available to Watertown residents through the Watertown Free Public Library. “We want to help people get through this strange and difficult time and we know that remote learning and working is a real struggle for a lot of people,” says Carey Conkey-Finn who runs the Teen Department at the library. “We’re hoping that this resource will fill a hole that COVID life has created.”

HelpNow is available to all Watertown residents with a Minuteman Library Network library card from any computer with internet connection or via mobile app. To access HelpNow, please visit the library’s website at watertownlib.org/brainfuse. For more information, contact 617-972-6436 or libraryteendepartment@watertown-ma.gov.

About HelpNow

Live Tutoring (available 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. 7 days a week): HelpNow offers live tutor access for homework help, skills building and test preparation.

Around Town

Residents Can Borrow Variety of Tools & Equipment from Watertown Library

By |

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

Snowshoes, KitchenAid Stand Mixer, power washer — these items have nothing in common except that they are all things you can now check out with your library card. On January 6 the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) launched a new collection of non-traditional library materials known as the Library of Things and they’re waiting to be used. “A Library of Things is not uncommon in public libraries and there are so many reasons we’re excited to now offer our own collection” says Katie Kottas who is in charge of Circulation and Access Services. Of course it is fun, but it’s also economical. A lot of people don’t need or want to purchase items they may only use once or twice.

Entertainment

Seinfeld Trivia; Genealogy & One Book, One Watertown at the Library This Month

By |

The Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library sent out the following information:

WFPL is pleased to announce Matt Haig’s novel, The Humans as our selection for One Book, One Watertown 2021! This year, we faced the task of selecting a title during this time of great uncertainty, isolation, and hardship in our community, our country and around the world.  Despite the challenges we all face, we have also observed wonderful demonstrations of bravery, selflessness, and kindness.  We wanted to find a book to help us celebrate the good we see around us.  

Matt Haig’s book is a laugh-out-loud, heart-filled exploration of what it truly means to be human.

Around Town

Hatch in January: Customize Your Phone, Fleece Hand Warmers & More

By |

See what’s going on at the Watertown Library’s Hatch Makerspace in January. Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, it is a public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. Virtual workshops are being offered during the pandemic. For more information contact Liz Helfer, Hatch Coordinator: ehelfer@watertown-ma.gov | 781-795-2309

Hatch sent out information about upcoming workshops:

Customize Your Phone’s Home Screen with Yi BinMonday, January 4, 6pmLearn how to customize the icons on your home screen using widgets, recently popularized by videos on TikTok.

Around Town

State Order Reduces Capacity at Watertown Library, Biggest Impact Likely on Children’s Area

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

On Saturday, December 26 Watertown Free Public Library capacity will betemporarily reduced further per Governor Baker’s order restricting users to 25% of total capacity. The Children’s and Teen rooms will be reduced from 20 patrons to 10 patrons simultaneously and the second floor will be reduced from 80 patrons to 40 patrons simultaneously. It is expected that the biggest impact will be on the children’s room which has been the only area in the library toreach capacity, albeit only a handful of times. “We opened with a capacity already well below the mandated 40% limit. We’re taking this further step to ensure that we can remain open for thepeople who need us” said Library Director, Leone Cole.

Around Town

Uplifting Title Chosen for Library’s 2021 One Book, One Watertown

By |

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

Each year the Watertown Free Public Library invites everyone to read the same book during the same period of time and then explore the themes and messages together. After an incredibly trying 2020, with relief just barely in sight, the librarians were in search of a title to lift up spirits and warm the heart. They landed on The Humans by Matt Haig. The Humans tells the story of a reluctant alien who arrives on Earth with the goal of erasing all traces of a monumental scientific discovery.

Entertainment

Watertown Library Co-Hosting James Patterson, Jeff Benedict at Virtual Author Talks

By |

Bestselling author James Patterson will speak with Hank Phillippi Ryan about his two upcoming books on Dec. 15 and on Dec. 17 Jeff Benedict will discuss his book about the New England Patriots’ Dynasty. The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement:

The holiday season always brings an abundance of new and highly anticipated books by prominent authors. This year, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is partnering with local booksellers and neighbor libraries to bring a few of those bestselling authors to Watertown – virtually, of course!