Around Town

Library Planning Events & Activities Inspired by the 2020 One Book, One Watertown Novel

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

This March, the Watertown Free Public Library will offer a wide range of special programs and events inspired by Lara Prescott’s debut novel The Secrets We Kept. Called “a gorgeous and romantic feast of a novel” by The New York Times, Prescott’s debut is the Library’s One Book, One Watertown community read selection for 2020. The Secrets We Kept is set during the height of the Cold War and weaves a thrilling tale of secretaries turned spies, inspired by true events. Throughout, the novel offers plenty of fodder for discussion with interwoven themes of love and duty, cultural propaganda, the politics of “women’s work,” and the threat of totalitarianism. The Watertown Free Public Library invites all Watertown residents to read along and explore the world of Prescott’s novel through a series of events designed to bring the community together.

Around Town

Find Out What’s Going on at Watertown’s Makerspace in March

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Hatch, the Watertown Library’s makerspace, is offering a class on computer design, is seeking artists to run workshops and has a list of ongoing classes in the month of March. The following information was provided by Hatch:

Hatch hours: Monday-Thursday, 1-9 pm | Friday-Sunday 1-4 pmHours are updated regularly online: watertownlib.org/hatch

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. Call for yarn donations! Do you have unused yarn laying around?

Around Town

Library Trustee Selected to Fill Vacant Seat on the Board

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Watertown Free Public Library

The Library Board of Trustees once again has a full quota of members after the vacancy left when a trustee elect left town before the term began. The five elected trustees and Town Council President Mark Siders selected Emily Izzo to fill the vacancy left by Mara Dolan, who moved out of Watertown after she was elected in November, according to Watertown Cable’s Watertown Weekly News (click here to see the report). The board interviewed more than a dozen applicants during two meetings in February, and voted to make the appointment on Feb. 19. Izzo works as municipal law attorney with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and formerly worked as the chief of staff for the Mass.

Election 2019

Watertown Library Seeking Candidates to Fill Vacancy on Board of Trustees

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library will accept applications from residents interested in serving on the Library Board of Trustees. On Tuesday, the Town Council voted to appoint someone to fill the vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees. The opening occurred when one of the winners of the most recent election, Mara Dolan, resigned before being sworn in because she moved out of town. The Council could have voted to hold a special election to fill the spot, but they decided to seek another option.

Entertainment

Library Hosting Emmy Winning Film, Discussion on Indigenous Child Removal

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Watertown Free Public Library

Winner of a 2019 Emmy Award for Outstanding Research, Dawnland offers the untold story of Indigenous child removal in Maine, capturing moments of truth telling and healing among the Wabanki people. On Wednesday, January 29, The Watertown Free Public Library will offer a screening of this powerful documentary, beginning at 7 p.m. Following the screening, Watertown resident Dr. Mishy Lesser will facilitate a discussion. Dr. Lesser is Learning Director for the Upstander Project and conducted some of the original (award-winning) research for Dawnland locally, at the Watertown Free Public Library. As recently as the 1970s, one in four Native children nationwide were living in non-Native foster care, adoptive homes, or boarding schools. Many of these children experienced emotional and physical harm by adults who mistreated them and tried to erase their cultural identity.

Around Town

Library Announces 2020 One Book, One Watertown Selection

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The Watertown Free Public Library is pleased to announce Lara Prescott’s debut novel, The Secrets They Kept as our selection for One Book, One Watertown 2020. Copies of the book, including large print, playaway, ebooks, and e-audiobooks will be available at the Library in January, across from the Reference Desk. A full schedule of March programs will follow. “A gorgeous and romantic feast of a novel anchored by a cast of indelible secretaries.” – The New York Times

“Enthralling… This is the rare page-turner with prose that’s as wily as its plot.” – Vogue

During the cold war, the CIA pursued an initiative known as “cultural diplomacy.” Operating on the premise that “great art comes from true freedom”, the agency seized on painting, music, and literature as powerful tools for promoting the western world’s values behind the Iron Curtain. In 1955, the CIA recruited secretaries from the typing pool, and charged them with acquiring the manuscript for Boris Pasternak’s controversial Doctor Zhivago, ensuring it was published in the West, and then translated into Russian and leaked back into the Soviet Union.  

The Secrets We Kept is the thrilling tale of secretaries turned spies, of love and duty, and of sacrifice–inspired by the true story of the CIA plot to infiltrate the hearts and minds of Soviet Russia, not with traditional propaganda, but with a timeless love story: Doctor Zhivago.

Around Town

January at Hatch: Binding, Laser Cutters, and Many More Workshops

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See what’s happening in January at the Watertown Library’s makerspace — Hatch. Hatch sent out the following information:

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. Hatch hours: Monday-Thursday, 1-9 p.m. | Friday-Sunday 1-4 p.m.

Hatch will close at 5pm on 12/31/2019 for New Year’s Eve

Hatch will be closed on 1/1/2020 for New Year’s Day

Hatch will be closed on 1/20/2020 for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Hours are updated regularly online: watertownlib.org/hatch

Workshop spotlight

Art Studio – Stab Binding Learn how to make a stab binding, starting with the basic pattern, then advance to other variations! More about the artist: www.yibinliang.com

Upcoming Workshops & Events

1/5, Laser Cutter 101

1/6, Tools For Makers

1/10, Art Studio: Stab Binding

1/11, Sewing Basics: Soup Bowl Cozy

1/13, Vinyl Cutter 102

1/13, Intro to 3D Printing

1/15, Laser Cutter 101

1/18, Intro to the Sewing Machine

1/20, Intro to 3D Modeling for Kids 1/20, Intro to 3D Modeling for Adults

1/25, Inkscape 101

1/27, Arduino 102

1/30, Intro to Soldering

Visit wfpl.eventbrite.com to register >>

Drop-Ins

Drop-ins are weekly themed sessions that are designed to give you insight into the subject matter.