Around Town

Library Closed Until May 18, But Plenty of Online Activities for Children, Teens & Adults

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

As directed by Town Manager Michael Driscoll, the Watertown Free Public Library will remain closed to the public until Monday, May 18th to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. This extends the Library’s previous closure period by two weeks. 

Do you need help accessing WFPL’s (newly expanded) digital library? The Reference Department has created simple video tutorials to introduce our most popular digital services and help you set up an account, step by step: watertownlib.org/eLibTutorials

While the Library is closed, WFPL will continue to offer virtual programs for children, teens, and adults. Here’s what’s coming up for the week of May 4 – May 10:

FOR CHILDREN

Springo!May 1 – 30 | Can you get bingo on our spring-themed outdoor scavenger hunt?

Around Town

Library Adds Streaming Options for Movies, TV & Music; See What Else is New

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Watertown Free Public Library

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

While the Watertown Free Public Library is closed, we’ve been expanding our digital collection. Last week, we added two new streaming platforms: Acorn TV (specializing in British TV and movies) and Qello (full-length concert films and music documentaries). Watertown residents can access both services for free. 

We’re also bringing new programs (and old favorites) online. Democracy Talks, Mystery Roundup, and Cook the Books: Pantry Edition all return this week via Zoom. WFPL’s Teen Department is offering online audiobook discussion groups, and the Children’s Department continues to add new stories and fun sing-alongs to our Story Time Video Library. 

Here’s a full list of virtual offerings for the week of April 27 – May 1:

NEW IN THE DIGITAL LIBRARY

Stingray QelloExplore the world’s leading streaming service for full-length concerts and music documentaries. (Watch The Beatles, Lady Gaga, Beyonce…)Acorn TVStream TV and feature films from Britain and beyond. Binge-watch a classic series or discover a new favorite among 60 exclusive shows!PressReaderAccess over 7,000+ domestic and international newspapers and magazines from 160 countries.Ancestry Library EditionTrace your family tree with access to billions of records, including census data, vital records, and directories. Visit watertownlib.org/elibrary to view our full digital collection.

Around Town

See the Online Programs Coming Up at the Watertown Library

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Our doors are still closed, but online, the Watertown Free Public Library is busy as ever. This week, get your kiddos excited for cookie baking with Emily and the new Lunch Bunch Book Club via Facebook Live. Do you know a teen in need of a creative outlet? Tell them about our collaborative web comic. For adults, we’re offering new workshops, craft meetups, and more via Zoom.

Around Town

2 Firefighters Test Positive for COVID-19; 2 More Virus Related Deaths in Watertown

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Several Watertown Firefighters quarantined themselves after two members of the Fire Department tested positive for the Coronavirus. One of those who tested positive has already recovered, and the second is still recovering, said Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn. “When the first Firefighter tested positive we had to quarantine four other Firefighters for 14 days,” Quinn said. “None of them developed any symptoms and are all back to work. We had another firefighter test positive and had to send three others for testing due to the possible exposure, but luckily they all came back negative.” Where the firefighters became infected is not known, Quinn said, but it is possible it was while they were on duty.

Around Town

Watertown Library Creates One-Stop COVID-19 Info Webpage

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The Watertown Free Public Library has created a one-stop guide for information about COVID-19 and related issues, including unemployment, where to get food assistance and people’s physical and mental health. See more information in the announcement sent out by the library below:

There is so much information about the COVID-19 pandemic available, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. To help Watertown residents navigate this confusing time, the Watertown Free Public Library has developed a COVID-19 Resource Guide, a “one-stop shop” website that makes it easy to find the latest health guidance and assistance programs available. View the Watertown COVID-19 Resource Guide here: watertownlib.org/covid19guide

In Watertown, there are many resources available to those who are struggling with physical and mental health concerns, unemployment, and food insecurity. Now, as so many lives and livelihoods are turned upside-down by the COVID-19 pandemic, those resources are more valuable than ever. 

WFPL’s Resource Guide covers food security, financial assistance, housing assistance, elder care, scams, community engagement and more.

Around Town

Watertown Library Moves Programs & Classes Online

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. Even though the Watertown Free Public Library building is closed, the staff continues to provide services to residents online, including classes and programs.

The activities will be presented in a variety of virtual formats, including using Facebook Live and Zoom meetings. The library sent out the following information about its programs:

Yoga is back. Knitting group is back. Cook the Books is back.

Around Town

Library May be Closed, But There are Plenty of Resources for Kids & Teens, Even if You Don’t Have a Card

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Library:

Watertown Free Public Library

As directed by Town Manager Michael Driscoll, the Watertown Free PublicLibrary will remain closed to the public until Monday, May 4th to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. This extends the Library’s previous closure period by four weeks. Although the doors at 123 Main Street may be closed to the public, that doesn’t mean the Watertown Free Public Library has gone dark. In the past two weeks, the Library has increased digital collections of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and news sources. Library staff are also creating online classes, demonstrations, and activities for kids to reach residents stuck at home.

Around Town

Watertown Library Increasing Numbers of Titles Available Online, Find Out How to Access Them

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Watertown Free Public Library

The Watertown Free Public Library may have closed during the Coronavirus outbreak, but that does not mean people can’t access books, videos and music. The Library has a number of ways to access ebooks, audiobooks, videos and more, and the staff has added more copies of popular titles. There is also content for kids, access to newspapers and magazines and information to medical information. The following announcement came from the Watertown Library:

Here’s what we’re doing at the Watertown Free Public Library to keep you digitally connected to books and media while we’re closed. We’ve increased our digital collections.