Around Town

Watertown Library’s Pride Month Reading Picks & This Week’s Virtual Events

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Watertown Free Public Library

The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:

If you didn’t make it to the Summer Reading Drive-Thru last week, don’t worry. It’s easy to participate in the Library’s Summer Reading programs from home. Head to watertownlib.org/summerreading to learn more about our programs and prizes for children, teens, and grown-ups. To commemorate Pride Month and the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, we asked WFPL staff to choose books that helped shape their views on queer politics/culture, assisted them in their process of coming out, or affected them in another way. We hope you enjoy these Staff Picks for Pride: watertownlib.org/pride

Want to stay up-to-date with everything that the Library has to offer during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Around Town

Watertown Library Kicking Off Summer Reading Drive-Thru on June 16

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The Watertown Library sent out the following announcement:

How do you throw a summer reading kick-off party in the age of social distancing? The Watertown Free Public Library has hit on a fun solution: it’s the first-ever Summer Reading Drive-Thru! On Tuesday, June 16, you’re invited drive (or walk) to the Library and pick up summer reading booklists, bingo boards, and more for children and teens. WFPL librarians will be stationed in the parking lot handing out grab bags to take home. There will be music, there will be balloons … so bring the kids along for the ride.

Around Town

Watertown Library Extends Hours for Curbside Pickups

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Watertown Free Public Library

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

Beginning Monday, June 15 the library will offer additional evening curbside pickup hours. The new pickup schedule is: Monday 1 pm – 4 pm, Tuesday 4 pm – 7 pm *New Hours*, Wednesday 11 am – 2pm, Thursday 4 pm – 7 pm *New Hours*, Friday 9 am – 12 pm 

Placing Orders: Call 857-203-8009 to place orders. Calls can be made Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. A library employee will take orders for up to 5 items that are currently available in the library catalog. Anyone that does not have internet access may call for personal assistance with choosing materials.

Around Town

Library Hosting Virtual Talk on Urban Wildlife, Teen Book Groups & Creative Writing for Kids

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

This week, the Watertown Free Public Library is excited to welcome Peter del Tredici of the Arnold Arboretum for a Zoom talk about urban wildlife. The library is also hosting book groups for Teens, a creative writing program for Children and so much more, all online and accessible from home. 

A full list of virtual programs is included below. Want to stay up-to-date with everything that the Library has to offer during the COVID-19 pandemic? Sign up for our eNewsletter here: watertownlib.org/eNews

FOR CHILDREN

Creative Writing with The Mysteries of Harris BurdickJun 1 – 30 | The Mysteries of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg is a fascinating book containing fourteen mysterious images. Can you imagine a story surrounding the pictures?

Around Town

Library Curbside Pick Ups Continue, New Phone Number

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library provided the following announcement:

Beginning Monday, June 1 the new phone number to place curbside pick up orders at the Watertown Free Public Library is 857-203-8009. 

Placing Orders

Calls can be made Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. A library employee will take orders for up to 5 items that are currently available in the library catalog. Anyone that does not have internet access may call for personal assistance with choosing materials. We are only accepting orders via phone at this time. Picking Up

Library materials are available for pickup on Mondays from 1-4, Wednesdays from 11-2 and Fridays from 9-12.

Around Town

Hatch Makerspace Offering Curbside Pickup of 3D Printing, Laser Cutting

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Hatch Makerspace Coordinator Liz Helfer preps the 3D printer for new orders. Design and submit your 3D printing or laser cutting projects and the Watertown Library’s Hatch makerspace will do the work. Then you pick it up! See details in the Hatch announcement below:

Even though the Watertown Free Public Library’s Hatch Makerspace is closed to the public, you can still access Hatch’s 3D printers and laser cutter for free. Starting the week of May 25, Hatch staff will be available to 3D print and laser cut original work submitted online.

COVID-19

Watch Out for Watertown’s Plan to Reopen Recycling Center, Parks, Library & More

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With Gov. Baker laying out the reopening plans for Massachusetts, Watertown’s municipal facilities will begin to reopen from the COVID-19 shutdown in coming days and weeks. As of Friday, Watertown had a total of 373 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 254 residents who have recovered. The town has lost 23 people to the virus. Four Town employees have had confirmed cases. Two of those employees are back to work, Town Manager Michael Driscoll said.

Around Town

See This Week’s Virtual Programs at the Watertown Library

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Watertown Free Public Library

The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department:

The Watertown Free Public Library’s new curbside book pickup service has been a big hit with Watertown residents. “Talking to patrons and hearing how thrilled they are to have books again is truly the highlight of my day” says WFPL director Leone Cole. 

While curbside orders pick up, WFPL continues to offer virtual programs. This week via Zoom, find peace during Community Yoga, learn to knit, or make homemade mac & cheese during Cook the Books: Pantry Edition. For tweens in grades 5-7, the Library is starting First Chapter Fridays (via Facebook Live) to spotlight some fantastic books available online via the Library apps Hoopla and Overdrive. Here’s a full list of virtual offerings for the week of May 25 – 31:

FOR CHILDREN

Springo!May 1 – 30 | Can you get bingo on our spring-themed outdoor scavenger hunt? Post your bingo board on social media and be sure to tag WFPL! Download the Springo bingo board here: bit.ly/SpringoWFPL

Story Time (via Facebook Live)Tuesday at 10:30 am with Emily | Thursday at 11 am with Kazia | facebook.com/watertownfpl

Lunch Bunch Book Group (via Facebook Live)Mondays and Thursdays | 12 PM | Children’s Librarians will read aloud from The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. This title is available without waiting via Hoopla.