Around Town

One Book, One Watertown Title for 2018 is ‘Refuge’ by Dina Nayeri

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For the 10th year in a row, the Watertown Free Public Library has selected a book for the entire community to read and discuss during the “One Book, One Watertown” celebration. The 2018 selection is the novel Refuge by Dina Nayeri. The Watertown Free Public Library sent out the following announcement:

This year, for the first time, the library is recommending a “read-along” title for younger readers and English language learners: It Ain’t So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas. According to librarian Pauli Stern, the WFPL chose Refuge “because of the insight it provides into the bravery and perseverance needed to overcome the obstacles of language, culture, and bureaucracy, while striving to find a feeling of belonging and home.”

Author Dina Nayeri, who lives in London, will visit Watertown on Thursday, March 1. Nayeri will speak at the WFPL at 7:00 p.m., following a 6:00 p.m. tasting of Persian food from Roksana’s Restaurant.

Around Town

Catch the Latest Episodes of Inside Watertown Featuring Local Organizations

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Hear from the coordinator of the Hatch Makerspace and learn about what the Watertown Library has to offer for businesses on the latest episode of Inside Watertown. The Watertown Cable show highlights what local organizations, non-profits and town departments are doing, and is hosted by Chamber of Commerce Community Liaison Paul Airasian and Watertown News Editor Charlie Breitrose

The guests for Episode 4 were Brita Zitin, the Watertown Library’s Digital Services Librarian, who talked about all the online resources available for businesses, business people, those looking to change careers and more. We also spoke with Liz Helfer, the coordinator of the Hatch Makerspace where people can learn skills and be creative. Hatch has a variety of machines to use such as sewing machines, 3-D printers and vinyl cutters. Episode 3 features Watertown Veterans Services Officer Mark Comeiro and Bree Harvey from the Mount Auburn Cemetery.

Around Town

See What’s Going on at the Watertown Library in December

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The Watertown Free Public Library has a variety of events going on this month, from author talks to a craft fair to computer classes. The following was sent out by the Watertown Library:

Democracy Talks: The Future of Voting Rights, 2018 & Beyond
Thursday 12/7 | 7 p.m.
Watertown Savings Bank Room
At this sixth event in our ongoing Democracy Talks series, Professor Rachael Cobb will provide an historical overview of voting rights and update us on what’s at stake in 2018. Save the event on Facebook! Monsterland: Ronny Le Blanc Author Talk
Wednesday 12/13 | 7 p.m.
Lucia Mastrangelo Room
Join author and researcher Ronny Le Blanc as he discusses his new book, Monsterland: Encounters with UFOs, Bigfoot, and Orange Orbs, exploring the history of Bigfoot and UFOs in Massachusetts, especially in and around Leominster State Forest. Save the event on Facebook!

Elections

Watertown Library’s Democracy Talks Focusing on Future of Voting Rights

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The Watertown Free Public Library’s Democracy Talks will host a talk on “The Future of Voting Rights: 2018 and Beyond,” the library announced
During the event, the sixth in the Library’s ongoing series, Professor Rachael Cobb of Suffolk University will talk about what’s at stake in the 2018, according to the event announcement. Cobb is an associate professor and chair of the Government Department at Suffolk. She studies elections, election administration, the electoral politics, civic engagement and political participation. She established the University Pollworkers Project, a non-partisan program designed to recruit college students to serve as poll workers in partnership with the City of Boston’s Election Department. The event will be on  Thursday, Dec.

Entertainment

Watertown Library Has Wide Variety of Events in October

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October is a busy month at the Watertown Free Public Library with a day to preserve your photos and letters, a citizenship class, an author talk and many more activities. The library will be closed on Columbus Day – Oct. 9, 2017 – but there are many other activities when it is open. The Watertown Free Public Library sent out the following information:

Author Talk: Ronny Le Blanc

Wednesday 10/25 | 7 p.m.
Lucia Mastrangelo RoomThere is an area known to the locals of Leominster, Massachusetts as MONSTERLAND. Here there are sightings of UFOS, Bigfoot and Orange Orbs.

Around Town

OP-ED: Library’s Girls Who Code Program Addresses Important Need

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Eight months ago my wife and I welcomed our daughter, Harriet, to the world. She has filled our suddenly sleepless lives with so much joy—and with some anxiety too. Like most parents, my wife and I worry about whether we can give our daughter all the tools she’ll need to lead a fulfilling life. Whether Harriet becomes a car mechanic, a small business owner, or a college professor, she is going to need a basic literacy in computer programming. Fluency in computer languages like HTML and CSS will soon be the low bar for employment in many industries.

Around Town

LETTER: Library’s Hatch Makerspace Has New Home, New Coordinator

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Nearly three years ago, the Watertown Free Public Library hosted a DIY Halloween Costume Bootcamp in a retail space at the Arsenal Mall, marking the opening of Watertown’s first public makerspace, Hatch. Since then, Hatch has flourished with programs, events, and, most importantly, a growing community of makers. Fast-forward to today, and Hatch has moved into its new space at the Residence at Watertown Square, hired a full-time coordinator [Liz Helfer], built up a dynamic group of volunteers and encouraged creativity among its users. Library staff have worked hard to bring this opportunity to the community, but the work would have never happened were it not for a network of generous organizations and people. First on the list is the Arsenal Project who hosted Hatch, rent and utility free, since October 2014.

Around Town

Sign Up Now for the Fourth Annual Watertown Library 5K Fundraiser

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The Watertown Library’s 5K race is back and runners and walkers can sign up now. 

Library officials sent out the following announcement:

Participants of all ability levels are encouraged to participate in the Watertown Free Public Library’s 4th Annual 5k fundraiser. We will be running through the neighborhoods surrounding the Watertown Free Public Library. The start line is located in front of the Watertown Boys & Girls Club on Whites Avenue, a short walk from the library through Saltonstall Park. See map for specifics at wfpl.racewire.com

Register online at wfpl.racewire.com

Adults (18+): $25

Ages 10-17: $20

Ages 9 and under: Free

All participants get a WFPL 5k t-shirt!