Around Town

LETTER: Library’s Survey Missing a Key Language in Watertown

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Letter to the Editor:

The Watertown Free Public Library’s efforts to gather community input for its 2026–28 Strategic Plan are commendable and reflect a genuine desire to serve the needs of residents. However, as a former resident of Watertown, I was surprised and disappointed to see that Armenian is not among the survey’s available languages (“Watertown Library’s Survey Will Help Plan for the Future,” Jan. 6, Watertown News). Estimates suggest that Armenians make up around 20 percent of Watertown’s population, making Armenian one of the most widely spoken minority languages in the town. The Armenian community has been vital to Watertown’s cultural and social fabric for decades, contributing to its unique identity.

Around Town

Watertown Library’s Survey Will Help Plan for the Future

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Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Library wants to hear from the public as it plans for the future. A survey has been posted on the Library’s website and is also available at the Library in seven languages. The survey includes a number of questions and comment boxes. Some of the topics covered in the survey include the following:

Evaluating StaffRating the Building and FacilitiesGeneral Services and Experiences Most Important to the Survey TakerRating Collections and ServicesWhat would you love to see at WFPL?

Around Town

See What Title the Library Selected for the 2025 One Book, One Watertown

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The Watertown Free Public Library revealed the title for this year’s One Book, One Watertown. See the announcement below. What happens when we study delight? This year’s One Book, One Watertown selection, Ross Gay’s The Book of Delights, invites us to do just that. We hope you’ll take part in the Watertown Free Public Library’s annual community read! Ross Gay is many things – a New York Times bestselling poet and writer, a winner of prestigious awards, a teacher, a gardener, a skateboarder, a Midwesterner, a partner, a friend, a son, a pick up basketball player, a loiterer, a lover of high-fives, and a student of delight.

Entertainment

WEEKEND FUN: Wordle Art, Crafternoon, Patriots Game Watch & Free Concert

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The new year is here, for some bringing hope, perhaps of a new grandchild or a serious commitment to the keto diet, for others it comes with much trepidation, of those same things. In any case, there are some fun things to do this weekend in town. After a day of rest and then only a couple of workdays, let’s all get back out there on the weekend and enjoy life’s local pleasures. The Armenian Museum of Art is open and free this weekend. I love the current Tsitoghdzyan show.

Around Town

Hatch Makerspace is Turning 10, See What’s Planned for the Celebration

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The Watertown Free Public Library’s Hatch Makerspace turns 10 years old, and there are several events planned to celebrate and create at the same time. See details in the information from Hatch below. Come celebrate with us! Starting 1/2: Sticker and Iron-On GiveawayPickup at Hatch, all agesCustomize your sticker or iron-on using Hatch’s tools

Starting 1/2: Hatch Makerspace Past / Present / Future DisplayAt the Library in the first floor lobby

Starting 1/2: “What do you make?” Community DisplayDraw or write what you like to make and add it to the display in the front windows of Hatch

Sunday, 1/12 | 10AM – 12PM  Hatch Makerspace Open HouseAt Hatch, all ages

Saturday, 1/25 | 2-4 PM  Hatch Makerspace Birthday ShowcaseAt the Library, with walking tours to HatchCome for the cake, stay for the inspirational projects!

Entertainment

Library’s Winter Concerts Include Norwegian Fiddle, Indie Folk & Songs from Around the World

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The Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) is thrilled to announce our 2024—25 Winter Concert Series! Join us at the Library, December through March, one Sunday per month. As in previous years, our concert series features talented, local artists. Performances are free and open to all and registration is not required. Violinist Joshua Peckins

Sunday, Dec.

Entertainment

WEEKEND FUN: Halloween Activities, Fall Fest, Planting Party, Clothes Swap & More

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Fall is here in all its glory, with plenty of outdoor festivals, Halloween activities, and even a planting party to plant a micro forest outside the Lowell School. First, on Friday, head to the library for a children’s clothing swap. You may need some fun clothes for your kids’ Halloween costumes, or a new winter coat to cover their costumes, as the temperature turns downward. Saturday afternoon, you can catch the Fall Festival at Grace Chapel in the early afternoon and then head to the Commander’s Mansion to wander through the inflatable corn maze and get spooked in the mansion. (I’m dying to see what the corn maze is like!) If you are more in the gardening frame of mind, and this is a great time to plant, head over to the Lowell School to watch or help out in the planting of the Miyawaki or micro forest.

Around Town

Watertown Organizations to Celebrate Disability Awareness

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Watertown Free Public LibraryThe historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library, World in Watertown and the Commission on Disability:

On Saturday, November 2, World in Watertown, the Watertown Free Public Library, and the Watertown Commission on Disability invite the community to join in celebrating disability awareness. This is a great opportunity to hear from Watertown residents with disabilities, learn about their lives and experiences in Watertown, and meet local disability organizations serving our diverse community. “Celebrating Disability Awareness: Voices & Perspectives” runs from 2:30 PM – 4 PM on Saturday, November 2 in the Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room on the 1st Floor. Registration is not required.