There is a lot of uncertainty in 2020, but of all the changes we face one thing has stayed the same – there is a presidential election. Votes will be cast for November 3, 2020 but how does one cast their vote in a pandemic? For Massachusetts voters the answer just got a whole lot… Continue reading Voting: One Less Thing to Worry About
Like most Libraries around the world, WFPL saw a surge of new interest in digital materials in 2020. When our physical circulation ground to a halt in March, digital circulation of eBooks, audiobooks, and films spiked way, way up. Even as the Library reopened for browsing, this "digital surge" has held strong, with a 71%… Continue reading Top Digital Checkouts in 2020
Each year during One Book, One Watertown, we encourage our entire community to read the same book, allowing us to explore its themes and messages together. This year, we faced the task of selecting a title during this time of great uncertainty, isolation, and hardship in our community, our country and around the world. Despite… Continue reading One Book, One Watertown 2021: The Humans
On May 1, 1883, a crowd of people assembled on an open stretch of lawn north of Main Street, upon the grounds of what would become Watertown Free Public Library. They came to celebrate an important occasion: the construction of a new library building. After years of cramped quarters in the town hall, Watertown’s library… Continue reading A Sneak Peak Into a 137-Year-Old Time Capsule
The My True Story writing contest is part of WFPL’s Collective Memory Project to capture the experiences and perspectives of Watertown citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Library’s local history department is preserving printed reflections and oral history interviews for future researchers. The My True Story project focused on the perspectives of teens at this… Continue reading True Stories by Watertown Students
“How can I help you?" Working at the Watertown Free Public Library, I probably ask that question a hundred times a day. When the Library was open, finding materials, giving direction, and smiling patrons made my day. Now, I know the COVID-19 pandemic has you waiting at home, but I hope that I can still point… Continue reading Be Mindful: You – and Your Library – Have Answers
I don’t know about you, but as much as I love cooking, I’m getting a bit tired of it. I know that many people have been ordering for pick-up and delivery, but I’ve still been a little wary of doing so. I might change my mind soon, though. That said, we have made some very… Continue reading Cooking at home? We’ve Got eCookbooks!
How has the stay-at-home advisory altered your routine? Do you bother getting dressed for work? Most days, I’ve been lounging in my pajamas, slacking on my hair and makeup, and snacking at odd hours. I’ve been spending much more time with my husband, which is wonderful, but it means that he sees me without any… Continue reading Poetry in a Pandemic
I have always been intimidated by the idea of baking bread. I'm not sure why, but it's just always seemed too complex for me to want to tackle. Having had lots of time at home lately, and wanting to minimize trips to the grocery store, I decided one day to try to bake a simple loaf. I… Continue reading Baking, Making, and Meditating…
Resources are flying everywhere these days-virtual museum tours, live streaming concerts, etc.. To add to this, if you have children in school, you are probably also getting links to online enrichment learning websites. I don’t know about you, but I am overwhelmed. So to help you, I am going to add another online resource to… Continue reading Kanopy for Adults & Kids
