Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/tag/watertown-library/page/3/)
The DCR’s Dealtry Pool in Watertown. Cool off this weekend at the DCR’s Dealtry Swimming Pool any day this weekend. Then you can try some art therapy at the Watertown Library on Saturday. Keep your creativity going with an embroidery workshop at Gore Place. If you want to quench your sweet tooth, try the freeze dried candies made by a young entrepreneur.
Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. The following statement was read by Watertown Board of Library Trustees Chair Leanne Hammonds about the request to reconsider including a book in the summer reading suggested reading list. Hammonds read the statement regarding “A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home,” during the July 31 Trustees meeting. The statement reads:
As chair of the Board of Trustees, I acknowledge the library’s receipt last month of a Request for Reconsideration from a Watertown Resident. A Request for Reconsideration is a process outlined in our Collection Development Policy to consider moving a book to a different area within our collection or removing it from our collection entirely.
Dear Neighbors:
I’ve never been so disappointed in our city. Last week I attended the Library Trustee’s monthly Board meeting which included an agenda item on the policy for reconsideration of a book the summer reading list. This was largely due to a letter that I and other Jewish residents sent regarding concerns with one book on the second grade summer reading list curated by the Watertown Free Public Library and Watertown School District. We shared our concerns with how it framed Israel as the oppressor and sought to teach a young reader a history of Palestine with ideological views often seen as anti-Israel propaganda. In our letter we asked for a dialogue so we could share our concerns and have a conversation. Did we expect the book to be removed from the list?
(Note: The Watertown Board of Library Trustees will meet Thursday, July 31 at 7 p.m. at Watertown Middle School. The agenda includes a statement of policy in response to feedback on the suggested summer reading list read by the Board Chair.)
Dear Kim Long (Hewitt), Library Director and Board of Trustees,
I’m writing about the pressure the library faces to remove the children’s book, “A Map for Falasteen: A Palestinian Child’s Search for Home.” I hope the library resists this pressure and lets parents and children make their own choices of reading material and draw their own conclusions. This issue matters greatly to me for two reasons, my connections with Israel-Palestine and my connections with Watertown. I have been many times to the West Bank and Gaza and most parts of Israel.
You can start this beautiful summer weekend with a contemplative sound healing meditation on Friday evening at Mount Auburn Cemetery. It’s going to be cooler, though rain could interfere in that plan. If so, you might go instead to catch an entertaining radio mystery at the Mosesian that evening or on Saturday night. They promise hijinks and cocktails, a delicious combination! As a person who loves to share resources in our Facebook Buy Nothing group, the arts and crafts swap on Saturday afternoon at the library is a draw.
Are you and your family Red Sox fans? Or need I ask? Then you might want to meet Big League Brian, a 10’ tall stilt walking fixture outside Fenway. He’ll be visiting Sullivan Tire and would love to pose with all local Sox fans. After getting some good shots (for your holiday cards?), check out the Japanese Summer Festival at the Circle of Boston Nursery School to get a taste of Japanese culture, games and food.
Your weekend might kick off on Friday evening with a lively show at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, called Gimme Gimme. It is described as a sapphic ABBA disco spectacle, including burlesque, drag and aerial performances. Wake up on Saturday, have a relaxing morning and then head over to Artemis Yoga if you have a handy young person to do yoga play with. Their family yoga hour looks quite fun. Once well stretched out, check out the plant and seed swap on the library patio.
Watertown LibraryThe Watertown Free Public Library. Celebrate the halfway point of Watertown Free Public Library Summer Reading with fun for all ages — dancing, music, ice cream, prizes, and more! See details provided by the WFPL below. Friday, July 25 | 4-6 PM | Saltonstall Field
All ages and all community members are invited to Saltonstall Field to celebrate the halfway point of WFPL Summer Reading with dancing, music, ice cream, prizes, and more. Try Bollywood-inspired dancing with Purnima Thakre and get your groove on with Zumba instructor Ama Edzie.