Watertown Seeking New Library Director After Current One Announced Her Resignation

City of WatertownCaitlin Browne announced she will be resigning as Watertown Library Director. After just over a year working as permanent Director of the Watertown Free Public Library, Caitlin Browne announced her resignation at the Board of Trustees meeting on May 2. Browne was appointed the new Library Director in April 2022, succeeding longtime director Leone Cole. Prior to that, she worked as assistant director at the Library for many years, and served as interim director after Cole retired. At the May 2 Trustees meeting, Browne publicly announced her resignation, which she had already sent to the board.

Watertown Author to Talk About His Book on a Woman Who Helped Win WW2 & Shape America

Watertown author Christopher Gorham will appear at the Watertown Library to discuss his book about a woman who was influential in the New Deal, the Cold War and beyond. Gorham will be at the Library, 123 Main St., on Saturday, April 8, from 2:30-4 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Room. The event is free and open to the public. The Watertown Library provided the following information:

The Confidante: the Untold Story of the Woman Who Helped Win WWII and Shape Modern America tells the story of Anna Marie Rosenberg, whose influence on American history, from the New Deal to the Cold War and beyond, has never before been told. Her life ran parallel to the front lines of history — and her story, though forgotten for too long, is extraordinary, inspiring, and uniquely American.

Budding Artist: 87-Year Old Painter’s First Exhibition Hosted by Watertown Library

Seda MavetosianMargarita Avetian stands in front of some of the paintings in her exhibition at the Watertown Library. During the month of March, the paintings of an emerging Watertown artist have been displayed in the Library’s art gallery. Margarita Avetian has only been painting for two years, but her work has received rave reviews from other artists. Not bad for someone who never had any artistic training during any of her 87 years. Avetian’s daughter, Seda Matevosian said her mother got started by chance when she was putting on a fun artistic activity for some of her family and friends.

New Rep Presents Dramatic Reading from One Book, One Watertown Title

The following announcement was provided by New Rep Theatre:

New Repertory Theatre is pleased to present an exclusive, dramatic reading from Big Girl, with special permission from author Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, as part of the Watertown Free Public Library’s monthlong celebration of this outstanding new work as part of One Book, One Watertown 2023. The reading is directed by Lois Roach and features Regine Vital and Maria Hendricks. It will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room. It is free to the public. Refreshments will be available.  

This year’s One Book, One Watertown selection questions who is permitted to take up space.

One Book, One Watertown Pick Inspires Free Music, Dance, & Discussion at Watertown Library

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Library:

In December, the Watertown Free Public Library (WFPL) selected Big Girl by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan for the City’s One Book, One Watertown community read. As usual, extra copies flew off the library shelves. Now, with a full month of free performances, discussions, and guest talks coming up, the Library is drawing on the themes of the book to ask the community to reflect and wonder, who is permitted to take up space? It’s a question that resonates on many levels. Big Girl is a lyrical coming-of-age story that traces the personal and artistic awakening of Malaya Clondon, set to the rich soundtrack of 1990s Harlem. While the world at large seeks to shrink her body, her Blackness, her queerness, her desires, and her neighborhood, Malaya dares to imagine space for her to be her full self.

Library Running Technology Classes in Spanish, Bibiloteca Ofrece Clases de Tecnología en Español

The Watertown Free Public Library will offer a series of technology classes in Spanish. The classes were made possible through the Public Library Association Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T. In November and December, the Library worked with the Watertown Housing Authority to offer a set of classes. All four classes will be held at the Watertown Library, 123 Main St., Watertown, in the Lucia Mastrangelo Room on the second floor. The schedule of classes can be seen below:

Clases de Tecnologia Gratis en WFPL

Los Básicos del Internet

Martes, 21/2/2023 | 19:00 | en WFPL | Mejora tu confianza en buscar y navegar en la web.

Hatch This Month: Sewing Intro, Vision Boards, Soldering & More

The Hatch Makerspace offers a variety of classes for people looking to learn how to make, do, and create, and in January there are a variety of classes including sewing, soldering, and making vision boards. Hatch sent out the following information:

Hatch Makerspace is located at 20 Summer Street in Watertown, MA. An extension of the Watertown Free Public Library, we are a free public workshop with space, equipment, and materials available for your use. Events

“Made at Hatch” Display11/1 – 2/26, Watertown Free Public Library,First Floor Lobby

Be sure to check out our showcase of art, electronics, tools, toys, sewing, and other projects made by Hatch staff and volunteers! Introduction to the Sewing MachineMonday 1/9,  5-7pm

Learn how to use a sewing machine.