We've got Disney eBooks!

If you take a look through our Digital Media Catalog, you'll see tons of new books available, particularly Disney eBooks   We've recently been able to add Disney Digital Books to our collection, which means your kids can find tons of stories about their favorite characters right on your Mac or PC!  And unlike most of our other eBooks, these are always available!  There's no need to put them on hold or join a waiting list.  You can read them immediately!

Interested?  One of the easiest ways to find these is to visit our Digital Media Catalog.  The first thing you'll want to do is sign in by clicking "Sign In" at the top and entering your library card number and PIN number (Don't know your PIN number? Stop in or call us and we can reset it for you!)  Scroll down a little bit, and along the left side you'll see the icon above, inviting you to "Check out a Disney Digital Book today!"  If you click on that, you'll be able to see a whole list of all of the Disney eBooks we have for you.

Once you find one you like, click on "Add to Cart."  Then click "Proceed to Checkout" (unless you want to continue browsing).  On the following page, choose how many days you think you'll need to read this eBook, then click "Confirm Check Out."  On the download page, simply click "Launch" next to the Disney Digital Book you've chosen.  A new window or tab will open in your internet browser, and the book will begin!

This is a wonderful way for children who can't read on their own yet to spend time with stories when parents and caregivers are busy.  Reading with your child is absolutely essential, and eBooks that "read" to your children are no replacement for the one-on-one, interactive experience they get reading with you.  But using eBooks can be an excellent way to give your child literacy and technology experiences, in addition to the time you spend reading together.

So browse through our collection, see what looks good, and give Disney Digital Books a try today!

Stinky, colorful science!

This afternoon, our program room smelled terrible!  But the stink was worth it in the name of science!

Kids in grades 3-5 participated in this month's Science is Everywhere program where they utilized cabbage juice (which smells awful!) to perform pH indicator tests on a wide variety of substances!  They learned about pH, hypothesized about the pH levels of various substances, and then got to do hands-on testing.

Make sure to check out our Facebook page to see even more pictures of the fun!

This is part of our Science is Everywhere grant, which is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Library Services and Technology Act, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Thank you for supporting us at Library Mini Golf!

Our second annual Library Mini Golf Fundraiser was a smashing success!  Thank you so much to everyone who came out and golfed, and thank you to all of the wonderful organizations who sponsored holes!

Tons of people of all ages came on Saturday and spent the evening enjoying games, raffles, face painting and, of course, golfing!  Families and friends tested their skills golfing through the stacks, between furniture, down the stairs, and through the whole library.  It was a chance for the community to come together and enjoy a night of fun, all the while supporting the programs that we do here at the library.

We truly appreciate all of your support, and we thank you for a delightful evening!  We'll see you again at next year's Library Mini Golf!

Library Mini Golf TODAY!

TODAY'S THE DAY!

Library Mini Golf is TODAY from 6:00 to 9:00 pm!  Bring the whole family for games, face-painting, a raffle and, of course, golfing throughout the library!

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids (kids under 2 are free!) and all proceeds go to our Library Building Committee, who help us provide even more wonderful programs.

So be sure to come by tonight!  No need to pre-register, just pop on in anytime between 6 and 9.  We can't wait to see you!

FORE! Don't miss your chance to GOLF in the Library!

Our second annual Library Mini Golf event is only ONE WEEK away!  Don't miss your chance to participate in this incredibly unique event, and your chance to help the library!

Library Mini Golf is on Saturday, March 9, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The last tee-off time will be at 9:00 p.m.  It's a great event for families to enjoy crafts, face painting, a raffle, and - of course - golfing on a goofy course that winds through the entire library!  It'll be tons of fun for grown-ups without children as well!  You can purchase tickets at the door, and they'll be $8 for adults and $5 for children.  No need to pre-register or anything, just drop by between 6 and 9 to get your tee time and join in the fun!

All monies raised will go the Library Building Committee, who helped us build our gorgeous building and who helps pay for all sorts of wonderful things not included in our regular budget, including more fun programs for families.

So come on by, play some golf, and help your library!

Announcing the 2013 Children's Book Award Winners!

It's official!  The winners of our second annual Watertown Free Public Library Children's Book Award have been determined!

Drumroll please!

Best Fiction of 2012: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school -- until now.  He's about to enter fifth grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid, then you know how hard that can be.  The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face.  But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?

Best Nonfiction of 2012: Potatoes on Rooftops: Farming in the City by Hadley Dyer

From high school students to high-rise dwellers all around the world, people - including Michelle Obama - are discovering innovative ways to grow fresh, healthy, and delicious fruit and vegetables at home, in community gardens, and at school.  Potatoes on Rooftops is the perfect book to get you thinking about ways you, too, can grow food in the city.

Best Picture Book of 2012: Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots.  And he can take the fattest, crispiest carrots from Crackenhopper Field anytime he wants.  That is, until they start following him home...

These winners were chosen from among all of the books published in 2012.  Want to read them?  All of our award-winners are marked with a special sticker!  Come on in and look for the sticker, or click on the links above to request the books.

Happy Reading!  And congratulations to our winners!

Adorable Reading Practice: Dog B.O.N.E.S.!

Who wouldn't want to read to this cutie?  On Saturday AND Sunday, starting at 2:00 p.m., kids in grades K-5 can have their chance!

Our Dog B.O.N.E.S. program gives young readers the chance to hone their skills by reading to a therapy dog.  The dogs listen patiently and provide soothing, adorable reinforcement while the children read aloud to them.  Kids gain great benefits practicing in this environment, including increased confidence and reading fluency.

Interested?  There's still space for you to register for a fifteen-minute time slot just for you!  Stop in or give us a call at 617-972-6435 to sign up.