The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Despite pandemic, Wellesley Society of Artists brings paintings out into the world

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Wellesley Free Library, fall 2020It’s been a long time since new art has graced the lobby of the Wellesley Free Library. In the first show to be hung there since the pandemic restrictions began, The Wellesley Society of Artists (WSA) showcases the diverse talent of 45 WSA Exhibiting Artists and includes paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media. The show has been judged by Pat Walker, artist, teacher and art administrator. The works will be on display through November. Photos of the paintings can be viewed at [email protected] and on the group’s Facebook page.

First place award winner

Frederick Kubitz took first place for his painting Miss Bea, Georgia Shrimp Boat. The juror noted that when standing close to the painting, the viewer can see mastery of oil painting technique, strength of composition, and skilled placement of the lights and darks and warms and cools, which hold up from across the room.

Wellesley Society of Artists
Frederick Kubitz took first place for his painting Miss Bea, Georgia Shrimp Boat. Photo credit: WSA

Second place award winner

Recipient of the second place award is Jodi Traub for her painting Lush Gardens. The juror described was impressed by the beautiful marks, the layers of different colored plants, and the use of color and light pull, which pull the viewer into Traub’s pastel drawing.

Wellesley Society of Artists
Recipient of the second place award is Jodi Traub for her painting Lush Gardens. Photo credit: WSA

[Read more…]

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Linden Square, Wellesley
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Curbside pickup to end at library, but you can get by with a little help from the Friends

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Wellesley Free Library, fall 2020Curbside pickup at the Wellesley Free Library will end on November 25th, but Operation Friends can help. If you are unable or uncomfortable picking up your holds from the library, the Friends of the Wellesley Free Library can pick up and deliver your library materials directly to your door. To arrange for a delivery please call 781-235-1610 x 1117.

Library hours:

The main library located at 530 Washington Street is open for browsing the collection and checking out materials. The Fells and Hills branch libraries remain closed. The book drops at the main library and the branches are open for returns.

Mon. – Fri., 9 am – 10am is reserved for seniors and at-risk
Mon. – Thur., 10am- 2pm and 3pm- 8pm
Friday, 10am – 2pm and 3pm – 6pm
Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Sundays 1pm – 5pm

NOTE: The building is closed for cleaning Monday-Friday from 2-3 pm

More on the library’s phased re-opening plan.

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Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

Commonwealth Ballet Company to perform for Wellesley via Zoom

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Commonwealth Ballet CompanyThe Commonwealth Ballet Company will present a reading of the classic tale The Nutcracker at the Wellesley Free Library on Saturday, November 21, 11am – 11:45am. Several ballet dancers from the Company will help bring certain parts of story to life in their elegant and colorful costumes as the story is read aloud.

Afterwards, the dancers will stay on the call to answer questions about dancing and their costumes. All ages welcome.

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Stretch Lab, Wellesley

Booking a special bench near Wellesley Free Library

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One of the newest dedicated benches in Wellesley was installed in honor of Joellen Toussaint, the longtime Wellesley librarian and resident who passed away about two years ago. The bench, fittingly, is situated in the park next to the main library branch.

Wellesley’s Katie Sullivan recently headed to her favorite bench at that park, only to find Joellen’s daughters Shawna and Erin, who both grew up in Wellesley, seated on it. Katie kindly shared this swell photo with us.

toussaints
Photo by Katie Sullivan

 

Joellen Toussaint bench

Bench dedications are coordinated through the Department of Public Works’ Park and Tree Division’s landscape planner, who evaluates potential locations for benches.  Donors can then offer to contribute funds for the benches and plaques. Gifts and locations are approved by the Natural Resources Commission (NRC), and the gift is then approved by the Board of Selectmen.

Those who are interested in considering a possible bench donation can contact the NRC at [email protected]

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The Wellesley Free Library reopens—a first look

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We’ve missed the  Wellesley Free Library terribly since it closed in March due to COVID-19 concerns, so you can bet we rushed right in to get a first look at the recently re-opened main branch. No matter how many rules we had to follow (and there are a lot of rules) it didn’t matter. We just wanted to drift through one of our old haunts and remember better days.

We managed our expectations and concentrated on molding our behavior to conform to present realities: no congregating, no computers, no copiers, no excessive chit-chat with the staff, no sitting, no bathrooms, no water fountain access. In addition, the library is not at this time taking book donations. But there are books to check out. Lots and lots of books and other materials, waiting to be checked out.

As many as 25 patrons at a time for a maximum stay of 30 minutes currently are allowed in for what Assistant Director Elise MacLennan said is a “soft opening” phase. Nobody timed me while I wandered about. The 30 minutes limit has been put in place for times when there is a line of patrons waiting to get in.

Here are a few pics:

Wellesley Free Library
Assistant Director Elise MacLennan reminds me that the library is closed for cleaning from 2-3pm on all weekdays. (Library hours listed below.)

 

Wellesley Free Library
These are the guys who are keeping the library sanitized. Mike Groh (left) and José Perez.

 

Wellesley Free Library
The library staff (that’s librarian Kristen Taft, pictured) has missed patrons, and has worked hard to develop protocols to keep everyone safe. Please limit chat with library staff (sort of a throwback to the days when libraries were a place of “Shhhhhh”). Masks must be worn and social distancing of 6-feet is a must. The library has received PPE such as gloves from the Wellesley Fire Department. Movable plexiglass shields have been placed on surfaces between library staff and patrons. Hand sanitizer has been placed throughout the library.

 

Wellesley Free Library
Wellesley Free Library periodicals room.

 

Wellesley Free Library
Wellesley Free Library, second floor. This internet-access spot has always been one of the busier areas in the library. For those who rely on public libraries for WiFi access, the building closures have been a difficult period.

 

Wellesley Free Library
Look beyond the bubblers if you’re thirsty for knowledge.

 

Wellesley Free Library
This is my spot, the section that overlooks the library parking lot and Hunnewell School. So many Swellesley posts have been written from those carrels. Wait a minute. Maybe the library staff closed off the area because they’re finally making space for my statue. Yeah, that’s definitely it.

 

Wellesley Free Library
Areas of the library look like giant toddlers have been through, overturning whatever was in their paths.

 

Wellesley Free Library
The library has put in place a Holds Express process by which patrons can enter the library via the Simons Park entrance (where the field is) and quickly pick up their items. Bring your library card and check out your books at the self check-out area. There’s no in-person fine paying for now.

 

Wellesley Free Library
The Wakelin Room has been set up as the Holds Express area for now. The library continues to offer appointment-based curbside pickup as well, where the books are checked out before you arrive.

Main Library hours:

Monday-Thursday, 9am-8pm (9-10am is limited to seniors and high-risk patrons)

Friday 9am-6pm, (9-10am for seniors and high-risk patrons)

Saturday, 10am-3pm

IMPORTANT: The children’s room is scheduled to open at 10am each day the library is open.

IMPORTANT: The library will be closed from 2-3pm for cleaning on all weekdays.

The Hills and Fells branches are not yet open.

MORE:

Morse Institute Library in Natick reopens—a first look

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Wellesley Free Library targets Aug. 3 for limited reopening

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Wellesley Free Library looks to welcome a limited number of patrons at a time back to the main branch beginning Aug. 3 for browsing and check-out only. No word yet on the Fells and Hills branches, as the initial focus will be on the main library.

“When we do open there will no computers, no copiers, and no congregating,” Director Jamie Jurgensen said during the recent Library Board of Trustees meeting.

Wellesley library, main branch
Wellesley Free Library, main branch. Photo by Duncan Brown

 

The library is also readying a Holds Express process by which patrons can enter the library via the Simons Park entrance (where the field is) and quickly pick up their items. Expect to hear about a test run this week, as staff looks to offload some 2,000+ holds for those who come in with their library cards and are wearing masks (no in-person fine paying for now).

The library continues to offer appointment-based curbside pickup as well, where the books are checked out before you arrive.

As for those allowed in for live browsing, there will be a limit of 25 patrons at a time to start and a max stay of 30 minutes. Those visiting will be asked to keep conversations with library staff brief, and to follow up online or by phone if needed. Masks must be worn and social distancing adhered to.

Hours will be 9am-8pm Monday-Thursday, with 9-10am limited to seniors and high-risk patrons. Friday hours will be 9am-6pm, 9-10am for seniors and high-risk patrons. The library will be closed from 2-3pm for cleaning on all weekdays. Saturday hours will be 10am-3pm, and the children’s room is scheduled to open at 10am each day the library is open.

Jurgensen says the library staff misses patrons, and has worked hard to develop a reopening plan designed to keep everyone safe.

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Operation Friends: Temporary Wellesley Free Library delivery service

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Wellesley library, main branch
Wellesley library, main branch. Photo by Duncan Brown

The Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries has launched a temporary delivery service of materials for those who are unable or uncomfortable picking up holds at the library. For those able to go to the main library branch itself, curbside pickup is available by scheduling it online.

This doorstep delivery service can be arranged by calling 781-235-1610 x1117. It is available in Wellesley and adjacent communities.

The Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries fund programs and services not supported by the Library budget.

More: Time for Mrs. Swellesley to pay up at Wellesley Free Library

 

 

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