Director's Update, May 19, 2024
5/17/2024 • 2 weeks ago
Dear Patrons,
The Secret Gardens of Cambridge, a biennial fundraising event of the Friends of the Library, is back! On Sunday, June 9, don’t miss your chance for a special self-guided tour to discover and explore private gardens all across the city. Buy your ticket today: https://tinyurl.com/CPLsecretgarden2024.
There are two Cambridge Cooks classes this week! On Monday, May 20, from 5 to 6 p.m., join Chef Ayida Solé as she makes Bannan Pézén, or Plantain Nachos, to celebrate Haitian Flag Day. On Wednesday, May 22, join Chef Afruza Akther as she makes Ghugni, a Bengali-style chickpea salad, to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Registration is required.
Join us on Saturday, May 25, at 2:30 p.m. for a performance by the Boston Festival Orchestra to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Awareness Month. The BFO will perform special selections of chamber music that lift the voices of AAPI performers and composers, paired with excerpts from written works by local authors who will make a special guest appearance. Together we shine a light on local AAPI voices, learn the names of AAPI composers and authors, and explore beautiful and thought-provoking compositions that you may never have heard before! It is important to note that the performance will occur one day before the 100th anniversary of President Calvin Coolidge’s decision to sign the Immigration Act of May 24, 1924, which included the Asian Exclusion Act. Registration is required.
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Activities for Kids
This week, these programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations.
Sing-Alongs
Story Times
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups.
Baby Lapsit (Main)
Monday, May 20
10-10:20 a.m.
Just for you and your baby! Enjoy time with other parents and caregivers to help babies learn, play, and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for 0-12 months. Come prepared to sit on the floor with your baby in your lap. This program can accommodate 15 babies and their caregivers. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.
ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Monday, May 20, Tuesday, May 21, and Thursday, May 23
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22, and Friday, May 24
10:30 a.m.-Noon
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur every weekday. On Mondays, High Beginner ESOL is from 10:30 a.m.to noon and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Intermediate ESOL is at 11 a.m., High Beginner ESOL is at 1 p.m., and Advanced ESOL is at 3 p.m. Beginner ESOL is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Registration is not required.
Wellness for Seniors: Zumba Gold (Virtual)
Monday, May 20 (Virtual), and Thursday, May 23 (in person)
11-11:45 a.m.
Put on your dancing shoes to improve flexibility and balance, strengthen muscles, and have fun! The certified Zumba Gold instructor Emily B. will lead you through 45 minutes of low-impact and easy choreography in your own home through Zoom. Join us! Registration for each session is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.
STEAM Academy: iFp Studio (Main)
Monday, May 20, and Thursday, May 23
3:30-7 p.m.
Innovators for Purpose (iFp) Studio is a teen-powered design and innovation program where teens channel their energy and creative vision to imagine and build a better world. Blending art, design, science, technology, and storytelling within a social justice framework, teens engage in real-world client-sponsored projects. Teens are invited to learn more and apply on the iFp website: Innovators for Purpose.
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Monday, May 20, 2-4 p.m.
Tuesday, May 21, 1:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 23, 2-6 p.m.
Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
During this period, anyone who has completed The Hive Safety Training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able.
LEGO Time (Main)
Monday, May 20
4-4:45 p.m.
It’s a weekly block party! Bring friends to design and build amazing LEGO structures. Let your imagination run wild! The Children's Room has plenty of LEGO pieces, so you don’t need to bring your own. Be aware that LEGO pieces are choking hazards for young children, so this program is for children ages 5+ and their caregivers. It can accommodate 30 builders. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. This program starts promptly, and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.
Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
Monday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 22
5-6 p.m.
Need help with a class? Have a question before an exam? Tutors are available to help you! Cambridge School Volunteers and the Library are pleased to offer tutoring services in the Teen Room on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please contact us with any questions at 617-349-4027 (voice) or via relay at 711.
Cambridge Cooks: Celebrate Haitian Flag Day! (Main)
Monday, May 20
6-7 p.m.
We continue to celebrate Haitian Flag Day with this special installment of Cambridge Cooks featuring returning chef Ayida Solé as she teaches us how to make loaded Bannann Pézén, also known as Plantain Nachos! Cambridge Cooks invites local chefs for a free cooking demonstration, followed by a tasting and Q&A with the chef. Registration is required.
ESOL Conversation Class (Valente)
Monday, May 20
6-7 p.m.
Join us for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)! This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, May 20
6-7 p.m.
Come join us for a chess challenge. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for anyone who wants to play and test their skills against other members of the community. Registration is not required.
The Call Is Coming from Inside the House: A Personal Essay Workshop with Alysia Abbott (Main Library)
Monday, May 20
6-8 p.m.
Do you suspect the most urgent story you have to tell is your own but fear being self-indulgent or upsetting family members? How do you evoke the past in ways that will feel alive and meaningful to readers? In this instructor-facilitated, peer-driven workshop, we’ll explore the complexities of writing about family--the opportunities, the challenges, and the benefits.
Drawing on work by Grace Talusan, Justin Torres, Victoria Chang, Jonathan Letham, and others, we’ll investigate how different writers achieve the distance necessary to bring themselves and family members to life while also making meaning out of these stories. Then we’ll use a mix of generative exercises and immediate feedback to write our own. The 2-hour course meets once a week for three weeks; it’s designed both for those who are just beginning to write nonfiction and those who have drafts they want to deepen. Registration is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Note: This is a 3-week series. Please plan to attend all three sessions.
Alysia Abbott is the author of Fairyland, A Memoir of My Father, which was a New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice and an ALA Stonewall Award winner, a winner of the Madame Figaro Prix Heroine; she was also a finalist for the Lambda Literary Awards. In 2022, she was awarded an artist grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. She grew up in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, the only child of the gay poet and writer Steve Abbott. As a journalist, essayist, and critic, she's written for the Boston Globe, the Guardian, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Vogue, Marie Claire, TheAtlantic.com, TriQuarterly and Psychology Today, among other publications. She holds an MFA in Creative Non-Fiction from New School University and was a contributing producer at WNYC Radio.
CPL Nature Club: Seed Swap (O'Neill)
Monday, May 20
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Bring all the extra garden seeds you don't think you'll get to this year! We'll have envelopes and pens to help keep them straight. Don't have any seeds? Just come anyway! We will have extras, and you can swap garden stories. This event is co-hosted by Cambridge City Growers, a group of volunteers across Cambridge (and beyond!) working to start gardens in our neighborhoods to increase access to healthy, organic, and locally grown food. They rely on the support and passion of fellow neighbor-volunteers.
Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, May 21
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters as you work, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, and mend. Refreshments will be provided.
Drop-in Tech Help (Central Square)
Tuesday, May 21
4-6 p.m.
Looking for some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Want help using an online resource? Need someone to read your résumé and help with navigating online job applications? Join us for our drop-in hours. No registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact library@cambridgema.gov.
STEAM Academy: iFp Labs (Main)
Tuesday, May 21
4:30-6:30 p.m.
Innovators for Purpose (iFp) Labs start with students' interest in building a better world and introduce them to the underlying science and math principles that will bring their solutions to life. Youth in 7th and 8th grades are invited to join iFp on a journey into the world of artificial intelligence with “Smart Cars AI: Driving Innovation for All.” This 13-week adventure invites students to dive into the world of self-driving cars at the intersection of technology and innovation.
CPL Nature Club: Make Along for Adults: Container Gardening (Valente)
Tuesday, May 21
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Join us to create and socialize. Make this month's project or bring your own! All supplies for the featured craft will be provided. Registration is required. Please call 617-349-4015 with any questions.
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, May 21
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Bring your project, yarn, and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.
CPL Nature Club: Morning Birdwatching Walk at Mount Auburn Cemetery (Collins)
Wednesday, May 22
10:15-11:30 a.m.
Join us for a morning walk at the renowned birdwatching spot in our own backyard, Mount Auburn Cemetery! We will help you identify birds, learn birdwatching tips and tricks, and familiarize yourself with migratory birds as well as those that can be spotted year-round. A limited supply of binoculars will be available. Registration is required.
The walk will meet at the courtyard of the Collins Branch (64 Aberdeen Ave.) at 10:15 a.m. and head over to the cemetery together. For more information, contact Michael Roberson at mroberson@cambridgema.gov or call the Collins Branch at 617-349-4021.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-in (O’Connell)
Wednesday, May 22
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters. Work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, and cross stitch.
Google Photos Basics (Main)
Wednesday, May 22
11 a.m.-Noon
Learn how to use Google Photos to organize and save your photos and videos! In the class, you will learn how to:
- Store photos and videos
- Organize and understand features of Google Photos
- Share photos with friends and family
You will need a Google (Gmail) account for this class – please bring your login info! A laptop will be available for use during class. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass.
Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)
Wednesday, May 22
1-3 p.m.
Looking for help creating a résumé or finding jobs? Join us for assistance with job hunting and online applications. No registration is required. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
English Conversation Practice, Intermediate (O'Neill)
Wednesday, May 22
1-2:30 p.m.
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Conversation Practice. This group is for those with an intermediate or high level of English language skill. No testing is required. For more information on other ESOL classes, please call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
Serger Training (Main)
Wednesday, May 22
1-2:30 p.m.
Are you an intermediate or advanced sewer? This workshop will cover serger machine setup, threading a serger, and identifying correct tension settings with different types of fabric. You will learn about ways to use our Elna Extend 864 Air serger to take your sewing skills to the next level by producing special finishing styles, hemming, trimming, and assembling your garments. Registration is required.
This workshop is designed for patrons who have experience using a sewing machine. If you are new to machine sewing, we recommend you take our Sewing 101 workshop before using our serger.
Meet and Greet with Our New Librarian for Older Adults (Main)
Wednesday, May 22
2:30-3:30 p.m.
We're looking for your input! Do you have ideas about programming, services, or social connection? Join us for a casual conversation with the new Librarian for Older Adults about what successful senior programming looks like to you. Refreshments will be provided.
Wednesdays of Wonder - WOW! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, May 22
3-4:30 p.m.
Come to the Library for games and a different activity each week! Kids of all ages can hang out and do crafts or STEAM activities. No registration is required. This week we will be having fun with beads.
Read to a Dog (O'Connell)
Wednesday, May 22
4-5 p.m.
Read with Bowie the Therapy Dog from Pets & People! Therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers of all ages. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required and begins a week in advance. Sign up by phone or in person at the O'Connell Branch (617-349-4019).
One-on-One Tech Help by Appointment (Boudreau)
Wednesday, May 2
4-4:45 p.m.
Would you like help navigating the Library's e-resources like Libby or Hoopla? Or maybe you need some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Book a free one-on-one help session at the Boudreau branch. If you have questions, please send them to ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov. Registration is required.
Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
Wednesday, May 22
5-6 p.m.
Need help with a class? Have a question before an exam? Tutors are available to help you! Cambridge School Volunteers and the Library are pleased to offer tutoring services in the Teen Room on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please contact 617-349-4027 with any questions.
Handsewing for Mending (Valente)
Wednesday, May 22
6-7:30 p.m.
This program will focus on handsewing techniques that can be used to repair seams, hems, tears, and more. Participants will learn about tools and materials for handsewing, a variety of stitches, and when to apply them to restore garments to wearability. Registration is required.
Cambridge Cooks Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month with Afruza Akther (Main)
Wednesday, May 22
6-7 p.m.
Chef Afruza teaches Ghugni/Bengali-style Chickpea Salad. Cambridge Cooks invites local chefs to the Library for a free cooking demonstration, followed by a tasting and Q&A with the chefs.
About the chef: Afruza Akther is from Bangladesh and has lived in Somerville for 20 years. She comes from a culture where every household traditionally cooks meals at home, and she values the freshness in the food she eats and serves. She started Nibble Kitchen's Nibble Entrepreneurship Program in 2019. While she was there, she started her small business, Bangla Adda.
Trivia Night! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, May 22
6:15-7 p.m.
Come join us for Trivia Night! Players of all ages are welcome to test their knowledge of science, history, literature, and culture. Snacks will be provided. Individuals and groups are welcome. Registration is helpful, but not required.
Wednesday Word Puzzles (O'Connell)
Wednesday, May 22
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Drop in to try some fun puzzles every week: word searches, riddles, and variety crosswords! You can come alone or bring a grown-up. Recommended for ages 11 and up. No registration is required. E-mailcmeisler@cambridgema.gov for more details.
Death Cafe (Virtual)
Wednesday, May 22
7-8 p.m.
Join us for a virtual Death Cafe, an evening of open, lively, and insightful discussion about death for adults aged 18 and older.
While not a support group nor a venue for bereavement, a Death Cafe seeks to provide an unscripted, nonjudgmental platform for those wishing to explore the many facets of this often-taboo subject. Facilitated by Richard Davis, a long-time Death Cafe organizer and hospice volunteer.
Come with an open mind, a healthy curiosity, and a willingness to share your thoughts, feelings, and questions with other like-minded individuals. This is a virtual event on Zoom. Space is limited. Questions? Contact Abby at aclinger@cambridgema.gov. Registration is required.
Studio Recording 101 (Main)
Thursday, May 23, 10-11 a.m.
Saturday, May 25, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Are you interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios! Join this workshop to become familiar with studio equipment and software. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.
Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, May 23
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Join our librarians for tea, cookies, and a jigsaw puzzle—an hour of fun and conversation.
Family Crochet Hour (O'Connell)
Thursday, May 23
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Join us for an hour of relaxing crochet with friends and family! Each month will feature a recommended project with hands-on instruction and limited supplies, but you are also welcome to bring your own project. Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, May 23
7-8 p.m.
Bring your project and join other fiber crafters in your community! Crochet, sew, embroider, knit, cross stitch, spin, mend, and more at this informal drop-in fiber arts circle. All crafts are welcome!
Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Thursday, May 23
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Learn how to use our Epilog Zing—an industry-standard laser cutting machine. Complete this workshop to earn a badge for the Zing laser cutter. With a badge, you can reserve the Epilog Zing to use on our equipment booking page at designated times. Registration is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate trainings. You must participate in the Glowforge workshop to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter.
Sewing 101 (Main)
Friday, May 24
9:30-11 a.m.
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. We’ll cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when stitch tension has gone awry. We’ll also cover some safety best practices when operating a sewing machine. As we learn together, we’ll work on a simple project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Coffee, Cribbage and Chess! (Boudreau)
Friday, May 24
11 a.m.-Noon
Join us on the fourth Friday of the month for coffee, treats, and games (chess, cribbage, rummikub, etc.). Bring a friend or meet a new one at the Library!
Cambridge Young Authors' Squad (O'Neill)
Friday, May 24
4-5 p.m.
Young people ages 10-14 who love to write are welcome to share their ideas and writing. There will be time for share-outs/workshopping as well as group or solo writing. Snacks are provided! If you are attending for the first time, registration is helpful but not required.
Videography 101 (Main)
Friday, May 24
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Step into The Hive's state-of-the-art recording studio and film a short video of yourself in front of our green screen. Then, spend some time becoming familiar with video editing software while working with your footage. Registration is required.
Boston Festival Orchestra presents AAPI Heritage Month (Main)
Saturday, May 25
2-3:30 p.m.
The BFO performs special selections of chamber music that lift up the voices of AAPI performers and composers, paired with excerpts from written works by local authors who will make a special guest appearance. Together we shine a light on local AAPI voices, learn the names of AAPI composers and authors, and explore beautiful and thought-provoking compositions that you may never have heard before! We present this concert one day before the 100th anniversary of President Calvin Coolidge’s decision to sign the Immigration Act, which included the Asian Exclusion Act.
Join the BFO Artistic Director Alyssa Wang, BFO musicians, and guest artists in an intimate dialogue about what it means to experience art and how it can help us to relate to the world around us. Enjoy a brief reception after the concert. The concert is free, but registration is required!
Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting (Main)
Friday, May 25
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter. This 2-hour workshop replaces the previous 2-part Glowforge 101 offering; the content and length of this workshop and the 2-part series are the same. You will start by using the camera on the Glowforge to focus and scan your own images, properly select materials for your project, and fabricate your first design. You will create digital artwork for the Glowforge and learn file formatting for production. Note: This is a badging course for laser cutting. Registration is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
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All the best!
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries
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The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information, contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice) or via relay at 711.