Meet the Director
Hi! I am Maria McCauley, the Director of Libraries. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events in my weekly message.
Read the Monthly Newsletter
Learn More
Choosing Kindness: Wonder, the Movie (Main)
Saturday, December 6 @ 1:30 PM
Please join the Cambridge Public Library and the American Repertory Theater for an afternoon of Wonder! To celebrate the much-anticipated new A.R.T. musical "Wonder," we'll be watching the 2017 movie adaptation of R.J. Palacio's book. Enjoy the movie on the big screen in our Lecture Hall, then browse our display of related books. All attendees will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for four free tickets to a performance of "Wonder" at the A.R.T.
Learn More
Online Security Basics - how to recognize and avoid online scams (Main)
Tuesday, December 9 @ 11:00 AM
Learn how to be safer online with accounts and passwords. We will provide an overview of frauds and scams to watch out for.
To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass.
Registration is encouraged, but not required.
Learn More
News
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Director's Update, November 16, 2025
Winter Weirding Workshop, Trans Tea Time, Empowerment in Your Later Years, and More! -
Director's Update, November 9. 2025
Morgan Talty, Know Your Rights, The Nutcracker, and More! - Upcoming Library Programs and Events -
Director's Update, November 2, 2025
Horn Book Awards, Maria Lawton, Lift Every Voice, and More! -
Director's Update, October 26, 2025
Olivia Hoblitzelle, Public Art Tours, Shop for Free with the Spot, and More!
Coming Up
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Open Shop (Main)
During Open Shop, anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Additionally, individuals are welcome to drop in to work on their projects independently. The Hive staff will assist with questions as they are able! New makers are also welcome to come in during open shop for a 10min drop in video safety training! Tool Reservations for this date will open two weeks prior from this date.
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Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Main)
Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions and participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Join us in this twelve-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. To enter the lottery, please register for the waitlist below. This waitlist will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. Registration will open Friday, August 1 at 9AM and close Friday, August 15 at 5PM. Participants selected will be notified on Wednesday, August 20. This is an in-person event in the Community Room, Main Library. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation
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Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
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Baby Lapsit (Collins)
Enjoy time together with other parents, caregivers and babies to learn, play and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for children from birth to 18 months with their caregivers.
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Drop-in Tech Help at the Library (Central Square)
Looking for some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Want help using an online resource? Need someone to read your resume and support navigating online job applications? Join us for our drop-in help hours between 11a.m. and 1p.m. for 20 minute help sessions. No registration required.
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Toddler Story Time (O'Connell)
We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for 15-20 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4019 for details.
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Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at an high beginner level. No testing is needed.. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
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Serger Training (Main)
Are you an intermediate or advanced sewer? This class 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. Up to two patrons can register for this class. This class is designed for patrons who have prior experience using a sewing machine to complete many types of fiber arts projects. If you are new to machine sewing, we recommend you take our Sewing 101 workshop before using our serger.
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Cookie Decorating and Exchange Party
Come join us for decorating party and a cookie exchange! Bring some cookies to swap with other patrons & we’ll provide cookies and supplies for decorating! 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.
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Cambridge Young Authors' Squad - CYAS (O'Neill)
Young people ages 10 to 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.
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Magic Tree House Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Magic Tree House book group for kids ages 5-10 meets the first Friday of the month. Pick up a copy of the book beforehand. Our December book is Magic Tree House #4, "Pirates Past Noon." This event is onsite at O'Connell, with the option to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019. For questions about the Magic Tree House book club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
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Merlin Missions Book Group (O'Connell/Virtual)
Our Merlin Missions book group is for Magic Tree House fans ages 5-10 who are ready for these longer adventures about Jack and Annie! Check out a copy of the book beforehand, or download it from the Libby app. Our December book is Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #16: A Ghost Tale For Christmas Time. This book group will meet virtually and in person at the O'Connell Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event. Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019. For questions about the Magic Tree House Book Club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.
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Open Shop (Main)
During Open Shop, anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Additionally, individuals are welcome to drop in to work on their projects independently. The Hive staff will assist with questions as they are able! New makers are also welcome to come in during open shop for a 10min drop in video safety training! Tool Reservations for this date will open two weeks prior from this date.
-
Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Main)
Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions and participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Join us in this twelve-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. To enter the lottery, please register for the waitlist below. This waitlist will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. Registration will open Friday, August 1 at 9AM and close Friday, August 15 at 5PM. Participants selected will be notified on Wednesday, August 20. This is an in-person event in the Community Room, Main Library. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation
-
Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Baby Lapsit (Collins)
Enjoy time together with other parents, caregivers and babies to learn, play and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for children from birth to 18 months with their caregivers.
-
Drop-in Tech Help at the Library (Central Square)
Looking for some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Want help using an online resource? Need someone to read your resume and support navigating online job applications? Join us for our drop-in help hours between 11a.m. and 1p.m. for 20 minute help sessions. No registration required.
-
Toddler Story Time (O'Connell)
We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for 15-20 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4019 for details.
-
Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at an high beginner level. No testing is needed.. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Serger Training (Main)
Are you an intermediate or advanced sewer? This class 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. Up to two patrons can register for this class. This class is designed for patrons who have prior experience using a sewing machine to complete many types of fiber arts projects. If you are new to machine sewing, we recommend you take our Sewing 101 workshop before using our serger.
-
Open Shop (Main)
During Open Shop, anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Additionally, individuals are welcome to drop in to work on their projects independently. The Hive staff will assist with questions as they are able! New makers are also welcome to come in during open shop for a 10min drop in video safety training! Tool Reservations for this date will open two weeks prior from this date.
-
Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Main)
Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions and participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Join us in this twelve-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. To enter the lottery, please register for the waitlist below. This waitlist will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. Registration will open Friday, August 1 at 9AM and close Friday, August 15 at 5PM. Participants selected will be notified on Wednesday, August 20. This is an in-person event in the Community Room, Main Library. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation
-
Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.