City Calendar

Saturday

April 13

• 12:00 AM

  Calling All Young Writers: Submit to the 25th Annual Youth Poetry Contest

  Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl St., Cambridge, MA 02139

  The Central Square Branch of the Cambridge Public Library is excited to announce that we are now accepting submissions for the 25th Annual Cambridge Public Library Youth Poetry Contest for K-8 students who live or go to school in Cambrige. Submit your original poems by Tuesday, April 30. Poems will be judged for interesting content and creativity as well as consistent and imaginative style. Winners will be notified in mid-May, and prizes will be awarded at a ceremony and reading on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m. Poems in languages other than English are welcomed but must also include English translations (which do not need to be poetic). Winning poems may be published online. For more information: call 617-349-4012 or email jpittel@cambridgema.gov. To submit please either, Mail entries to: Poetry Contest Cambridge Public Library Central Square Branch 45 Pearl Street Cambridge, MA 02139 or send via email to: jpittel@cambridgema.gov Please include your name, grade, school, phone number, and email address with each entry. If you are a teacher submitting entries from your class, also include your name and email address on each entry - we will contact you if you class has a winner.

• 9:00 AM

  Earth Day Celebration

  Joan Lorentz Park 441 Broadway

  We are celebrating Earth Day early! Join us on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at the Main Public Library, 449 Broadway. Rain Date: April 14.

• 9:00 AM

  Finished Compost Giveaway

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  The City of Cambridge will be giving out finished compost free of charge to residents of Cambridge.

• 9:30 AM

  XR Lab 101 (Main)

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Extended reality (XR) opens the door to worlds and experiences outside the everyday through virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality equipment. Test drive our Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality glasses, Structure Sensor 3D scanner, Merge headsets, and more. Registration is required. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. 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.

• 11:00 AM

  FixIt Clinic (Main)

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Learn to fix your torn clothing, broken electronics, appliances, computers, toys, sewing machines, bicycles, fabric items, etc. at the Fixit Clinic. Fixit Coaches will share their time, tools and expertise to consult with you on the disassembly, troubleshooting, and repair of your item. Gain the confidence and knowledge to make repairs and teach others to do the same. This event takes place in The Hive, located on L1 of the Main Library. Open to all ages, registration is required. This event is brought to you by the Cambridge Public Library, The Cambridge Department of Public Works, and Fixit Clinic. Register to participate: bit.ly/itemcheckin Volunteer to be a coach: bit.ly/inpersoncoachsignup

• 1:00 PM

  Drop-in Maker Studio (O'Neill)

  O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140

  Come to the Library to create something special! Use your own supplies or try out our equipment! You can use our 1-inch button maker, 2.5 inch button maker, 3-D Doodle pens, or Janome sewing machines. The Library will provide basic supplies. This drop-in program is for people who feel comfortable using these machines on their own. The Library will not provide instruction. Anyone wishing to use the sewing machines must have completed a Sewing 101 training through the Library. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

• 2:00 PM

  Voices of Poetry: Four Poets (Main)

  Main Library, Lecture Hall, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Join us for an afternoon of great poetry and music, featuring a quartet of acclaimed poets—Doug Anderson, January Gill O'Neil, Shanta Lee, and Lloyd Schwartz—accompanied by the music of singer-songwriter Gabriella Simpkins.

• 3:00 PM

  Sewing 101 (Main)

  Main Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will 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 sewing project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.