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Meet the Director

Hi! I am Maria McCauley, the Director of Libraries. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events in my weekly message.
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CPL Presents: David George Haskell (Main/Virtual)

Thursday, August 6 @ 6:00 PM
Join the Cambridge Public Library in celebrating our Summer Reading theme—“Plant a seed, read!”—by gathering with us for a reading and talk with author and biologist, David George Haskell, author of How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature's Revolutionaries, published just this past March. The recipient of mutliple starred reviews, How Flowers Made Our World has been described as “a work of real passion” (The New York Times) and “a seamless melding of poetry and science” (Wall Street Journal) and in it, David George Haskell, a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Nonfiction, argues that flowers “belong at the center of the story of how our world came to be.” Registration is required.
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CHANGE OF VENUE: Park Sounds: Robyn Byrde (Main)

Saturday, August 8 @ 2:00 PM
Due to the heat emergency declared by the City of Cambridge, this performance has been moved to the Lecture Hall on Level 2 of the Main Library. Robin Byrde is a Boston-based singer-songwriter who enjoys making music in many different genres including pop, rock, folk, and soul. Originally from Southwest Virginia, Robin moved to Boston in 2017 to pursue a degree in opera performance before finding their own unique voice and style. You can often find Robin busking in the Public Garden or the Downtown Crossing T station; don't be afraid to come up and say hello! PARK SOUNDS 2026 brings free outdoor musical performances featuring local artists to the front lawn of the Cambridge Public Library Main Branch. These events are all-ages. Bring a chair, food, and loved ones to celebrate the summer! Funding is provided by the CPL Foundation in memory of Janet Axelrod.
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News

Coming Up

  • Puzzle Party (Main)

    Join our librarians for tea, cookies and a jigsaw puzzle. An hour of fun and conversation on a Thursday afternoon at the Cambridge Main Library.

  • Advanced ESOL (Central Square)

    Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at an advanced level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.

  • Fun with Gif-o-Grafs! (Main)

    Turn paper cut-outs into animations with the Gif-O-Graf machine! See your stories come to life! No registration required. For elementary-age children and families. Children under 12 must have an adult with them to attend this event.

  • Summer Reading: Seeds & Planting 101 Workshop (O'Connell)

    Join us for a hands-on workshop covering starter plants, soils, plant positioning, watering options for your lifestyle, and the health benefits of gardening. Each participant will leave with their own plant. All materials provided. Registration is required.

  • Afternoon Sing-Along (Main)

    Join us to sing and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 130 people. 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.

  • Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)

    Bring your project and come 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!

  • 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.

  • Twilight Music and Movement (Central Square)

    Join us to sing, play with musical props and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4012 for more information.

  • CPL Presents: David George Haskell (Main/Virtual)

    Join the Cambridge Public Library in celebrating our Summer Reading theme—“Plant a seed, read!”—by gathering with us for a reading and talk with author and biologist, David George Haskell, author of How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature's Revolutionaries, published just this past March. The recipient of mutliple starred reviews, How Flowers Made Our World has been described as “a work of real passion” (The New York Times) and “a seamless melding of poetry and science” (Wall Street Journal) and in it, David George Haskell, a two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Nonfiction, argues that flowers “belong at the center of the story of how our world came to be.” Registration is required.

  • STEAM Academy: iFp Studio (Main)

    Innovators for Purpose (iFp) Studio is a youth-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.

  • 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. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.

  • CANCELLED Beginner ESOL (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 needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.

  • Puzzle Party (Main)

    Join our librarians for tea, cookies and a jigsaw puzzle. An hour of fun and conversation on a Thursday afternoon at the Cambridge Main Library.

  • Advanced ESOL (Central Square)

    Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at an advanced level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.

  • Fun with Gif-o-Grafs! (Main)

    Turn paper cut-outs into animations with the Gif-O-Graf machine! See your stories come to life! No registration required. For elementary-age children and families. Children under 12 must have an adult with them to attend this event.

  • Summer Reading: Seeds & Planting 101 Workshop (O'Connell)

    Join us for a hands-on workshop covering starter plants, soils, plant positioning, watering options for your lifestyle, and the health benefits of gardening. Each participant will leave with their own plant. All materials provided. Registration is required.

  • Afternoon Sing-Along (Main)

    Join us to sing and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 130 people. 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.

  • Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)

    Bring your project and come 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!

  • 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.

  • Twilight Music and Movement (Central Square)

    Join us to sing, play with musical props and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4012 for more information.

  • Puzzle Party (Main)

    Join our librarians for tea, cookies and a jigsaw puzzle. An hour of fun and conversation on a Thursday afternoon at the Cambridge Main Library.

  • Advanced ESOL (Central Square)

    Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at an advanced level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.

  • Fun with Gif-o-Grafs! (Main)

    Turn paper cut-outs into animations with the Gif-O-Graf machine! See your stories come to life! No registration required. For elementary-age children and families. Children under 12 must have an adult with them to attend this event.

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