All Library locations will be closed on Friday, June 19 for Juneteenth.
Meet the Director
Hi! I am Maria McCauley, the Director of Libraries. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events in my weekly message.
Learn More
Tom Lin presents: Babylon, South Dakota (Main)
Tuesday, June 9 @ 6:00 PM
Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Tom Lin—Carnegie Medal-winning author of The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, and professor of English and creative writing at the University of Iowa—for a discussion of his highly anticipated new novel, Babylon, South Dakota. Registration is required.
Learn More
Summer Art Nights: Explore with Botanical Collage (Main)
Thursday, June 11 @ 5:30 PM
Back by popular demand!
Explore the art of botanical collage. In this workshop, participants work with a variety of plant-inspired imagery—think leaves, flowers, stems, and natural textures—to create their own unique composition. Whether you prefer something delicate and minimal or bold and layered, this is a chance to experiment, play, and let your creativity unfold. No prior experience is needed—this workshop is designed for all skill levels, including complete beginners. A selection of materials will be provided, so you can simply show up and start creating. That said, students are more than welcome to bring your own papers, clippings, pressed plants, or anything else that inspires you.
Registration is required.
Learn More
News
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Cambridge Public Library Launches 2026 Summer Reading Bingo
Plant a Seed, Read! -
Director's Update, May 31, 2026
Drag Story Time, Know Your Right: Housing, Park Sounds, and More! -
Director's Update, May 26, 2026
Red Sox History, Spelling Bee, Seed Swap, and More! -
Director's Update, May 17, 2026
Pulitzer Prize Winner Yiyun Li, Blood Drive, Boston Festival Orchestra, and More!
Check out the Monthly Newsletter
Coming Up
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Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
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. No registration required. Stop by the Teen Room or call 617-349-4027 to learn more.
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Baby Lapsit (Central Square)
Bounces and rhymes for our youngest library patrons. Recommended for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers.
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Drop-in English Conversation Practice (Central Square)
Practice English conversation skills with native English speakers. All levels welcome. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
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Hand Embroidery (O'Neill)
Hand Embroidery will cover an assortment of basic embroidery stitches that can be used to embellish your clothing and hide (or highlight!) holes and stains! Leave class with a sampler of embroidery stitches you can refer back to, along with knowledge of tools, materials, and techniques for stitching up embroidered designs. Suitable for beginners with little or no embroidery experience, or those who want a refresher on the basics.
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Parent/Child (Ages 7-9) Book Group (Main)
Join us for a lively discussion of a great book in person at the Main Library! Snacks will be provided. For ages 7-9 and a parent or caregiver. This month's book is Strangeville School is Totally Normal by Darcy Miller. Harvey Hill just wants other kids to think he’s normal. So he’s happy to start fresh as the newest kid at Strangeville Middle School. Except Strangeville is anything but normal. Something sinister swims in the drinking fountain, the cafeteria could swallow you whole, and a giant rat named Cuddles is on the loose. And don't even get the vice principal started on the third-floor supply closet. In fact, don't even think about it. What supply closet? Copies of this month's book are available at the Children's Desk. Both caregiver and child should read the book before the discussion to participate. Registration is required — only one registration is needed per family. For questions about parent/child book group, please email Rachel: rbeaton@cambridgema.gov
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Tom Lin presents: Babylon, South Dakota (Main)
Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Tom Lin—Carnegie Medal-winning author of The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, and professor of English and creative writing at the University of Iowa—for a discussion of his highly anticipated new novel, Babylon, South Dakota. Registration is required.
-
Kids' Books for Everyone (O'Neill)
People of all ages who enjoy children's books can read and discuss together. Snacks will be provided. This month we will read and discuss The Aquanaut by Dan Santat. Copies are available at the O'Neill Branch Library. This book group will meet in person at the O'Neill Branch Library. Please register below.
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Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Bring your project, yarn and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.
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Romance Book Group (Main)
This month's book: Everything for You by Chloe Liese Audience: Teens and Adults. If you read romance (or want to start), this group is for you! Reading Interests: This group will explore the burgeoning genre of contemporary romance. Example selections include: Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola and Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner. How to get the print book: Copies of the print book are set aside at the Main Library Q&A Desk on the ground floor. Visit the Main Library at 449 Broadway during service hours and a staff member can help you check out a copy. How to get the e-book or digital audiobook: This month’s book is available as an e-book through Libby and as an e-audiobook through Hoopla. We'll meet in the Teen Room on the first floor of the Main Library. For more information, contact Susannah at sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov.
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Studio Recording 101 (Main)
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 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.
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Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
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. No registration required. Stop by the Teen Room or call 617-349-4027 to learn more.
-
Baby Lapsit (Central Square)
Bounces and rhymes for our youngest library patrons. Recommended for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers.
-
Drop-in English Conversation Practice (Central Square)
Practice English conversation skills with native English speakers. All levels welcome. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Hand Embroidery (O'Neill)
Hand Embroidery will cover an assortment of basic embroidery stitches that can be used to embellish your clothing and hide (or highlight!) holes and stains! Leave class with a sampler of embroidery stitches you can refer back to, along with knowledge of tools, materials, and techniques for stitching up embroidered designs. Suitable for beginners with little or no embroidery experience, or those who want a refresher on the basics.
-
Parent/Child (Ages 7-9) Book Group (Main)
Join us for a lively discussion of a great book in person at the Main Library! Snacks will be provided. For ages 7-9 and a parent or caregiver. This month's book is Strangeville School is Totally Normal by Darcy Miller. Harvey Hill just wants other kids to think he’s normal. So he’s happy to start fresh as the newest kid at Strangeville Middle School. Except Strangeville is anything but normal. Something sinister swims in the drinking fountain, the cafeteria could swallow you whole, and a giant rat named Cuddles is on the loose. And don't even get the vice principal started on the third-floor supply closet. In fact, don't even think about it. What supply closet? Copies of this month's book are available at the Children's Desk. Both caregiver and child should read the book before the discussion to participate. Registration is required — only one registration is needed per family. For questions about parent/child book group, please email Rachel: rbeaton@cambridgema.gov
-
Tom Lin presents: Babylon, South Dakota (Main)
Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Tom Lin—Carnegie Medal-winning author of The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, and professor of English and creative writing at the University of Iowa—for a discussion of his highly anticipated new novel, Babylon, South Dakota. Registration is required.
-
Kids' Books for Everyone (O'Neill)
People of all ages who enjoy children's books can read and discuss together. Snacks will be provided. This month we will read and discuss The Aquanaut by Dan Santat. Copies are available at the O'Neill Branch Library. This book group will meet in person at the O'Neill Branch Library. Please register below.
-
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Bring your project, yarn and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.
-
Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
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. No registration required. Stop by the Teen Room or call 617-349-4027 to learn more.
-
Baby Lapsit (Central Square)
Bounces and rhymes for our youngest library patrons. Recommended for babies 0-18 months and their caregivers.
-
Drop-in English Conversation Practice (Central Square)
Practice English conversation skills with native English speakers. All levels welcome. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.