Cambridge STEAM Initiative
The Cambridge STEAM Initiative is a joint effort of the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Schools, and the Cambridge Public Library. We work with our local K-12 schools and universities, community organizations, City departments, employers, and residents to open doors to opportunities and career pathways in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. Our goal is to make sure these opportunities are within reach for everyone — especially those who have faced the biggest barriers.
River Street Reconstruction Project
Welcome to the River Street Construction Webpage! This is the place to find current information and updates related to construction of the River Street Infrastructure and Streetscape Project.
The project includes utility and surface reconstruction of the following streets and public spaces:
• River Street from Memorial Drive to Massachusetts Avenue
• Carl Barron Plaza (the major public space at the intersection of River Street/Western Ave/Mass Ave in Central Square)
• The MBTA bus stops and busway at Magazine/Green/River Street adjacent to Carl Barron Plaza
• Pleasant Street and Tubman Square between Pleasant Place and River Street
• Green Street between Magazine and Pearl Street
• Magazine Street between Franklin and Green Street
• Blackstone Street
In addition, the project includes the following nearby neighborhood streets which are due for reconstruction under the City's Five Year Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan
• Fairmont Avenue / Fairmont Street / Rockwell Street / Laurel Street / Kelly Road
Parent/Child (Ages 7-10) Book Group (Main)
Please note the different day of the week for this event due to Library closure on Tuesday November 11.
Join us for a lively discussion of a great book in person at the Main Library! Snacks will be provided. For ages 7-10 and a parent or caregiver.
This month's book is Pie by Sarah Weeks. When Alice's beloved and eccentric Aunt Polly passes away, her will reveals she has left her world-famous pie crust recipe to her fat grumpy cat, Lardo. And Lardo has been left to Alice! Everyone in town wants to be the next pie contest champion, and it's up to Alice and her friends to solve the mystery of the recipe and discover the not-so-secret recipe for happiness. 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
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 Lowriders in Space by Cathy Camper. Lupe Impala, El Chavo Flapjack, and Elirio Malaria love working with cars. You name it, they can fix it. The stars align when a contest for the best car around offers a prize of a trunkful of cash—just what the team needs to open their own shop! What will it take to transform a junker into the best car in the universe? 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
Apply for a Short Term / Special Event Sidewalk Business Use Permit
A temporary business use sidewalk obstruction permit is required if you are a plan to temporally obstruct a City of Cambridge sidewalk. Please apply for an Annual Sidewalk Obstruction Permit if you plan to use an “A” framed sign, sandwich board, display merchandise, temporary banner or use tables and chairs on a sidewalk in the public way.
Youth Dungeons and Dragons Session 1/3 (Valente Branch)
Youth ages 10-16 are welcome to join for three sessions of cooperative role-play and storytelling as we build out skills playing the table-top game DnD. The first session will include a character-building introduction followed by play continued into the next two sessions. No prior DnD experience is required, and experienced players are also welcome to join.
Registration is required, as the program is capped at 8 players. Please plan to attend all sessions!
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.
Youth Dungeons & Dragons Session 1/4 (Valente Branch)
Youth ages 10-16 are welcome to join for four sessions of cooperative role-play and storytelling as we build out skills playing the table-top game DnD. The first session will include a character-building introduction followed by play continued into the next four sessions. No prior DnD experience is required, and experienced players are also welcome to join.
Registration is required, as the program is capped at 8 players. Please plan to attend all sessions!
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.
CPL Presents: Yiyun Li (Main/Virtual)
Join the Cambridge Public Library in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month by welcoming Yiyun Li, the author of the memoir Things in Nature Merely Grow, the winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Memoir, as well as several award-winning novels, including The Book of Goose.
In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Things in Nature Merely Grow was a finalist for both the National Book Award for Nonfiction and the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award as well as the recipient of the presitigious Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction.
After a reading from her work, Yiyun will appear in conversation with Grace Talusan, author of The Body Papers, winner of the Massachusetts Book Award for Nonfiction and the Restless Books Award for New Immigrant Writing.
This hybrid event is cosponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Registration is required.
September Traffic Impacts
The City of Cambridge is notifying residents, businesses, and visitors of upcoming street closures, construction, and traffic impacts in late August and early September for back-to-school, the Feast of Saints Cosmas and Damian, and two other community events.