Director's Update
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
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Join or Die Screening at the CPL (Main)
Saturday, September 21 @ 1:30 PM
Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America depends on it. Follow the story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of Robert Putnam, whose legendary "Bowling Alone" research into American community decline may hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis.
A special appearance by Professor Putnam will precede the film. After the screening, the Cambridge Public Library will host a panel discussion with community partners focusing on civic engagement, volunteering, and community building within Cambridge.
Presented in partnership with Cambridge Neighbors and Cambridge Volunteers.
Cambridge Neighbors is a membership-driven organization dedicated to helping adults aged 60 and over stay in the homes and neighborhoods they love by providing the opportunities and support necessary to remain integral parts of their communities. Cambridge Volunteers strengthens civic life by championing local volunteer engagement and supporting an effective and inclusive volunteer corps.
Learn More
CPL and Harvard Book Store Present: Clara Bingham (Main)
Monday, September 23 @ 6:00 PM
Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Clara Bingham—award-winning journalist and the author of Witness to the Revolution, Women on the Hill—for a discussion of her new book The Movement: How Women's Liberation Transformed America 1963-1973. She will be in conversation with Judy Norsigian, Joan Ditzion, Jane Pincus, and Norma Swenson—co-authors of the groundbreaking book Our Bodies, Ourselves.
Registration is required.
Learn More
News
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Director's Update, September 15, 2024
CPL Nature Club, Sarah Lewis, Cambridge Cooks, Writing Group, and Much More! -
Director's Update, September 8, 2024
Urban Cycling Workshop, Drawn to Nature, Open Archives, and More! -
Director's Update, September 1, 2024
Elder Walk, Celeste Ng, Kintsugi, and More! -
Director's Update, August 25, 2024
Reflecting on Our 2024 Goals
Coming Up
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Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
During this reservation period, anyone who has completed Hive training and is certified to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able.
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Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Main)
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. Sifu Mynor Diaz has been learning and teaching Tai Chi classes for over 20 years. This is an in-person event. Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Registration opens Friday, August 9 at 9AM through Wednesday, August 21 at 5PM to enter. Participants selected will be notified on Friday, August 23. Each patron that is interested in participating is placed on the waitlist. Those names will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. 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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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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Creative Aging: Drawn to Nature (Main)
Drawn to Nature is an introductory drawing course, focusing on the plant world as a basic subject. Botanical drawing is an ancient art, and we will examine how scientists and artists have drawn the natural world through the ages. Over ten weeks, we will focus on a variety of plant life, as we explore line, volume, space, and color with graphite and water-color. Students will keep notebooks recording both the plants they draw and the techniques they learn. All levels welcome. This will be an in-person program at the Main Library. Space is limited to 10 participants. Due to the popularity and to gain the most out of this program, we expect all participants to commit to all sessions in this 10-week course. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation
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Kids' Zine Collective (O'Neill)
What's a zine? And how do I make one? Come find out! Kids are invited to explore making, copying, sharing, and swapping zines. Making zines will include activities like writing, drawing, and using a photocopier. For kids ages 7 and up. Snacks are provided!
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Meet Jibo! (Central Square)
Come meet Jibo, the world's first social robot for the home! Jibo is a friendly robot who talks, listens, tells jokes, and loves to dance. Kids will learn a bit about how Jibo works and will have a chance to chat with him and see firsthand what he can do. Drop-in visiting hours from 4:00-5:30 PM on Sept. 18th, 19th, and 20th. Recommended for children age 5+ and their caregivers. This program is in partnership with the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab.
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Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Learn how to use our Epilog Zing—an industry-standard laser cutting machine. Complete this workshop to earn a badge for the Zing laser cutter. With a badge, you can reserve the Epilog Zing to use on our equipment booking page at designated times. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this program. View The Hive's workshop schedule here.
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CPL: Summer Dance in the Park
Want to add some new dance steps to your routine? Spend your mornings at Cambridge Public Library and learn new dances! In partnership with The Dance Complex, all are welcomed to this free outdoor dance class series. The class will take place in the park area in front of the library or in the Community room in chances of rain. Saturday, September 21: Commercial Dance with Pat Planet This class will help you gain technique, a strong stage presence, and a dancer’s body. The warm up consists of various stretches, push-ups, crunches, and club moves – overall building up your cardiovascular stamina. You will learn how to do chest, pelvis, and body rolls, grooves, isolations, partnering, and work on lighting up your inner fire! No registration is required.
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Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
During this reservation period, anyone who has completed Hive training and is certified to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able.
-
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
During this reservation period, anyone who has completed Hive training and is certified to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able.
-
Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Main)
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. Sifu Mynor Diaz has been learning and teaching Tai Chi classes for over 20 years. This is an in-person event. Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Registration opens Friday, August 9 at 9AM through Wednesday, August 21 at 5PM to enter. Participants selected will be notified on Friday, August 23. Each patron that is interested in participating is placed on the waitlist. Those names will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. 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.
-
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.
-
Creative Aging: Drawn to Nature (Main)
Drawn to Nature is an introductory drawing course, focusing on the plant world as a basic subject. Botanical drawing is an ancient art, and we will examine how scientists and artists have drawn the natural world through the ages. Over ten weeks, we will focus on a variety of plant life, as we explore line, volume, space, and color with graphite and water-color. Students will keep notebooks recording both the plants they draw and the techniques they learn. All levels welcome. This will be an in-person program at the Main Library. Space is limited to 10 participants. Due to the popularity and to gain the most out of this program, we expect all participants to commit to all sessions in this 10-week course. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation
-
Kids' Zine Collective (O'Neill)
What's a zine? And how do I make one? Come find out! Kids are invited to explore making, copying, sharing, and swapping zines. Making zines will include activities like writing, drawing, and using a photocopier. For kids ages 7 and up. Snacks are provided!
-
Meet Jibo! (Central Square)
Come meet Jibo, the world's first social robot for the home! Jibo is a friendly robot who talks, listens, tells jokes, and loves to dance. Kids will learn a bit about how Jibo works and will have a chance to chat with him and see firsthand what he can do. Drop-in visiting hours from 4:00-5:30 PM on Sept. 18th, 19th, and 20th. Recommended for children age 5+ and their caregivers. This program is in partnership with the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab.
-
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
During this reservation period, anyone who has completed Hive training and is certified to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able.
-
Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Main)
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. Sifu Mynor Diaz has been learning and teaching Tai Chi classes for over 20 years. This is an in-person event. Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Registration opens Friday, August 9 at 9AM through Wednesday, August 21 at 5PM to enter. Participants selected will be notified on Friday, August 23. Each patron that is interested in participating is placed on the waitlist. Those names will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. 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.