Meet the Director
Hi! I am Maria McCauley, the Director of Libraries. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events in my weekly message.
Check out the Monthly Newsletter
Learn More
Design the Cambridge Public Library's next library card!
Submit your original design that answers the prompt "Adventure Awaits... at the Library!" by November 15 to be featured on new, limited-edition library cards to come in 2027.
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Understanding Deaf Culture and Everyday Signs (O'Neill)
Saturday, October 24 @ 2:00 PM
Understanding Deaf Culture & Everyday Signs
Back by popular demand! Theresa A. King Founder & Director of SIGNING Basics® offers a deeper dive into American Sign Language. This workshop will focus on Deaf culture, common questions and misunderstandings about deafness, respectful communication practices, and practical everyday signs and short phrases. Participants will also have time to ask questions and continue the conversation that began during our previous session. This class is best for ages 10 and up.
Learn More
News
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Directors Update October 25 2026
America Unfinished Talk, Trick or Treat, Halloween Parties, and More! -
Director's Update, October 18, 2026
Library Card Design Contest, Understanding Deaf Culture, Crafternoon, and More! -
Director's Update, October 11, 2026
Library Card Design Contest, Literary Monsters, Arabic Story Time, and More -
Director's Update, October 4, 2026
Opera Untapped, Bicycle Workshop, Young Architects, and More!
Coming Up
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3D Printing 101 (Main)
Learn to 3D print items in our library and create a 3D model to print using our Prusa 3D printers! Before taking this workshop: Complete Hive Safety Training Create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing certification for future reservations in The Hive. Create a Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com prior to arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account prior to arriving. 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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Intermediate English Grammar and Conversation Practice
Come join us at the Central Square Library 45 Pearl Street Cambridge No registration required - just drop in. Small English conversation group and instruction. Ideal for intermediate level.
-
Sing-Along and Story Time in Mandarin (Main)
We invite children and their caregivers to a 30-minute session of songs and stories in Mandarin Chinese with Mina (Yating) Fan, a local mother and educator. This fun and interactive session brings families together to enjoy lively songs and engaging stories in a warm, welcoming environment. This program can accommodate 45 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. Funding for this program has been generously provided by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
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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 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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Literary Monsters: Spooky Stories! Shadow Puppets! Live Music! (Central Square)
Join the Shadow, Sound, Spectacle ensemble for an evening of original live music, shadow puppetry, video projection, and gothic storytelling inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Washington Irving, Emily Dickinson, Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and more. This imaginative multimedia performance reimagines iconic gothic figures—Frankenstein’s creature, Poe’s raven, the Headless Horseman—as symbols of resistance, transformation, and queer identity. Recommended for teens and adults. Shadow, Sound, Spectacle: Literary Monsters is a collaborative performance project led by Northampton-based singer-songwriter Jess Martin (Tiny Desk Contest 2025 entrant), Boston puppeteer Amy West, and musician/visual artist Abby Hanna (Northampton-based).
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Celebrate 10 Years of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten with a Concert and Craft! (Main)
Our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is celebrating 10 years of early literacy! Join us for a celebration including a musical performance from Jeremy Lyons followed by a craft. Jeremy draws from American folk music traditions to make music for the whole family. Recommended for families of all ages.
-
Understanding Deaf Culture and Everyday Signs (O'Neill)
Understanding Deaf Culture & Everyday Signs Back by popular demand! Theresa A. King Founder & Director of SIGNING Basics® offers a deeper dive into American Sign Language. This workshop will focus on Deaf culture, common questions and misunderstandings about deafness, respectful communication practices, and practical everyday signs and short phrases. Participants will also have time to ask questions and continue the conversation that began during our previous session. This class is best for ages 10 and up.
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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.
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Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
This program, led by Zeenat Potia, will introduce and utilize mindfulness techniques to help us examine and regulate everyday life changes with a focus on aging. Participants will learn and benefit from the development of a mindfulness practice to enable responding to getting older in a calm, clear and thoughtful manner. Registration is required. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.
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High 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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Songs, Stories and Play (O'Neill)
Join us for songs, stories and rhymes followed by open play. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4023 for more information.
-
3D Printing 101 (Main)
Learn to 3D print items in our library and create a 3D model to print using our Prusa 3D printers! Before taking this workshop: Complete Hive Safety Training Create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing certification for future reservations in The Hive. Create a Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com prior to arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account prior to arriving. 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.
-
Intermediate English Grammar and Conversation Practice
Come join us at the Central Square Library 45 Pearl Street Cambridge No registration required - just drop in. Small English conversation group and instruction. Ideal for intermediate level.
-
Sing-Along and Story Time in Mandarin (Main)
We invite children and their caregivers to a 30-minute session of songs and stories in Mandarin Chinese with Mina (Yating) Fan, a local mother and educator. This fun and interactive session brings families together to enjoy lively songs and engaging stories in a warm, welcoming environment. This program can accommodate 45 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. Funding for this program has been generously provided by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
-
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 workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
Literary Monsters: Spooky Stories! Shadow Puppets! Live Music! (Central Square)
Join the Shadow, Sound, Spectacle ensemble for an evening of original live music, shadow puppetry, video projection, and gothic storytelling inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Washington Irving, Emily Dickinson, Bram Stoker, Anne Rice and more. This imaginative multimedia performance reimagines iconic gothic figures—Frankenstein’s creature, Poe’s raven, the Headless Horseman—as symbols of resistance, transformation, and queer identity. Recommended for teens and adults. Shadow, Sound, Spectacle: Literary Monsters is a collaborative performance project led by Northampton-based singer-songwriter Jess Martin (Tiny Desk Contest 2025 entrant), Boston puppeteer Amy West, and musician/visual artist Abby Hanna (Northampton-based).
-
Celebrate 10 Years of 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten with a Concert and Craft! (Main)
Our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is celebrating 10 years of early literacy! Join us for a celebration including a musical performance from Jeremy Lyons followed by a craft. Jeremy draws from American folk music traditions to make music for the whole family. Recommended for families of all ages.
-
Understanding Deaf Culture and Everyday Signs (O'Neill)
Understanding Deaf Culture & Everyday Signs Back by popular demand! Theresa A. King Founder & Director of SIGNING Basics® offers a deeper dive into American Sign Language. This workshop will focus on Deaf culture, common questions and misunderstandings about deafness, respectful communication practices, and practical everyday signs and short phrases. Participants will also have time to ask questions and continue the conversation that began during our previous session. This class is best for ages 10 and up.
-
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.
-
3D Printing 101 (Main)
Learn to 3D print items in our library and create a 3D model to print using our Prusa 3D printers! Before taking this workshop: Complete Hive Safety Training Create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing certification for future reservations in The Hive. Create a Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com prior to arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account prior to arriving. 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.
-
Intermediate English Grammar and Conversation Practice
Come join us at the Central Square Library 45 Pearl Street Cambridge No registration required - just drop in. Small English conversation group and instruction. Ideal for intermediate level.
-
Sing-Along and Story Time in Mandarin (Main)
We invite children and their caregivers to a 30-minute session of songs and stories in Mandarin Chinese with Mina (Yating) Fan, a local mother and educator. This fun and interactive session brings families together to enjoy lively songs and engaging stories in a warm, welcoming environment. This program can accommodate 45 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. Funding for this program has been generously provided by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.