All Library locations will be closed on Friday, June 5, for staff training.
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
Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, June 1 @ 5:00 PM
Come join us at the Boudreau branch for a chess challenge. Players of all skill levels and all ages are welcome to participate.
Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for individuals who want to play and test their skills against other members of the community.
There's no need to register in advance - simply drop by and challenge yourself to improve your mastery of this classic game!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 617-349-4017 or via email: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov or mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov
Learn More
Coding and Web Development 101 (Main)
Wednesday, June 3 @ 6:00 PM
Would-be programmers with basic computer literacy are invited to join this workshop series. Over eight weeks, participants will learn programming fundamentals, build web pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, use developer tools such as Git, and more. There will be time to work on projects and receive guidance from experienced developers, with optional homework materials made available for more in-depth learning. While you can join at any time, starting at the beginning of the course is encouraged for the best experience. Registration is required.
The eight sessions are as follows:
Session One (April 8, 2026)
Session Two (April 22, 2026)
Session Three (April 29, 2026)
Session Four (May 6, 2026)
Session Five (May 13, 2026)
Session Six (May 20, 2026)
Session Seven (May 27, 2026)
Session Eight (June 3, 2026)
Note: Patrons must register for each session they wish to attend; registration for each session opens two weeks before the listed dates.
Learn More
News
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Cambridge Public Library Launches 2026 Summer Reading Bingo
Plant a Seed, Read! -
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! -
Director's Update, May 10, 2026
Warren Milteer, Jr., Park Sounds, AAPI Poetry Reading, and More!
Check out the Monthly Newsletter
Coming Up
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High Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at a high beginner level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
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Summer Reading: Cambridge City Growers Seed & Seedling Swap (Main)
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE from Joan Lorentz Park to CPL Rindge Room. Swap extra seeds, plants or harvested items from your garden at the Library! Learn informally about Cambridge's pollinator biodiversity and why it's so important to grow and share food, strengthen and grow our local food economy, and most of all...to get our hands dirty while we get to know our neighbors, our community and our place in the world around us. Kids can make a pollinator finger puppet or take home a kit to make one.
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Zen Meditation Practice w/ Cambridge Zen Center (Central Square)
Join us every first and third Monday of the month to learn and practice Zen meditation with our neighbors at the Cambridge Zen Center! Each session consists of a 15 minutes of introduction meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, followed by 10 minutes for questions. For more information about the Cambridge Zen Center, please visit their website! Questions? Contact Daryl (dcabrol@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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Teen Hangout (Valente)
Hangout with other teens in the Valente Branch Community Room after school to socialize, unwind, and participate in a rotating activity. No registration required, drop-in between 3:30-4:30pm. 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.
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LEGO Time (Main)
It's a weekly block party! Join friends to design and build amazing LEGO structures. Let your imagination run wild! For children ages 5 and up (children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver). The Children's Room has plenty of LEGO pieces, so you don't need to bring your own. LEGO pieces are choking hazards for young children. This program can accommodate 30 builders. . Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. This program starts promptly and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.
-
Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Come join us at the Boudreau branch for a chess challenge. Players of all skill levels and all ages are welcome to participate. Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for individuals who want to play and test their skills against other members of the community. There's no need to register in advance - simply drop by and challenge yourself to improve your mastery of this classic game! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 617-349-4017 or via email: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov or mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov
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Evening Family Story Time (Valente)
Join us for 20-25 minutes of stories, songs and rhymes. For children of all ages and their caregivers.
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Adult Gaming: Unplugged (Main)
Are you suffering from chronic information overload? Feeling overwhelmed by too much technology in your life? Join us for an evening of old school board gaming! Relax and recharge your internal battery with one of our classic board games or bring your own personal fave. Adult Gaming: Unplugged takes place on the first Monday of the month from 6:00 -- 7:30 PM in the Rossi Room. Be there or be square!
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Beginning English Class (Valente)
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. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. This class will be held at the Valente Branch Library, located at 826 Cambridge St.
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Intermediate ESOL (Valente)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at an intermediate level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
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Drag Story Time (O'Neill)
Kick off Pride Month with Drag Story Time at the O'Neill Branch! A special guest will present songs and stories about what makes each of us fabulous. This program is for children and their caregivers. No registration required.
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High Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at a high beginner level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Summer Reading: Cambridge City Growers Seed & Seedling Swap (Main)
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE from Joan Lorentz Park to CPL Rindge Room. Swap extra seeds, plants or harvested items from your garden at the Library! Learn informally about Cambridge's pollinator biodiversity and why it's so important to grow and share food, strengthen and grow our local food economy, and most of all...to get our hands dirty while we get to know our neighbors, our community and our place in the world around us. Kids can make a pollinator finger puppet or take home a kit to make one.
-
Zen Meditation Practice w/ Cambridge Zen Center (Central Square)
Join us every first and third Monday of the month to learn and practice Zen meditation with our neighbors at the Cambridge Zen Center! Each session consists of a 15 minutes of introduction meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, followed by 10 minutes for questions. For more information about the Cambridge Zen Center, please visit their website! Questions? Contact Daryl (dcabrol@cambridgema.gov).
-
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.
-
Teen Hangout (Valente)
Hangout with other teens in the Valente Branch Community Room after school to socialize, unwind, and participate in a rotating activity. No registration required, drop-in between 3:30-4:30pm. 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.
-
LEGO Time (Main)
It's a weekly block party! Join friends to design and build amazing LEGO structures. Let your imagination run wild! For children ages 5 and up (children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver). The Children's Room has plenty of LEGO pieces, so you don't need to bring your own. LEGO pieces are choking hazards for young children. This program can accommodate 30 builders. . Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. This program starts promptly and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.
-
Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Come join us at the Boudreau branch for a chess challenge. Players of all skill levels and all ages are welcome to participate. Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for individuals who want to play and test their skills against other members of the community. There's no need to register in advance - simply drop by and challenge yourself to improve your mastery of this classic game! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 617-349-4017 or via email: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov or mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov
-
Evening Family Story Time (Valente)
Join us for 20-25 minutes of stories, songs and rhymes. For children of all ages and their caregivers.
-
High Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at a high beginner level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Summer Reading: Cambridge City Growers Seed & Seedling Swap (Main)
PLEASE NOTE LOCATION CHANGE from Joan Lorentz Park to CPL Rindge Room. Swap extra seeds, plants or harvested items from your garden at the Library! Learn informally about Cambridge's pollinator biodiversity and why it's so important to grow and share food, strengthen and grow our local food economy, and most of all...to get our hands dirty while we get to know our neighbors, our community and our place in the world around us. Kids can make a pollinator finger puppet or take home a kit to make one.
-
Zen Meditation Practice w/ Cambridge Zen Center (Central Square)
Join us every first and third Monday of the month to learn and practice Zen meditation with our neighbors at the Cambridge Zen Center! Each session consists of a 15 minutes of introduction meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, followed by 10 minutes for questions. For more information about the Cambridge Zen Center, please visit their website! Questions? Contact Daryl (dcabrol@cambridgema.gov).