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Valente Branch

AAPI Voices Poetry Open Mic with Aparna Paul (Valente)

Celebrate AAPI voices through a poetry open mic & feature! Poets of Asian American/Pacific Islander heritage are invited to share their work and/or recite a cover poem. All adults are welcome to attend. Interested poets can sign up for a 3-5 minute timeslot in the open mic by filling out this form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/dszDWm1h2R Following the open mic, we will be featuring Cambridge-based poet Aparna Paul. Aparna Paul (she/her) is a writer, chemical engineer, banana bread enthusiast, & amateur crossword constructor based in Cambridge, MA. Her poetry & prose has been recognized by Reckoning, DMQ Review, & Gaining Ground, among others. She edited the anthology Reflections of The Land (Literary Cleveland, 2022) and is a co-editor of GOOD SOUP, now on hiatus (@goodsoup.mag on insta!). She performs regularly, hosts occasionally, and slams sometimes at the Boston Poetry Slam at the Cantab Lounge. HOME FREE (Game Over Books, 2025) is her debut full-length poetry collection. Books will be available for purchase. Coffee will be provided.

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Teen Hangout (Valente)

Monday, May 18 @ 3:30 PM

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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Features

Accessible entrance
After-hours book return
Book groups
Computers, printing and scanning
Meeting room
Outdoor space
Story times and sing-alongs
Study rooms
Wi-Fi
World language collections: Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish (youth)

About

Valente Branch Library in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood reopened in November 2019 as part of the King Open and Cambridge Street Upper Schools and Community Complex. Designed by William Rawn Associates and Arrowstreet, the net-zero complex creates as much energy as it uses. The branch is named in honor of PFC Salvatore Francis Valente, a neighborhood resident who lost his life in World War II on March 12, 1945. Valente Branch is home to the Manuel Rogers, Sr., Center for Portuguese Culture and Studies, established in 1983.

Manuel Rogers, Sr. Center for Portuguese Culture & Studies

The Valente Branch Library is proud to house The Manuel Rogers, Sr. Center for Portuguese Culture and Studies. The center was created in 1983 to serve the Portuguese speaking community and was founded to commemorate Manuel Rogers, Sr. and his lifelong devotion to the community.

Over the last decade, the center has grown to be a treasured source of materials and programs which promote Portuguese language cultures. Countless Portuguese speakers, young and old, find their way to the Valente Branch each year for information and reading pleasure, and to celebrate their rich cultural heritage. The Cambridge Public Library wishes to express its gratitude to the Rogers Family and friends for their continuing generous support of the center.

Plan Your Visit

Transit directions
Street parking (metered, resident permit) is available near the Library.
Bluebikes share on Cambridge Street (next to the Valente)