Director's Update, July 20, 2025

Dear Patrons,

Last week, I was invited to testify at the Massachusetts State House at a hearing on the effect of changes to federal policy and cuts to federal funding on Massachusetts libraries. I was joined by David Leonard, Director of the Boston Public Library, and Maureen Amyot, Director of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to speak about the importance of libraries and what we stand to lose in the face of federal budget cuts. The hearing can be viewed here. Testimony by library representatives is up first. Learn more about federal funding impacts and ways to get involved through ALA and MBLC.

Upcoming Events

Celebrate Summer Sundays at the O’Neill Branch TODAY, from 2-4 p.m. with soft serve from Frosty Ice Cream. Listen to some summer tunes and learn about our all-ages summer reading!

On Monday, July 21, 6-7 p.m., join us at the Main Library in welcoming Lisa S. Gardiner —science writer, geoscientist, educator, and author of Tales from an Uncertain World: What Other Assorted Disasters Can Teach Us about Climate Change—for a discussion of her book Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival. Registration is required.

Join in on the numerous Summer Reading activities planned throughout the week! Try open painting at the O’Neill Branch on Tuesday, July 22 from 3:30-5 p.m., or sing your heart out at the Swiftie Sing-Along at the O’Connell Branch on Wednesday, July 23 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi returns in September! Intermediate classes will take place on Wednesdays, 10-11 a.m., and Beginner classes will take place on Fridays beginning September 12, 10-11 a.m. Participation for both Beginner and Intermediate programs will be decided by lottery. To enter the lottery, please register for the waitlist on our website.15 names will be drawn randomly from the waitlist. Registration opens Friday, August 1 at 9 a.m. and closes Friday, August 15 at 5 p.m.  Participants selected will be notified on Wednesday, August 20.

Best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries

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Weekly Activities for Kids               

This week, these programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Main, O’Connell, and O’Neill locations.  

• Sing Alongs 

• Story Times 

Book Groups             

Learn more about our Book Groups.              

The Hive Workshops               

Check out this week’s classes in The Hive.        

ESOL Classes           

Find an ESOL Class.                   

Tech Help                       

• One-on-One Tech Help

Summer Sundays Celebration (O'Neill)

Sunday, July 20
2-4 p.m.

Come celebrate O'Neill Summer Sundays and National Ice Cream Day with soft serve from Frosty Ice Cream. Listen to some summer tunes and learn about our all-ages summer reading!

STEAM Academy: iFp Studio (Main)
Monday – Friday
9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Innovators for Purpose(iFp) Studio is a teen-powered design and innovation program where teens channel their energy and creative vision to imagine and build a better world. Blending art, design, science, technology, and storytelling within a social justice framework, teens engage in real-world client-sponsored projects. Teens are invited to learn more on the iFp website and submit an application.

Wellness for Older Adults: Low-impact Fitness (Virtual)

Monday, July 21
11-11:45 a.m.

This class is designed for people of all levels to strengthen the muscles, the heart and the brain--all while having fun and moving to great music! Come as you are and take everything at your own pace. You will feel the benefits in mind and body! Registration for each session is required. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.

Drop-in Hours with the Social Worker (Central Square)
Monday, July 21
2-5 p.m.

Get support from our Library social worker!

Librarian Office Hours (Main)
Monday, July 21
2-4 p.m.

Visit with our librarians in this informal session – no appointment needed! We can connect you to the reliable information you need and the popular entertainment you want. Come with your questions or let us guide you to some hidden gems. Did you know you can use your library card to... 

• compare refrigerator models? 
•  learn to play the ukulele?
• prepare for the GRE, HiSET, or TOEFL exam? study Mandarin? 

• read People magazine on your phone? 

Knitting 101 (Main)
Monday, July 21
3-4:30 p.m.

In this hands-on session, you’ll learn the basics of knitting, including how to cast on, do the knit stitch, and cast off. This workshop is intended for people with no prior knitting experience. All supplies will be provided! Registration is required for this event.

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, July 21
5-6 p.m.

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!

 

Lisa S. Gardiner Presents: Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal About Coral Survival (Main)
Monday, July 21
6-7:30 p.m.

Harvard Book Store, the Harvard University Division of Science, the Harvard Library, Long Now Boston, and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Lisa S. Gardiner—science writer, geoscientist, educator, and author of Tales from an Uncertain World: What Other Assorted Disasters Can Teach Us about Climate Change—for a discussion of her book Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal about Coral Survival. Registration is required for this event.

Summer Reading: Live Animal Program with Mass Audubon (Boudreau)
Tuesday, July 22
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

What better way to learn about wildlife than by observing them in person? Meet local wildlife ambassadors and discover the amazing adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Ask questions and learn what you can do to protect the wildlife of Cambridge. For children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration required.

 

Google Drive Tips and Tricks (Main)
Tuesday, July 22
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Get more practice with Google Drive! Learn some tips and tricks to organize your files and images. Google Drive is your online file storage that is connected to your Gmail account. A Google (Gmail) account is required for the class. Please remember your email address and password, you will need them to sign in and practice during the class. Laptops will be provided for the class. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass. Registration is encouraged but not required. 

Summer Reading: Kamishibai Storytelling with Yumi Izuyama (O’Connell)
Tuesday, July 22
2-3 p.m.           

Kamishibai (paper theater) is a traditional form of Japanese street theater and storytelling where author illustrator Yumi Izuyama uses her original artwork to tell folktales from around the world, bringing them to life for families with young children. A second generation Japanese Brazilian, Izuyama will educate and entertain us using Kamishibai with both traditional Japanese and Brazilian folktales!

Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, July 22
2:30-3:30 p.m.             

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters. Drop in with this informal group to work on your craft, get inspired, pick-up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, and mend. Refreshments will be provided.   

Summer Reading: Open Painting (O’Neill)
Tuesday, July 22
3:30-5 p.m.

Paint at the Library! We will provide washable tempera paint, brushes and canvasses. Wear clothes suitable for messy activities! Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration required.

CPL Nature Club: Moth Ball Mask Making (Collins)
Tuesday, July 22
4-6 p.m.

Paint at the Library! Celebrate National Moth Week in style:

Step 1: Drop by the Collins Branch to make a moth mask with guidance and costume advice from Cambridge Wildlife Arts.

Step 2: Debut your mask on the red carpet at the second annual Cambridge Moth Ball on Wednesday, July 23 from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Fresh Pond Reservation's Kingsley Park.

Learn all about moths and their role in the ecosystem, participate in "mothing," and take photographs of moths. Costumes encouraged for children & adults!

NEW LOCATION Teens Learn to Play Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) (Central Square)
Tuesday, July 22
4-5 p.m.

This is a four session learn-to-play series for 12-18-year-olds! The first session we will create characters, and the following three sessions we will learn and play together. No prior DnD experience is required, and experienced players are also welcome to join. Snacks provided. Registration recommended, participation cap of 8 players.

NEW LOCATION: Board Game Night for Adults (O’Connell)
Tuesday, July 22
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us for an evening of board games. We have: Wingspan, Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Azul, Splendor, Scrabble, chess, checkers, Bananagrams, and more! Feel free to bring a board game to play with others. We will provide pizza and beverages. Registration is recommended.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, July 22
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Bring your project, yarn and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters!

Smartphone Photography [55+] (Main)
Wednesday, July 23
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

We live in an age where we carry our smartphones everywhere we go. Built into this device is a camera that can help us document the world around us. This 12-week class will teach you how to take and edit photos. You need only bring two things to this class: your smartphone and your imagination. Registration is required.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, July 23
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters Drop-in with this informal group to work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, cross stitch and more.  All crafts are welcome! 

Summer Reading: Music and Movement with Rockabye Beats (Central Square)
Wednesday, July 23
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Come join Rockabye Beats for an interactive, musical program experience!  We'll sing, play, explore instruments, dance, pretend, learn a little Spanish, and show off our goofy side. For children of all ages and their caregivers.

Learn about EZRide Shuttle Service (Main)

Wednesday, July 23
1-2 p.m.

City staff will host an information session on the EZRide Shuttle and will share information about the shuttle and its recently-expanded schedule. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Maricela Escobar at maescobar@cambridgema.gov.

Wednesdays of Wonder – W.O.W.! (O’Neill)
Wednesday, July 23
3:30-5 p.m.

Come to the Library for games and a different activity each week! Kids of all ages can hang out and do crafts or STEAM activities. This week we will be making moth masks with Cambridge Wildlife Arts. No registration required.

 

Book Picnic (Central Square)
Wednesday, July 23
5-6 p.m.

Find your next great read! In this program, we will be sampling books from our Central Square adult collection! Spend 5 minutes with each title before rotating to the next. Snacks will be provided. Registration is helpful but not required.

 

Summer Reading: Movie Night (Boudreau)
Wednesday, July 23
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us at the Boudreau Branch as we watch a movie together. There will be pizza available! No registration required.

Summer Reading: Swifties Sing-Along (O’Connell)
Wednesday, July 23
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Are you in your library era? Celebrate your favorite singer-songwriter and make friendship bracelets. Recommended for ages 10-18.

CPL Nature Club: Elder Walks (O’Connell)
Thursday, July 24
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join guide Stefanie Haug while exploring our neighborhood nature and celebrating Elderhood. As a group we'll connect with nature and the neighborhood mindfully with a gentle walk and draw on contemplative practices. Registration is required

What to bring: layered clothing, comfortable shoes and water.
Where to meet: O'Connell Branch entrance on 6th Street.

One-On-One Tech Help (Main)
Thursday, July 24
11-12:30 p.m.

Looking for some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Want to learn how to access audiobooks and eBooks? Stop by at the Main Library for our drop-in hours! Drop-in sessions will be limited to 30-minutes for each patron. To view all available timeslots and dates, use the following link: One-on-One Tech Help schedule. Registration is strongly encouraged but not required. If you have any questions, please contact Gina Josette Rivera by email gjosette@cambridgema.gov.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, July 24
2:30-3:30 p.m.

Join our librarians for tea, cookies and a jigsaw puzzle. An hour of fun and conversation on a Thursday afternoon at the Cambridge Main Library.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, July 24
4-5 p.m.

Bring your project and join other fiber crafters in your community! Crochet, sew, embroider, knit, cross stitch, spin, mend, and more at this informal drop-in fiber arts circle. All crafts are welcome!

Summer Art Nights: Watercolor (Main)
Thursday, July 24
5-7 p.m.

Art on a nice Summer night? Nothing sounds better than that! Come to the Library and enjoy an art filled evening learning the techniques of watercolor painting. In partnership with artist Brooke Lambert, a professional printmaker and painter, she will take you through this guided art class. The library will provide all materials. Registration is required: this session is currently full, but a waiting list is available.

Teen Journaling (O'Connell)
Thursday, July 17
5-6 p.m.

We'll provide a blank journal for you to decorate and write whatever you feel. Recommended for ages 12-18.

Evening Yoga at the CPL (Main)
Thursday, July 24
6-7 p.m.

Shayla Tate of M.U.D.D. Flower Yoga leads us through a 60-minute outdoor evening flow. Registration is preferred but not required. The Library will not provide any materials - please bring your own mat and whatever items are in your practice. In case of inclement weather, the event will take place in the Community Room.

Expressive Art for Older Adults: Beading Workshop (Main)
Friday, July 25
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Learn the basics of beaded jewelry making and the difference between semi-precious stones and precious stones.  Participants will keep all pieces they make.
This event will take place in the Rossi Room at the Main Library and is led by Zangar Freeman. Space is limited to 10 participants. Registration is required.

Coffee, Cribbage and Chess! (Boudreau)
Friday, July 25
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join us on the fourth Friday of the month for coffee, treats, and games (Chess, Cribbage, Rummikub, etc.). Bring a friend or meet a new one at the library!

Summer Reading: Book Bingo Story Time (Collins)
Friday, July 25
11-11:45 a.m.

Join us for a special story time featuring books to match a square on this summer's bingo board for young children. Today, we will read stories featuring collage illustrations and create something inspired by the books. Recommended for ages birth to five with a caregiver.

Kick Back & Watch a Movie (Central Square)
Friday, July 25
3-5 p.m.

Come watch Jurassic Park (PG-13) on Central Square Library’s big screen and eat free popcorn!

Summer Reading: Chalk Art (O’Connell)
Friday, July 25
3-4 p.m.

Decorate the reading garden with sidewalk chalk. All ages! Children 7 and under must have a caregiver.

Summer Reading: Talk and Make Paper Masks (Collins)
Friday, July 25
3:30-5 p.m.

Stop by to pick up an activity before the weekend. Choose a paper mask template to take home; then color, cut and assemble. Recommended for ages 4-10, while supplies last. Crayons/markers, scissors and glue/tape not provided.

Froca Fitness: Series Event (Main)
Saturday, July 26
10:30-11:30 a.m.

Join us on the Lorentz Park Lawn, at the Main Library for an hour of electrifying, hip-whining, and upbeat African and Caribbean fusion dance fitness class with founder and instructor Sylver! In case of inclement weather, 'Froca Fitness will be held in the Community Room on L2. Registration is required.

Intro to LinkedIn Learning (Central Square)
Saturday, July 26
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Learn how to access LinkedIn Learning with your Cambridge Public Library card, for free! LinkedIn Learning is an online educational site with thousands of courses in business, software, technology, and creative skills. LinkedIn Learning can be used in English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass. Registration is required for this session.

Summer Reading: Dinosaurs! With Dinoman (Main)
Saturday, July 26
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

With magic, merry mayhem, and magnificent inflatable dinosaurs, Dinoman will take you on a trip through the Mesozoic Era. Recommended for children ages 4 and up and their caregivers.

CPL Nature Club: Seed, Plant, and Garden Swap (O’Neill)
Saturday, July 26
2-3 p.m.

Bring extra seeds, plants or harvested items from your garden to swap at the Library! We will also have seeds, soil and biodegradable pots so you can plant flowers and vegetables to grow in the late summer and fall. This program is open to people of all ages! No registration is required.

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Stay Connected                          

Please subscribe to our e-mail list, follow us on X, Instagram, or Facebook, and visit our website.  

  

All the best!  
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.                          

Director of Libraries        

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About the Cambridge Public Library:  
At the Cambridge Public Library, we welcome all, inspire minds, and empower community. We support a Cambridge where everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, people live their best lives and democracy thrives. The Library’s programming provides an opportunity for civic dialogue, conversation, and learning, which includes exploring a wide range of views. Visit our website to learn more. Subscribe to our email list to stay up to date on our events here.