Director's Update, August 10, 2025

Dear Patrons, 

There’s just one more week left to complete your Summer Reading bingo boards! Don’t forget to submit your blackout boards for a special prize (while supplies last).

Upcoming Events

Animate a Story with Gif-O-Graf Machines at the O'Neill Branch on Tuesday, August 12, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Turn paper cut-outs into animations with the Gif-O-Graf machine! See your stories come to life! This program is for families with children who are elementary school-age or older.

Join the Valente Branch at Donelly Field for a Capoeira demonstration with Mass Capoeira on Tuesday, August 12, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Following the performance, children will have the opportunity to learn basic capoeira movements. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers.

On Wednesday, August 13, at 6 p.m., stop by Joan Lorentz Park for a performance by Albino Mbie, an award-winning musician, guitarist, singer, composer, sound and mixing engineer born in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. This event is generously sponsored by The Manuel Rogers, Sr. & Mary R. Rogers Endowment Fund. All ages welcome. No registration is required.

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, O’Neill, and Valente 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

Wellness for Older Adults: Let Your Yoga Dance (Virtual)
Monday, August 11
11-11:45 a.m.

A fun, dynamic, and ultimately blissful class.  We'll work our way through the seven energy centers (chakras) with Let Your Yoga Dance. You will leave with a good workout and a peaceful happy mind/body/spirit. Good for every 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.

Summer Reading: Chalk Art (O’Connell)
Monday, August 11
3-4 p.m.

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

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, August 12
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, mend. Refreshments will be provided.

Summer Reading: Community Coloring (Collins)
Tuesday, August 12
4-5:30 p.m.

Drop in to contribute to a communal coloring project. Share supplies with neighbors to color in a little or a lot of an oversize coloring page.

For all ages, while white space lasts.

Animate a Story with Gif-O-Graf Machines (O’Neill)

Tuesday, August 12
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Turn paper cut-outs into animations with the Gif-O-Graf machine! See your stories come to life! This program is for families with children who are elementary school-age or older. No registration or experience is required.

Summer Reading: Capoeira for Everyone with Mass Capoeira ON DONNELLY FIELD (Valente)
Tuesday, August 12
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Join us for a demonstration of capoeira, a unique Afro-Brazilian art form combining martial arts, dance, music and acrobatics. Following the performance, children will have the opportunity to learn basic capoeira movements. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers.This program will occur outside on Donnelly Field, and will move to the gymnasium of King Open School in case of rain.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, August 12
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, August 13
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 not only teach you to take the best possible photos, but how to edit your photos to make them look as good as they possibly can. You need only bring two things to this class: your smartphone and your imagination. Registration is required. This session is currently full; a waitlist is available.

Summer Reading: Outdoor Story Time & Chalk Party (Central Square)
Wednesday, August 13
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.    

Join us outdoors for story time, chalk drawing and a special summer treat! This program will take place in the Central Square Library Plaza. In the event of rain, this program will be moved indoors to the Lewis Room.
No registration required. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers.

Fiber Crafts Group – Drop-In (O’Connell)
Wednesday, August 13
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: Board Game Afternoon (Main)
Wednesday, August 13
2-2:45 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of board games! Recommended for children ages 5+ and their caregivers

Wednesdays of Wonder – W.O.W.! (O’Neill)
Wednesday, August 13
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. No registration required. This week we will be making fairy houses.

Summer Reading: Family Concert with Music at the Blissful (Collins)
Wednesday, August 13
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Come join the fun as we sing, jump, shake and laugh with Music at The Blissful. Musician Evan Haller brings a high energy, fun filled, interactive, movement packed music experience for the whole family. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers.

Wiggle Party (O’Connell)
Wednesday, August 13
5:30-6 p.m. 

Join us for a dance party to get your wiggles out! Play a freeze dance game, shake some shakers, and learn the steps to the Electric Slide! For more information, please call the library at (617) 349-4019.

Outdoor Concert with Albino Mbie (Joan Lorentz Park)
Wednesday, August 13
6-7 p.m.

Albino Mbie is an award winning Musician, Guitarist, Singer, Composer, Sound and mixing engineer born in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, a country in southern Africa known for its rich musical and cultural heritage. This event is generously sponsored by The Manuel Rogers, Sr. & Mary R. Rogers Endowment Fund. In the event of rain or extreme heat, this event will be moved inside the Lecture Hall at the Main Library. All ages welcome. No registration is required.

Summer Reading: Bring Your Own Book (Main)
Wednesday, August 13
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Join for a casual discussion of your recent reads relating to a monthly theme from your Summer Reading Bingo Board. No specific book required! This month's theme is: read a book with a color in the title. Enjoy light snacks, good company, and great book recommendations from your fellow readers! Registration is required.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, August 14
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.

Summer Reading: Book Bingo Story Time (O’Connell)
Thursday, August 14
3:30-4 p.m. 

Join us for a special story time featuring books to match a square on this summer's bingo board for young children. Recommended for ages birth to five with a caregiver.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, August 14
4-5 p.m.

Bring your project and come 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!

Wellness for Older Adults: Zumba Gold (Main)
Friday, August 15
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Join instructor Darren Hairston for Zumba Gold – the fun and energizing dance fitness class tailored for active older adults and beginners. Improve your balance, flexibility, and cardio health while having a great time in a supportive and friendly environment. No dance experience needed—just bring your smile and a willingness to move! Registration is required. This session is currently full; a waiting list is available.

Summer Reading: Block Party (O’Neill)
Friday, August 15
3-5 p.m.

Celebrate the end of summer with neighbors old and new! We will have free food, games, crafts, bubbles and a clothing swap! All neighbors of any age are welcome. At 3:30 p.m. we will have a family-friendly concert with music by Music at the Blissful.

This event will happen outside. In case of rain or bad weather there will be modified activities inside the O'Neill Branch.

Cozy Crafternoon (Collins)
Friday, August 15
3:30-5 p.m.

Come get creative at Collins! Join your neighbors at this casual, self-guided afternoon craft session for adults. Bring your own projects or start something new with assorted materials provided. No expertise required, snacks provided, registration encouraged.

Drop-In Maker Studio (O’Neill)

Saturday, August 16
1-3 p.m.

Come to the Library to create something special! Use your own supplies or try out our equipment! You can use our 1-inch button maker, 2.5 inch button maker, 3-D Doodle pens, or Janome sewing machines. The Library will provide basic supplies. This drop-in program is for people who feel comfortable using these machines on their own. The Library will not provide instruction. Anyone wishing to use the sewing machines must have completed a Sewing 101 training through the Library. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Stay Connected                          

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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 websiteto learn more. Subscribe to our email list to stay up to date on our eventshere.