Director's Update, December 21, 2025

Dear Patrons,  

Season’s greetings to you and your loved ones! All Library locations will be closed on Wednesday, December 24, and Thursday, December 25, for Christmas.  

Give the Gift of Stories You Love

Now through the end of January, donate new children's and young adult books to the Cambridge Public Library for families currently living in transitional housing. We are collecting new, unwrapped books for youth of all ages - infants through teens. Books can be dropped off at any Cambridge Public Library location.  Porter Square Books is offering a 20% discount toward any books purchased for this project. Use coupon code CPLgift2025. Shop our donation wish list online here.

Broadway Safety Improvement Project Open House
On Tuesday, January 7, the City is hosting a drop-in Open House to review plans for Section C of the Broadway Safety Improvement Project, covering the stretch between Quincy St and Ellery St next to the high school and the Main Library. Stop by the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School Main Cafeteria between 6-8 p.m. to learn about the proposed design, learn about the schedule and expected impacts, and share your feedback. Proposed changes include a two-way bike lane along Joan Lorentz Park, and intersection safety improvements at Prescott St and Felton St. Parking will be reduced.

Best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries

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Additional Programs and Events

Weekly Activities for Kids               

This week, these programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, 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                       

• Drop-in Tech Help
• One-on-One Tech Help

Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
Monday, December 22
9-10 a.m.

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.

CPL Nature Club: Morning Bird Watching Walk at Mt. Auburn Cemetery (Collins)
Monday, December 22
10:15-11:30 a.m.

Join us for a morning walk at one of the most renowned bird watching spots in Cambridge, Mount Auburn Cemetery! We will help you identify birds, learn birdwatching tips and tricks, and familiarize yourself with migratory birds as well as those that can be spotted all year round. A limited supply of binoculars will be available. The walk will meet at the Collins Branch Library at 64 Aberdeen Ave at 10:15 am. We will walk to Mt. Auburn Cemetery together (about a five-minute walk). Please try to be on time as we will leave shortly after 10:15!

Wellness for Older Adults: Zumba Gold (Virtual)
Monday, December 22
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 everybody! Registration is required for each session. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. Registration is required.  This walk is full; a waiting list is available.

Teen Winter Cookie Decorating (Valente)
Monday, December 22
3:30-5 p.m.

Decorate cookies with other teens and celebrate winter break. No registration required, materials provided until they run out.

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, December 23
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.

Youth Dungeons & Dragons Session 4/4 (Valente)
Tuesday, December 23
4-5 p.m.

Youth ages 10-16 are welcome to join four sessions of cooperative role-play and storytelling as we build out skills playing the table-top game DnD. No prior DnD experience is required, and experienced players are also welcome to join. Registration is attached to the first program. This program is capped at 8 players. Please plan to attend all sessions!

Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
Tuesday, December 23
5-6 p.m.

Do you need help with a class? Have a question before an exam? Tutors are available to help you! Cambridge School Volunteers and the Library are pleased to offer tutoring services in the Teen Room. No registration required. Stop by the Teen Room or call 617-349-4027 to learn more.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, December 23
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Coffee and Games! (Boudreau)
Friday, December 26
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

Kick Back & Watch a Movie (Central Square)
Friday, December 26
3-5 p.m.

Join us to watch Frozen (2013) on Central Square Library’s big screen and eat snacks! No registration required.

Drop-in Maker Studio (O'Neill)
Saturday, December 27
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.

Cozy Family Reading Party (Valente)
Saturday, December 27
2-4 p.m.

Join us for a cozy afternoon reading together. Read your own books from home or check out something new! The library will provide book ideas, comfy seating, and quiet music. Board books, coloring, and toys will be available for pre-reading children. (Stuffies and blankies are welcome!) For families with children of all ages.

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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.