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Dear Patrons, I’m pleased to share the Cambridge Public Library’s Strategic Framework Report, detailing the progress made on our Strategic Priorities over the past seven years, which encompasses over 40 projects. The Strategic Framework was developed in 2018, with community input, to inform the Library’s programs, resources, and initiatives, using their mission as a guide. Key accomplishments include: Extending branch hours by 54+ hours per week in the evenings and weekends and now offers 354+ hours of service per week across seven locations. Going fine free to eliminate barriers to borrowing library materials. Opening The Hive, the first free, public-facing makerspace in Massachusetts. It features state-of-the-art digital and traditional maker equipment, podcast and audio recording studios, and an extended reality space. The Hive has welcomed over 5,600 unique visits since it opened. Opening the net-zero Valente Branch and upgrading the Lewis Room and furnishings at the Central Square Branch. In 2026, the Library will update our Strategic Framework through a community-centered planning process. More on this soon! AI and Us Town Hall: Your Voice Belongs in the Future of AI
Panelists include digital artist Dr. Nettrice Gaskins; Dr. Pedro Reynolds-Cuellar, a Research Scientist at the Robotics and AI Institute; Mark Lannigan, the Regional Director for Senator Ed Markey; Dr. Nathan Sanders, a Data Scientist at the Harvard Berkman Klein Center; Dr. Maria Madison, the Principal Investigator in the Racial Justice and Tech Program at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management; Dr. Deb Roy, the Director of the Constructive Communication Center at the MIT Media Labs; and Dr. Dia Ghosh, the Founder of Joint Family. Panelists will also include Gianluca Álvarez and Jeremy Miranda Casildo, youth AI Research Interns with Innovators for Purpose. Secret Santa for Seniors +++ Additional Programs and Events Weekly Activities for Kids This week, these programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations. 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 Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual) 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. Wellness for Older Adults: Zumba Gold (Virtual) 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. Meditation Mondays (Central Square) Gaming: Unplugged (Main) Online Security Basics - how to recognize and avoid online scams (Main) Story Time and Craft: Decorate a Paper Doll (O'Neill) Narcan Distribution (Central Square) Paint Party at the Library (O'Connell) Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main) Homemade Gifts: Paper Bead Jewelry (Collins) Youth Dungeons & Dragons Session 2/4 (Valente) 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) 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) Community Supper with Food not Bombs (Central Square) Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell) 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! Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill) 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. Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente) 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. Fun with Gif-o-Grafs! (Central Square) Turn paper cut-outs into animations with the Gif-O-Graf machine! See your stories come to life! This program will take the place of our weekly After School Stories and Crafts. No registration required. Recommended for children ages 4+ and their caregivers. Wiggle Party (O'Connell) Wednesday Night Creative Writing Group (Main) Puzzle Party (Main) Teen Hangout Hangout with other teens in the Valente Branch Community Room after school: socialize, unwind, play a game, make some art - your choice! Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square) Cozy Crafternoon for Adults (Collins) Kids' Zine Collective (O'Neill) What's a zine? And how do I make one? Come find out! Kids are invited to explore making, copying, sharing, and swapping zines. Making zines will include activities like writing, drawing, and using a photocopier. For kids ages 7 and up. Snacks are provided! Shop for Free with The Spot (Central Square) Read to a Dog (O'Neill) Read with a cuddly friend! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required and begins on Saturday, December 6 by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023). +++ Stay Connected Please subscribe to our e-mail list, follow us on X, Instagram, or Facebook, and visit our website. All the best! Director of Libraries +++ About the Cambridge Public Library:
Cambridge Public Library will host a community Town Hall discussion focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 5-8 p.m. The Town Hall, cosponsored by Innovators for Purpose (iFp), Joint Family, the Hope Group, and the Library, offers an opportunity to learn about AI, explore what is at stake and what is possible, and consider how we can shape a more humane and equitable future. The event will include a resource showcase, from 5-6 p.m., followed by two panel discussions, and opportunities for community feedback from 6-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Register here.
The Cambridge Police Department, in collaboration with other community donors, will assemble small gift bags for the 19th annual Secret Santa for Seniors Program. The program supports older adults who do not have close family members nearby. The Cambridge Police Department relies solely on the generous donations from Cambridge businesses, community members and police officers to provide this service. The drop-off box is located next to the Q&A Desk at the Main Library. Learn more about items you can donate.
Best,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries
Monday, December 8
9-10 a.m.
Monday, December 8
11-11:45 a.m.
Monday, December 8
12-1 p.m.
Start your week off right with some meditation at the Central Square Library. Led by the Library Social Worker, Brett Dixon, we combine gentle breathwork, visualization practice and mindful meditation, for a relaxing and recharging experience.
Monday, December 8
6-7:30 p.m.
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 every month from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Rossi Room. Be there or be square! For the month of December, Adult Gaming: Unplugged will be held on Monday, December 8th, 2026. It will return to its first Monday of the month schedule starting January 5, 2026.
Tuesday, December 9
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Learn how to be safer online with accounts and passwords. We will provide an overview of frauds and scams to watch out for. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Tuesday, December 9
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Join us for stories and a craft project! This month we will make paper dolls. For children of all ages and their grown-ups.
Tuesday, December 9
1-3 p.m.
Swing by the Central Square Branch Library to restock on Narcan and learn more about how to reverse overdoses.
Tuesday, December 9
2-5 p.m.
Treat yourself to an afternoon of fun, creativity, and community while a local artist guides us step-by-step through the process of painting a beautiful art piece, suitable for hanging on your door or wall. Tea and light refreshments provided. No experience necessary. All are welcome. Old clothing recommended, as acrylic paint can stain. Seating is limited to 8. Registration is required.
Tuesday, December 9
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.
Tuesday, December 9
4-4:45 p.m.
Join us to craft homemade gifts this holiday season. Learn to make one-of-a-kind beads from recycled strips of paper. Once the beads are constructed, thread them into a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone else. Recommended for children ages 6-12 with a caregiver.
Tuesday, December 9
4-5 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
5-6 p.m.
Tuesday, December 9
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Bring your project, yarn and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.
Tuesday, December 9
6:30-8 p.m.
Join the Central Square Branch Library and Food not Bombs Cambridge for an end-of-year Community Supper. We'll have veg-forward food to share and conversation and connection for all. Guests are welcome to bring additional food to share. For questions, contact Ruby: rvail@cambridgema.gov.
Wednesday, December 10
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10
2:30-4 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10
2:30-4 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10
4-5 p.m.
Wednesday, December 10
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 a new dance! For more information, please call the library at (617) 349-4019.
Wednesday, December 10
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Writers of all experience levels are invited to join a casual, peer-supported writing group. In this group, participants take turns bringing short in-progress or completed pieces of any genre. The group reads several pieces each month, sharing feedback and constructive criticism in a supportive and inclusive environment. We may practice in-class writing exercises and read samples of published writing as time allows. Registration is required. NOTE: Registration is for this month's meeting only. For more information, please email Susannah at sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov. This program is full; a waitlist is available.
Thursday, December 11
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.
Thursday, December 11
3:30-5 p.m.
Thursday, December 11
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!
Thursday, December 11
4:30-6 p.m.
Come get creative at Collins! Join your neighbors at this casual, drop-in afternoon craft session for adults. This month will focus on fiber. Bring your work-in-progress or learn the basics of crochet with the yarn and hooks provided. No expertise required. Registration is encouraged.
Friday, December 12
4-5 p.m.
Friday, December 12
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Come Shop for Free with Spot at the Central Square Branch Library. Gear up with fall and winter clothes, accessories, supplies, and more -- all for free! First come, first serve. For more information: spotcambridge@karayallc.com.
Saturday, December 13
2-3 p.m.
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
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.
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