Director's Update, March 1. 2026

Dear Patrons,

Thank you for completing the survey and participating in the community conversations to help the library to plan for its future.  Community input from this process will help us improve services and set priorities for the next few years in our next strategic plan. 

Upcoming Programs and Events

Join us at the Central Square Branch on Tuesday, March 3, from 1-2:30 p.m. for The Power of Poetry with Writers without Margins. Participate in artistic exploration and guided exercises to reimagine and reinvigorate your life's stories. We will provide a supportive structure and process to encourage insight and healing. Come join us to reclaim your narrative! Registration is required.

Teens, join us at the Valente Branch on Tuesday, March 3, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. for Teen Clothing Upcycle & Design, and learn how to upcycle clothing over four sessions! This program will cover embroidery embellishment, patches and applique, alterations such as hemming, and basic clothing design. Registration is required, and registering for the first session includes the following three sessions. Please plan to attend all four! We encourage you to bring your own piece(es) of clothing to practice on and will provide all materials as well as scrap fabric. Ages 12-18. 

On Tuesday, March 3, from 6-7:30 p.m., Cambridge Public Library and Harvard Book Store welcome Harvey C. Mansfield—William R. Kenan, Jr., Research Professor of Government at Harvard University and recipient of the National Humanities Medal—for a discussion of his new book, The Rise and Fall of Rational Control: The History of Modern Political Philosophy. Mansfield will be joined in conversation by Eric Nelson—Robert M. Beren Professor of Government at Harvard University. 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                       

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

Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
Monday, March 2
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.

 

Wellness for Older Adults: Let Your Yoga Dance (Virtual)
Monday, March 2
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.

OctoStudio Playtest (O'Neill)
Monday, March 2
5-5:30 p.m.
5:30-6 p.m.
6-6:30 p.m.

Families with school-age children can come to the Library to play with the creative coding app OctoStudio. Help test brand new animation features on the app and provide your feedback! Please register in advance. Devices will be provided. Only one registration is needed per family, and adults are encouraged to participate alongside their children!

Adult Gaming: Unplugged (Main)
Monday, March 2
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. 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!

Remembering Together: Grief Support Group (Central Square)
Tuesday, March 3
12-1 p.m.

The "Remembering Together" support group is for patrons who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Facilitated by the library social worker, this online group offers a safe and confidential online space for peers to come together, share common experiences and heal in community. If you are interested in participating, or simply learning more about this offering, please email Brett Dixon, the library social worker, at bdixon@cambridgema.gov. 

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, March 3
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.

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

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.

Crafternoon: Lego Printmaking (Main)
Tuesday, March 3
4:30-5:30 p.m.

Learn the basics of block printing by making your own one-color print using Legos! All materials are provided. LEGO pieces are choking hazards for young children. Recommended for ages 7 and up with a caregiver. This program can accommodate 15 printmakers and their caregiver. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program.  This program starts promptly and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. 

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, March 3
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Documentary Photography with your Smartphone [55+] (Main)
Wednesday, March 4
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. Whether it’s taking family portraits, beautiful landscapes, or in some cases the meal we just sat down to eat, we’re all constantly taking photos. This 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. We will also cover how to organize the photos on your phone. We will learn how to become visual storytellers through projects I'll assign each week followed by thoughtful group discussions of your photos. You need only bring two things to this class: your smartphone and your imagination. The workshop will be led by Jerry Russo. Russo received a BFA from Tufts University and a studio diploma from The School of Fine Arts Boston. His photographs are held in the collection of the W.E.B. Du Bois Library at UMass Amherst and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston. He was a Traveling Scholar Recipient from The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Registration is required.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, March 4
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!

Wellness for Older Adults: Low-impact Fitness (Main) 
Wednesday, March 4
11:15 a.m.-12 p.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. This class is conducted from a standing position and incorporates exercises like modified lunges, cardio, and body resistance strength training.  Registration is required for each session. This is an in-person event in the Community Room of the Main Library. 

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, March 4
2:30-4 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 hand-sewn stuffed animals and pillows!

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, March 4
2:30-4 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. 

Citizenship Preparation Classes (Central Square)
Wednesday, March 4
3-5 p.m.

Come join this free 10-week class, in partnership with St. Mark Community Education Program. This series of classes prepares students for all parts of the Citizenship interview and includes the new 128 civics question list. This class is offered as a 10-week series. Attendance at all sessions is expected. Registration is required. Click Here to Register

Requirements:

• Intermediate-level English
• Legal Permanent Resident card for 4 years and 9 months (2 years and 9 months if married to a U.S. citizen)

See class Meeting Dates in March.

See class Meeting Dates in April.

For more information about registering or classes contact St. Marks at stmarkesol@gmail.com or 617-288-8515.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, March 5
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.

Teen Hangout
Thursday, March 5
3:30-5 p.m.

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)
Thursday, March 5
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!

Coffee & Games for Adults (Valente)
Friday, March 6
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join us at the Valente Branch for coffee and games. We have Scrabble, cribbage, cards, Bananagrams, chess, checkers, Boggle and more! Registration is helpful.

Wiggle Party (O'Connell)
Thursday, March 6
11-11:30 a.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. 

Kids' Zine Collective (O'Neill)
Friday, March 6
4-5 p.m.

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!

Maple Sugaring with Land's Sake Farm (Valente)
Saturday, March 6
3-4 p.m.

Learn about the local tradition of turning maple sap into maple syrup with Land's Sake Farm! Enjoy a maple sugaring themed story time, touch and explore the tools we use to make maple syrup and try using hand drills to tap a demonstration log. This program is recommended for children ages 4 and up. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required - please register only the children who will be attending the program. 

 

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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.