Director's Update, March 15, 2026

Dear Patrons,

Tech for All

I’m excited to announce the launch of Tech for All, a new program that will provide free refurbished Windows-based laptops and mobile Wi-Fi hotspots to eligible patrons. The program builds on the Library’s Digital Equity Initiative, an ongoing commitment to bridging the digital divide. The program is funded by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.  Fill out an online application form or call 857-235-9839 to apply.  The application is open until March 22, 2026. Applicants must have a valid library card, be at least 18 years of age, and commit to participating in one in-person “Meet Your Device” workshop, where they will learn how to use and care for their device.  Recipients will be chosen through a randomized selection process and notified by April 3. Questions? Contact the Library’s Digital Equity team by phone at 857-235-9839 or by email at CPLDigitalEquity@cambridgema.gov. 

 

Participatory Budgeting

Voting for the 12^th Participatory Budgeting (PB12) process is open until March 15, 2026. All Cambridge residents aged 12 and older, including all 6th graders and university students, can vote for their top projects. Full descriptions of this year’s ballot projects are available at pb.cambridgema.gov.

Community members can vote three ways:

• Online: Vote at pb.cambridgema.gov

• Phone: Call the City of Cambridge Budget office at (617)-349-4270. Regular business hours are Monday 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., Tuesday – Thursday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• In Person: Vote at the Main Library Rossi Room on 3/15 from 1:00-4:30 p.m. Additional in-person sites can be found at pb.cambridgema.gov.

Upcoming Programs and Events

Join us on Saturday, March 21, from 11-11:45 a.m. for Animal Ambassadors with the Mass Audubon Society to celebrate Jasmine Warga's new book, The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan, about an unlikely friendship between a cheetah and a rescue dog who are paired as an animal ambassador team at a zoo. 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. Recommended for children ages 6 and up.

This event is part of a special series promoting our 2026 Curious George Lecture (CGL) with Jasmine Warga, award-winning author of A Rover's Story, Other Words for Home, and many other popular children's books. Save the Date: the Lecture will take place on Wednesday, April 15, 6 p.m. at the Main Library.

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

Celebrating LGBTQ+ Youth with the Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission (Main)
Sunday, March 15
3-4:30 p.m.

Join the LGBTQ+ Commission for a celebration of LGBTQ+ Youth. The program will include entertainment in the form of an interactive performance, a community runway, and refreshments. This event is cosponsored by the Cambridge Public Library.

Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
Monday, March 16
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 16
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 16
5-6:30 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! Devices will be provided. Only one registration is needed per family, and adults are encouraged to participate alongside their children! Registration is required. Please register in advance.

How to use YouTube to expand your knowledge (Main)
Tuesday, March 17
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Learn how to access YouTube on your smartphone (iPhone or Android) to expand your knowledge. These calls will be delivered by a DOORS program instructor. To learn more about the DOORS program, please go to https://www.digitalpsych.org/doors-program.html. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass. Registration is encouraged but not required. 

Remembering Together: Grief Support Group (Central Square)
Tuesday, March 17
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 17
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.

Clothing Upcycle & Design for Teens (Valente)
Tuesday, March 17
3:30-5:30 p.m.

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. 

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.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, March 17
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Board Game Night for Adults (Valente) 
Tuesday, March 17
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, Boggle, Bananagrams, and more! Feel free to bring a board game to play with others. We will provide pizza and beverages. Registration is helpful.

Documentary Photography with your Smartphone [55+] (Main)
Wednesday, March 18
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 18
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 18
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 18
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 building with LEGOs and other toys.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, March 18
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 11
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.

Mend & Make Meetup (Valente)

Wednesday, March 18
6-7:30 p.m.

Have clothes to mend or craft projects to work on? Join us for our new monthly meetup! Bring what you are working on and we will provide basic mending supplies. Registration is required.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, March 19
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 19
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 19
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!

Kick Back & Watch a Movie (Central Square)
Friday, March 20
3-5 p.m.

Join us to watch a movie on Central Square Library’s big screen and eat popcorn! No registration 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.