Director's Update, March 8, 2026

Dear Patrons,

The City of Cambridge is excited to once again invite Cambridge residents to vote on projects aimed at improving the city as part of the 12th Participatory Budgeting (PB12) process. From March 5 to 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 atpb.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 3/8 and 3/15 from 1:00-4:30 p.m. Additional in-person sites can be found at pb.cambridgema.gov. 

  

Paper ballots are available through the Budget Office during regular business hours. Online and paper ballots are available in English, Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Haitian Creole, Hindi, French, Japanese, Spanish, and Portuguese. 

 

Upcoming Programs and Events 

Join the Library on Tuesday, Marc 12, from 5:30-7 p.m. for CPL Arts: Voices in Collage: Celebrating Women's History. This collage workshop invites participants to explore collage as a practice rooted in storytelling, care, and reclamation. Together, we will look at how women and femmes have historically used cutting, layering, assemblage, and repair as forms of documentation and self-expression, often working outside traditional art spaces and definitions of what is understood to be "fine art.” Participants will create collages using photographs, found papers, textiles, and personal ephemera, reflecting on lineage, memory, and the quiet labor of the women that shapes our lives. No prior collage experience is necessary. This workshop is designed as a welcoming, reflective space where participants are encouraged to work intuitively, honor their own histories, and engage with material in a tactile, intentional way. All are welcome and registration is required. 

Join us at the Main Library on Wednesday, March 11, from 7-8:30 p.m., for Grow Native Massachusetts Evening with Experts with Kim Eierman, the Founder of EcoBeneficial LLC and author of The Pollinator Victory Garden: Win the War on Pollinator Decline with Ecological Gardening.  Kim Eierman will help you sort out the mysteries and complexities of native plant selection including:  Am I buying a genetic clone, and does it matter? What are local ecotypes and where can I buy them? Are native cultivars ok? Are dwarf nativars ecologically-useful? What’s the tradeoff with double flowers? Which native plants require pollination partners (i.e. are dioecious) and how do I source them? What are the pros and cons of planting native seeds vs. live plants? Get the answers you need to make your native landscape both beautiful and eco-beneficial. This event is cosponsored by the Cambridge Public Library. Kim Eierman is an ecological landscape designer and environmental horticulturist specializing in native plants.  Based in New York, Kim teaches at the New York Botanical Garden and Brooklyn Botanic Garden and is a Steering Committee member of The Native Plant Center. Visit Grow Native.

Join us on Tuesday, March 12, from 6-7:30 p.m. for Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy, a lecture to celebrate the 250^th anniversaries of the American Revolution and the founding of the United States. Peter Drummey, Chief Historian of the Massachusetts Historical Society (Ret.), Nathaniel Philbrick, author of Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy, along with many other New York Times bestselling books, will retrace George Washington’s post-inaugural journeys and explore how he sought to unite a fragile new nation. 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 9
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: Fresh Pond Nature Walk (Collins)
Monday, March 9
10:15-11:30 a.m.

Join us for a relaxing walk of Fresh Pond with Park Ranger Amanda Garms! No two weeks are the same in nature, and Amanda will share her insights about what's growing, changing, and blooming in the neighborhood. This walk is not on a paved path. We will walk on uneven terrain, down hills, and over roots. The meeting location for this walk will be at the Fresh Pond Ranger Station at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway. Temporary parking passes can be provided on request. Registration is required. This event can only accommodate a certain number of participants. One registration is good for one person. If you do not register, you cannot participate. Those on the waitlist will be contacted if a space becomes available. This walk is full; a waitlist is available.

Wellness for Older Adults: Let Your Yoga Dance (Virtual)
Monday, March 9
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.

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, March 9
5-6 p.m.

Come join us at the Boudreau branch for a chess challenge. Players of all skill levels and all ages are welcome to participate. Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for individuals who want to play and test their skills against other members of the community. There's no need to register in advance - simply drop by and challenge yourself to improve your mastery of this classic game! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 617-349-4017 or via email: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov or mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov.

Expressive Art for Older Adults: Beading Workshop (Central)
Tuesday, March 10
10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Learn the basics of beaded jewelry making and the difference between semi-precious stones and precious stones.  Participants will keep all pieces they make. Space is limited to 10 participants. This workshop is led by Zangar Freeman. Registration is required.

Use your smartphone to stay organized (Main)
Tuesday, March 10
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Learn how to use your smartphone (iPhone or Android) to stay organized. You will learn how to use calendar apps, navigation apps like Google Maps and note-taking apps. This class 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 10
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 10
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 10
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.

Clothespin Dolls (Collins)
Tuesday, March 10
4-4:45 p.m.

Celebrate Women's History Month by crafting a clothespin doll. Use simple materials to decorate a wooden clothespin in honor of a historical woman. Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.

Community IRL (Valente)
Tuesday, March 10
6-7:30 p.m.

This workshop will be a conversation run by Harvard graduate students for young adults living or working in Cambridge. We all know what it feels like to be isolated, despite being surrounded by people. So many young adults yearn for connection and belonging but didn’t know where to start—we are overcommitted but under-connected. In this workshop, we will come to together to discuss, share stories, brainstorm, and provide real tools to build deeper purpose, foster connection, and belonging between young adults and the local communities they live in. We believe young adults and community members should be part of—not apart from—the places they live. A civically engaged community is a stronger, heathier, safer community. Whether you're a student, a local organizer, a resident, or someone just curious about what we’re building - we’d love to have you there. Come for the conversation, snacks, and the sense of shared purpose. Registration is helpful.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, March 10
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 11
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 11
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 11
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 11
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 creepy crawly creatures with pipe cleaners!

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

 

Family Board Game Night (Valente)
Wednesday, March 11
5:30-7 p.m.

Join us for an evening of board games at the Valente Branch. Challenge neighbors, family, friends and strangers to prove your gaming might. The library will provide all materials. Bring your friends!

 

NoCA Art Reception & Reading (O'Neill)
Wednesday, March 11
6-7 p.m.

Enjoy art, poetry, prose, and good company at the opening reception for the North Cambridge Arts (NoCA) exhibit at the O'Neill Branch Library. Refreshments will be served. NoCa is an association of accomplished, professional visual and performing artists living and/or working in North Cambridge with a strong commitment to the neighborhood and community. NoCa includes painters, woodworkers, sculptors, photographers, jewelry makers, fabric artists, mixed-media artists, musicians, dancers, writers and poets.

 

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, March 12
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 12
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!

Read to a Dog (Valente)
Thursday, March 12
3:30-5 p.m.

Read to Dante, our local cuddly therapy dog! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and non-judgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 15-minute time slot is required and begins on Thursday, March 5 by calling or visiting the Valente Branch (617-349-4015). 

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, March 12
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!

Puppetry Studio (Main)
Thursday, March 12
5-6:30 p.m.

We will adapt the tale "The Tortoise and the Hare" and perform our masterpiece for family and friends. Using a ChompSaw (a kid-safe power tool), participants will safely cut cardboard to create shadow puppets. This four-week puppetry workshop is for youth ages 7-10. We will meet on March 5, 12, 19 and 26. Registration is required. Participants much attend all sessions and have read a version of the tale before the first session. Visit the Children's Room to pick up a copy of the book or call 617-349-4038. For questions about Puppetry Studio, please email Natalie at nzylicz@cambridgema.gov.

Little Groove Music and Movement (O'Connell)
Friday, March 13
11-11:45 a.m.

This interactive 45-minute children’s show is designed to engage young audiences through music, movement, and play. A professional musician with an acoustic guitar leads the program, and an assistant guides the kids through activities with rhythm instruments, scarves, original songs, and familiar favorites to keep the kids engaged and excited. No registration required. Recommended for ages 0-4 with a caregiver.

Cambridge Young Authors' Squad - CYAS (O'Neill)
Friday, March 13
4-5 p.m.

Young people ages 10 to 14 who love to write are welcome to share their ideas and writing. There will be time for share-outs/workshopping, as well as group or solo writing. Snacks are provided! If you are attending for the first time, registration is helpful but not required.

AI Training for Job Seekers - Four Workshop Series (Main)
Saturday, March 14
1-4 p.m.

The Cambridge Public Library and the African Bridge Network (ABN) are offering an AI training for people looking for jobs. This training will teach you how to use AI tools safely and effectively to help with your career.

Through the workshops, participants will learn strategies to:

• Find better ways to look for jobs
• Update and customize resumes for different positions
• Practice and prepare for job interviews 
• Get help dealing with common challenges in today’s job market

This training is a four-part workshop series. Participants who complete all sessions may be eligible to receive a free refurbished laptop and wi-fi hotspot. Sessions will be held in-person at the Main Library (449 Broadway) on the following Saturdays: March 14, March 21, March 28 and April 4. Each session will be held from 1-4 p.m.  Space is limited. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and accepted until spots are filled or the deadline passes. Apply by March 1, 2026. If you have any questions or need help with the application, call 857-235-9382 or CPLDigitalEquity@cambridgema.gov. To learn more about this program, please go to: africanbn.org/ai-training/    

Arthropod Petting Zoo with Professor Bugman (O'Neill)
Saturday, March 14
2-2:45 p.m.

It's creepy crawly week at the Library! Kids learn all about Arthropods, the most diverse group of animal life on the planet, during this exciting show-and-tell-and-touch program!  Learn, see, hear, touch, and even smell the incredible adaptations these creatures have that help them survive in the wild world. Recommended for children ages 3 and up and their caregivers. No registration is required.

 

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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.