Director's Update, May 3, 2026

Dear Patrons,

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Awareness Month when we celebrate the contributions of Asian and American and Pacific Islanders to our country, and Jewish American Heritage Month when we center the contributions of US Citizens of Jewish Ancestry. Please visit our calendar to learn more about library programs in acknowledgment of these cultural heritage celebrations.

On Saturday May 9, 2026, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., learn to fix your broken household items, such as electronics, appliances, clothing, and toys etc. at the Fixit Clinic. Volunteer Fixit coaches will review, take apart, and assist in repair attempts. Gain the confidence and knowledge to make repairs and teach others to do the same. This event takes place in The Hive, located on L1 of the Main Library. Open to all ages, registration is required. This event is brought to you by the Cambridge Public Library, The Cambridge Department of Public Works, and Fixit Clinic.Volunteer to be a coach:bit.ly/inpersoncoachsignup.

Best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries

+++

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.

Book Groups

Learn moreabout our Book Groups.

The Hive Workshops

Check out this week’s classes in The Hive.

ESOL Classes

Find an ESOLClass.

Tech Help

World Portuguese Language Day – Free concert (Main)
Sunday, May 3
1:30-3 p.m.

World Portuguese Language Day is celebrated every year in May. It is a celebration shared by millions around the world, including among the vast and important Portuguese speaking communities in Massachusetts. Portuguese is a global language, spoken by millions in different continents, and it is one of the most spoken languages in Massachusetts.Join us for an afternoon of celebration with the music of Portugal, Cape Verde, and Brazil, followed by light refreshments. Performers at the event include Mia Tomé, accompanied by Zé Manel Cavaco from Portugal; Vuca Pinheiro and Nhela Sax from Cape Verde; and the Trio Alma Brasileira from Brazil. The event is organized by the Consulates General of Portugal, Cape Verde, and Brazil, with the support of Camoes, Institute for Cooperation and Language, and in partnership with the Cambridge Public Library.

Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
Monday, May 4
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: Zumba Gold (Virtual)
Monday, May 4
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Put on your dancing shoes to improve flexibility and balance, strengthen muscles and have fun! Certified Zumba Gold instructor Emily B. will lead you through 45 minutes of low-impact and easy-to-follow choreography in your own home through Zoom. Join us! 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. If you register after that time, please email bquinlan@cambridgema.gov to receive the link.

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, May 4
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.

Monday Mindfulness for Teens (Main)
Monday, May 4
3:30-4:30 p.m.

CALLING ALL TEENS: learn to meditate, share your experiences, and build community with others. Meditation can be a profound skill to find more ease, joy, and spaciousness in your life. It can also help make the world more livable, just, and peaceful. Come check this out!

About the presenter: Hey everyone! My name is Charles FitzGibbon, and I’m excited to be offering this space for teens to learn to meditate. A little bit about me, I love to learn! I'm a curious person who loves to learn from nature, from other people (like you!), and through meditation. I've been a teacher and a mental health counselor and I live in Somerville with my partner and our cat. This event is intended for teens ages 14-18. No registration required.

Adult Gaming: Unplugged (Main)
Monday, May 4
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 the month from 6:00 -- 7:30 PM in the Rossi Room. Be there or be square!

Gaelynn Lea presents: It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect (Main)
Monday, May 4
6-7:30 p.m.

Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Gaelynn Lea—folk musician, Broadway composer, and disability advocate—for a discussion of her new memoir, It Wasn't Meant to Be Perfect. She will be joined in conversation by Adrian Anantawan—violinist, current Chair of Music at Milton Academy, the Artistic Director of Shelter Music Boston, and Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music—and Colleen Flanagan—longtime activist for disability rights, working at the City of Boston Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities as the Outreach and Engagement Specialist. Registration is required.


Creative Aging: Feast of Poetry (Main)
Tuesday, May 5
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Poetry lovers and skeptics alike are invited to this weekly workshop where we’ll read poems that nourish the mind and spirit. We’ll consult a diverse selection of contemporary and classic poets on meaningful topics, share personal reactions, and engage in reflective writing. Sample topics include identity, community, resilience, home, and more. You don’t need to be a writer—or a poetry expert—to participate. Join us and see what’s on the menu! Registration is required. This program is full; a waitlist is available.

Remembering Together: Grief Support Group (Central Square)
Tuesday, May 5
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.

CPL Nature Club: Rethinking Urban Green Spaces: Nature Walk with Earthwise Aware (Main)
Tuesday, May 5
1-2:30 p.m.

Join Earthwise Aware (EwA) for an interactive walk to observe, document, and take part in shaping urban spaces that work with nature. Together, we will explore how design choices and climate pressures shape the ecological value of our everyday green spaces, and document habitat conditions using simple citizen science tools.

Starting at the library lawn, we will examine spaces that appear green but often function poorly. Manicured lawns and sparse tree plantings may look inviting, yet they frequently support little biodiversity and can limit soil health and resilience. What makes a space truly nature-friendly? We will record what is present, what is missing, and what that tells us about ecological function.

During the walk, we will:

This is participatory science in practice. Your observations will feed into broader efforts to track urban biodiversity and inform better land use choices.The program will meet outside the library in Joan Lorentz Park. Registration is required.Rain date: Wednesday May 6

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, May 5
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.

CPL Nature Club - Alewife Afternoon Nature Walk (O'Neill)
Tuesday, May 5
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Come explore the nature in our urban backyard! We will take a leisurely walk as we observe and learn together about the animals and plants at Alewife Reservation. You are welcome to bring binoculars, magnifying glasses or any other observational tool. The walk will meet at the stone benches by the wetland boardwalk. The paths and boardwalks are well maintained but can be muddy in places. Limited free parking is available in the Alewife Reservation lot on Acorn Drive. In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. Registration is helpful but not required. For more information call the O’Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.

Pinwheel Craft (Collins)
Tuesday, May 5
4-4:45 p.m.

Get creative after school! Follow instructions to turn patterned paper into a pinwheel. Then, watch the springtime wind make it spin.Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.

Youth Dungeons & Dragons Session 1/8 (Valente)
Tuesday, May 5
4-5 p.m.

Youth ages 10-16 are welcome to join this eight-session campaign of Tuesdays in May and June of the table-top game Dungeons and Dragons (DnD), as we build our cooperative role-play and storytelling skills. The dates are 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26, 6/2, 6/9, 6/16, and 6/23. The first session will include time to build characters and review rules of gameplay. Following sessions will follow a storyline through to the final session.Registration is required, as the program is capped at 8 players. Please plan to attend all sessions! Registering for Session 1 includes the following weekly sessions. No prior DnD experience is required, and experienced players are also welcome to join.

LEGO Time (Central Square)
Tuesday, May 5
4-5 p.m.

It's a monthly block party! Join friends to design and build amazing LEGO structures. Let your imagination run wild! For children ages 5 and up (children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver). The library has plenty of LEGO pieces, so you don't need to bring your own. For more information, please contact the Central Square Branch Library Children's Room at 617-349-4012.

A Force for Good: Gisela Warburg Wyzanski, A Life Dedicated to the Rescue of Children (Main)
Tuesday, May 5
6-7:30 p.m.

A Force for Good is the biography of the remarkable life of Gisela Warburg Wyzanski. Unlike many wealthy German Jews, Gisela chose to remain in Europe to combat the horrors wrought by Hitler and the Nazis. From both Europe and the United States, she worked tirelessly to bring war-torn European children to a new life in the land now known as Israel.In 1943, Gisela married Federal Judge Charles E. Wyzanski and the couple settled in Cambridge where they raised their family and where Gisela continued her activism.A Force for Good evolved from the discovery of a treasure-trove of letters and documents carefully preserved by Gisela herself and recently discovered by her daughter, Anita WyzanskiRobboy, the book’s author.Anita WyzanskiRobboy is a noted author and lawyer. She is a partner in the Boston law firm, Prince Lobel & Tye, LLC, and is currently a Visiting Scholar/Research Associate at Brandeis University. She authored Aftermarriage: the Myth of Divorce, Lewis Hayden: From Fugitive Slave to Free Mason, and numerous articles in legal publications. She is the daughter of Gisela Warburg Wyzanski and Judge Charles E. Wyzanski.

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, May 5
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Mental Health First Aid (Main)
Wednesday, May 6
9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course that teaches participants to identify, understand and respond to mental health and substance use challenges. The course will cover risk factors and warning signs, an understanding of the impact on individuals, family and community and an overview of treatment interventions. Participants will have an opportunity to learn and practice a five-step action plan to assess a situation, implement interventions and secure appropriate care for the person experiencing a crisis. This workshop is full. For questions or further information please feel free to contactPatty Contente pcontente@cambridgesafety.org 617-528-8726

Documentary Photography with your Smartphone [55+] (Main)
Wednesday, May 6
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, May 6
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, May 6
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. This program is full; a waitlist is available.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, May 6
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 wooden dolls.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, May 6
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, May 6
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.

Requirements:

See class Meeting Dates in April. Click Here to Register For more information about registering or classes contact St. Marks at stmarkesol@gmail.com or 617-288-8515.

Read to a Dog (Valente)
Wednesday, March 6
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 Wednesday, April 29 by calling or visiting the Valente Branch (617-349-4015).

Coding and Web Development 101 (Main)
Wednesday, May 6
6-8 p.m.

Would-be programmers with basic computer literacy are invited to join this workshop series. Over eight weeks, participants will learn programming fundamentals, build web pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, use developer tools such as Git, and more. There will be time to work on projects and receive guidance from experienced developers, with optional homework materials made available for more in-depth learning. While you can join at any time, starting at the beginning of the course is encouraged for the best experience. Registration is required.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, May 7
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.

After-school Craft: 3D Pens (Boudreau)
Thursday, May 7
3-5 p.m.

Stop by the Boudreau Branch after school to create something using 3D pens! This drop-in event is intended for school-aged children and their families.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, May 7
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!

Wellness for Older Adults: Zumba Gold (Main)
Friday, May 8
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Join instructor Darren Hairston for Zumba Gold – the fun and energizing dance fitness class tailored for active older adults and beginners! Set to vibrant, upbeat music, Zumba Gold features low-impact, easy-to-follow dance moves that make staying fit enjoyable and accessible for all fitness levels. Improve your balance, flexibility, and cardio health while having a great time in a supportive and friendly environment. No dance experience needed—just bring your smile and a willingness to move! Registration is required for each class.

Cambridge Young Authors' Squad - CYAS (O'Neill)
Friday, May 8
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.

Drop-in Maker Studio (O'Neill)
Saturday, May 9
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.