Director's Update, June 14, 2026

Dear Patrons,  

I’m pleased to share that An Act Regarding Freedom of Expression, a bill protecting intellectual freedom and the right to read, has passed in both the House and Senate. The two chambers will unify the language and then the bills will go back to the chambers for a vote on the final language before heading to the Governor's desk to be endorsed. Massachusetts now joins 12 other states who have passed legislation protecting the freedom to read. To learn more about protecting the right to read, visit uniteagainstbookbans.org. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this effort including state legislators, Mass. Library Association, and Mass. Freedom to Read. Cambridge Public Library Branch Manager, Andrea Fiorello, played an important role as cochair of the Massachusetts Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom and Social Responsibility Committee.

All Library locations will be closed on Friday, June 19, for Juneteenth. 

Summer Kickoff Party: Plant a Seed, Sing & Read! (Main)
Join us in Joan Lorentz Park on Saturday, June 20, from 2-3 p.m., for a Summer Kickoff Party for all ages! Enjoy a live concert with award-winning, GRAMMY nominated folk musician Alastair Moock and friends! Take home a tiny blossom kit and enjoy ice-cream (while supplies last). You can also register for Summer Reading, pick up a bingo board and learn more about special events happening across branches all summer long. The Department of Public Works, Community Gardens, and Office of Sustainability will join us to celebrate summer and the natural world.  

Park Sounds: Juneteenth Celebration with Tim Hall (Main)
Join us at Joan Lorentz Park on Thursday, June 18, from 4-5:30 p.m. for a special Park Sounds in celebration of Juneteenth with Tim Hall, an award-winning musician, performance poet, and producer from Detroit, MI. His poetry draws inspiration from his lived experiences - charting the nuances of blackness, masculinity, and the beauties of life. Tim's music is used to underscore his vivid storytelling with warm neo soul, jazz, and hip-hop influences. PARK SOUNDS 2026 brings free outdoor musical performances featuring local artists to the front lawn of the Cambridge Public Library Main Branch. These events are all-ages. Bring a chair, food, and loved ones to celebrate the summer! Funding is provided by the CPL Foundation in memory of Janet Axelrod.  Visit our website to learn more about Juneteenth-related events.

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, Collins, 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

Wellness for Older Adults: Low-impact Fitness (Virtual)
Monday, June 15
11:45 a.m.-12:30 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. You will feel the benefits in mind and body! 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.

Savvy Seniors: Vision Changes and Resources (Main)
Monday, June 15
1:30-3:30 p.m.

Please join us for a discussion related to vision changes in older adults.  Presented by the Carroll Center for the Blind, the program will feature a Low Vision Therapist to discuss common age-related vision conditions and early detection as well as a Technology Specialist who will demonstrate tools for using your phone with greater ease along with other assistive devices. Registration is requested but not required.

Zen Meditation Practice w/ Cambridge Zen Center (Central Square)
Monday, June 15
3-3:45 p.m.

Join us every first and third Monday of the month to learn and practice Zen meditation with our neighbors at the Cambridge Zen Center! Each session consists of a 15 minutes of introduction meditation, 20 minutes of sitting, followed by 10 minutes for questions. For more information about the Cambridge Zen Center, please visit their website! Questions? Contact Daryl (dcabrol@cambridgema.gov).

Open Gameplay with One Up Games (O'Neill)
Monday, June 15
3-6 p.m.

Join us for a video game free play event hosted by Massachusetts eSport and gaming venue, One Up Games! Explore virtual worlds with the Oculus Quest, or play the latest titles on XBOX Series S, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch! No registration is required. This event is recommended for ages 7 and up.

Teen Hangout (Valente)
Monday, June 15
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Hangout with other teens in the Valente Branch Community Room after school to socialize, unwind, and participate in a rotating activity. No registration required, drop-in between 3:30-4:30pm. 

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, June 15
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.

Navigating the Crossroads: When Art and Technology Intersects and Diverges (Main)
Monday, June 15
6:30-8 p.m.

Join the MIT Open Documentary Lab and Cambridge Public Library for a conversation with Emmy Award–winning artist and director Michaela Holland on immersive storytelling in virtual reality—followed by a hands-on VR experience of, Reimagined: Mahal. Michaela Holland is a visionary leader at the intersection of storytelling and emerging technology. A Peabody-nominated and Emmy Award–winning director, she creates impactful stories using immersive and interactive media. She is among the first filmmakers to create and premiere a short film using OpenAI’s Sora platform, featured at the Tribeca Festival. A nominee for the Producers Guild of America’s Innovation Award, Michaela is also a consultant, speaker, and recognized thought leader—named one of the “100 Original Voices of XR” and one of Blooloop’s “50 Immersive Influencers.”

The MIT Open Documentary Lab brings storytellers, technologists, and scholars together to explore new documentary forms with a particular focus on collaborative, interactive, and immersive storytelling. Registration is required.

Estate Planning for All (Virtual)
Tuesday, June 16
10-11:30 a.m.

The Cambridge Public Library and Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School are excited to offer Estate Planning for All. Estate plans can help you prepare for unexpected changes, offer a sense of security in uncertain times, and ensure that your wishes will be carried out if you become ill, incapacitated, or die unexpectedly. Everyone—regardless of background or financial situation—can have an estate plan. 

We will discuss:

• Financial issues during our lifetimes: power of attorney, homestead declaration, and trusts
• Health and medical issues: health care proxy, medical directives, and HIPAA authorization
• Preparing for death: wills and declaration as to remains

Estate planning issues specific to veterans and individuals with disabilities will also be discussed. This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Registration is required. Registrants may phone in if preferred. Zoom information will be sent to registrants before the session. Questions? Contact Brynne at bquinlan@CambridgeMA.gov or call 617-349-4041.

Understanding AI, Prompting, and Reality Checking (Main)
Tuesday, June 16
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Explore what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is (and is not), learn how to create effective prompts, and how to recognize common AI errors. 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. 

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, June 16
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.

Crafternoon: Summer Sketchbooks (Collins)
Tuesday, June 16
4-4:45 p.m.

Get creative after school! Decorate a blank notebook to use as your summer sketchbook, junk journal or reading log. Supplies may be limited. Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.

Youth Dungeons & Dragons Session 7/8 (Valente)
Tuesday, June 16
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. 

Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
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.

Board Game Night for Adults (Valente)
Tuesday, June 16
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.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, June 16
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

CPL Nature Club: Story Time at Alewife Brook Reservation (O'Neill)
Wednesday, June 17
9:30-10:30 a.m.

Children and families can join us for an outdoor story time and short walk at Alewife Brook Reservation to look for plant and animal life. We will meet at the seating area on the bike path near the Alewife Brook Pathway and DCR Wetland Boardwalk: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CC32nJqG1Xk3b5zDA. There is no parking available on-site. Parking is available at Alewife MBTA station or limited on-street parking on Cambridgepark Drive. No registration is required. In case of bad weather, this event will be canceled and the listing will be updated on the website. Please call 617-349-4023 with any questions, including day-of weather cancellations.

Wellness for Older Adults: Low-impact Fitness (Valente)
Wednesday, June 17
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.

Aging with Insight: A Writing Workshop for the Curious (Boudreau)
Wednesday, June 17
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Unlock your memories. Capture your wisdom. Discover your voice! Join local author Connie Biewald for this writing workshop for Older Adults! Whether you’re a regular journal writer or a person who thinks about journaling someday, join us for a session of guided creative exploration. In this supportive, low-pressure workshop, we’ll use simple, high impact prompts to spark memory and reflect upon the joys and challenges of growing older. Bring a notebook and pen or laptop, whatever works best for you. Registration is required.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, June 17
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 create a Juneteenth mural.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, June 17
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.

Juneteenth Unlimited (Main)
Wednesday, June 17
4:30-5:40 p.m.

In this interactive workshop, we'll explore the story of Juneteenth, the oldest commemoration of the outlawing of slavery in the United States. Through stories, craft-making, and a Jubilee teach-in, we'll honor the joy and radical resistance of Black Americans then and now. This program can accommodate 45 people and is recommended for youth ages 6 and up and their caregivers. 

Amitav Ghosh presents: Ghost-Eye: A Novel (Main)
Wednesday, June 17
6-7:30 p.m.

Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Amitav Ghosh—author of the bestselling Ibis Trilogy and the first English-language writer to win the Jnanpith Award, India’s highest literary honor—for a discussion of his highly anticipated new novel, Ghost Eye. He will be joined in conversation by Garnette Cadogan—Tunney Lee Distinguished Lecturer in Urbanism at the School of Architecture and Planning at MIT, and editor-at-large for Nonstop Metropolis. Registration is required.

Mend & Make Meetup (Valente)
Wednesday, June 17
6-7:30 p.m.

Join our monthly mending meetup and share tips and tricks with other crafters! Bring what you are working on and we will provide basic mending supplies. Registration is required.

Branch Walk [55+] (Collins)
Thursday, June 18
10:30-11:45 a.m.

Join guide Stefanie Haug while exploring our neighborhood nature and history. As a group we'll connect with and explore the neighborhood mindfully with a gentle walk and draw on contemplative practices. Registration is requested but not required.

What to bring: layered clothing, comfortable shoes and water.
Where to meet: At the Collins Branch entrance.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, June 18
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.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, June 18
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!

After-school Craft: Button Making (Boudreau)
Thursday, June 18
3-5 p.m.

Stop by the Boudreau Branch after school and use our two button makers to create your very own buttons. Draw a beautiful picture or print out an image from the computer (once per attendee) to use. This drop-in event is intended for school aged children and their families.

Teens Planting Pride (Valente)
Thursday, June 18
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Celebrate pride month by planting seeds with a bloom kit we provide! Choose from a mix of zinnia, tomato, basil, coleus, and poppy seeds. No registration required, available until supplies run out. 

Twilight Music and Movement (Central Square)
Thursday, June 18
5:30-6 p.m.

Join us to sing, play with musical props and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4012 for more information. 

Playing With Poetry (Main)
Thursday, June 18
6-7:30 p.m.

Join Bee & Ivy in this experimental writing workshop where you will engage with: music, rhyme, blackout poetry, letter writing, and more! Create, share your work, get feedback - at the final session we’ll have a poetry reading. Registration is required.

Show Your Pride: Movie Screening (Central Square)
Thursday, June 18
6-8 p.m.

Join us for a special Pride Month screening of But I'm a Cheerleader!

Summer Reading: ¡Música! with Mariana Iranzi (Valente)
Saturday, June 20
3-4 p.m.

Join us for a bilingual family concert in English and Spanish. Singing, dancing and tons of fun guaranteed! Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. Registration is not required for this event.

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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.