Director's Update, July 26, 2026

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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, July 27
11-11:45 a.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 for each session is required. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, July 27
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.

Virtual: "The Escapes of David George" with author Gregory E. O'Malley (O'Neill)
Monday, July 27
7-8 p.m.

Cambridge Public Library's O'Neill Branch is joining with The Ashland Public Library to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We're thrilled to welcome author and historian Gregory E. O'Malley who will be discussing his book, "The Escapes of David George: An Odyssey of Slavery, Freedom, and the American Revolution" which reveals a remarkable, untold experience of the American revolutionary period—a Black man’s quest for the freedom espoused by our Founders but denied him and other enslaved people. We hope you can join us for this fascinating conversation!  Registration is required. Due to limited space, if you know you cannot make it live do not register with zoom but please fill out THIS FORM to receive the video link.

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, July 28
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.

Summer Reading: Yo-Yo Show (O'Neill)
Tuesday, July 28
3-3:45 p.m.

Join us for a high energy comedy yo-yo show. For children of all ages and their caregivers. This program will happen outside. In case of bad weather, this program will happen inside the Peabody School gym

Summer Reading: Wings of Fire Fandom Fun (O'Connell)
Tuesday, July 28
3-4 p.m.

Join fellow fans of Tui Sutherland’s “Wings of Fire” series to draw dragons, do a trivia challenge, and talk about the stories. Recommended for ages 8-14.

Summer Reading: Crafternoon (Collins)
Tuesday, July 28
4-4:45 p.m.

Join us for activities celebrating the theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" all summer long. Today's activity is perler bead plants. Work with perler beads to follow a pattern and create a flower, fruit or your own unique design. We'll fuse the finished product into place for you to take home.  Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.

• July 28 - Perler Bead Plants
• August 4 - Paint by Sticker
• August 11 - Origami Peace Cranes

Summer Fitness: Yoga in the park (Main)
Tuesday, July 28
6-7 p.m.

All are welcome to attend the Cambridge Public Library's free outdoor yoga summer series every other Tuesday starting July 14 until August 25. No registration is necessary. The Library will not provide any materials - please bring your own mat and whatever item is in your practice. In case of rain, yoga will be held in the community room. Shayla Tate of M.U.D.D. Flower Yoga leads us through this 60-minute evening flow.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, July 28
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Summer Reading: Patio Project (Valente)
Tuesday, July 28
5-6 p.m.

Join us for STEAM activities for all ages outdoors at Valente's patio! In the case of weather complications, this program will be held inside.

Summer Fitness: Yoga in the park (Main)
Tuesday, July 28
6-7 p.m.

All are welcome to attend the Cambridge Public Library's free outdoor yoga summer series every other Tuesday starting July 14 until August 25. No registration is necessary. The Library will not provide any materials - please bring your own mat and whatever item is in your practice. In case of rain, yoga will be held in the community room. Shayla Tate of M.U.D.D. Flower Yoga leads us through this 60-minute evening flow.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, July 28
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Summer Reading: Nature Story Time (O'Neill)
Wednesday, July 29
11-11:45 a.m.

Children and families can join us for a story time and exploration around the outdoor space around the Library to look for plant and animal life. This program will happen outside. In case of rain or bad weather it will be inside the O'Neill Branch. This story time is presented as part of the Cambridge Public Library Nature Club.

Summer Reading: Storytime with José Mateo Ballet Theatre (Valente)
Wednesday, July 29
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join us for a Ballet Storytime for Ages 0-7 and learn some ballet moves with teachers from the José Mateo Ballet Theatre. No registration required.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, July 29
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!

Summer Reading: Video Game Days (Main)
Wednesday, July 29
12-2 p.m.

Every Wednesday during the summer, the Teen Room hosts video game days! Buddy up in 1, 2, Switch, or battle each other in Super Smash Bros. Between 12 PM and 2 PM grab a controller and hop into the game! For more information contact Ellen at ekaluza@cambridgema.gov.

What is Cloud Storage? (Main)
Wednesday, July 29
2-3 p.m.

Learn about different cloud storage services, how they work and the pros and cons of cloud storage. This class is a part of the AARP curriculum. To learn more about AARP please go to: www.oats.org. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass. Registration is encouraged but not required. 

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, July 29
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 use mosaic tiles!!

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, July 29
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.

Read to a Dog (O'Connell)
Wednesday, July 29
4-5 p.m.

Read with Bowie the Therapy Dog from Pets & People! Therapy dogs provide warm and non-judgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers of all ages. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required and begins a week in advance. Sign up by phone or in person at the O'Connell Branch (617-349-4019).

Summer Reading: Arthropod Petting Zoo (Boudreau)
Wednesday, July 29 (Boudreau)
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 1
3-4 p.m. (Valente)

The Arthropod Petting Zoo is a hands-on, show-and-tell introduction to entomology featuring real live insects and arthropods!  While having fun and interacting with genuine crawling critters, kids learn about biology, taxonomy, adaptations, and scientific thinking that real scientists use in the field. Recommended for ages 3-12 and their families.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, July 30
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, July 30
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!

Summer Reading: Tissue Paper "Stained Glass" (Boudreau)
Thursday July 30
3-5 p.m.

Stop by the Boudreau Branch in the afternoon to create a beautiful window hanging using colored tissue paper and glue! The final product will have a similar appearance to stained glass. This drop-in event is intended for school-aged children and their families.

Summer Reading: Live Animal Program with The Joys of Nature
Thursday, July 30
3:30-4 p.m. (O’Connell)
4:30-5 p.m. (Main)

What is an endangered species? Why are many animals and their habitats disappearing? Learn about endangered species in the wild here in New England, and around the world, and some things we can all do to help them. Recommended for children ages 4 and up and their caregivers.

Twilight Music and Movement (Central Square)
Thursday, July 30
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. 

Kick Back & Watch a Movie (Central)
Friday, July 31
3-5 p.m.

Come watch a movie on Central Square Library’s big screen and eat free popcorn! 

Teen Movie (Valente)
Friday, July 31
3-5 p.m.

Watch a movie chosen by teen vote. No registration is required, drop-in when you can.  

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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.