Director's Update, July 5, 2026

Upcoming Events 

Join Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui at the O’Neill Branch on Tuesday, July 7, from 5-6 p.m., to celebrate the winners of the 2026 Cambridge City Nature Art Challenge and view their art on display. We will have food and nature art activities for all ages. This event is presented as a part of the Cambridge Public Library Nature Club.

On Thursday, July 9, from 5-7:30 p.m., join expert forager Russ Cohen on a 2.5-hour ramble around Fresh Pond to learn about over two dozen species of edible wild plants.  We will meet at Fresh Pond, in the main parking lot by the ranger station and water department. Registration is required. NOTE that this is an educational walk only: no actual foraging will take place, as that activity is prohibited with in the Fresh Pond Reservation.

Service Alert: Red Line Shutdown July 21–30
The MBTA will suspend Red Line service between Alewife and Park Street from July 21 through July 30, replacing train service with shuttle buses at all Cambridge stations along the line. This includes Alewife, Davis, Porter, Harvard, Central, Kendall/MIT, Charles/MGH, and Park Street. The MBTA is using this planned closure to complete critical track, signal, and infrastructure upgrades to improve long-term reliability. Riders should expect significant delays, allow extra travel time, and consider alternative routes during this period. For full details and real-time updates, visit mbta.com/RedLine or camb.ma/redline. 

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

Summer Reading: Arthropod Petting Zoo (Collins & O’Connell)
Monday, July 6
3-4 p.m.
Collins Branch

Tuesday, July 7
11a.m.-12 p.m.
O’Connell

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 children ages 3-12 and their caregivers.

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, July 7
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, July 7
3:30-4:30p.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 paths and boardwalks are well maintained but can be muddy in places.  

The walk will meet at the stone benches by the wetland boardwalk. To view the location in Google Maps and get directions, click here. 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.   

Summer Reading: Crafternoon (Collins)
Tuesday, July 7
4-4:45 p.m.

Join us for activities celebrating the theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" all summer long. Today's activity is tissue paper flowers. Learn to create flowers made from tissue paper. Build a bouquet to take home for yourself or share with someone special.  Recommended for children aged 6-12 and their caregivers.

• July 7 - Tissue Paper Flowers
• July 14 - Bird and Bug Suncatchers
• July 21 - no activity on this date
• July 28 - Perler Bead Plants
• August 4 - Paint by Sticker
• August 11 - Origami Peace Cranes

Read to a Dog (O'Connell)
Tuesday, July 7
4-5 p.m.

Read with Pumpkin the Therapy Dog from Dog B.O.N.E.S.! 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).

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, July 7
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: Morning Bird Watching Walk at Mt. Auburn Cemetery (Collins)
Wednesday, July 8
10:15-11:30 a.m.

Join us for a morning walk at one of the most renowned bird watching spots in Cambridge, Mount Auburn Cemetery! We will help you identify birds, learn birdwatching tips and tricks, and familiarize yourself with migratory birds as well as those that can be spotted all year round. A limited supply of binoculars will be available. The walk will meet at the Collins Branch Library at 64 Aberdeen Ave at 10:15 am. We will walk to Mt. Auburn Cemetery together (about a five-minute walk). Please try to be on time as we will leave shortly after 10:15! 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 space becomes available.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, July 8
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 (Valente)
Wednesday, July 8
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.

Summer Reading: Video Game Days (Main
Wednesday, July 8
12-2 p.m.

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

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, July 8
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 creating flags!.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, July 8
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.

Summer Reading: Chain Reactions and Creative Contraptions with Playful Engineers (Central Square)
Wednesday, July 8
4-5:30 p.m.

Participants design, build, test, and play with chain reactions and creative contraptions, like Rube Goldberg Machines, paper constructions, domino towers, exploding popsicle-stick snakes, and other awesome engineering explorations. This event is recommended for children ages 4 and up.

Summer Reading: Instrument Petting Zoo with Boston Music Project (Valente)
Wednesday, July 8
5:30-7 p.m.

Meet, hear, touch and learn about orchestral instruments with the Boston Music Project! Recommended for ages 0-12 and their caregivers.

Wednesday Night Creative Writing Group (Main)
Wednesday, July 8
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Writers of all experience levels are invited to join a casual, peer-supported writing group. In this group, participants take turns bringing short in-progress or completed pieces of any genre. The group reads several pieces each month, sharing feedback and constructive criticism in a supportive and inclusive environment. We may practice in-class writing exercises and read samples of published writing as time allows. Registration is required. NOTE: Registration is for this month's meeting only. For more information, please email Susannah at sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov.

Summer Reading: Live Animal Story Time with Land's Sake Farm (Boudreau)
Thursday, July 9
2-2:45 p.m.

Learn about the rabbits that we raise at Land’s Sake. This program includes a rabbit-themed story time, learning about rabbit behavior and anatomy, and a rabbit themed game. The highlight of the program is the Bunny Circle, where youth are able to touch and interact with live rabbits.

Summer Reading: Teen Crafternoon (Main)
Thursday, July 9
2-5 p.m.

Take over the Teen Room and pick up a craft! From button making to paper bead bracelets, take over the tables and learn something new. Crafts will be set out as first come, first serve. For more information contact Ellen at ekaluza@cambridgema.gov.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, July 9
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 9
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!

Twilight Music and Movement (Central Square)
Thursday, July 9
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. 

Summer Reading: Yo-Yo Show (Main)
Thursday, July 9
6-6:45 p.m.

Join us for a high energy comedy yo-yo show. For children of all ages and their caregivers. 

Summer Reading: Make Your Own Flower Press (Main)
Friday, July 10
2-3 p.m.

Preserve some of the beautiful summer flowers with this DIY Cardboard Flower Press. Recommended for ages 5 and up with a caregiver.

Summer Reading: Read to a Dog (O'Neill)
Friday, July 10
3-4 p.m.

Read with a cuddly friend! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required and begins on Thursday, July 2 by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023).

Teen Movie (Valente)
Friday, July 10
3-5 p.m.

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

Summer Reading Paint and Plant Celebration (Central Square)
Saturday, July 11
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Celebrate Summer Reading's "Plant a Seed, Read" theme! Paint a pot and grab a plant of your own to take home. Browse through a selection of books about our environment and the natural world. Registration is encouraged but not necessary. 

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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.