Director's Update, October 4, 2026

Dear Patrons,  

On Tuesday, October 6, from 6-7:30 p.m., Cambridge Public Library and Harvard Book Store welcome Theaster Gates—award-winning artist, professor at the University of Chicago, and Director of Artists Initiatives at the Lunder Institute for American Art at Colby College Museum of Art—and Henry Louis Gates Jr.—Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, and an Emmy, Du Pont, and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, and institution builder—for a discussion of their new book Another View: The Vibrant World of Contemporary Black Artists, co-edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr., featuring Theaster Gates. Registration is required.

Join for on Wednesday, October 7, from 6-7:30 p.m. for a performance by Opera on Tap In honor of Latinx Heritage Month The performance will include a celebration of Latin American voice and piano music, featuring the sopranos Hannah Shannefield and Isis Bermudez Rivera, countertenor Lucas Coura, tenor David Rivera Bozon and pianist Estefanía Nuñez Villamandos. This upbeat, engaging, and family-friendly performance brings together beloved songs and classical works by composers including Villa-Lobos, Ponce, Velázquez, Lecuona, Calvo, and others. From lively favorites to beautiful vocal gems, Celebración! offers a chance to experience the richness and variety of Latin American music through the voices of five talented local performers sharing their passion for this repertoire. Come enjoy an evening of music, connection, and celebration at the Cambridge Public Library! Registration is preferred but not 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, 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

Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
Monday, October 5
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: Let Your Yoga Dance (Virtual)
Monday, October 5
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.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.

Adult Gaming: Unplugged (Main)
Monday, October 5
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 6-7:30 p.m. in the Rossi Room. Be there or be square! Registration is required.

Wellness for Older Adults: Chair Yoga (Central)
Tuesday, October 6
1-2 p.m.

Join us each Tuesday afternoon at the Central Square Branch for Chair Yoga, led by experienced instructor Louise Parker.  No equipment needed. This is an in-person program taking place in the Lewis Room at Central Square.  Registration is required for each session. 

Paint Party at the Library (O'Connell)
Tuesday, October 6
2-5 p.m.

Treat yourself to an afternoon of fun, creativity, and community while a local artist guides us step-by-step through the process of creating a beautiful acrylic painting. We'll provide tea and light refreshments. No experience necessary. All are welcome. Acrylic paint can stain clothing. Please wear old clothing. Seating is limited. Registration is required.

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, October 6
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, October 6
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 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.   

Teens: Focus Time (Valente)
Tuesday, October 6
3:30-5:30 p.m.

Join peers in quiet time after school to complete homework, study, read your next favorite book, work on your graphic novel and art, or otherwise focus on a project. No registration required, drop-in anytime. Ages 12-18. 

Crafternoon: Scratch Art (Collins)
Tuesday, October 6
4-4:45 p.m.

Get creative after school! Create your own scratch art tiles. Begin with a black square and scratch a design to reveal the magical colors hidden beneath.  Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.

Bicycle Workshop: Rules of the Road (Valente)
Tuesday, October 6
6-7 p.m.

Join the Cambridge Community Development Department for a bicycle workshop on learning the rules of the road at the Valente Branch Library. This workshop covers the following topics:

• Rules of the road
• Bike-specific laws and legislation
• Car-specific laws and legislation
• General safety tips
• Routing ideas for new riders
• Real traffic scenarios and common crash situations

Registration is required.

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

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

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, October 7
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: Let Your Yoga Dance (Main)
Wednesday, October 7
11:15 a.m.-12 p.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 for each session is required. This is an in-person class taking place in the Community Room at the Main library. 

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, October 7
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.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, October 7
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, October 7
6-8 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:

• 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)

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

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, October 8
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.

Teens: Foursquare!
Thursday, October 8
3:30-5 p.m.

Play the classic court game of four-square (also known as box ball) with peers! Bounce a ball into other player's squares to eliminate them and advance to the highest-ranking square. Indoor, no registration required, drop-in at any time. We play by outlined Library Foursquare Rules. Ages 12-18. 

Fiber Arts Circle (Central)
Thursday, October 8
4-5 p.m.

Bring your project and come 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, October 8
5-6:30 p.m.

We will read folktales about cats and compare the different stories as inspiration to write an original tale to be performed on a tiny stage. Using a ChompSaw (a kid-safe power tool), participants will safely cut cardboard to create shadow puppets. We'll host a performance of our masterpiece for family and friends on the final session. This four-week puppetry workshop is for youth ages 8-12 and meets 5:00-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays October 8, 15, 22 and 29. Participants must attend all sessions and have read any folktale about cats before the first session. Visit the Children's Room to pick up a copy of a book. For questions about Puppetry Studio, please email Natalie at nzylicz@cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4038. Registration is required.

Introduction to Pelvic Floor Health (Main) 
Thursday, October 8
7-8 p.m.

Join pelvic floor occupational therapist Mirah Sand for a Pelvic Health 101 workshop. We will cover basic anatomy, movement for pelvic health, and lifestyle tips for keeping your pelvic floor strong and mobile. All genders welcome because everyone has a pelvic floor! Registration is required.

Wellness for Older Adults: Zumba Gold (Main)
Thursday, October 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 every week and will open at 11:30 a.m., the Monday before each class.  Please be aware that if you are on the waitlist, we likely cannot accommodate patrons once we've reached capacity to safely run the program. 

Young Architects (O'Connell)
Friday, October 9
3:30-4 p.m.

Learn how to design buildings with architect Neha Garg in this hands-on STEAM workshop for ages 8-12! Registration is recommended. Call 617-349-4019 for details.

 

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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.