Director's Update November 8 2026

 Dear Patrons,  

All Library locations will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, for Veterans’ Day.

On Sunday, November 8, join us at the Main Library for LOUROVERSE - Living for Comics. Louro will show examples of his art and speak both about the techniques and inspiration for the characters and plots in his work. He will also discuss the Portuguese comic arts scene and collaboration with other parts of the world, in particular the Boston vibrant comics community.

Not sure what comes next? Join career coach Sara Reese for the Navigating Today’s Job Market workshop which will help participants identify interests, strengths, and values while exploring careers that align with their goals. Registration is required for every session.

• LinkedIn Profile+ Building a Professional Network
  Central Square Branch, 11/10, 6:15-7:45 p.m. 
• Career Exploration: Mapping Your Future
  O'Neill Branch, 11/14, 2-3:30 p.m.
• Power Your Future: Careers in Building Trades + Green Energy
  Main Library, 11/17, 6-7:30 p.m. 
• Creative Careers: Art, Design, Music + More

Main Library-The Hive, 12/1, 6-7:30 p.m.

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, November 9
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, November 9
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. 

Magic the Gathering for Kids (Main)
Monday, November 9
5:30-6:30 p.m.

Want to learn to play Magic: The Gathering, or ready to put your skills to the test? Join us for a three-session program exploring this collectible card game of strategy and imagination. Learn the basics, sharpen your skills, and challenge other players in one-on-one matches. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned Planeswalker, you’re welcome! For ages 10–12. Pre-registration is required to attend.

Cambridge Cooks with Chef Ashley Lujares (Main)
Monday, November 9
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us for another session of Cambridge Cooks, the Library’s cooking workshop, featuring Chef Ashley Lujares. Chef Ashley is a Boston-based Filipina American chef and the creator of Mango Tao, a pop‑up culinary experience that showcases modern Filipino cuisine and Southeast Asian flavors through rotating menus, collaborations with local restaurants, and immersive events. A Food Network Chopped champion and former executive chef of Myers + Chang, Chef Ashley blends her cultural heritage with contemporary culinary techniques to craft vibrant, nostalgic, and inventive dishes rooted in Filipino tradition. Through her work, she aims to share Filipino cuisine with diverse audiences and uplift the Asian American and Filipino communities in Boston.

Using Artificial Intelligence Safely (Main)
Tuesday, November 10
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The use of generative artificial intelligence has rapidly proliferated in daily life, from integration in search engines like Google to individuals seeking it out for mental health purposes. In this session, Digital Navigators will share information about how AI works, what chatbots are, how to use AI safely, and how to identify AI content. We will invite participants to discuss these topics along with interactive activities and reflections on how AI functions in our own lives. 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.

Wellness for Older Adults: Chair Yoga (Central)
Tuesday, November 10
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. 

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, November 10
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.

Alice Hoffman presents: The Witches of Cambridge (Main)
Tuesday, November 106-7:30 p.m.

NOTE: Tickets for this event are sold-out. Please contact Harvard Book Store for more information. Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Alice Hoffman—bestselling author of thirty works of fiction, including Practical Magic—for a discussion of her highly anticipated new novel, The Witches of Cambridge. Registration is required.

LinkedIn Profile+ Building a Professional Network (Central Square)
Tuesday, November 10
6:15-7:45 p.m.

Not sure what comes next? Join career coach Sara Reese for an interactive workshop which will help participants identify interests, strengths, and values while exploring careers that align with their goals. Learn about high demand industries in Greater Boston, local education and training options, and practical tools to help you plan your next career move. This class is part of the series Navigating Today's Job Market. You are welcome to join one or all sessions. Register here.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, November 10
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Here and Now: Crafting Your Story (Central Square)
Tuesday, November 10
6:30-8 p.m.

Jump right into writing in this interactive, memoir-inspired workshop that blends close readings and craft techniques with mindful observation. Through hands-on exercises and discussion, you'll transform your memories of everyday moments into vivid, meaningful stories while developing your unique voice and storytelling skills. Shilpa and Senjuti from Writers without Margins will lead this workshop! Registration is required.

Magical Mystery Sing Along (O’Connell)
Thursday, November 12
2-3 p.m.

Come together and sing songs from the Fab Four with a little help from your friends. We'll provide the lyrics, and all you need is love.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, November 12
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)
Thursday, November 12
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!

Documentary Screening: The Optics of Aging
Thursday, November 12
4-6 p.m.

Please join us for a screening of Optics of Aging.  A Q&A with the director, Michelle Le Brun, will follow the screening. In Optics of Aging, stereotypes of ageism dissolve as the beauty of aging is revealed through five elders who have shaped the culture and political landscape of Rhode Island and beyond. Their voices take flight against the backdrop of archival imagery that captures the vision of an earlier time of vast sociocultural change. Registration is requested but not required.

Wellness for Older Adults: Zumba Gold (Main)
Friday, November 13
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, November 13
3:30-4:30 p.m.

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

Arabic Story Time (Main)
Saturday, November 14
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Library is pleased to be working with dedicated community members to offer a special story time in Arabic! This program which will be conducted primarily in Arabic with the intention of helping young Arabic language learners to improve their skills. This program is suitable for children up to age 7.

Tiny Dino Dig (Valente)
Saturday, November 14
2-3 p.m.

It's your turn to be a paleontologist: use a chisel and brush to excavate your own tiny dinosaur. We'll play dinosaur trivia, color a dinosaur picture, and look at dinosaur books! All supplies provided by the library. Recommended for ages 5+. Registration is required for each participating child. Contact Valente at 617-349-4015 for more information.

Career Exploration: Mapping Your Future (O’Neill)
Saturday, November 14
2-3:30 p.m.

Not sure what comes next? Join career coach Sara Reese for an interactive workshop which will help participants identify interests, strengths, and values while exploring careers that align with their goals. Learn about high demand industries in Greater Boston, local education and training options, and practical tools to help you plan your next career move. Register here.

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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.