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In January 2020, the largest and most eagerly awaited cache of new materials written by the Nobel-Prize-winning poet T. S. Eliot was finally opened: the 1,131 letters he sent Emily Hale, his little-known American love, over the course of their lifetimes. Their relationship was, in their own words, an “unnatural” love affair, one that began in Cambridge in 1913, when Eliot was a graduate student at Harvard and Hale, an aspiring amateur actress, and that played out in Boston, England and California over the years. Named as one of its "Fifty Notable Non-fiction Books of 2024" by the Washington Post, Fitzgerald's biography of Hale is based on the embargoed letters and extensive research into Hale’s life and times. Hale was much more than just a muse to a literary celebrity. She overcame personal hardship to pursue a career as a professor of speech and drama at prominent American women’s colleges and schools, including Simmons and Smith Colleges and Abbot and Concord Academies. She was a talented amateur actress and director, who performed at many Boston area theaters and later guided Eliot as he tried his hand at playwriting. But in the end, Eliot disavowed her, sending a secret letter to Harvard in 1960 that claimed his love for Hale was that of “a ghost for a ghost,” and confirming that he had arranged for Hale’s side of their 27-year correspondence to be destroyed. In the words of The Washington Post reviewer, “Missing letters, a secret love affair, a famous poet, a beautiful actress—what else could you possibly want in a story?" Sara Fitzgerald is a retired journalist whose career included fifteen years as an editor and new media developer for The Washington Post. In 2020, she also published The Poet’s Girl: A Novel of Emily Hale and T. S. Eliot. Since then, her essays about Hale have appeared in multiple volumes of the Journal of the T. S. Eliot Society and the T. S. Eliot Studies Annual. She has presented at the annual meetings of the Modern Language Association, the American Historical Association, the International T. S. Eliot Society, and at the T. S. Eliot Summer School at Oxford. She is also the author of the biography, Elly Peterson: “Mother” of the Moderates and Conquering Heroines: How Women Fought Sex Bias at Michigan and Paved the Way for Title IX.

In this hands-on session, you’ll dive into traditional techniques using hand-carved blocks as well as modern methods with laser engraving. You’ll sketch and carve a design on a rubber linocut block and then print it onto paper. There will also be a demo on how Laser Cutters can be used to engrave print blocks You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.

Join us for lunch, a spooky scavenger hunt, and fun prizes! Free pizza will be provided while supplies last. This is a drop-in event designed for patrons ages 12-18. If you have any dietary restrictions, please call us at 617-349-4019 by October 14, 2025.

Middle Schoolers and teens can visit the Library and help us decorate for Pride Month! We will have craft supplies and decorations to help us celebrate. No registration is required. Snacks will be provided.

Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome J. Courtney Sullivan—New York Times best-selling author of the novels Commencement, Maine, The Engagements, Saints for All Occasions, and Friends and Strangers—to celebrate the paperback release of her new novel The Cliffs, a Reese's Book Club Pick, named a "Best Book of the Month" by The New York Times, Real Simple, and Kirkus. Registration is required.

Join the Cambridge Community Development Department for a bicycle workshop on learning the rules of the road at the Valente Branch Library. Registration is required. 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

Join us for movie night at the Valente Branch to celebrate Black History Month! WE WANT THE FUNK! is a syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, spanning from African, soul, and early jazz roots, to its rise into the public consciousness. Registration helpful.

Treat yourself to an afternoon of fun, creativity, and community while a local artist guides us step-by-step through the process of painting a beautiful art piece, suitable for hanging on your door or wall. Tea and light refreshments provided. No experience necessary. All are welcome. Old clothing recommended, as acrylic paint can stain. Seating is limited to 8. Registration is required and will open November 24.

Join Christine, registered dietitian nutritionist in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander month. We are taking a trip to the Philippines for some tasty, and nutritious takes on Filipino cuisine. We'll discuss the amazing flavors and health benefits of our featured recipes.

The Cambridge Public Library will host Reclaiming Folk, an event series celebrating people of color in folk music.