City Calendar

Thursday

April 18

• 12:00 AM

  Calling All Young Writers: Submit to the 25th Annual Youth Poetry Contest

  Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl St., Cambridge, MA 02139

  The Central Square Branch of the Cambridge Public Library is excited to announce that we are now accepting submissions for the 25th Annual Cambridge Public Library Youth Poetry Contest for K-8 students who live or go to school in Cambrige. Submit your original poems by Tuesday, April 30. Poems will be judged for interesting content and creativity as well as consistent and imaginative style. Winners will be notified in mid-May, and prizes will be awarded at a ceremony and reading on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 p.m. Poems in languages other than English are welcomed but must also include English translations (which do not need to be poetic). Winning poems may be published online. For more information: call 617-349-4012 or email jpittel@cambridgema.gov. To submit please either, Mail entries to: Poetry Contest Cambridge Public Library Central Square Branch 45 Pearl Street Cambridge, MA 02139 or send via email to: jpittel@cambridgema.gov Please include your name, grade, school, phone number, and email address with each entry. If you are a teacher submitting entries from your class, also include your name and email address on each entry - we will contact you if you class has a winner.

• 11:00 AM

  Vacation Week Program: Arthropod Petting Zoo with Professor Bugman (Central Square)

  Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl St., Cambridge, MA 02139

  Kids learn all about Arthropods, the most diverse group of animal life on the planet, during this exciting show-and-tell-and-touch program! Learn, see, hear, touch, and even smell the incredible adaptations these creatures have that help them survive in the wild world. Recommended for children ages 3 and up and their caregivers. Registration required for children (caregivers do not need to register).

• 1:30 PM

  Vacation Week Program: Nintendo Switch Party for Ages 10-13 (Main)

  Main Library, Curious George Room, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

  Join our Nintendo Switch party! We'll have two multiplayer games available to play on our library consoles. Feel free to bring your own Switch console to play other library Switch games. This program is for ages 10-13. There will be a Nintendo Switch Party for younger kids in May. This program can accommodate 16 gamers. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The gamer must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly, and any unclaimed spots will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.

• 2:00 PM

  Vacation Week Program: Family Movie at the Library (O'Neill)

  O'Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140

  Join us over April vacation for a nature-themed family movie (Migration- Universal Pictures - PG, 87 minutes) at the Library! Snacks will be provided.

• 3:00 PM

  Vacation Week Program: Terrific Turtles (Collins)

  Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

  What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise? How big can a sea turtle grow? Are all turtle shells the same? Find out for yourself in this program presented by The Joys of Nature. Learn more about our wonderful shelled friends and meet some real turtles at the end. Recommended for children ages 4 and up with a caregiver. Please note: This is a 30-minute program that will be presented from 3-3:30 p.m. and again from 4-4:30 p.m. Participants are invited to arrive in time for either the 3 p.m. program or the 4 p.m. program.

• 3:30 PM

  Read to a Dog (Valente)

  Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141

  Read to Dante, our local cuddly therapy dog! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and non-judgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 15-minute time slot is required and begins on Thursday, April 11 by calling or visiting the Valente Branch (617-349-4015). The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711

• 4:00 PM

  Vacation Week Program: Terrific Turtles (Collins)

  Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge, MA 02138

  What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise? How big can a sea turtle grow? Are all turtle shells the same? Find out for yourself in this program presented by The Joys of Nature. Learn more about our wonderful shelled friends and meet some real turtles at the end. Recommended for children ages 4 and up with a caregiver. Please note: This is a 30-minute program that will be presented from 3-3:30 p.m. and again from 4-4:30 p.m. Participants are invited to arrive in time for either the 3 p.m. program or the 4 p.m. program.

• 4:00 PM

  Vacation Week: Watercolor Bookmarks for Kids (Valente)

  Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02141

  Get creative at the Valente Branch, and make your own bookmarks using watercolor paint! All painting materials are provided by the library. Please wear clothes suitable for painting. This program is for children ages 8-12. Registration is required. Please contact the library at 617-349-4015 for more information.