The Valente Branch is now open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. in July and August. The Main Library will be closed on Sundays until September.
Meet the Director
Hi! I am Maria McCauley, the Director of Libraries. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events in my weekly message.
Learn More
American Sign Language: The Basics (Central Square)
Friday, July 17 @ 1:00 PM
Join us for a fun, interactive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and inclusive communication. Participants will learn practical everyday signs, respectful ways to interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, expressive communication techniques, and simple real-life ASL scenarios. This activity-based workshop includes silent communication challenges, group participation, and engaging sign language games designed to build confidence and connection through communication. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
Learn More
Summer Reading: ¡Música! with Mariana Iranzi (O'Connell)
Friday, July 17 @ 3:00 PM
Join us for a bilingual family concert in English and Spanish. Singing, dancing and tons of fun guaranteed! Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers.
Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Learn More
News
-
Director's Update, July 12, 2026
Summer Fitness, Sign Language Basics, Community Banner Sewing, and More! -
Director's Update, July 5, 2026
Art Reception, Edible Wild Plants Walk, Paint and Plant Celebration, and More! -
Director's Update, June 28, 2026
Nature Walk, Dr. Beronda Montgomery in conversation with Tracy K. Smith, Watercolor Workshop, and More! -
Director's Update, June 21, 2026
Summer Reading, Cambridge Cooks, AI Disinformation Workshop, and More!
Check out the Monthly Newsletter
Coming Up
-
American Sign Language: The Basics (Central Square)
Join us for a fun, interactive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and inclusive communication. Participants will learn practical everyday signs, respectful ways to interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, expressive communication techniques, and simple real-life ASL scenarios. This activity-based workshop includes silent communication challenges, group participation, and engaging sign language games designed to build confidence and connection through communication. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
-
Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Valente)
Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions and participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Join us in this eleven-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. This is an in-person event at the Valente Branch. To enter the lottery, please register for the waitlist below. This waitlist will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. Registration will open Wednesday, March 4 at 9AM and close Wednesday, April 1 at 5PM. Participants selected will be notified on Friday, April 3. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation
-
High Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at a high beginner level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Summer Reading: ¡Música! with Mariana Iranzi (O'Connell)
Join us for a bilingual family concert in English and Spanish. Singing, dancing and tons of fun guaranteed! Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
-
Teen Movie (Valente)
Watch a movie chosen by teen vote. No registration required, drop-in when you can. 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.
-
American Sign Language Workshop: The Basics (O'Neill)
Signs for Inclusion: Fun & Practical ASL for Everyday Communication Join us for a fun, interactive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and inclusive communication. Participants will learn practical everyday signs, respectful ways to interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, expressive communication techniques, and simple real-life ASL scenarios. This activity-based workshop includes silent communication challenges, group participation, and engaging sign language games designed to build confidence and connection through communication. Learn more at Signing Basics. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
-
Sewing 101 (Main)
In this 90-minute workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when stitch tension has gone awry. We’ll also cover some safety best practices when operating a sewing machine. As we learn together, we’ll work on a simple sewing project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. If you have not completed the training, you will be removed from the class—even if you plan to take it later. To take Safety Training, come to The Hive during Open Shop to watch a ten-minute video or take a Safety Training class. Check hours on our calendar: [link]. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
Sing-Along and Story Time in Mandarin (Main)
We invite children and their caregivers to a 30-minute session of songs and stories in Mandarin Chinese with Mina (Yating) Fan, a local mother and educator. This fun and interactive session brings families together to enjoy lively songs and engaging stories in a warm, welcoming environment. This program can accommodate 45 people. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Funding for this program has been generously provided by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
-
Intermediate English Grammar and Conversation Practice
Come join us at the Central Square Library 45 Pearl Street Cambridge No registration required - just drop in. Small English conversation group and instruction. Ideal for intermediate level.
-
American Sign Language: The Basics (Central Square)
Join us for a fun, interactive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and inclusive communication. Participants will learn practical everyday signs, respectful ways to interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, expressive communication techniques, and simple real-life ASL scenarios. This activity-based workshop includes silent communication challenges, group participation, and engaging sign language games designed to build confidence and connection through communication. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
-
Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Valente)
Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions and participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Join us in this eleven-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. This is an in-person event at the Valente Branch. To enter the lottery, please register for the waitlist below. This waitlist will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. Registration will open Wednesday, March 4 at 9AM and close Wednesday, April 1 at 5PM. Participants selected will be notified on Friday, April 3. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation
-
High Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class. This class will be taught at a high beginner level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Summer Reading: ¡Música! with Mariana Iranzi (O'Connell)
Join us for a bilingual family concert in English and Spanish. Singing, dancing and tons of fun guaranteed! Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
-
Teen Movie (Valente)
Watch a movie chosen by teen vote. No registration required, drop-in when you can. 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.
-
American Sign Language Workshop: The Basics (O'Neill)
Signs for Inclusion: Fun & Practical ASL for Everyday Communication Join us for a fun, interactive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and inclusive communication. Participants will learn practical everyday signs, respectful ways to interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, expressive communication techniques, and simple real-life ASL scenarios. This activity-based workshop includes silent communication challenges, group participation, and engaging sign language games designed to build confidence and connection through communication. Learn more at Signing Basics. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
-
American Sign Language: The Basics (Central Square)
Join us for a fun, interactive introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and inclusive communication. Participants will learn practical everyday signs, respectful ways to interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals, expressive communication techniques, and simple real-life ASL scenarios. This activity-based workshop includes silent communication challenges, group participation, and engaging sign language games designed to build confidence and connection through communication. Recommended for ages 10 and up.
-
Beginner ESOL (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm - Beginner (Valente)
Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions and participation in this program will be decided by lottery. Join us in this eleven-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low impact routine. This is an in-person event at the Valente Branch. To enter the lottery, please register for the waitlist below. This waitlist will constitute the pool from which 15 names will be drawn randomly. Registration will open Wednesday, March 4 at 9AM and close Wednesday, April 1 at 5PM. Participants selected will be notified on Friday, April 3. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation