All Library locations will be closed on Friday, July 3 and Saturday, July 4, for Independence Day.
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
Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, June 29 @ 5:00 PM
Come join us at the Boudreau branch for a chess challenge. Players of all skill levels and all ages are welcome to participate.
Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for individuals who want to play and test their skills against other members of the community.
There's no need to register in advance - simply drop by and challenge yourself to improve your mastery of this classic game!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 617-349-4017 or via email: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov or mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov
Learn More
Watercolor Workshop (Collins)
Tuesday, June 30 @ 5:30 PM
Join local artist Brooke Lambert for an introduction to painting with watercolor. Learn at your own pace to paint still life in a relaxed and welcoming environment. This class will introduce techniques in color mixing, observational painting and composition. You will come away from this class with beautiful watercolor paintings and a greater understanding and appreciation for the medium of watercolor.
This class is for adults with all levels of experiences and will cover wet on wet and wet on dry techniques, masking, pressing, shading and light techniques, ink washes and pattern making.
Registration is required.
Learn More
News
-
Director's Update, June 21, 2026
Summer Reading, Cambridge Cooks, AI Disinformation Workshop, and More! -
Director's Update, June 14, 2026
Summer Kickoff Party, Estate Planning for All, Nature Club, and More -
Director's Update, June 7, 2026
Summer Art Night, Playing with Poetry, You, Me, and AI, and More! -
Cambridge Public Library Launches 2026 Summer Reading Bingo
Plant a Seed, Read!
Check out the Monthly Newsletter
Coming Up
-
Serger Training (Main)
Are you an intermediate or advanced sewer? This class will cover serger machine setup, threading a serger, and identifying correct tension settings with different types of fabric. You will learn about ways to use our Elna Extend 864 Air serger to take your sewing skills to the next level by producing special finishing styles, hemming, trimming and assembling your garments. Up to two patrons can register for this class. This class is designed for patrons who have prior experience using a sewing machine to complete many types of fiber arts projects. If you are new to machine sewing, we recommend you take our Sewing 101 workshop before using our serger. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
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.
-
CANCELED: Summer Reading: ¡Música! with Mariana Iranzi (Main)
This event has been cancelled, we are working to reshedule it. Please join us for a Summer Sing-Along on Saturday, June 27, 11am. 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.
-
Drag Story Time (Central Square)
Celebrate Pride Month with Drag Story Time at the Central Square Branch Library! Join us on Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. in the Lewis Room for songs and stories about what makes each of us fabulous. This program is for children and their caregivers. No registration required.
-
Summer Reading: Summer Sing-Along
Join us to sing and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 130 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.
-
Digital Embroidery (Main)
Want to learn how to create custom clothing and other fiber projects with embroidered text? In this workshop, you’ll use a digital embroidery machine to stitch personalized designs and take home a unique piece. This class is for those with prior sewing machine experience. If you're new to sewing, we recommend taking our Sewing 101 workshop first as we will not spend time reviewing the basic mechanics of sewing. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
Open Shop (Main)
During Open Shop, anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Additionally, individuals are welcome to drop in to work on their projects independently. The Hive staff will assist with questions as they are able! New makers are also welcome to come in during open shop for a 10min drop in video safety training! Tool Reservations for this date will open two weeks prior from this date.
-
Summer Reading: Seed, Plant and Garden Swap (O'Neill)
Swap extra seeds, plants or harvested items from your garden at the Library (outdoors)! If you cannot bring anything you may still come to get supplies and enjoy activities. This program is open to people of all ages! No registration is required. In case of rain or bad weather this program will be inside the O'Neill Branch.
-
CPL Nature Club: Fresh Pond Nature Walk (Collins)
Join us for a relaxing walk of Fresh Pond with Park Ranger Amanda Garms! No two weeks are the same in nature, and Amanda will share her insights about what's growing, changing, and blooming in the neighborhood. This walk is not on a paved path. We will walk on uneven terrain, down hills, and over roots. The meeting location for this walk will be at the Fresh Pond Ranger Station at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway. Temporary parking passes can be provided on request. Registration is required. This event can only accommodate a certain number of participants. One registration is good for one person. If you do not register, you cannot participate. Those on the waitlist will be contacted if a space becomes available.
-
High Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at an high beginner level. No testing is needed.. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Songs, Stories and Play (O'Neill)
Join us for songs, stories and rhymes followed by open play. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4023 for more information.
-
Serger Training (Main)
Are you an intermediate or advanced sewer? This class will cover serger machine setup, threading a serger, and identifying correct tension settings with different types of fabric. You will learn about ways to use our Elna Extend 864 Air serger to take your sewing skills to the next level by producing special finishing styles, hemming, trimming and assembling your garments. Up to two patrons can register for this class. This class is designed for patrons who have prior experience using a sewing machine to complete many types of fiber arts projects. If you are new to machine sewing, we recommend you take our Sewing 101 workshop before using our serger. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
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.
-
CANCELED: Summer Reading: ¡Música! with Mariana Iranzi (Main)
This event has been cancelled, we are working to reshedule it. Please join us for a Summer Sing-Along on Saturday, June 27, 11am. 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.
-
Drag Story Time (Central Square)
Celebrate Pride Month with Drag Story Time at the Central Square Branch Library! Join us on Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. in the Lewis Room for songs and stories about what makes each of us fabulous. This program is for children and their caregivers. No registration required.
-
Summer Reading: Summer Sing-Along
Join us to sing and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 130 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.
-
Digital Embroidery (Main)
Want to learn how to create custom clothing and other fiber projects with embroidered text? In this workshop, you’ll use a digital embroidery machine to stitch personalized designs and take home a unique piece. This class is for those with prior sewing machine experience. If you're new to sewing, we recommend taking our Sewing 101 workshop first as we will not spend time reviewing the basic mechanics of sewing. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
Open Shop (Main)
During Open Shop, anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Additionally, individuals are welcome to drop in to work on their projects independently. The Hive staff will assist with questions as they are able! New makers are also welcome to come in during open shop for a 10min drop in video safety training! Tool Reservations for this date will open two weeks prior from this date.
-
Summer Reading: Seed, Plant and Garden Swap (O'Neill)
Swap extra seeds, plants or harvested items from your garden at the Library (outdoors)! If you cannot bring anything you may still come to get supplies and enjoy activities. This program is open to people of all ages! No registration is required. In case of rain or bad weather this program will be inside the O'Neill Branch.
-
Serger Training (Main)
Are you an intermediate or advanced sewer? This class will cover serger machine setup, threading a serger, and identifying correct tension settings with different types of fabric. You will learn about ways to use our Elna Extend 864 Air serger to take your sewing skills to the next level by producing special finishing styles, hemming, trimming and assembling your garments. Up to two patrons can register for this class. This class is designed for patrons who have prior experience using a sewing machine to complete many types of fiber arts projects. If you are new to machine sewing, we recommend you take our Sewing 101 workshop before using our serger. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
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.
-
CANCELED: Summer Reading: ¡Música! with Mariana Iranzi (Main)
This event has been cancelled, we are working to reshedule it. Please join us for a Summer Sing-Along on Saturday, June 27, 11am. 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.