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Main Library Resuming Some Material Services, Offering New Virtual Programming, Including Summer Reading


6/15/20203 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 3 years ago.

Summer Reading 2020
The Cambridge Public Library’s popular annual Summer Reading Program will run from June 22– August 28, 2020. All ages and abilities are welcome. Registration begins on our website on Monday, June 22. 

Reading for pleasure is always a summer treat for all ages, and research shows that students who engage in reading over the summer maintain the academic skills they worked to develop during the previous school year. Public library summer reading programs offer fun experiences and challenges that help keep reading skills sharp. This year the Library will host all its summer reading events online. There are programs and performances for children and families 4-5 times a week as well as special summer reading events just for adults. We have increased our number of evening and weekend programs to expand access to virtual programming. Registered participants collect badges for the activities they choose to try. Anyone who obtains at least half the badges available completes their summer reading challenge.  Cambridge residents who complete the summer reading challenge are eligible for a Porter Square Books e-gift card while supplies last! More information about how to attend upcoming programs is available on our website.  Summer Reading at the Cambridge Public Library is sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, East Cambridge Savings Bank, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
 

The Library has been distributing free books to Cambridge youth, as well as community members staying at the temporary emergency shelter at the War Memorial Recreation Center. The donation of books keeps with the Library’s dedication to promote literacy and bridge gaps in access during the Library’s closure as a result of COVID-19.

The Main Library book drop is now open to accept returns and began offering contactless holds pickup on June 16, starting with patrons who had holds ready for pickup when the Library closed in March. This service will be by appointment only. The Library has also reached out to patrons who had holds ready for pickup at branches with an offer to transfer their waiting holds to the Main Library. The contactless pickup will take place outside the front doors of the Main Library. Please visit our contactless holds pick up page to learn more about the process.
Thank you for our patience as we pilot this new service.

As a reminder, all materials that have been checked out prior to March 14 are not due until July 31 (extended from June 30) and no fines have been assessed during our closure.
If you have oversize items that do not fit in the book drop, such as STEAM kits, please contact library@cambridgema.gov to make special arrangements for their return.
Branch libraries and branch library book drops remain closed for now, however, library staff are happy to assist any patrons who cannot return their items before July 31 due to branch library book drop closures. Returned materials will be kept in quarantine for 72 hours, to align with health and safety regulations. Staff will then check them back into the system, where they will become available for future circulation.

Upcoming Programs

Virtual Story Time with Drag Kings, Queens, and Friends Saturday, June 20, at 11:00 a.m. Children and their grown-ups are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of PRIDE with songs and stories about what makes each of us fabulous! Registration is required. A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants one hour before the program begins.

Our Sunday Morning Yoga class with Rachael Junard continues through June. Please join us for the next community class on June 21, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Registration is required.

And finally, in celebration of Caribbean Heritage month, our booklist this week celebrates Caribbean-American voices!