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Director's Update, October 31, 2020


10/31/20203 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 3 years ago.

Main Library Ground Floor
Dear Patrons,

We’ve added a materials return time at the Boudreau Branch Library (245 Concord Ave.) on Mondays. You can now return any Minuteman Library materials to this location between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Mondays (excluding holidays), in addition to Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
This November, we have also added more virtual Story Times, intro level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, and a new Community Yoga series! Please keep reading to learn more.
 
Book Groups this November
 
Join a book group to read and discuss a selection virtually! The Cambridge Public Library offers lots to choose from this month:
 
 
Or join a book group at your neighborhood branch library:
 
 
Registration is required to attend book groups. Book groups are an excellent way to connect with neighbors and friends around the joy of reading!
 
Now Available: Virtual Introductory Level ESOL Classes
 
We have been delighted with the success of our virtual English for Speakers of Other Languages classes! So much so, that we have added a third set of classes, intro ESOL level, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.
 
We will continue to offer beginner ESOL classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 p.m. and intermediate ESOL classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3 p.m. Registration is required for each class. Please see the Library’s online events calendar for more details.
 
New Community Yoga Series on Sundays this November
 
Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. this November, join us for a virtual community yoga series in partnership with Cultural Fabric. Yoga can help us discover greater ease, balance, and resilience within. Come experience it for yourself! Registration is required.
 
Mindfulness Arts & Crafts
 
Join us virtually for guided Mindfulness Crafting with Linda Tang on Monday, November 2, at 6 p.m. Linda will help you create your own “relaxation teller” and walk you through the process of creating an origami coping tool. You can personalize this tool with your own coping skills, relaxation techniques, and creativity to relieve stress. Please gather your activity materials before the event. Registration is required.
 
Kids’ Books to Go Event at Collins with Take & Make pilot!
 
Stop by the Collins Branch Library (64 Aberdeen Ave.) on Friday, November 6, from 2-5 p.m. to borrow a bag of 3-5 selected books for your kids and teens! The books will be curated by Cambridge Public Library Youth Services librarians. Bins will also be available for library returns.
 
CPL is piloting Take & Make activity bags, which are prepackaged kits to encourage STEAM making and thinking at home. The kits will be available at contactless holds pick-up on a first-come, first-served basis. Each bag will include materials for making, a guide sheet with basic instructions, resources, and extension activities, and a link to an introduction video clip. The first activity bag theme is “Marble Run.”

More Story Times, More Fun!
 
We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of engaging stories. Plan to join in, sing along, and move around! Caregivers are asked to participate in the program with their children.
 
STEAM Story Times include hands-on activities to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math; please gather your activity materials before the event.
 
We are excited to offer additional Story Time programs this week:
 
Registration is required for each event.
 
Stay Connected
 
To keep up with what’s happening at the Library, please subscribe to our email list, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and visit our website.
 
Best wishes,
 
Dr. Maria McCauley
Director of Libraries