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Director's Update, October 17, 2021


10/17/2021 • 2 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

Main Library Reading Room

Dear Patrons,

We have exciting news this week!

O'Connell Library Pocket Park 

We invite you to celebrate the completion of the O'Connell Library Pocket Park on Friday, October 22, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. At 3 p.m. there will be a speaking program, and at 4 p.m. there will be a story time outside.

Spearheaded by the East Cambridge Open Space Trust working with the City of Cambridge, the O’Connell Library Pocket Park project set out to create an inviting space with contemplative spots for reading and opportunities to connect with nature. Learn more here.

Outdoor Programming for Kids

Weekly outdoor programs for young children will be offered (weather permitting) at our Central Square, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations:

  • Outdoor Baby Lapsit: Just for you and your baby! Enjoy time with other parents, caregivers, and babies to play and develop language and motor skills.
  • Outdoor Sing Along: All ages are invited to sing and dance!
  • Outdoor Story Time: All ages are invited to gather for a half hour of stories!

Please see our events calendar for all the details about our outdoor youth programs. Registration is not required.

Read to a Dog (O'Neill)

On Monday, October 18, at 3 p.m., read with a cuddly friend at the O'Neill Branch! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required. You can register beginning on Wednesday, October 13, by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023).

Teen Advisory Board

Starting on Monday, October 18, at 4 p.m., meet once a month with your librarians and your peers to help plan programs and guide the Library in supporting Cambridge teens. Participation counts toward community service. Call 617-349-4027, or stop by the Teen Room to sign up, or just come to the meeting!

ESOL Classes (Central Square/Virtual)

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Beginner ESOL takes place at 1 p.m. and Intermediate ESOL at 3 p.m.

Intermediate classes will also be offered in person at the Central Square Branch on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m., and Intro ESOL will be offered on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required for each class.

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)

Would you like help creating a résumé or looking for a job? Join us on Wednesday, October 20, 1-3 p.m., at the Central Square Branch for assistance. No registration is required.

Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 (Main)
Wednesday, October 20, at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, October 22, at 3:30 p.m.

In this workshop, you will learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources, and how to keep safe in The Hive. You will also create your Hive badge ID using our Glowforge laser cutter and then use it to cut and engrave your own creations. Registration is required.

All makers must sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers to participate.

Variations on the Body: Maria Ospina in conversation with Heather Cleary (Virtual)

On Wednesday, October 20, at 6 p.m., join us virtually to listen to the author Maria Ospina talk with the translator Heather Cleary. In six subtly connected stories, Ospina's Variations on the Body explores the obsessions, desires, and idiosyncrasies of women and girls from different strata of Colombian society. Maria Ospina was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and is a writer, teacher, and scholar of contemporary Latin American culture. She now serves as Chair of Latin American Studies at Wesleyan University. Registration is required.

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)

On Wednesday, October 20, at 7:30 p.m., you can learn how to use our Epilog Zing and Inkscape graphics software to customize and laser cut a cardboard virtual reality headset to explore virtual worlds. Completion of this workshop earns you a badge for the Zing laser cutter. With this badge, you can reserve the Epilog Zing to use at designated times. Note: You must participate in the separate Glowforge 201 workshop in order to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter.  Registration is required. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program.

Hive Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Thursday, October 21, 1:30-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 23, 1-3 p.m.

Anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged to use equipment or studios can reserve equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Make reservations.

Learn more about becoming a badged maker.

3D Printing 101: Design and Creation, Part 1 (Main)

On Saturday, October 23, at 11 a.m., you can learn how to create objects in digital space and fabricate those creations using our Sindoh 3D printers in this two-part series. In part 1 of this course, you will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer and gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad. In part 2, you will create your own designs and practice setting up your own 3D print construction.

You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before registering for this program. You must also create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com before arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account.

Note: This is a badging course for 3D printing. You will be badged at the end of the part 2 workshop. Registration is required.

Stay Connected

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Best wishes,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries