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Director's Update, December 5, 2021


12/5/2021 • 2 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

Central Square Branch Kyle Klein Photos

Dear Patrons,

A new virtual Baby Lapsit series and virtual Wellness for Seniors series, Let Your Yoga Dance, kick off this week!

Our mission is to welcome all, inspire minds, and empower community, and we have a special commitment to create more equitable outcomes. I want to highlight a few programs and initiatives helping us to fulfill our mission and commitment to social justice:

  • Fine-Free Pilot. The elimination of overdue fines ensures equitable access to library services for everyone in our community.
  • Financial Literacy 101 series. We have teamed up with the representative of Cambridge Savings Bank to offer an introduction to financial literacy.
  • Basic Technical Literacy classes. Two of our staff members taught basic computer literacy to students working with Tech Goes Home.
  • Anti-Racism Initiative. We have completed our first year of this important work. You can read more about it here.

Thank you for keeping our mission and commitment to equitable outcomes front and center.

Baby Lapsit (Virtual)

On Monday, December 6, at 10 a.m., enjoy time with other parents, caregivers, and babies to learn, play, and develop language and motor skills. Come prepared to sit with your baby in your lap. Registration is required.

Outdoor Programming for Kids

Weekly outdoor programs for young children will be offered (weather permitting) at our Central Square, Collins, 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 Songs & Stories: All ages are invited to sing, dance, and share a story!
  • Outdoor Story Time: All ages are invited to join us for a half hour of stories!

Please see our events calendar for all outdoor youth program details. Registration is not required.

Wellness for Seniors: Let Your Yoga Dance® (Virtual)

On Monday, December 6, at 11 a.m., breathe, stretch, and dance your way to a blissful body, joyous heart and a steady, quiet mind! Open to all levels and abilities. Registration is required.

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 Beginner ESOL will be offered on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Registration is required for each class.

Hive Safety Training (Virtual)

In this workshop on Tuesday, December 7, at 2:30 p.m., you will learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources, and how to keep safe in The Hive. Registration is required.

Before attending workshops in The Hive, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.

Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting, Part 1 (Main)
Tuesday, December 7, at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 8, at 2 p.m.

Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter in this two-part series. In Part 1 of this course, you will use the camera for focusing and scanning your own images, properly select materials for your project, and fabricate your first design. In Part 2, you will create digital artwork for the Glowforge and learn file formatting for production. Registration is required.

Note: Only those who sign up for Part 1 of this series can participate in Part 2 the following week. You will be badged for laser cutting at the end of the Part 2 workshop and can reserve the Glowforge Pro during designated times.

You must complete Hive Safety Training before participating in this program.

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)

Would you like assistance creating a résumé or looking for jobs? Join us on Wednesday, December 8, from 1-3 p.m., at the Central Square Branch for help with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required.

Read to a Dog (O'Neill)

On Wednesday, December 8, 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 and begins one week in advance by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023).

Family Story Time (Virtual)

Children and their grownups, join us from home on Thursday, December 9, at 4 p.m. for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes. Caregivers are asked to participate in the program with their children--it will be as important as ever to model movement and song for your little one during this virtual session. Plan to join in, sing along, and move around! Registration is required.

Holiday Performance by Crepusculum (Main)

Join us for a special holiday performance on Thursday, December 9, at 7 p.m., by this student-run chamber choir from the Berklee College of Music and other schools in the Boston area. Crepusculum (Latin for “twilight”) strives for the perfect blending of light and dark voices. Registration is not required.

Studio Recording 101 (Main)

Are you interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios! Join this workshop on Friday, December 10, at 3:30 p.m., to become familiar with studio equipment and software. Registration is required.

You must complete Hive Safety Training or Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before registering for this workshop.

XR Lab 101 (Main)

Extended reality (XR) opens the door to worlds and experiences outside the everyday through virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality equipment. On Saturday, December 11, at 11 a.m., test drive our Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality glasses, Structure Sensor 3D scanner, Merge headsets, and more. Registration is required.

You must complete Hive Safety Training or Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before registering for this workshop.

Stay Connected

Please subscribe to our email list, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and visit our website.

Best wishes,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries