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Director's Update, July 17, 2022


7/17/20221 year ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.

Valente Sunday Hours Launch Party

Dear Patrons,

I am pleased to announce that the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Public Library and William Rawn Associates are short-listed for a prestigious Green Library Award for the design and development of the Valente Branch Library by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). We are the sole finalist from the United States! Winners will be announced at the 87th IFLA World Library and Information Congress in Cork, Ireland, later this month.

The Summer Sundays at Valente Launch Party was a huge success, as the staff welcomed 350 guests on Sunday. It was great to see the indoor and outdoor spaces filled with guests of all ages from the neighborhood and across the city. Grace Givertz brought her singing and songwriting talents and will be back to perform at the Main Library for Park Sounds on Wednesday, August 10, from 6-7:30 p.m. I’m including a few photos! The Summer Sundays pilot will run every Sunday through September 4 from 1-5 p.m.

We also hosted a party to celebrate the First 25 Stories of the Foundry Jukebox project at the Main Library on July 12. The CPL archivist Alyssa Pacy and the artist Elisa Hamilton teamed up to honor the members of the Cambridge community who shared their stories, which have been released on the Foundry Jukebox’s website and will be archived at the Main Library. When the Cambridge Foundry opens in September, visitors will have the opportunity to play the stories on the restored jukebox itself! This project is a collaboration with Cambridge’s Black History Project, the Cambridge Arts Council, the Foundry, and the Library.

Our Summer Reading Program is now in its third week. There’s still plenty of time for you to join in!

We are pleased to offer the following programs and events this week.


Outdoor Programs for Kids

This week, these programs will be offered (weather permitting) at our Boudreau, 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.
  • Preschool Story Time: Recommended for children ages 3-5.
  • Sing-Along: All ages are invited to sing and dance!
  • Songs and Stories: All ages are invited to sing, dance, and share a story!
  • Story Time: All ages are invited to join us for a half hour of stories!

Please see the events calendar for further details. Registration is not required.

Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Group offerings this week.

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Monday, July 18
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 23
2-3 p.m.

Learn how to use our Epilog Zing, an industry-standard laser cutting machine. Complete this workshop to earn a badge for the Zing laser cutter. With a badge, you can reserve the Epilog Zing to use at designated times.

Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate trainings. You must take part in a Glowforge workshop to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. You must first complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Patio Project: Light & Shadow Show (Valente)

Monday, July 18
5-6 p.m.

Join us outside in front of the Valente Branch for activities for all ages! We will harness the power of the sun to create art by sun printing and play with shadows by making shadow boxes. In the event of bad weather, this program will take place on July 25 from 5-6 p.m. Learn more.

Summer ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, July 18
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class this summer! This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. Learn more.

ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays
10:30 a.m.-Noon

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Intermediate ESOL is at 11 a.m., High Beginner ESOL is at 1 p.m., and Advanced ESOL is at 3 p.m. Beginner ESOL is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Registration is not required. Learn more.

Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Tuesday, July 19
1:30-2 p.m.

In this workshop, you will learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources, and how to keep safe in The Hive. Before attending workshops in The Hive, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers. Registration is required.

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Thursday, July 19
3-4 p.m.

Would you like to make your own vinyl signs, stickers, or images to transfer to T-shirts and other textiles? In this workshop, you can learn how to use our Roland Camm-1 GS-24 vinyl cutter. You can then design a sticker and cut it with our vinyl cutter! You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

3D Printing 101: Design and Creation, Parts 1 & 2 (Main)
Tuesday, July 19 & Wednesday, July 20
6:30-8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 20 & Thursday, July 21
2:30-4 p.m.

Learn how to create objects in digital space and fabricate them using our Sindoh 3D printers in this two-part series. In Part 1, you will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer and gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad. In Part 2, you will create designs and practice setting up your own 3D print construction. You must complete The Hive Safety Training and create a free Tinkercad account before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Note: This is a badging course for 3D Printing. Signing up for Part 1 allows you to participate in Part 2 the next day. You will be badged at the end of the Part 2 workshop.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, July 19
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters. Learn more.

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)

Wednesday, July 20
1-3 p.m.

Would you like assistance creating a résumé or finding a job? Drop by the Central Square Branch for help with a résumé, conducting a job search online, and completing online applications. No registration is required. Learn more.

Summer Reading: Chalk Wild (Central Square)

Wednesday, July 20
11-11:45 a.m.

Come join us after our regular Story Time to make our plaza beautiful with your chalk art! We'll read some more stories about making places beautiful and exciting. Learn more.

Summer Reading: Puppet Showplace Theater: Pied Piper of Hamelin (Main)
Wednesday, July 20
2-3 p.m.

The town of Hamelin has a rat problem, and there's only one person who can help! CactusHead Puppets brings the story of the Pied Piper to life in this comedic adaptation of the traditional folktale. Recommended for children ages 4 and up and their caregivers. Learn more.

Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, the East Cambridge Savings Bank, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

Summer Reading: Card Making (Boudreau)
Wednesday, July 20
3-7 p.m.

Drop in on Wednesdays in July to create cards for our neighbors at Cadbury Commons. Learn more.

Summer Reading: Family Game Night (O'Neill)
Wednesday, July 20
6-7 p.m.

Challenge your family or meet new friends over board games and puzzles. Play an old favorite or learn a new game. The Library will supply the games. All ages are welcome. Learn more.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O’Connell)
Thursday, July 21
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters! Drop in with this informal group to work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, cross stitch, and more. All crafts are welcome! Learn more.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (Collins)

Thursday, July 21
2:30-3:15 p.m.

Join us outdoors in the Collins Branch courtyard to learn about community resources that support independence and well-being from representatives of the Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services. This discussion will feature a brief overview of programs offered by this mission-driven nonprofit, followed by a Q&A with the Senior Elder Care Advisor Dana Beguerie. Snacks will also be provided. Registration is encouraged but not required.

Summer Reading: Teen Book Discussion (Main)
Thursday, July 21
5-6 p.m.

Attention, teen readers! Join other students to talk about Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, the CRLS "One School One Story" read. There are some heavy themes here! Let's talk.

Please come to any (or all!) of these discussion opportunities:

  • Thursday, July 21, 5-6 p.m. (Teen Room, Main)
  • Tuesday, August 2, 6-7 p.m. (O'Neill)
  • Wednesday, August 17, 12-1 p.m. (Teen Room, Main)
  • Tuesday, August 23, 5-6 p.m. (Central Square)

Learn more.

Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)
Thursday, July 21
6-8:30 p.m.
Friday, July 22
1-4:30 p.m.

At this time, anyone who has completed The Hive Safety Training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve The Hive’s equipment or studio spaces. Learn more about becoming a badged maker. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.

Summer Reading: Sidewalk Chalk Extravaganza (Main)
Friday, July 22
11 a.m.-Noon

Drop by for an artistic adventure. We’ll provide the chalk, you bring the creativity! This event will be held outdoors in front of the Library. In the event of bad weather, this program will be canceled. For children of all ages and their caregivers. Learn more.

Studio Recording 101 (Main)
Saturday, July 23
10-11 a.m.

Are you interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios! Join this workshop to become familiar with studio equipment and software. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

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All the best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries