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Director's Update, September 25, 2022


9/26/20221 year ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.

Reading Room

Dear Patrons, 

The Library is excited to host two local debut novelists, Donna Gordon, the author of What Ben Franklin Would Have Told Me, and Rishi Reddi, the author of Passage West, for a reading and discussion on September 28 at 6:30 p.mDonna is a fiction writer, painter, and printmaker. Her writing has appeared in Tin House, Ploughshares, the Boston Globe Magazine, and The Quarterly, among others. 

Rishi is an author and book critic. Rishi’s novel, Passage West, was named a Los Angeles Times “Best California Book of 2020.” Rishi’s reviews, essays, and translations have appeared in the New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, and Literary Hub, among others. Registration is required to participate

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We are pleased to offer the following programs 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.

 

Love in Metal: Abraham Megerdichian Machined Metal Miniatures (Main)

September 19-October 14 

Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. 

Fridays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 

Sundays, 1-5 p.m. 

 

Join us for the first major exhibit in Cambridge of Abraham Megerdichian's metal miniatures. The artwork is on display throughout the Main Library in the lobby, on the second floor, in the Cambridge Room, and in the Children's Room. A lifelong local machinist, Abraham worked with solid scrap metal to express his interpretations of everyday objects. Abraham’s son, Robert, has had pieces from the collection exhibited at nearly 20 places in New England and beyond. Also on display are Scott Sutherland’s professional photographs of the artwork. Learn more.

 

Fall ESOL Class (Valente)

Monday, September 26 

6-7 p.m. 

 

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

 

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.    

 

Knitting Group (Boudreau) 

Tuesday, September 27 

6:30-7:30 p.m.    

 

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

 

Preschool Story Time (Main)

Tuesday, September 27 

4-4:20 p.m. 

 

We invite children and their caregivers for 20-25 minutes of stories and songs. Recommended for children ages 3-5.  

This program can accommodate 45 people. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. The program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.  

 

Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)

Monday, September 26 

1:30-4:30 p.m. 

Tuesday, September 27 

1:30-8:30 p.m. 

Wednesday, September 28 

1-4:30 p.m. 

Friday, September 30 

9:30 a.m.-Noon 

Saturday, October 1 

1:30-4:30 p.m. 

 

During this reservation period, anyone who has completed The Hive training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve The Hive’s equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.  

 

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)

Wednesday, September 28 

1-3 p.m. 

 

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

 

After School Stories and Crafts (Central Square)

Wednesday, September 28 

4-5 p.m. 

 

Join us in the Children's Room for a fun craft and related stories. For more information, call 617-349-4010. Recommended for ages 5-10. 

 

Family Game Night (O’Neill)

Wednesday, September 28 

6-7 p.m. 

 

Challenge your family or make 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. No registration is required for this drop-in event. Call 617-349-4023 for more information.  

 

Writing in Cambridge: Authors Donna Gordon and Rishi Reddi (Main)

Wednesday, September 28 

6:30-8 p.m. 

 

Join us for two local debut novelists, Donna Gordon, the author of What Ben Franklin Would Have Told Me, and Rishi Reddi, the author of Passage West, for a reading and discussion.

 

Donna is a fiction writer, painter, and printmaker. Her work has appeared in Tin House, Ploughshares, the Boston Globe Magazine, and The Quarterly, among others.  

Rishi is an author and book critic. Her novel, Passage West, was named a Los Angeles Times “Best California Book of 2020.” Her reviews, essays, and translations have appeared in the New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, and Literary Hub, among others. Registration is required to participate

 

The Hive Safety Training and Badge Making (Main)

Wednesday, September 28 

7-8 p.m. 

 

Are you interested in using The Hive? In this workshop you will learn about our makerspace, how to use the resources we offer, and how to keep safe in The Hive. You will also create your Hive badge ID using our laser cutter. Find out what you need to get started as a maker in The Hive here.

Completion of The Hive Safety Training is the entry point to making, innovating, and collaborating in this space. Makers must also sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers

 

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O’Connell)

Thursday, September 29 

11 a.m.-12:30 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.   

 

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)

Thursday, September 29 

3:30-4:30 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! Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. 

 

3D Printing 101: Game Piece Design (Main)

Saturday, October 1 

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. 

 

You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing badge for future reservations in The Hive! Register here. Before taking this workshop, complete The Hive Safety Training and create a Tinkercad account. Parents may need to assist participants under the age of 18 to create an account before arriving. 

 

Stay Connected    

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

 

All the best,  

 

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.  

Director of Libraries