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Director's Update, October 30, 2022


10/30/202217 months ago

Ground Floor at Main

Dear Patrons, 

It’s almost November, which is Native American Heritage Month, when we celebrate the histories, diverse cultures, and vital contributions of our nation’s first people. We are excited to host Jennifer Foerster, the author of The Maybe-Bird, in conversation with Cedar Sigo, for a virtual program on Tuesday, November 15, at 6 p.m. Registration is required. We will also be hosting Toodie Jackson-Coombs, an educator from the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project (WLRP), for a Wôpanâak Language Story Time at the O’Neill Branch, on Saturday, November 26, at 2 p.m. Learn more.

We are happy to offer the following programs this week.

Outdoor Programs for Kids

This week, these programs will be offered (weather permitting) at our Boudreau, Collins, Main, O’Neill, and Valente locations:     

  • 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.

Baby Lapsit (Main)
Monday, October 31
10-10:20 a.m. 

Just for you and your baby! Enjoy time together with other parents, caregivers, and babies to learn, play, and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for 0 to 12 months.

Come prepared to sit on the floor one-on-one with your baby in your lap. This program can accommodate 15 babies and their caregivers. 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. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more.

Pumpkin Patch Story Time (Collins)
Monday, October 31
10:30-11:15 a.m.

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for a special event. Costumes are welcome as we read stories, sing songs, and assemble a craft to celebrate witches, ghosts, and pumpkins. No tricks, only treats! This program will be held in the backyard of the Collins Branch. In the event of bad weather, the program will move indoors. Please call 617-349-4021 for more information. Learn more.

Wellness for Seniors: Low-Impact Fitness (Virtual) 
Monday, October 31
11-11:45 a.m.

This virtual class is designed for adults 55+ of all levels to strengthen the muscles, the heart, and the brain--all while having fun and moving to great music! Come as you are and take everything at your own pace. You will feel the benefits in mind and body! A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event. Registration for each session is required.

Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main) 
Monday, October 31
Wednesday, November 3
Thursday, November 4
Saturday, November 5
1-4:30 p.m.
Friday, November 4
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 

During this time period, 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. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.

Fall ESOL Class (Valente) 
Monday, October 31
6-7 p.m. 

Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class this fall! It 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. 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.

Toddler Story Time (Main)
Tuesday, November 1 & Thursday, November 3
11-11:20 a.m.

We invite children ages 2-3 and their caregivers for 20-25 minutes of stories and songs. 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. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more.

Sewing 101 (Main)
Tuesday, November 1
1:30-3 p.m.
Saturday, November 5
10-11:30 a.m.

In this 90-minute class, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when stitch tension has gone awry. We’ll also cover some safety best practices when operating a sewing machine. As we learn together, we’ll work on a simple sewing project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.

Preschool Story Time (Main)
Tuesday, November 1
4-4:20 p.m.

We invite children ages 3-5 and their caregivers for 20-25 minutes of stories and songs. 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. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.  Learn more.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, November 1
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, November 2
1-3 p.m. 

Looking for assistance creating a résumé or looking for jobs? Join us for help with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required. Learn more

After School Stories and Crafts (Central Square) 
Wednesday, November 2
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. Learn more

A Reading of T. S. Eliot's The Waste Land (Main)
Wednesday, November 2
6:30-8 p.m.

Join us for a dramatic reading of T. S. Eliot's The Waste Land to celebrate its publication exactly 100 years ago. The readers will include Lloyd Schwartz, Martha Collins, George Kalogeris, Suzanne Mercury, and David Gullette. Michael Todd Steffen will introduce the event. The program is cosponsored by the Cambridge Public Library and the Hastings Room Reading Series. Registration is not required but is encouraged.

Lamp x the CPL Present: A Book Club Walks into a Bar (Lamplighter)
Wednesday, November 2
7-8:30 p.m.

You’re invited to our November brewery book club, where Lamplighter and the Library team up to highlight contemporary works from marginalized voices while having a beer. This month, we’ll read Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice. We’ll gather in the Lamplighter’s back taproom to discuss the book, what we learned from it, what we were touched by, and all our other thoughts. Register here.

The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Wednesday, November 3
7-7:30 p.m.

In this workshop, you’ll learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources, and how to keep safe in The Hive. Registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent out an hour before the workshop starts. Before taking workshops in The Hive in person, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.

Fiber Crafts Group -- Drop-in (O’Connell)
Thursday, November 3
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters! Join 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

Afternoon Sing-Along (Main)
Thursday, November 3
4-4:20 p.m.

It's a Library dance party for all ages, and it can accommodate 130 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. This program starts promptly, and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more.

Sewing Workshop: Make a Simple Vest (Main)
Thursday, November 3
5:30-8:30 p.m.

Join the local designer Lenni Armstrong in designing and sewing a vest. You will create a custom garment using trimmings, which may include bias tape, buttons, edging, and hand-cut high-visibility reflective designs. Previous sewing experience is not required. Please note: This workshop does not fulfill the requirements of Sewing 101. You must complete Sewing 101 to book sewing machines in The Hive for independent use during Equipment & Studio Reservations. Registration is required.

XR Lab 101 (Main)
Friday, November 4
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Extended reality (XR) opens the door to worlds and experiences outside the everyday through virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality equipment. Test drive our Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality glasses, Structure Sensor 3D scanner, Merge headsets, and more. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.

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All the best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries