Director's Update, November 20, 2022
11/20/2022 • 17 months ago
Dear Patrons,
All Library locations will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, and will remain closed on Thursday and Friday, November 24 and 25, for Thanksgiving. The ESOL classes on November 24 and 25 and the Outdoor Story Time at the Central Square Branch on November 24 have been canceled.
The Library is pleased to host a Wôpanâak Language Story Timeto celebrate Native American Heritage Month at the O’Neill Branch on Saturday, November 26, at 2-3 p.m. Toodie Jackson-Coombs, an educator from the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project (WLRP) and a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, will read several stories in the Wôpanâak language and answer questions about the language and the project. This program is recommended for children ages 5 and up with a caregiver.Learn more.
We are also pleased to offer the following programs.
Outdoor Activities 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:
- 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. Thank you to our Youth Services librarians for hosting these events.
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups this week.
Baby Lapsit (Main)
Monday, November 21
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.
Dinovember Story Time (Collins)
Monday, November 21
10:30-11:15 a.m.
We invite children and their grown-ups to romp through the jurassic jungle with stories, songs, and a craft all about dinosaurs. This program will be held in the backyard of the Collins Branch. In the event of bad weather, the program will move indoors. Learn more.
Wellness for Seniors: Low-Impact Fitness (Virtual)
Monday, November 21
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.
The Hive Safety Training (Main)
Monday, November 21
3:30-4 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. 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. Registration is required.
LEGO Time (Main)
Monday, November 21
4-4:45 p.m.
It's a weekly block party! Join friends to design and build amazing LEGO structures. Let your imagination run wild! The Children's Room has plenty of LEGO pieces, so you don't need to bring your own. Be aware that LEGO pieces are choking hazards for young children, so this program is for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. It can accommodate 30 builders. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. 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.
Fall ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, November 21
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.
Nerd Alert! Fighting Cancer with Your Genes: Modern Genomic Technologies in Cancer Today (Main)
Monday, November 21
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Your DNA is composed of more than 20,000 genes that control cellular behavior. Mistakes in genes related to growth may lead to cancer. In this talk, Bernard Fendler of Foundation Medicine will describe state-of-the-art technologies used to uncover these errors and how we can use that information to fight back. All ages welcome. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Toddler Story Time (Main)
Tuesday, November 22
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.
ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesday, November 22
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 23
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.
Designing Universal Flu Vaccines (Virtual)
Tuesday, November 22
12-1 p.m.
Influenza viruses are constantly mutating, which is why we need a new flu shot every year. Researchers are working on developing universal flu vaccines, which target regions that are the same across all flu viruses. A universal flu vaccine would eliminate the need for a yearly flu shot and would also be readily available to help protect people during future influenza pandemics. In this talk, Dr. Lingwood will discuss his lab’s research on B cell antibody responses and influenza vaccine design. Daniel Lingwood, Ph.D., is a core member of the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard and is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Registration is required. This is a virtual event; the Zoom link will be sent to registrants one hour before the event.
3D Printing 101: Game Piece Design (Main)
Tuesday, November 22
2-4 p.m., and 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, November 23
6-8 p.m.
Learn how to create your favorite game piece in digital space and print it out using our Sindoh 3D printers. 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. Before taking this workshop, you must complete The Hive Safety Training and create a freeTinkercad account. Registration is required.
Preschool Story Time (Main)
Tuesday, November 21
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, and unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more.
All About Medicare: Info Session and Q&A (Hybrid/Main)
Tuesday, November 21
4:30-6 p.m.
Come learn about Medicare from representatives from AARP and Paine Senior Services. AARP will begin by giving a brief overview of Medicare, including what it is and what it does. It does not provide for retirees. This will be followed by a slide presentation from Maureen Harty of Paine Senior Services, who will talk about the latest changes in Medicare provisions and the current period of open enrollment, which enables users to make changes to their coverage. A Q&A will follow the presentations. This Cambridge Forum event is co-sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library. Please follow this link to attend this event in person orfollow this link to register on Zoom. Refreshments will be provided before the event at 4:30 p.m. in the L2 hallway. All are welcome!
Cambridge Forum records its free events for broadcast on the NPR network and for podcast. GBH Forum Network edits and uploads CF’s videos onto YouTube. CF is made possible by generous grants from the Lowell Institute, the Mass. Cultural Council, the Cambridge Community Foundation, and through generous public donations.
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, November 22
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 23
1-3 p.m.
Looking for assistance creating a résumé or finding a job? Join us for assistance with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required. Learn more.
After-School Stories and Crafts (Central Square)
Wednesday, November 23
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.
Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Saturday, November 26
10-11 a.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 participate in the Glowforge workshop in order to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter.Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Saturday, November 26
1:30-4:30 p.m.
During 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. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.
Wôpanâak Language Story Time (O'Neill)
Saturday, November 26
2-3 p.m.
Join us for a special story time to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month. Toodie Jackson-Coombs, an educator from the Wôpanâak Language Reclamation Project (WLRP) and a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, will read several stories in the Wôpanâak language and answer questions about the language and the project. This program is recommended for children ages 5 and up with a caregiver. Learn more.
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All the best,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries