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Director's Update, March 26, 2023


3/26/202312 months ago

ALA Congressional Fly-in

Dear Patrons,

Part of our work is to share with visitors as well as the members of our community all of the offerings that are available at our libraries! Annually, library representatives also make advocacy visits at the Massachusetts State House and at the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. This year CPL representatives participated at both. Our borrower services manager Becky Rowlands and trustee Risa Mednick participated at the State House on March 15 for Library Legislative Day, and the Chair of Trustees Kaija Langley and Lesliediana Jones, associate director for public services at the Harvard Law School Library, and I attended the American Library Association Legislative Fly-In on March 7-8. At both meetings, library participants learned more about the work that legislators do on behalf of libraries, and legislators heard about the fantastic efforts that libraries are making, including examples of the many services and programs we are providing at the CPL.

Funding for public libraries is a priority of our legislative leaders at the state and federal level, and I thank them for their support. Pictured in the photograph (from left to right) Kaija Langley, Lesliediana Jones, Sedef Berk (Senator Markey's Office), Maria McCauley, Megan Janicki (ALA Public Policy and Advocacy)

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We are pleased to offer the following programs this week.

 

Weekly Activities for Kids    

This week, these programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations. Thank you to our Youth Services librarians for hosting.


Book Groups   

Learn more about our Book Groups this week. 

Baby Lapsit (Main)
Monday, March 27
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 0-12 months.

Come prepared to sit on the floor 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. 

Fresh Pond Nature Walk (Collins)
Monday, March 27
10:15-11:15 a.m.

Join us for a relaxing walk of Fresh Pond with the park ranger Tim Puopolo! No two weeks are the same in nature, and Tim will share his insights about what's growing, changing, and blooming in the neighborhood. The walk will meet in the courtyard of the Collins Branch (64 Aberdeen Ave.) and leave to walk to the pond at 10:15 a.m. For more information or with any questions, please contact Lucy at LFlamm@CambridgeMA.gov. Registration is required.

Wellness for Seniors: Zumba Gold® (Virtual)
Monday, March 27
11-11:45 a.m.

Put on your dancing shoes to improve flexibility and balance, strengthen muscles, and have fun! The certified Zumba Gold® instructor Emily B. will lead you through 45 minutes of low-impact and easy choreography in your own home through Zoom. Join us! Registration is required for each session.

Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Monday, March 27, 1:30-4 p.m.
Thursday, March 30, 2-8:30 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.

LEGO Time (Main)
Monday, March 27
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, March 27
6-7 p.m. 

Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class that 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)
Tuesday, March 28, and Thursday, March 30
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 29, and Friday, March 31
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.

Estate Planning for All (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 28
10:30 a.m.-Noon

The Cambridge Public Library and Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School are excited to offer Estate Planning for All. Estate plans can help you prepare for unexpected changes, offer a sense of security in uncertain times, and ensure that your wishes will be carried out if you become ill, incapacitated, or die unexpectedly. Everyone—regardless of background or financial situation—can have an estate plan. We will discuss how to make a plan to protect:

  • Your dependents who are under 18 or have a disability.
  • Your assets—including bank accounts, a home, and cherished personal items.
  • Yourself, if you could no longer make decisions on your medical care or other issues.

Get started on your estate plan by joining us for our Estate Planning Webinar, where you can learn more about the basics of estate planning—including wills, health care proxies, powers of attorney, medical directives, and funeral/memorial planning. Attendees can also receive a free, one-on-one consultation. Estate planning issues specific to veterans and individuals with disabilities will also be discussed. This webinar will be presented on Zoom. If you have any questions, please contact Lucy at LFlamm@CambridgeMA.gov. You can also call 617-349-4022.
Registration required.

 

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Tuesday, March 28
2-3:30 p.m. and 5:30-7 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 on our equipment booking page at designated times. Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate trainings. You must participate in the Glowforge workshop to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshopRegister here. These workshops are full; waitlists are available.

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, March 28
2:30-3 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters as you work, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, and mend. Refreshments will be provided. 

Teen Advisory Board Meeting (Main) 
Tuesday, March 28
3-5 p.m.    

Teens, help us plan teen programming at the Library! Earn community service hours! Enjoy free snacks! We meet monthly during the school year. The March meeting will be a special extended TAB meeting to judge the Teen Poetry Contest submissions. No registration is required. Stop by the Teen Room or call 617-349-4027 to learn more.

Sacred Songs and Rituals: Spirituals with Soprano Morgan Beckford (Main)
Tuesday, March 28
6-7:30 p.m.

Morgan Beckford and her collaborative pianist, Alex Morollo, will explore the tradition of the American spiritual and its origins, from the mid-1800s through today. The pair will perform works by composers and arrangers such as Harry T. Burleigh, Hall Johnson, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, and John Carter. Morgan earned her B.A. in Voice and Plan II Honors from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.M. in Voice degree from the University of Maryland-College Park. Registration is required.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, March 28
6:30-7:30 p.m.  

Bring your project and enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters. Learn more. Thank you to Liz Danner for hosting.

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main) 
Tuesday, March 28
7:30-8:30 p.m.   
Saturday, April 1
11:30 a.m.-12:30 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 out with our vinyl cutter! You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required. These workshops are full; waitlists are available.

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)
Wednesday, March 29
1-3 p.m.  

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

The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)

Wednesday, March 29
2-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 1
9:30-10:30 a.m.


In this workshop, you will 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, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.

 

The Hive Teen Hangout (Main)
Wednesday, March 29
3:30-5:30 p.m.

Have you checked out The Hive yet? Teens are welcome to learn about our space and try their hand at making stickers, recording videos in our studio, and more. This is a drop-in event for ages 12-18.

Free Drop-In Tutoring for Teens (Main)
Wednesday, March 29
5-6 p.m.

Need help with a class? Have a question before an exam? Tutors are available to help you! Cambridge School Volunteers and the Cambridge Public Library are pleased to offer tutoring services in the Teen Room. Please contact Megan Andres (mandres@cpsd.us) with questions.

Drop-in Studio (Main)
Wednesday, March 29
5:30-8:30 p.m.

This is an opportunity to check out what The Hive is all about and get started exploring and making right away! Learn about our workshop offerings, special programs, and more. Equipment and studios will be available for limited time slots on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is not required. Staff will assist patrons as they are able. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a guardian 18 or older. 

Dream Big: Reinventing Journalism to Build Hope, Agency & Dignity (Main/Virtual)
Wednesday, March 29
6:30-8 p.m.

The tickets for Dream Big: Reinventing Journalism to Build Hope, Agency & Dignity on March 29 have all been claimed, but you can enjoy this important conversation with the trailblazing journalists David Bornstein, Deborah D. Douglas, and Amanda Ripley through our livestream option. To get livestream access, email info@CPLFound.org. For more information about Dream Big, our speakers, and the planned conversation, please visit the event page.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop In (O'Connell)
Thursday, March 30
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters. Work on your craft, get inspired, pick-up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, cross stitch, and more. All crafts are welcome! Please call 617-349-4019 if you have questions.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, March 30
2-3:30 p.m.

Join our librarians for tea, cookies, and a jigsaw puzzle. It’s an hour of fun and conversation.

Afternoon Games (O’Neill)
Thursday, March 30
3-5 p.m.

Join us to play your favorite board game or complete a puzzle! No registration is required.

Puppetry Studio (Main)
Thursday, March 30
5-6 p.m.

We will select a folktale to adapt for a tiny stage and perform our masterpiece for friends and family. This six-week puppetry workshop is for kids aged 7-10. No experience is necessary!
This workshop is full.

Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting (Main)

Friday, March 31
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 1
2:30-4:30 p.m.

Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter. This two-hour workshop replaces the previous two-part Glowforge 101 offering; the content and length of this workshop and the two-part series are the same. You will start by using the camera on the Glowforge to focus and scan your own images, properly select materials for your project, and fabricate your first design. You will create digital artwork for the Glowforge and learn file formatting for production. Note: This is a badging course for laser cutting. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before participating in this program. Register here. These workshops are full; waitlists are available.


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All the best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D. 
Director of Libraries