Director's Update, March 6, 2022
3/7/2022 • 2 years ago
The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.
Dear Patrons,
Happy Women’s History Month!
One of the most amazing women that I knew was the late Board of Trustees Chair Janet Axelrod. Janet was a champion of the Our Path Forward Series, which was created to explore issues that are important to the health of our democracy. On Wednesday, March 9, we are hosting Barbara F. Walter, the author of How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them, in conversation with Dr. Erica Chenoweth of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard as part of this series. This program is presented in memory of Janet. I hope you can make it. The Cambridge Public Library Foundation also wrote a beautiful blog post about Janet. It’s well worth reading.
On Wednesday, March 16, we are hosting Gabriela Garcia, the author of Of Women and Salt. This debut novel is a meditation on the choices of mothers, the legacy of the memories they carry, and the tenacity of women who choose to tell their stories despite those who wish to silence them. Of Women and Salt was an instant New York Times bestseller and the winner of both the Isabel Allende Most Inspirational Fiction Award and the She Reads Best of 2021 Award. It was also named a Best Book of the Year by Cosmopolitan, the Boston Globe, Marie Claire, Reader’s Digest, Woman’s Day, She Reads, Harper’s Bazaar, and more.
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The Collins Branch Library will resume Thursday hours of operation on March 10, from 1 to 8 p.m.
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Cambridge nonprofits and community organizations can now book meeting roomsat the Library.
Book Groups
Baby Lapsit
Monday, March 7
10-10:20 a.m.
Enjoy time with other parents, caregivers, and babies to learn, play, and develop language and motor skills. Come prepared to sit with your baby in your lap. Registration is required.
Outdoor Programs for Kids
This week, these outdoor programs for young children will be offered (weather permitting) at our Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, and Valente locations:
- Outdoor Songs & 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.
Wellness for Seniors (Virtual)
Monday, March 7
11-11:45 a.m.
Breathe, stretch, and dance your way to a blissful body, joyous heart, and a steady, quiet mind! Open to all levels and abilities. Registration is required for each session.
3D Modeling with Tinkercad (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 8
3-4 p.m.
Learn the fundamentals of Tinkercad, a free, web-based application, to design and edit objects for 3D printing. Basic computer skills are necessary for this course, which is open to everyone. You do not need to take Hive Safety Training before attending this virtual workshop. Registration is required.
ESOL Classes (Virtual)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11 a.m.-Noon, 1-2 p.m., and 3-4 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays
10:30 a.m.-Noon
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur virtually on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Beginner ESOL takes place at 1 p.m., Intermediate ESOL at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Higher Beginner ESOL at 10:30 a.m. Registration is required for each class.
Graphic Design with Google Drawings (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 8
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 9
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Learn the fundamentals of Google Drawings, a free web-based application, to design and edit your own images. Basic computer skills and a free gmail account are necessary for this course, which is open to everyone. You do not need to take Hive Safety Training before attending this virtual workshop. Registration is required.
Jumpstart Your Financial Future: Decisions, Decisions, Decisions (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 8
7-8 p.m.
When you start a new job, some of your first decisions may be about saving for retirement and choosing a health insurance plan. How much should I put into my retirement account? Which investments should I choose? Which health insurance plan will serve my needs and be affordable? The choices can be daunting. Learn how to make important decisions about benefits and saving for retirement in the third session of this workshop presented by the Babson Financial Literacy Project, a not-for-profit program designed by Babson College finance professors to help young adults acquire the necessary knowledge and skills for long-term financial prosperity and independence. Registration is required.
Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)
Wednesday, March 9, 3-5 p.m.
Thursday, March 10, 6-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 12, 12-3 p.m.
During this time period, anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Learn more about becoming a badged maker. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Registration is required.
Our Path Forward Lecture: Barbara F. Walter in Conversation with Erica Chenoweth (Virtual)
Wednesday, March 9
6-7:30 p.m.
Come listen to Barbara F. Walter, the author of How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them, in conversation with Dr. Erica Chenoweth of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Walter will speak as part of the Our Path Forward Series, which addresses issues that are important to the health of our democracy. This program is sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Registration is required.
Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and Your Family Photos: Identifying African American Family Photos (Virtual)
Wednesday, March 9
12-1 p.m.
Join us for a workshop presented by Maureen Taylor, an internationally recognized expert on historic photograph identification and family history research, on the history of African American family portraits. We’ll explore the five basic questions to ask about your photos and how to figure out the story in the image. This interactive lecture will help you discover identities and connections to your family that you never knew you had. Registration is required.
Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Tuesday, March 8, 8-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 10, 2:30-3 p.m.
Friday, March 11, 3:30-4 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.
Résumé and Job Application (Central Square)
Wednesday, March 9
1-3 p.m.
Are you looking for assistance creating a résumé or looking for a job? Drop by the Central Square Branch Library for assistance with preparing a résumé, conducting a job search online and completing online applications. No registration is required.
Fuel for Life: Nutrition 101 for a Healthy Lifestyle (Virtual)
Thursday, March 10
7-8 p.m.
Join Fuel for Life LLC for a deeper look into nutrition and its role in our health. Over the span of 4 weeks, participants will cover different topics. This week we discuss Healthy Snacking: Navigating the Grocery Store, and Eating Out. Registration is required for each session.
Stay Connected
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Warm regards,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries