Director's Update, August 23, 2020
8/23/2020 • 3 years ago
The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 3 years ago.
Dear Library Patrons,
Summer may be winding down, but there is still lots to do at the Cambridge Public Library!
Communal Reading in Recognition of the Centennial of the 19th Amendment on Wednesday, August 26
2020 is the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which protects women's right to vote. In celebration of this momentous event, we are hosting a virtual communal reading of the Declaration of Sentiments from the Seneca Falls Convention of 1848 and the 1979 UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women on Wednesday, August 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Dr. Aminah Pilgrim of the University of Massachusetts Boston will give an overview of the Women’s Suffrage Movement inspired by the Seneca Falls Convention and speak to the global movement for women’s rights embodied in the UN Convention prior to the reading. Registration is required to participate in this program. Community members are invited to sign up to read or just listen.
The event is co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office, the City Manager’s Office, the Commission on the Status of Women and the Human Rights Commission.
Kids Books to Go Events Monday 8/24 at Collins Branch, Friday 8/28 at O’Connell Branch
At Kids Books to Go pop-up events, youth and families can borrow bags of library books for kids and teens without having to make an appointment or place catalog requests. Selections are curated by Cambridge Public Library Youth Services librarians. Bins are also available for library returns during these events.
Our next event will take place on Monday, August 24 at the Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Avenue, from 2-5 p.m. It will be followed by another event on Friday, August 28 at the O’Connell Branch, 48 Sixth Street, from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Summer Reading Kids Programs
Can you believe our final week of Summer Reading is this week???
Even in these challenging times, Summer Reading is one of the best parts of summer! Thank you for your enthusiastic participation this year. We loved being with you during all our virtual programs and we are so proud of everyone who successfully completed Summer Reading challenges! Programs for kids this week include Sciencetellers, Rosalita's Puppets, Sing Along with Jim St. Clair, and Act!vated Story Theatre LIVE.
Summer Reading is sponsored by the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Public Library Foundation, the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, East Cambridge Savings Bank, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Library System, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Join us for Story Times
The next Virtual STEAM Story Time: Sink or Float will be on Wednesday, August 26 at 11 a.m. Children and their grownups can join us for 20-25 minutes of stories and hands-on activities to explore STEAM. Please gather activity materials before the event if you plan to participate. Registration is required.
CPL will host Virtual Family Story Time on Thursday, August 27 at 11 a.m. Caregivers are asked to participate in the program with their children. Registration is required.
What Makes a Good Writing Group? Learn more from the Chunky Monkeys on Monday, August 24
So you want to start a writing group, or perhaps improve how your existing group is working. What are some excellent tips and tricks? On Monday, August 24 from 7-8:30 p.m., join authors Alex Marzano-Lesnevich, Celeste Ng, Christopher Castellani, Jennifer De Leon, Adam Stumacher, Whitney Scharer, Calvin Hennick, Grace Talusan, Chip Cheek, Becky Tuch, and Sonya Larson as they discuss what they've learned from their own writing group, the Chunky Monkeys, over the last 7+ years. Registration is required.
Adult Summer Reading: Virtual Literary Trivia Night
Celebrate the end of Summer Reading with a night of bookish trivia on Wednesday, August 26. Play alone, organize a team, or meet new people! We will organize you into teams starting at 6:15 pm, and the game will begin at 6:30 pm. Registration is required.
Community Yoga
Practice yoga from the comfort of your own home! Mindfulness and yoga teacher Cap Aguilar will lead her final virtual community yoga class on Sunday August 30 at 10 a.m. This series welcomes all bodies, ages, abilities, backgrounds, hopes, and dreams. Registration is required.
Stay Connected
To stay connected to what’s happening at the Library, please subscribe to our email list, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, and visit our website.
All best,
Dr. Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries