Director's Update, March 7, 2021
3/8/2021 • 3 years ago
The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 3 years ago.
Dear Patrons,
We continue our celebration of Women’s History Month this week with special programs featuring the author Ruby Hamad and a new session of the Cambridge Room lunch series, Finding Women in the Archives. We also have some exciting new children’s programs, including Tabla Drumming with Sandeep Das Read and Sing Stories, and a special program, Screenwise Parenting: Support & Solutions for Parents in the Age of COVID-19.The Hive continues to offer a variety of virtual workshops -- and so much more!
Voices for Justice: Ta-Nehisi Coates in Conversation with Callie Crossley
On behalf of the Cambridge Public Library Foundation in collaboration with the Library, I'm delighted to invite you to the first of a three-part Voices for Justice virtual series featuring the New York Times bestselling author and celebrated journalist Ta-Nehisi Coates in conversation with the commentator and radio and television host Callie Crossley on March 23 at 7:30 p.m. This virtual event is free and open to all! Registration is required.
Voices for Justice will explore racial and social justice through the words of Black authors and diverse activists from across Greater Boston and is raising money for the Library’s antiracism, equity, and inclusion work.
Coates is the author of the New York Times bestseller Between the World and Me, The Water Dancer, and We Were Eight Years in Power. His latest books are Marvel’s Black Panther and Captain America series, and he has been asked to write the new Superman film for DC Extended Universe.
The Voices for Justice series will continue in April with a screening and roundtable discussion of the documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble and will also host the Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson on May 11, 2021. To learn more about the series, please visit for the Voices for Justice webpage.
Tabla Drumming with Sandeep Das
On Monday, March 8, at 4 p.m., join the master musician Sandeep Das to explore the rhythm and music of India through the Tabla, a pair of hand drums that continue a tradition thousands of years old. Children and their caregivers are invited to listen, play, and ask questions. Registration is required.
Virtual ESOL Classes
Virtual English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Introductory ESOL takes place at 11 a.m., beginner ESOL at 1 p.m., and intermediate ESOL at 3 p.m. Registration is required for each class. Please see the Library’s online events calendar for more details.
Ruby Hamad presents White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color
Celebrate Women's History month on Tuesday, March 9, at 7 p.m. with Ruby Hamad, the author of White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color, in conversation with Professor Saher Selod. Hamad shows how the division between innocent white women and racialized, sexualized women of color was created, and why it is crucial to confront this division. Hamad is a journalist, author, and academic completing a Ph.D. in media studies at UNSW (Australia). Selod is an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Simmons University. Her research interests are in race and ethnicity, gender, and religion. Registration is required. This program is funded by the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library.
Design Support at The Hive
Have you attended one of our virtual design workshops or developed a project idea on your own that you would like to bring to life using some of the tools in The Hive? Virtually drop-in to The Hive on Tuesday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. for assistance in using design tools such as Google Drawings, Tinkercad, and Inkscape to develop your project. Basic computer skills are necessary for this program. Registration is required.
Tinkercad 101: Customized Phone Stand
On Wednesday, March 10, at 3 p.m., learn the fundamentals of Tinkercad to design and edit objects for 3D printing. Participants may share a completed design file to be printed in The Hive and arrange to collect their finished projects via Contactless Holds Pickup. Basic computer skills are necessary for this course. Registration is required.
Tween/Teen Virtual Hangout
Tweens, teens, and their caregivers are invited to drop in on Wednesday, March 10, at 4 p.m. Say hello to your librarians, get book recommendations and research assistance, find out about the Library's virtual offerings, and bring your suggestions! Registration is required.
Wellness for Seniors: Virtual Zumba Gold
On Thursday, March 11, at 11 a.m., put on your dancing shoes to improve flexibility and balance, strengthen muscles, and have a great time! The certified Zumba Gold instructor Emily B. will lead you through 45 minutes of low-impact, easy choreography in your own home through Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants one hour before the program starts. Registration is required.
Finding Women in the Archives
Although often overlooked in official records, throughout time women have been the keepers of family and personal history. The New England Historical Genealogical Society's Ann Lawthers will lead a virtual discussion on Thursday, March 11, at noon about how these unique records and manuscripts can be used to piece together a family story and how digging in the archives can hit genealogical gold. Registration is required.
Google Drawing 101: Sticker Design
On Thursday, March 11, at 3:30 p.m., learn the fundamentals of Google Drawing to design and edit images for your own vinyl stickers. You'll also learn about our vinyl cutter machine. Participants may share a completed design file, which will be made into a sticker in The Hive, and arrange to collect it via Contactless Holds Pickup. Registration is required.
Join Us for Story Time
We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of engaging stories. Plan to join in, sing along, and move around! STEAM Story Times include hands-on activities to explore science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math.
We are happy to offer these Story Time programs this week:
Registration is required for each event.
Screenwise Parenting: Support & Solutions for Parents in the Age of COVID-19
How can parents mentor kids on schoolwork, social media, texting, and gaming during this time? Managing and supporting young people's use of screens and technology are more complicated than ever. On Thursday, March 11, at 7 p.m., join us for an encouraging presentation by Dr. Devorah Heitner, a nationally recognized expert on young people's relationship with digital media and technology. Registration is required.
Read and Sing Stories
Join us as we sing along with picture books on Friday, March 12, at 11 a.m. We invite children and their grownups for a special 20-25-,minute singing story time with “Wheels on the Bus,” “Five Little Ducks,” and more! If you'd like to make your own kazoo, you’ll need an empty toilet paper tube, waxed paper, a rubber band, and markers or crayons to decorate. Registration is required.
Advanced Creative Drama with Little Spark Theater
Join us for an exploration of theater through silly, fun, zany, wacky, downright bananas imaginative play! This series takes place on Fridays at 4 p.m. until March 19 and is recommended for kids ages 6-8. We focus on senses, feelings, and movement through structured dramatic play to build confidence, social awareness, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Registration is required. Registering will sign you up for all sessions.
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Best wishes,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries