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Director's Update July 25, 2021


7/26/20212 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

Event image for Intro ESOL Class (Virtual)

Hello Patrons,

This week, a new Extended Reality XR Lab 101 offering is available in The Hive! If wildlife is your interest, plan to attend the Summer Reading: Animal Encounter with Zoo New England! If you’d like to relax in the park with a book, join our Community Silent Read-in!

The Library has something for everyone!

ESOL Classes on Summer Hiatus

Please note that the Library will not offer any English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes this week or next. Classes will resume the week of August 9.

 

XR Lab 101

Tuesday, July 27, at 11 a.m.

Wednesday, July 28, at 3 p.m.

Friday, July 30, at 1 p.m.

Extended reality (XR) opens the door to worlds and experiences outside the everyday through virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality equipment. Test drive our Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality glasses, Structure Sensor 3D scanner, Merge headsets and more. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program. Registration is required.

 

Studio Recording 101

Tuesday, July 27, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 29, at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at 11:30 a.m.

Interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios. Become familiar with the basics of the equipment and software in these tools. Contribute to our community-generated media project and earn a badge to use these spaces for your own projects. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program. Registration is required.

 

Intro to Cell Phone Cinema with CCTV (Virtual)

In this virtual workshop on Tuesday, July 27, at 6 p.m., you'll learn how to set up your device for filming, gain the skills to capture the best-looking video possible, and learn how to create a story using just your smartphone! Registration is required.

 

Cambridge Book Bike Story Time (Valente)

The Cambridge Book Bike Team invites children and their grown-ups to join us for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes on Wednesday, July 28, at 2 p.m. This program will be held outside at the Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge St. Registration is not required.

The Cambridge Book Bike is a collaboration among the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, the Cambridge Public Library, and the Center for Families.

 

Summer Reading: Make A (Mini) Zine!

Do you have something to say and want to get it in print? Join your fellow tweens and teens on Wednesday, July 28, at 3 p.m. for a workshop on how to create your own zine, or homemade magazine, using just one piece of paper! This program will be held in Joan Lorentz Park outside the Main Library. In the event of rain, we will move indoors. Registration is not required.

 

Tinkercad 101: Customized Phone Stand (Virtual)

On Wednesday, July 28, at 6 p.m., learn the fundamentals of Tinkercad to design and edit objects for 3D printing. You'll also be introduced to our 3D printers. Tinkercad is a free, web-based application. Basic computer skills are necessary for this course. Computing devices are available for reservation via Takeout Technology. Registration is required.

 

Pajama Story Time (O'Neill)

We invite children and their grown-ups to get together for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes to wind down the day on Wednesday, July 28, at 6:45 p.m., at the O'Neill Branch Library, 70 Rindge Ave. Feel free to wear your favorite cozy pajamas! Caregivers are asked to participate in the program with their children. Registration is not required.

 

Outdoor Story Time

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for 20-25 minutes of engaging stories on Thursday, July 29, at 11 a.m. Plan to sing along and move around! This program will be held in Joan Lorentz Park outside the Main Library. In the event of rain, we will move indoors. Registration is not required.

 

Google Drawings 101: Sticker Design (Virtual)

Interested in making your own vinyl stickers? On Thursday, July 29, at 5:30 p.m., learn the fundamentals of Google Drawings to design and edit images for your own stickers. You'll also be introduced briefly to our vinyl cutter machine. Google Drawings is a free, web-based application. Basic computer skills are necessary for this course. Computing devices will be provided. Registration is required.

 

Summer Reading: Animal Encounter with Zoo New England (Virtual)

On Friday, July 30, at 2 p.m., join the Library and Zoo New England to meet amazing ambassador animals. During this virtual encounter, zoo educators will answer your questions,

share stories and help you learn more about these charismatic creatures. For children of all ages and their caregivers. Registration is required.

 

Community Silent Read-In in the Park

On Saturday, July 31, join us for a silent community read-in in Joan Lorentz Park from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Bring your favorite summer read or check out a book from the Library and enjoy reading on the lawn. Stop in at the Library to share what you’re reading so we can add it to the summer reading list. Bring your own picnic supplies. Registration is not required.

 

Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101

In this 90-minute, in-person workshop on Saturday, July 31, at 1:30 p.m., you will learn about our makerspace, how to use the resources we offer and how to keep safe in The Hive. You will also create your Hive badge ID using our Glowforge laser cutter and learn how to use it to cut and engrave your own creations. Registration is required.

NOTE: You must complete Hive Safety Training to make, innovate, and collaborate in our makerspace. Makers must also sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.

 

Stay Connected Please subscribe to our email list, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, and visit our website.

 

Best wishes,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D. Director of Libraries