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Director's Update, August 22, 2021


8/23/2021 • 2 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

New library at night

Dear Patrons,

As August winds to a close, there are still many programs for you to enjoy. Join us for Story Time, a workshop in The Hive, or close out Summer Reading this Friday with a fantastic Pet Parade in the Park!

Mask Policy for City of Cambridge Buildings Effective August 23, 202

The federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated its mask guidance. The CDC recommends that even fully vaccinated persons wear a mask when indoors. After consultation with the Cambridge Public Health Department and the Cambridge Commissioner of Public Health, effective August 23, 2021, masks will be required for all visitors and employees in City buildings, including the Cambridge Public Libraries. Read more here.

Main Library Resumes Thursday Evening Hours on  August 26

The Main Library will resume evening hours on Thursdays, starting on  August 26.

  • You can now phone or visit the Main Library on Thursdays until 9 p.m.
  • The Children’s Room at the Main Library will stay open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
  • The Hive will close at 5 p.m. on August 26. However, starting in September, it will remain open on Thursdays until 9 p.m. as well.

The Library’s Social Worker Is in the News!

The Boston College School of Social Work Newsletter recently published an article about our social worker, Marie Mathieu, and the important work she’s been doing at the Library. A basic tenet of our mission and strategic framework is inclusion. The City’s definition of inclusion is the act of creating an environment in which any individual or group can be welcomed, respected, supported, and have unobstructed access to participation. An inclusive and welcoming climate embraces differences and values all people in both words and actions.

Marie Mathieu is helping the CPL to take important strides toward more inclusive practices. She is building a social services program that is already in demand. She has been helping clients, ranging from those needing assistance with filling out forms to others needing housing or economic assistance. Marie’s multilingual skills (she is fluent in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole) have also come in handy. She has been meeting with other social service workers to provide referrals as well. We are very lucky to have her on our CPL team.

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.

XR Lab 101
Tuesday, August 24, at 2 p.m.
Friday, August 27, 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

Are you interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios! Join this workshop on Tuesday, August 24, at 3:30 p.m. to become familiar with these tools. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program. Registration is required.

Zing Laser Cutting 101

On Wednesday, August 25, at 3 p.m., learn how to use our Epilog Zing—an industry-standard laser cutting machine—and Inkscape graphics software to design and laser cut a cardboard virtual reality headset to explore virtual worlds. Complete this workshop to earn a badge for the Zing laser cutter. With this badge, you can reserve the Epilog Zing to use on our equipment booking page at designated times. Note: You must participate in the separate Glowforge 201 workshop in order to use our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program. Registration is required.

Hive Safety Training and Glowforge 101

On Wednesday, August 25, at 5 p.m., learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources,  and how to keep safe in The Hive. You will also create your Hive badge ID with our Glowforge laser cutter and learn how to cut and engrave your own creations using this device. Registration is required.

All participants must sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.

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, August 25, at 6:45 p.m., at the O'Neill Branch Library, 70 Rindge Ave. Feel free to wear your favorite pajamas! Caregivers are asked to participate in the program with their children. Registration is not required.

Outdoor Story Time (Central Square)

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for 20-25 minutes of engaging stories on Thursday, August 26, at 11 a.m. Plan to sing along and move around! This program will be held outdoors in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza at the Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl St. In the event of rain, it will move indoors. Registration is not required.

Google Drawings: Sticker Design

Do you want to design your own vinyl stickers? On Thursday, August 26, at 2:30 p.m., learn the fundamentals of Google Drawings -- a free, web-based application -- to design and edit images for distinctive stickers. Basic computer skills are necessary for this course. Computing devices will be provided. Registration is required.

Vinyl Cutting 101

Would you like to make your own vinyl signs, stickers, or images to transfer to T-shirts and other textiles? In this workshop on Thursday, August 26, at 4 p.m., you can learn how to use our Roland Camm-1 GS-24 vinyl cutter. You can also design a sticker and cut it on our vinyl cutter. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program. Registration is required.

Pet Parade in the Park

Everyone is welcome to bring their well-behaved pet(s) to our community pet parade on Friday, August 27, at 3 p.m. Dress them up as your favorite literary character or anything you choose, show them off, and meet other pet lovers. Share the joy pets bring to our lives and celebrate the end of our Summer Reading program. Registration is not required.

Yoga on the Lawn with Cap Aguilar

On Saturday, August 28, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., we will have an opportunity to practice ways to embody elements of yoga philosophy (non-harm, truthfulness, and self-inquiry, to name a few). Explore movement, mindfulness, and breathing practices for 75 minutes, followed by 15 minutes of reflective journaling and/or conversation. Registration is required.

Hive Equipment and Studio Reservations

On Saturday, August 28, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., anyone who has participated in Hive training and is badged to use equipment or studio spaces can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more about becoming a badged participant.

Stay Connected

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Best wishes,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries