Director's Update, August 8, 2021
8/8/2021 • 2 years ago
The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.
Dear Patrons,
We are happy to offer some great new programs this week, including Urban Gardening, Glowforge 201 and Button Making. Summer Reading programs continue with a Magnificent Monster Circus for ages 3+ and a virtual Art Share-Out for tweens and teens. We are sad to host the final Cambridge Book Bike Story Time of the summer, but happy to see the return of Yoga on the Lawn with Cap Aguilar!
The Hive Ribbon Cutting
The Cambridge STEAM Initiative recently celebrated the opening of The Hive, an important milestone in the partnership between the City’s Department of Human Services, the Library, and the Cambridge Public Schools. The STEAM Initiative was created to foster equity and expand access to quality STEAM learning experiences from birth to adulthood. Congratulations to all our collaborators, supporters, staff, and participants!
We hope to see you participating in one of The Hive’s events soon!
The Hive to Host the Boston FAB16 Conference!
The Fab Foundation is a US-based nonprofit organization that emerged in Cambridge from MIT's Center for Bits & Atoms Fab Lab Program. The Hive is partnered with Fab Foundation as one of approximately 1,500 Fab Labs in over 90 countries around the world that are creative community hubs for amateurs, professionals, students, educators, artists, fabricators, scientists, and engineers. The Hive is unique as the City's first Fab Lab that is free and open to the public.
Join one of our Hive workshops celebrating the FAB16 global event (fab16.fabevent.org), which brings together Fab Labs and makers all over the world to create, discuss, and imagine! Registration is required for each workshop.
There is also a Fab16 Boston Hub Reception in The Hive on Thursday, August 12, from
3:30 to 5 p.m. Anyone participating in the Fab 16 conference is welcome. Registration is required.
We will also host Fab16: The Hive on Wheels! where The Hive will travel to the 17th Annual[GU1] Port Pride in Clement-Morgan Park (60 Columbia St.) on Saturday, August 14, from
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Design and make 3D printed book clips, laser cut bubble wands, and learn about our makerspace! Participants will receive tokens to exchange for ice cream truck treats generously provided by the Fab Foundation. We hope to see you there!
Summer Reading: Magnificent Monster Circus with Puppet Showplace Theater (Virtual)
Come one, come all, to a circus like no other on Monday, August 9, at 4 p.m.! Encounter magnificent creatures from the wilds of your imagination as their quirky human caretaker tries to teach them new tricks. Recommended for ages 3 and up. 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.
Hive Safety Training and Glowforge 101
Tuesday, August 10, at 1 p.m.
Wednesday, August 11, at 4 p.m.
In this one-and-a-half-hour workshop, 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 cut and engrave your own creations using this piece of equipment. Registration is required.
All makers must sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers to participate.
Urban Gardening presented by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society
Urban gardening is about growing food and ornamentals in small spaces. Whether you have a yard without the time or desire to tend it all or an apartment with no outdoor space, this talk in Joan Lorentz Park on Tuesday, August 10, at 11 a.m., will give you tips and techniques to start and maintain a garden. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins will be welcome. Rain date is August 12, at 11 a.m.
Cambridge Book Bike Story Time
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, August 11, at 2 p.m. This program will be held outside at the Main Library in Joan Lorentz Park. 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: Art Share-Out (Virtual)
Have you created art on your own or through one of our summer programs that you want to share? Come to our Zoom Art Show for tweens and teens on Wednesday, August 11, at 4 p.m. to see amazing creations and share your own! Registration is required.
Lamp x the CPL Present: A Book Club Walks Into a Bar
On Wednesday, August 11, at 7 p.m., meet in person in Lamplighter's back taproom to discuss The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix. This campy, supernatural thriller is set in the American South in the ’90s, and tells the story of a women’s book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a blood-sucking fiend. Registration is required.
Glowforge 201
On Wednesday, August 11, at 7:30 p.m., learn how to properly select materials for your project, optimize artwork and file format, use the camera for focusing and scanning, and maintain the machine. Completion of this workshop earns you a badge for the Glowforge laser cutter. As a badged maker, you can reserve the Glowforge Pro to use during designated times. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program. Registration is required.
Outdoor Story Time Celebrating Black Business Month (Valente)
On Thursday, August 12, at 11 a.m., we invite children and their grown-ups to join us for stories with guest reader, Nephtaliem McCrary of Great Eastern Trading Company. This program will be held at the Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge St. In the event of rain, it will move indoors. Registration is not required.
This event is in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and the Cambridge Community Development Department.
Button Making
On Friday, August 13, at 1 p.m., learn how to use our button making equipment and start designing and assembling your own buttons, magnets and keychains. You must complete Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program. Registration is required.
Yoga on the Lawn with Cap Aguilar
On Saturday, August 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., let’s tap into our playfulness and explore our yoga practice with childlike wonder to rediscover how it feels to have fun and move our bodies. Explore movement, mindfulness, and breathing practices for 75 minutes, followed by 15 minutes for reflective journaling and/or conversation. Registration is required.
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Best wishes,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries