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Director's Update, November 7, 2021


11/7/2021 • 2 years ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 2 years ago.

Central Square Branch Kyle Klein Photos

Dear Patrons,

To all our veterans, thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you also to those of you honoring veterans this week and showing your support of our service personnel past and present.

Veterans’ Day

All CPL locations will be closed on Thursday, November 11, to celebrate Veterans’ Day.

Video Games Now Available at Central Square, O’Neill, and Valente!

Video game collections are coming to the Central Square, O'Neill, and Valente Branch Libraries! Beginning collections will include Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 games.

Cambridge residents will be able to hold video games at any Minuteman library. Nonresidents will be able to browse and borrow from the collections at each location. Video games can be checked out for 1 week and cannot be renewed.

Video games are currently available to borrow from the Main Library's Children’s Room and Teen Room.

Outdoor Programming for Kids

Weekly outdoor programs for young children will be offered (weather permitting) at our Central Square, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill and Valente locations:

  • Outdoor Baby Lapsit: Just for you and your baby! Enjoy time with other parents, caregivers, and babies to play and develop language and motor skills.
  • Outdoor Sing Along: All ages are invited to sing and dance!
  • Outdoor Story Time: All ages are invited to join us for a half hour of stories!

Please see our events calendar for all outdoor youth program details. Registration is not required.

Wellness for Seniors: Zumba Gold (Virtual)

On Monday, November 8, at 11 a.m., join us virtually to improve flexibility and balance, strengthen muscles, and have fun! The certified Zumba Gold instructor Emily B. will lead you through 45 minutes of low-impact and easy choreography in your own home through Zoom. Registration is required.

Teen Advisory Board (Main)

Calling all teens! On Monday, November 8, at 4 p.m., meet with your librarians and your peers to help plan programs and guide the Library in supporting Cambridge teens. Participation counts toward community service. Call 617-349-4027, stop by the Teen Room to sign up, or just come to the meeting!

Poetry Reading with Indran Amirthanayagam and Dick Lourie (Main)

On Monday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m., join the poet and essayist Indran Amirthanayagam and the poet and musician Dick Lourie. Amirthanayagam will read from his latest collection of poems Blue Window. Lourie's new collection, Jam Session and Other Poems, is built around his determination to fuse his poems and his music into one creative work. Registration is required.

ESOL Classes (Central Square/Virtual)

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur virtually on Tuesdays. Beginner ESOL takes place at 1 p.m. and Intermediate ESOL at 3 p.m.

Intermediate classes will also be offered in person at the Central Square Branch on Tuesdays at 11 a.m., and Intro ESOL will be offered on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m.

Registration is required for each class.

Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 (Main)

In this workshop on Tuesday, November 9, at 1:30 p.m., you will 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 using our Glowforge laser cutter and learn how to cut and engrave your own creations using this device. Registration is required.

All makers must sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers to participate.

Wee Are Every Good Thing: Celebrating and Affirming Our BIPOC Children with Wee the People (Virtual)

On Tuesday, November 9, at 6:30 p.m., join racial justice project Wee The People for a deep dive into the world of powerful, affirming, and gorgeously illustrated children's books by BIPOC authors and illustrators. Geared to audiences of color, this workshop will hold space for parents, caregivers, educators, artists, activists, clergy, clinicians, and others to share experiences as we explore a wide range of characters and themes in children's books. Registration is required.

ASL Basics for Beginners (Part 2) (Virtual)

SIGNING Basics, LLC, is returning to the Library on Tuesdays this November through virtual Zoom classes! A live sign language instructor will teach you additional signing phrases that will complement the phrases and signs learned in ASL Basics for Beginners Part 1.

This four-part course continues on Tuesday, November 9, at 7 p.m. You are expected to attend all four sessions. Space is limited. Registration is required.

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)

Would you like assistance creating a résumé or looking for jobs? Join us on Wednesday, November 10, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Central Square Branch for help with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required.

Read to a Dog (O'Neill)

On Wednesday, November 10, at 3 p.m., read with a cuddly friend at the O'Neill Branch! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required. It begins on Wednesday, November 3, by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023).

3D Printing 101: Design and Creation, Part 1 (Main)

On Wednesday, November 10, at 5:30 p.m., learn how to create objects in digital space and fabricate those creations using our Sindoh 3D printers in this two-part series. In Part 1 of this course, you will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, and gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad.

Note: This is a badging course for 3D printing. You will be badged at the end of the Part 2 workshop. Registration is required.

You must complete The Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 and create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com before you can participate in this program. (Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account before arriving.)

Hive Safety Training (Virtual)

In this workshop on Friday, November 12, at 4 p.m., you will learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources, and how to keep safe in The Hive. Registration is required.

Before attending in-person workshops in The Hive, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.

Studio Recording 101 (Main)

Are you interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios! On Saturday, November 13, at 11 a.m., join this workshop to become familiar with the basics of the equipment and software. Registration is required.

You must complete The Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before participating in this program.

Hive Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)

On Saturday, November 13, 12:30 – 3 p.m., anyone who has completed Hive training and is badged to use equipment or studios can reserve equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Make reservations. Learn more about becoming a badged maker.

Stay Connected

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Best wishes,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries