U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Director's Update, June 12, 2022


6/12/20221 year ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.

O'Connell Branch Library

Dear Patrons,

Loving Day activities take place today!


The City of Cambridge Citizens' Committee on Civic Unity, the YWCA, the Cambridge Arts Council, and the Cambridge Public Library invite you to celebrate Loving Day, which commemorates the 55th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision that interracial marriages must be permitted in all states. This celebration will take place in Joan Lorentz Park today, Sunday, June 12, from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be music, cake, ice cream, and fun for all ages! Check out the book list Library staff created in celebration of Loving Day.

Juneteenth honors June 19, 1865, the day that the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, marking the end of slavery in the United States. We hope that you will join us at some of our Juneteenth events over the next two weeks. We have also prepared some Juneteenth book lists for youth and adults for exploration. In recognition of this important holiday, the Library will be closed on Monday, June 20.  


Book Groups  
Learn more about this week’s Book Group offerings. Thank you to our librarians for hosting these wonderful groups! 

Outdoor Programs for Kids

This week, these programs for young children will be offered (weather permitting) at our Central Square, Collins, 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 Songs & Stories: All ages are invited to sing, dance, and share a story!
  • Sing-Along: Put on your dancing shoes for a morning of singing and dancing! All ages are invited.
  • Story Time: All ages are invited to join us for a half hour of stories!     

Please see the events calendar for further details. Registration is not required. 

Fresh Pond Nature Walk (Collins)
Monday, June 13
10:15-11 a.m.

Join us on the second Monday of each month for a 45-minute relaxing walk around Fresh Pond with Park Ranger Tim Puopolo. No two weeks are the same in nature, and Tim will share his insights about what's growing, changing, and blooming in the neighborhood. The group will meet in the courtyard of the Collins Branch and walk toward the pond at 10:15 a.m. Registration is required

The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Monday, June 13
4-4:30 p.m. 

In this workshop, you will learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources, and how to keep safe in The Hive. Before attending workshops in The Hive, all makers must bring signed copies of  The Hive User Agreement and Waivers. Registration is required

Patio Project: Gravity (Valente)
Monday, June 13
5-6 p.m.

Join us outside in front of the Valente Branch for activities for all ages! Paint harnessing the power of gravity or defy gravity by making your own helicopter. In case of rain, this program will be held inside in the Community Room. Registration is required.

ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesdays and Thursdays
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays
10:30 a.m.-Noon

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur at the Central Square Branch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Intermediate ESOL is at 11 a.m., High Beginner ESOL is at 1 p.m., and Advanced ESOL is at 3 p.m. Beginner ESOL is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Registration is required for each class. 

Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)
Tuesday, June 14
1-4 p.m. and 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 16
6-8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 17
2:30-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 18
1:30-4:30 p.m.

At this time, anyone who has completed Hive Safety Training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces.Learn more about becoming a badged maker. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more. 

Juneteenth Story Time (Main)
Tuesday, June 14
4-4:30 p.m.

Join us for a special Juneteenth story time to celebrate Black voices. Recommended for children ages 3-5 and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 45 people. Tickets are available on a first come, first served, basis on the day of the program. The entire group must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to those who are waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more.

Haitian Folkloric Dance Class with Jean Appolon (O’Neill)
Tuesday, June 14
5:30-6:15 p.m.

Join us outdoors at the O'Neill Branch for a Haitian Folkoric Dance Class with Jean Appolon Expressions, which is suitable for all levels. You will begin this class with a complete warm-up blending modern technique with Afro-Haitian styles of dance. The dancers will learn movements and rhythms of Haiti including but not limited to Yanvalou, Ibo, Kongo, Nago, and Petwo. The movements are intricate and technical, yet loose and expressive at the same time. All ages and ability levels are encouraged to join! In case of bad weather, this program will be held a week later, on Tuesday, June 21, at 5:30 p.m. Learn more.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, June 14
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.  Learn more.

Rediscover MBTA for Seniors (Main)
Wednesday, June 15
Noon-1:30 p.m.

Join a Travel Trainer from MBTA Travel Training to learn about the ongoing improvements in accessibility on the T and how to apply for a Senior CharlieCard (reduced fare) as you plan to retire from driving. After the presentation, there will be an opportunity to explore an out-of-service bus allowing you to experience some of the special features, such as the lowering of the bus, using the ramp, priority seating, audible and visual announcements, and wheelchair securement. Learn more.

STEAM Kit Play Day (O’Connell)
Wednesday, June 15
3-5 p.m.

Join us to try out the Library's Fairy Tale Problem Solving STEAM kits: Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and The Gingerbread Man! Drop in at the O'Connell Branch to give your creativity a workout, and perhaps check out a STEAM kit to take home.This event is for children ages 3 and up and their caregivers. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Please call 617-349-4019 for more information. Learn more.

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Wednesday, June 15
5-6 p.m.

Learn how to use our Epilog Zing—an industry-standard laser cutting machine. Complete this workshop to earn a badge for the Zing laser cutter. With a badge, you can reserve the Epilog Zing to use on our equipment booking page at designated times.

Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate trainings. You must take part in a Glowforge workshop in order to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Videography 101 (Main)
Wednesday, June 15
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 16
1-2 p.m.

Step into The Hive's state-of-the-art recording studio and film a short video of yourself in front of our green screen. Then, spend some time becoming familiar with our video editing software while working with your footage. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Caribbean American Heritage Month with the Mystic Jammers Reggae Band (Joan Lorentz Park)
Thursday, June 16
12-1:30 p.m.

Join us at Joan Lorentz Park for a live performance by the Mystic Jammers Reggae Band in celebration of Caribbean American Heritage Month. This program is sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library, the City Manager's Office, the Mayor's Office, and the Employees' Committee on Diversity


Fiber Arts Drop-in Group (O'Connell)
Thursday, June 16
11 a.m.-Noon

Bring your project and enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters. Learn more

XR Lab (Main)
Saturday, June 18
10-11 a.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 before registering for this workshop. Registration is required. 

Yoga on the Lawn: Yoga to Honor Our Roots (Main)
Saturday, June 18
10:15-11:30 a.m. 

Join Cap Aguilar (she/they) for weekly yoga classes on the lawn at the Main Library! Each class will be 75 minutes. We will explore movement, mindfulness, and breathing practices for 60 minutes followed by 15 minutes for reflective journaling and/or conversation. 

Together let’s explore various ways to honor the Brown and Black roots of yoga as well as our own roots. By cultivating connectedness to the earth and our lineage, we can create a stronger sense of self and a stronger sense of community. Registration is required.

A Celebration of Juneteenth (Central Square)
Saturday, June 18
12-2 p.m.

Join us at the Central Square Branch for a celebration of Juneteenth! This outdoor event will feature the storyteller Valerie Stephens followed by the Afro-pop and Moz-Jazz sounds of the Albino Mbie Band. We will provide sidewalk chalk, crafts, and cupcakes. This event welcomes all ages!  This event is cosponsored by the City Manager's Office and the Mayor's Office. Learn more

Flying High Dogs at Rindge Field! (O'Neill) 
Saturday, June 18
2-2:45 p.m.

Mike Piazza, the number one professional K-9 frisbee performer in the world, presents his Flying High Dogs! Join the O'Neill and Boudreau Branch libraries at Rindge Field for a family-friendly show featuring dogs doing tricks with frisbees and lots of audience participation. Learn more.

Stay Connected
Please subscribe to our email list, follow us on TwitterInstagram,andFacebook, and visit our website

All the best, 
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.

Director of Libraries