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Director's Update, July 3, 2022


7/3/20221 year ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.

Director McCauley

Dear Patrons,

Happy Independence Day!

All Library locations will be closed on Monday, July 4, in observance of the holiday. I am happy to share that I was inaugurated as the president of the Public Library Association (PLA)at the annual conference of the American Library Association in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 28, along with ALA President Lessa Kanani'opua Pelayo-Lozada. The PLA is the largest group dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, the PLA serves nearly 10,000 members in public libraries large and small across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. In collaboration with its parent organization, the American Library Association, the PLA strives to serve as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. I am honored to serve as president of the PLA to advocate for public libraries on a national scale.

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Our Summer Reading program kicked off on July 1 and will run through August 26. Summer Reading promotes reading and a love of books while highlighting the Library’s resources, services, spaces, and collections. Learn more about the Summer Reading programs taking place at the Library this week.

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I am happy to report the beginning of a new service this July and August, Summer Sundays at the Valente Branch. This program will run from July 3 through September 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to a Summer Launch Party at the Valente Branch on Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. Learn more.

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The Collins Branch is adding Wednesdays and two additional evenings to its hours of operation beginning on Tuesday, July 5. This expansion is part of the City’s and the Library’s commitment to increasing its hours at all its branches. Learn more.

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We are also offering the following programs and events this week.

Outdoor Programs for Kids

This week, these programs will be offered (weather permitting) at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations:

  • Sing-Along: All ages are invited to sing and dance!
  • Songs and Stories: All ages are invited to sing, dance, and share a story!
  • Story Time: All ages are invited to join us for a half hour of stories!

Preschool Story Time: Recommended for children ages 3-5. 

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

Book Groups

Learn more about our Book Groups this week.

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, July 5
7:30-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 6
1-4 p.m.
Thursday, July 7
6-8:30 p.m.  
Saturday, July 9
1:30-4:30 p.m.  

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

Knitting Group (Boudreau)  
Tuesday, July 5
6:30-7:30 p.m.  

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

Sewing 101 (Main)
Wednesday, July 6
10-11:30 a.m.

Here you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will cover setting up a machine, its basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when the stitch tension has gone awry. We’ll also cover some safety best practices when operating a sewing machine. As we learn together, we’ll work on a simple sewing project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class. You must complete The Hive Safety Training or The Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Fiber Crafts Group – Drop-in (O’Connell)
Thursday, July 7
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  

Bring your project and enjoy an hour in the company of other fiber crafters. Join this informal group to work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, cross stitch, and more. All crafts are welcome!  Learn more.   

Fund Your Small Nonprofit: Tapping Into New Resources (Main)
Thursday, July 7
6-7:30 p.m.

Join the fundraising consultant Anne Hager in this interactive workshop, network with other nonprofit leaders, and learn about the what, where, and how of tapping into new revenue sources for your small nonprofit. This workshop is intended for patrons who are already engaged in nonprofit work.  Registration is required.

Note: There are two workshops in this series. Attendance is not required for both but is encouraged. 

Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting, Parts 1 & 2 (Main) 
Thursday, July 7
3:30-4:30 p.m. 
Friday, July 8
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter in this two-part series. In Part 1, you will use the camera for focusing and scanning your own images, properly select materials for your project, and fabricate your first design. In Part 2, you will create digital artwork for the Glowforge Pro and learn file formatting for production. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before participating. Registration is required.

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)  
Saturday, July 9
10-11 a.m.  

Would you like to make your own vinyl signs, stickers, or images to transfer to T-shirts and other textiles? In this workshop, you can learn how to use our Roland Camm-1 GS-24 vinyl cutter. You can then design a sticker and cut it with our vinyl cutter! You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Stay Connected

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Warm regards, 
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries