Director's Update, August 21, 2022
8/21/2022 • 1 year ago
The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.
Dear Patrons,
Our Summer Reading Program ends on Tuesday, August 29. I want to extend my appreciation to the community members who participated and to thank the CPL team who worked so hard to plan and execute this program. Continue to sign up for one of the many Summer Reading programs at the Main Library or a Branch near you.
The miniature therapy horse, Idaho, visited with patrons at the O’Connell and Boudreau branches this week. Here is an adorable picture of Victoria and Leah Tynan with Idaho and Idaho’s trainer, Toni Hadad from Lifting Spirits. I also got to meet Idaho, whose gentle and friendly way certainly lifted my spirits! Many thanks to the O’Connell and Boudreau branch teams for being such welcoming hosts.
Thanks for a successful summer of Sundays at the Valente Branch; our last Sunday there is September 4. The Main Library’s Sunday hours, 1-5 p.m., resume on September 11.
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We are pleased to offer the following programs 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:
- 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.
- Preschool Story Time: Recommended for children ages 3-5.
- 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!
Please see the events calendar for further details. Registration is not required.
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Group offerings this week.
Summer ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, August 22
6-7:30 p.m.
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class! This class will be taught at a beginner level, and no testing is needed. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. Learn more.
Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting, Parts 1 & 2 (Main)
Monday, August 22 & Tuesday, August 23
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 23 & Wednesday, August 24
7-8 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 to focus and scan 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.
Summer Reading: Charades! (O'Connell)
Tuesday, August 23
2-3 p.m.
Come play this fun classic game in the O'Connell Reading Garden. Can you communicate with your teammates without saying a word? For children ages 5 and up and their grown-ups. No registration is required. Learn more.
Summer Reading: Teen Book Discussion (Central Square)
Tuesday, August 23
5-6 p.m.
Attention, teen readers! Join other students to talk about Long Way Down, by Jason Reynolds, the CRLS "One School One Story" read. Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact Kit at kferguson@cambridgema.gov. Learn more.
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Wednesday, August 24
1-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 25
6-8:30 p.m.
During this reservation period, anyone who has completed The Hive Safety Training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.
Summer Reading: Family Jigsaw Puzzles (O'Connell)
Wednesday, August 25
3-5 p.m.
We’ll work together on some jigsaw puzzles for people who like a challenge! For children ages 5 and up and their grown-ups. Learn more.
Summer Reading: Literary Trivia Night (Valente)
Wednesday, August 24
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Come celebrate the end of Summer Reading with an evening of bookish team trivia! Make a team of up to six people or come on your own. Light snacks will be provided. Registration is required.
Summer Reading: Stories from Around the World (O'Neill)
Wednesday, August 24
6:30-6:50 p.m.
Children and their grown-ups are invited to join us for stories from around the world. This program takes place outdoors at the O'Neill Branch. In the event of bad weather, the program will move indoors. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4023 for more information. Learn more.
Design Squad Maker: Design Thinking Workshop (Main)
Thursday, August 25
10 a.m.-Noon
Children ages 8-11 and their grown-ups are invited to join us for a hands-on design thinking and engineering workshop. Together, you'll come up with problems that you want to solve, brainstorm solutions, build prototypes, and test them to see how they work. Experience the same steps that engineers use to solve real-world problems. The staff will assist with library card registration. Children need no proof of ID; adults are required to show a photo ID and proof of Massachusetts residency to receive a library card. Registration is not required but encouraged.
Scrabble Hour (Collins)
Thursday, August 25
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Use your B-R-A-I-N (7 points) for a game of Scrabble! Bring a friend or get to know your neighbors. Boards will be provided. Players of all levels are welcome. Contact Lucy at LFlamm@CambridgeMA.gov or call 617-349-4021. Registration is not required, but you are welcome to register if you would like a reminder before the event.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-in Thursdays (O’Connell)
Thursday, August 25
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Bring your project and enjoy 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.
Summer Reading Block Party (O’Neill)
Thursday, August 25
3-5 p.m.
Celebrate the end of summer with games, snacks, and neighbors old and new! Bring your bicycle for bike-decorating activities and your pet for a pet parade. This event will move inside in case of bad weather. Learn more.
Sewing 101 (Main)
Thursday, August 25
3:30-4:30 p.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 before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.
Summer Reading Crafternoon (Collins)
Friday, August 26
2-3 p.m.
Come and make a hands-on project. Recommended for children ages 5-10 and their caregivers. This week explore fiber arts and projects with recycled clothing. Feel free to bring an old T-shirt or two that you want to repurpose! No registration required. Learn more.
Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Friday, August 26
2-3 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 this machine to use at designated times. Registration is required.
Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate trainings. You must take part in a Glowforge workshop to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. You must first complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.
Studio Recording 101 (Main)
Saturday, August 27
10-11 a.m.
Are you interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios! Join this workshop to become familiar with studio equipment and software. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.
Design Studio (Valente)
Saturday, August 27
2-4 p.m.
Children ages 8-11 and their grown-ups are invited to join us for a hands-on design thinking and engineering workshop. Together, you'll come up with problems that you want to solve, brainstorm solutions, build prototypes, and test them to see how they work. Experience the same steps that engineers use to solve real-world problems. The staff will assist with library card registration. Children need no proof of ID; adults are required to show a photo ID and proof of Massachusetts residency to receive a library card. Registration is not required but encouraged.
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All the best,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries