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Director's Update, August 7, 2022


8/7/20221 year ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.

Main Library Reading Room

Dear Patrons,

The Library is pleased to host Park Sounds, with performances by Grace Givertz and Naomi Westwater, in Joan Lorentz Park on Wednesday, August 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. This program is supported by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation and is being held in memory of Janet Axelrod. In the event of bad weather, it will be held in the Lecture Hall. Learn more

We are also delighted to offer the following programs at the Main Library and Branch locations.

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. 

Fresh Pond Nature Walk (Collins)
Monday, August 8
10:15-11 a.m.

Join us on the second Monday of each month for a 45-minute relaxing walk around Fresh Pond with the 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 walk will meet in the courtyard of the Collins Branch and leave toward the pond at 10:15 a.m. Learn more

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Monday, August 8
3:30-4:30 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 at designated times. 

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. Registration is required

Summer Reading: Family Game Night (Valente)
Monday, August 8
5-6:30 p.m.

Challenge your family or meet new friends over board games and puzzles. Play an old favorite or learn a new game. The Library will supply games. All ages welcome. No registration is required. Call the O'Neill Branch at 617-349-4023 for more information. Learn more.

Summer ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, August 8
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class this summer! This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. Learn more

Outside Chalk Fun (Boudreau)
Tuesday, August 9
1-2 p.m.

Join us outside the Boudreau Branch for sidewalk games and mosaic art. The Library will provide art supplies. If it rains, this program will be held on August 12 at the same time. No registration is required. Learn more.

CPL Crafts: Draw in the Park (Joan Lorentz Park, Main)
Tuesday, August 9
6-7:30 p.m.

Have you ever sat in Joan Lorentz Park and admired the trees? In this outdoor drawing workshop, the local artist and illustrator Julia Emiliani will provide instruction on illustrating plants and natural subject matter in the park. Julia will provide step-by-step instructions throughout the session, and attendees will learn basic drawing and observation skills while exploring the expression of plants. Bring your blanket or chair; we will provide the drawing materials and a clipboard! If it rains, the workshop will be held on August 11. Registration is required.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, August 9
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Tuesday, August 9
6:30-7:30 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

Summer Reading: Card Making (Boudreau)
Wednesday, August 10
3-7 p.m. 

Drop in on Wednesdays to create cards for our neighbors at Cadbury Commons. We’ll provide the materials. Learn more

Summer Reading: Friendly Fuzzballs! (O’Connell)
Wednesday, August 10
3-3:30 p.m.

Craft a big, fluffy yarn pompom to take home. This program is recommended for children ages 5 and up and their grownups. The Library will provide materials. Registration is not required. Learn more

CPL PARK SOUNDS: Grace Givertz and Naomi Westwater (Main)
Wednesday, August 10
6-7:30 p.m.

Bring a blanket or a chair and join us outside the Main Library in Joan Lorentz Park for Park Sounds! Grace Givertz is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter who performs using a guitar, a banjo, a mandolin, and a harmonica. Naomi Westwater (she/they) is a queer, Black-multiracial singer-songwriter. Her music weaves in and out of Americana music, flirting with jazz, soul, folk, and electropop. 

This program is supported by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation and is being held in memory of Janet Axelrod. In the event of bad weather, it will be held in the Lecture Hall. Learn more

Sewing 101 (Main)
Wednesday, August 10
5:30-7 p.m. 

In this 90-minute class, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when 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.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O’Connell)
Thursday, August 11
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters! Drop in with 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

Read to a Dog (Boudreau)
Thursday, August 11
3-4 p.m.

Read with Ana the Therapy Dog! Therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental companions for new or experienced readers of all ages. Registration is required for each ten-minute slot. Sign up the day of the program by phone or in person at the Boudreau Branch (617-349-4017). Learn more

Summer Reading: Create Augmented Reality Greeting Cards (Main)
Thursday, August 11
5:30-7:30 p.m.

In this workshop, participants will learn about augmented reality (AR) and how to create AR content using Hoverlay technology. They will make two-dimensional greeting cards and add AR media, such as a short video or image that will make any greeting really "pop." The workshop is designed for adults and teens. We will have traditional card-making materials and STEAM Kits available for children who may be accompanying an adult. Registration is required.

Summer Reading Crafternoon (Valente)
Friday, August 12
2-3 p.m.

Join us at the Valente Branch to make and take a hands-on project. Recommended for children ages 5-10 and their caregivers. The Library will provide materials. No registration is required for this drop-in event. Call the Valente Branch at 617-349-4015 for more information. Learn more.

Videography 101 (Main)
Friday, August 12
3:30-4:30 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, become familiar with our video editing software while working with your footage. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.Registration is required.

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Saturday, August 13
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.

Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)
Saturday, August 13
1:30-4:30 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 The Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more

Summer Reading: Kids Resist! Outdoors with Wee the People (O’Neill)
Saturday, August 13
2-3:30 p.m.

Kids of all ages will explore social movements through games, hands-on projects, and making their own T-shirts! Presented by Wee the People. In the event of bad weather, this program will move indoors. Learn more

Stay Connected  

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All the best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries