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Director's Update, September 11, 2022


9/11/20221 year ago

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.

Wole Soyinka and Dr. McCauley at Main Entrance

Dear Patrons, 

 

It is an exciting time with the start of the school year, bringing expanded Main Library Teen Room hours, a new Fiction Desk on L1 of the Main Library, and Sunday hours resuming at the Main Library on September 11 from 1 to 5 p.m.  

 

Last week we hosted Wole Soyinka, who talked with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., and 450 guests at the Fitzgerald Theatre next door at the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School for a very special evening. Soyinka read his work and discussed politics, culture, and life in Nigeria, Africa, Ukraine, and the United States. Thank you to the CPL Foundation and the Nord Family Foundation for funding this program. 

 

It is also a time of sorrow as we say goodbye to Donna Davis, who passed away last Saturday. Donna was the first president of the CPL Foundation. She was a mover and shaker and greatly helped the Foundation get off the ground. Donna was also a colleague and someone dear to me. She had a generous heart and truly loved the Library. I’ve included a photo of Donna with my children when we visited her last spring. Rest in peace, Donna. 

 

On September 14, we will host the third Park Sounds concert in memory of Janet Axelrod, a former chair of the Library Trustees, featuring performances by the Albino Mbie trio and HobArt Goulart. This program is supported by the CPL Foundation. No registration is required. See below for more details.  

 

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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.   

 

   

Wellness for Seniors: Low Impact Fitness (Virtual)

Monday, September 12 

11-11:45 a.m. 

 

Join us to strengthen the muscles, the heart, and the brain while having fun and moving to great music in this low-impact virtual fitness workshop! Come as you are, and take everything at your own pace. You will feel the benefits in your mind and your body! This class is designed for people of all levels. Registration is required to participate in each session

 

The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)

Monday, September 12 

3:30-4 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.    

 

 

Evening Story Time (Valente)  

Monday, September 12 

5:30-5:55 p.m. 

 

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us in the Community Room at the Valente Branch for a special evening story time event. This program will run for 20-25 minutes, with songs, stories, and rhymes. Free tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. Please call 617-349-4015 for more information. Learn more

 

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 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 not required. Learn more.    

 

Studio Recording 101 (Main)

Tuesday, September 13 

5:30-6:30 p.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.  

 

Knitting Group (Boudreau)   

Tuesday, September 13 

6:30-7:30 p.m.    

   

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

 

Family STEAM Night: Pigeon Edition (O'Neill)

Tuesday, September 13 

6:30-7:15 p.m. 

 

Families with elementary school children are invited to gather for hands-on activities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Adults and children will learn and play together! During this program, we will read the new Mo Willems "Pigeon" book, explore principles of physics through a building activity, and even meet a real pigeon! Learn more

 

Videography 101 (Main)

Tuesday, September 13 

7:30-8:30 p.m. 

Friday, September 16 

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

 

Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)

Wednesday, September 14 

1:30-3:30 p.m. 

Thursday, September 15 

1:30 -8:30 p.m. 

Saturday, September 17 

1-4:30 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 Hive equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.  

 

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)

Wednesday, September 14 

1-3 p.m. 

 

Would you like assistance creating a résumé or finding a job? Drop by the Central Square Branch for help with a résumé, conducting a job search online, and completing online applications. No registration is required. Learn more.  

 

After School Stories and Crafts (Central Square)

Wednesday, September 14 

4-5 p.m. 

 

Join us in the Children's Room for a fun craft and related stories. For more information, call 617-349-4010. Recommended for ages 5-10. Learn more

 

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)

Wednesday, September 14 

5:30-6:30 p.m., 7:30-8:30 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.     

 

Park Sounds: HobArt Goulart and Albino Mbie Trio (Main)

Wednesday, September 14 

6-7:30 p.m. 

 

Bring a blanket or a chair and join us in Joan Lorentz Park for an evening of Park Sounds! Our performers are Albino Mbie, an award-winning musician, guitarist, singer, composer, and sound and mixing engineer born in Maputo, the capital of Mozambique. Mbie’s music incorporates his musical experiences from Mozambique, the U.S., and many other places around the world, combining rhythmic patterns and musical concepts to create a unique Afro-Pop and Moz-Jazz sound.  

 

HobArt Goulart is a singer/songwriter/comedian originally born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and currently living in Cambridge. HobArt's music encompasses several styles from Bossa Nova and Samba to Pop and R&B, paying homage to all immigrants, refugees, and other minority groups anywhere in the world. He often plays as a trio with piano and saxophone. 

 

This program is supported by the CPL Foundation and is hosted in memory of Janet Axelrod. 

 

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O’Connell)   

Thursday, September 15  

11 a.m.-12:30 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, September 15 

3-4 p.m. 

 

Read with Ana the Therapy Dog! Therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers of all ages. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required. Sign up the day of the program by phone or in person at the Boudreau Branch (617-349-4017). Learn more

 

Read to a Dog (O’Neill)

Thursday, September 15 

3-4 p.m. 

 

Read with a cuddly friend! 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. Registration opens on Thursday, September 8, by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023). Learn more

  

XR Lab (Main)

Saturday, September 11 

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 The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.    

 

Stay Connected    

Please subscribe to our email list, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and visit our website.     

    

All the best,  

  

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.  

Director of Libraries