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Director's Update, January 15, 2023


1/15/202314 months ago

Annette Gordon-Reed

Dear Patrons,

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day! All Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 16, for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The Library was pleased to host the Grammy award-winning Parker Quarter to a sold-out performance for the second session of their Beethoven in the Community Series on Tuesday, January 10. The third and final session of the series will take place on Tuesday, February 7, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Registration is required to participate in this program.

Please join the Cambridge Public Library, the Mayor’s Office, and the City Manager’s Office in welcoming Dr. Annette Gordon-Reed for the 48th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event on Thursday, January 19, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Main Library. Dr. Gordon-Reed has transformed the way we understand American history through her works, including On Juneteenth and The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for Nonfiction and has received the MacArthur Fellowship and the National Humanities Medal. This event is cosponsored by the City of Cambridge, the Cambridge Trust Charitable Foundation, and the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Registration is required to participate.

International Mother Language Day is celebrated around the world on Tuesday, February 21, to honor cultural diversity. More than 90 languages are spoken in Cambridge. To celebrate these languages, Mayor Siddiqui's office, in collaboration with CRLS’s South Asian Club and the Media Arts Studio, Cambridge Arts, the Cambridge Public Library, and the CRLS student Priyota Imam, invite community members to submit poems in their native languages, along with English-language translations, for display at the Cambridge Library branch locations and City buildings. Poems can be submitted to the Mayor's Office via mail or in person (795 Massachusetts Avenue), and online no later than Monday, February 6. Learn more about how to submit a poem.

Voting for the BSA's Harleston Parker Award, which recognizes "the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument, or structure built in the metropolitan Boston area in the past 10 years," ends on Tuesday, January 17. The Valente Library and the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School and Complex by William Rawn Associates with Arrowstreet Inc. is a finalist for the award. You can help the Valente Library and the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School to win the People's Choice Award by voting for it here by Tuesday, January 17 at 12 p.m.!

 

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We are pleased to offer the following programs.

Weekly Activities for Kids

This week, these programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations.


Book Groups

Learn more about our Book Groups this week.

ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesday, January 17, and Thursday, January 19
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 18, and Friday, January 20
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

Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Tuesday, January 17, 1-8:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 18, 1-7 p.m.
Thursday, January 19, 2-6:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 21, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

During 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. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, January 17
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Wellness for Seniors: Tai Chi Paradigm - Level 1 (Main)
Wednesday, January 18
10-11 a.m.

Join Sifu Mynor Diaz in this 12-week Tai Chi practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low-impact routine. Due to the popularity of this series, we expect participants to attend all classes. This workshop is open to participants who have attended the Fall session.Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Learn more and register.

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)
Wednesday, January 18
1-3 p.m.

Looking for assistance creating a résumé or finding a job? Join us for help with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required. Learn more

Play your favorite board game or complete a puzzle after school! (O’Neill)
Wednesday, January 18
2:30-4:30 p.m.

Join us at the O’Neill Branch to play your favorite board game or complete a puzzle after school! To learn more, please call 617-349-4023.

After-School Stories and Crafts (Central Square)
Wednesday, January 18
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.

The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Wednesday, January 18
8 -8:30 p.m.

Are you interested in using The Hive? In this workshop you will learn about our makerspace, how to use the resources we offer, and how to keep safe in The Hive. Find out what you need to get started as a maker in The Hive here.  Completion of The Hive Safety Training is the entry point to making, innovating, and collaborating in this space. Makers must also sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers. Registration is required to participate in this workshop.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Thursday, January 19
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! Please call 617-349-4019 if you have questions.

Janet’s Puzzle Party
Thursday, January 19
2-3:30 p.m.

Join our staff librarian, Janet, for tea, cookies, and a jigsaw puzzle.  It’s an hour of fun and conversation on a Thursday afternoon.

Read to a Dog (O'Neill)
Thursday, January 19
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 ten-minute time slot is required. Sign up the day of the program by phone or in person at the Boudreau Branch (617-349-4017).

Create a Quilt Square (O’Neill)
Thursday, January 19
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Community members of all ages and sewing abilities are invited create a square for our Community Quilt at the O’Neill branch. Using fabric markers, glue or a needle and thread, the unique piece of fabric art you create will contribute to our collective creation.

Create a Quilt Square will also take place on Thursday January 26, 3:30-4:30 p.m. and Saturday February 4, 2-3p.m. We will work on constructing our quilt on Saturday February 11, 1:30-4:30 p.m. This series is part of the O'Neill Community Quilt Project. Visit our calendar for more event listings.

Snowflake Making (Collins)
Thursday, January 19
4-5 p.m.

Celebrate the season with an afternoon craft.  We'll provide supplies and instructions to cut traditional snowflakes and advanced 3-D versions using multiple sheets of paper.  Recommended for ages 5 and up with a caregiver. To learn more, call 617-349-4021.

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Thursday, January 19
7:30-8:30 p.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! Registration is requiredYou must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.

Videography 101 (Main)
Friday, January 19
2-3 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 video editing software while working with your footage. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Crafternoon (Valente)
Friday, January 20

3:30-4:30 p.m.

Visit the Valente Branch to make and take a hands-on project. Recommended for children ages 5-12 and their caregivers. No registration is required for this drop-in event. Call 617-349-4015 for more information.  

 

 

Wellness for Seniors: Tai Chi Paradigm - Level 1 (Main)

Friday, January 20

10-11 a.m.

 

Join Sifu Mynor Diaz in this 12-week Tai Chi practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low-impact routine. Due to the popularity of this series, we expect participants to attend all classes. This workshop is open to participants who have attended the Fall session.Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Learn more and register.

 

Read to a Dog (O'Neill)
Saturday, January 21
2-3 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 by calling
617-349-4023 or visiting the O’Neill Branch. Learn more.

 

Stay Connected

Please subscribe to our email list, follow us on TwitterInstagram, or Facebook, and visit our website

 

All the best,

  

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.  

Director of Libraries