Director's Update, February 12, 2023
2/12/2023 • 15 months ago
Dear Patrons,
The Library is pleased to host Peter. S. Goodman, the award-winning journalist and author of the bestselling book Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World on February 15 at 6 p.m. Goodman will speak as part of the Our Path Forward series, which explores topics that are important to the health of our democracy. In Davos Man, he draws on decades of experience covering the global economy and profiles five representative “Davos Men”—members of the billionaire class—and chronicles how their shocking exploitation of the global pandemic has hastened a fifty-year trend of wealth centralization. Goodman will talk with Kate Tuttle, the executive editor at People Magazine, covering books. A past president of the National Book Critics Circle, she formerly edited the books pages at the Boston Globe. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Washington Post, Poets and Writers, Salon, Dame, and elsewhere. This program is dedicated to the memory of Janet Axelrod, the late Chair of the Library's Board of Trustees. Registration is required.
The Cambridge History Project’s Black Trailblazers exhibition on the second-floor lobby of the Main Library through February 28 was highlighted in a report on WBZ4 as part of the station’s acknowledgment of Black History Month. You can watch the video here. I invite you to visit the exhibition before it comes to an end.
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Here are the week’s programs!
Activities for Kids
These programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations. Thank you to our Youth Services librarians for hosting.
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups this week.
Breakfast with Botticelli: Joseph Luzzi on Botticelli's Secret (Virtual)
Monday, February 13
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Join Joseph Luzzi virtually to discuss his latest book, Botticelli's Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance. Bring your coffee to enjoy this virtual author talk! Botticelli's Secret was named a New Yorker Best Book of 2022. This talk will take place on Zoom. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. Joseph Luzzi is a scholar of Italian history and literature. His previous books include My Two Italies (2014) and In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love (2015). For more information, please contact Lucy at LFlamm@CambridgeMA.gov.
Wellness for Seniors: Combo Dance Fitness & Let Your Yoga Dance® (Virtual)
Monday, February 13
11-11:45 a.m.
Join us for this fun, dynamic, and ultimately blissful combo: We start with some high-energy (low-impact) dance fitness, then work our way through the seven energy centers (chakras) with Let Your Yoga Dance. You will leave with a good workout and a peaceful, happy mind/body/spirit. It’sgood for everybody! Registration is required for each session.
Creative Aging: Improv (Main)
Monday, February 13
2-4 p.m.
Learn how to seamlessly integrate interactive improv games, scenes, and skillful storytelling with performance in this series of classes offered with Improv Boston. This 8-week course will meet in person on Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. from January 23 through March 20. Space is limited to 15 participants, and registration is required. To gain the most out of this program, we expect all participants to commit to all eight sessions. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
LEGO Time (Main)
Monday, February 13
4-4:45 p.m.
It's a weekly block party! Join friends to design and build amazing LEGO structures. Let your imagination run wild! The Children's Room has plenty of LEGO pieces, so you don't need to bring your own. Be aware that LEGO pieces are choking hazards for young children, so this program is for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. It can accommodate 30 builders. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. This program starts promptly, and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more.
Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting, Parts 1 & 2 (Main)
Monday, February 13, and Tuesday, February 14
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 14, and Wednesday, February 15
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-day workshop. These workshops replace the previous Glowforge 101 and 201 offerings. 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 and learn file formatting for production. Note: This is a badging course for laser cutting. Signing up for Part 1 registers you for Part 2 the next day. You will be badged at the end of the Part 2 workshop and can reserve the Glowforge Pro during designated times. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before participating in this program.
ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, February 13
6-7 p.m.
Join us for a beginner-level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class! No testing is needed, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. Learn more.
ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesday, February 14, and Thursday, February 16
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 15, and Friday, February 17
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.
Sit 'n' Knit
Tuesday, February 14
2-3 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– whatever fiber art suits your fancy. Refreshments will be provided.
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, February 14
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, February 15
10-11 a.m.
Join Sifu Mynor Diaz in this 12-week Tai Chi practice, which focuses on the mind-body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low-impact routine. 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.
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Wednesday, February 15, 1-6 p.m.
Thursday, February 16, 1:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 17, Noon-2:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 18, 11:30 a.m.-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.
Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)
Wednesday, February 15
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.
Winter Bird Watching Walk at Mount Auburn Cemetery (Collins)
Wednesday, February 15
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Join us for a winter walk at a renowned birdwatching spot in our own backyard, Mount. Auburn Cemetery! We will help you identify birds, learn birdwatching tips and tricks, and familiarize you with the winter migratory birds as well as those that can be spotted all year round. A limited supply of binoculars will be available. Registration is required.
We will meet at the courtyard of the Collins Branch (64 Aberdeen Ave.) at 2:30 p.m. and head over to Mount Auburn Cemetery together. For more information, contact Michael Roberson at mroberson@cambridgema.gov or call the Collins Branch at 617-349-4021.
NYT Writer Peter Goodman presents Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World with Kate Tuttle of People Magazine (Main)
Wednesday, February 15
6:30-8 p.m.
Join us as the award-winning journalist and author Peter Goodman presents his best-selling book Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World, an NPR Best Book of the Year. In Davos Man, Goodman draws on decades of experience covering the global economy and profiles five representative “Davos Men”—members of the billionaire class—and chronicles how their shocking exploitation of the global pandemic has hastened a fifty-year trend of wealth centralization. Alongside this reporting, Goodman delivers textured portraits of those caught in Davos Man’s wake. Goodman will be talking with Kate Tuttle, the executive editor at People Magazine, covering books. Registration is required.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop In (O'Connell)
Thursday, February 16
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.
Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, February 16
2-3:30 p.m.
Join our librarians for tea, cookies, and a jigsaw puzzle. An hour of fun and conversation on a Thursday afternoon.
Read to a Dog (Boudreau)
Thursday, February 16
3-4 p.m.
Read with Ana the Therapy Dog! Therapy dogs provide warm and non-judgmental 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).
Read to a Dog (O'Neill)
Thursday, February 16
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 and begins on Thursday, February 9, by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023).
Afternoon Games (O’Neill)
Thursday, February 16
3-5 p.m.
Join us to play your favorite board game or complete a puzzle after school! No registration is required.
Wellness for Seniors: Introduction to Tai Chi Paradigm (Main)
Friday, February 17
10-11 a.m.
Join us for an in-person 12-week Introduction to Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind-body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low-impact routine. No previous experience is necessary. Sifu Mynor Diaz has been learning and teaching Tai Chi classes for over 20 years. He has taught classes at five VA Boston Healthcare System locations and at Senior Centers. Due to the popularity of this series, we expect participants to attend all the classes. Registration is required.
Sewing 101 (Main)
Friday, February 17
3-4:30 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 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.
XR Lab 101 (Main)
Saturday, February 18
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. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.
Jazz Performance by the Lilly Jazz Project (O'Neill)
Saturday, February 18
2:30-3:30 p.m.
The Lilly Jazz Project is an energized ensemble originally formed in California. The band’s leader, Darr, moved to Boston to attend Berklee College of Music and recast the band members from the Berklee community. Now creating newer sounds and empowering music, the Lilly Jazz Project will be playing pieces with an emphasis on Latin and Bossa jazz.
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All the best!
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries