Director's Update, February 19, 2023
2/19/2023 • 15 months ago
Dear Patrons,
I hope you are well. I am delighted to share an update about the Library’s Board of Trustees. We recently welcomed three new trustees to the Board: Elisabeth Werby, Michael Baenen, and Risa Mednick. In addition, two of our trustees have been reappointed to serve another term: Karen Kosko and James Roosevelt.
Nancy Woods is retiring from the Board after nearly twenty-five years of impressive service. Since its inception, the Library has been a place where Cantabrigians can gather for learning opportunities and community engagement. Through her leadership on the Library 21 Committee, Nancy was instrumental in engaging the community leading up to the Main Library’s renovation and expansion. Nancy also frequently recognized the efforts of the Library’s staff; she truly embodies the civic heart of Cambridge. I am grateful for the thoughtfulness and passion Nancy brought to the Board. Her efforts and support will no doubt inspire future iterations of the Board. Thank you, Nancy Woods! (Photograph from 2017. L-R, Nancy Woods, Janet Axelrod, Drew Griffin, Maria McCauley, and Zoe Del Mar.)
The Library is pleased to host Boyah Farah, the author of America Made Me a Black Man, on Thursday, February 23, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lecture Hall. Farah will be talking with Huey Hewitt, a presidential scholar and doctoral student at Harvard. Registration is required to participate in this program.
All Library locations will be closed on Monday, February 20, in observance of Presidents Day.
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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.
Sing-Alongs
Story Time
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups this week.
ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesday, February 21, and Thursday, February 23
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 22, and Friday, February 24
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.
Vacation Week Program: Tinker Tuesday (Main)
Tuesday, February 21
1-5 p.m.
Have you wanted to see what The Hive is all about? Stop by to learn about our space and engage in hands-on activities, mini multimedia projects, and design challenges. This drop-in family program is geared toward kids ages 8–11 and their caregivers. No registration is required.
Vacation Week Program: Pineapple Project (Main)
Tuesday, February 21
2-3 p.m.
Enjoy a fun and engaging original show that explores gender, creativity, and each child's freedom to be who they are. Recommended for children ages 4-8 and their caregivers.
Vacation Week Program: Afternoon Games (Valente)
Tuesday, February 21
2-4 p.m.
Join us for board games! Challenge your friends or play an old favorite. The Library will provide games and snacks. For children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Call 617-349-4015 for more information.
Vacation Week Program: Drop-in Art Studio (O'Neill)
Tuesday, February 21, Wednesday, February 22, and Thursday, February 23
2-4 p.m.
Calling all young artists! Come explore your creativity. Each day we will discover different Black artists and make creations based on their work and style. No registration is required.
Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, February 21
2:30-3:30 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– whatever fiber art suits your fancy. Refreshments will be provided.
3D Printing 101: Game Piece Design (Main)
Tuesday, February 21
6-8 p.m.
You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing badge for future reservations in The Hive. Create a Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com before arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Register here.
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, February 21
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 22
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 22, 1-3:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 23, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Friday, February 24, Noon-3 p.m.
Saturday, February 25, Noon-4:30 p.m.
During this time, anyone who has completed The Hive Safety Training and is badged to use equipment or studios 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 22
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.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, February 22
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters in this informal group. 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. Thank you to Ingrid Nowak for hosting.
Vacation Week Program: Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals (Collins)
Wednesday, February 22
2-3 p.m.
Lindsay’s funny, fast-paced, and highly interactive variety show delights the young and the young at heart. Kids will meet several larger-than-life, hand-crafted puppets–perhaps a goofy moose, a heroic tiger, or a lovable bear. Oh my! Maybe a dancing robot or flamingo, an adorable mouse, a stubborn goat, a shy dragon, or a singing dinosaur. Come find out who's making an appearance this time! Year-round, Lindsay brings her larger-than-life Puppet Pals to child and family audiences across New England. Filled with silliness, active audience engagement, and memorable characters, this series of charming short stories will delight the young and the young at heart. Recommended for children ages 3-8 and their caregivers.
Vacation Week Program: Button Making Workshop (O'Connell)
Wednesday, February 22
3-4 p.m.
Learn how to use a button maker (on loan from The Hive makerspace) and turn your designs into wearable art.
After School Stories and Crafts (Central Square)
Wednesday, February 22
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.
Sewing 101 (Main)
Wednesday, February 22, and Saturday, February 25
7-8:30 p.m., 10-11:30 a.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 required.
Vacation Week Program: Talewise: Dragons and the Ice Sorceress (O'Connell)
Thursday, February 23
11-11:45 a.m.
Join us for a fun STEAM storytelling program! This fantasy adventure is all about an Ice Sorceress who tries to cancel spring … and the two kids who use science to thwart her icy plans! We'll explore the changing states of matter with frozen carbon dioxide — otherwise known as DRY ICE! No registration is required. Call 617-349-4019 for more information.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Thursday, February 23
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters as you work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, cross stitch, and more. All crafts are welcome!
Vacation Week Program: Haitian Folkloric Dance Workshop with Jean Appolon Expressions (Main)
Thursday, February 23
2-3 p.m.
Join the Jean Appolon Expressions team for a Haitian Folkloric class, accessible for all ages and movers. Dancers will learn the movements and rhythms of Haiti, including but not limited to Yanvalou, Ibo, Kongo, Nago, and Petwo. This class incorporates fun movements that are intricate and technical, yet loose and expressive at the same time. All ages and abilities are encouraged to join!
Photo-Scanning party (Boudreau)
Thursday, February 23
4-5 p.m.
It’s time to scan all those photos that have been collecting dust in the basement, closet, and attic. Invite friends, bring your photo albums – and even something to eat and drink: it’s a party! As you share your memories, we will help you digitize your photographs (and documents too). This way you can preserve them or share them online or even get them reprinted. You will have the peace of mind that those memories and moments won’t disappear. You will need photos and a USB drive of 4GB or more, or any hard drive.
Boyah J. Farah presents America Made Me a Black Man (Main)
Thursday, February 23
6:30-8 p.m.
Join us as Boyah J. Farah presents his book America Made Me a Black Man and talks with Huey Hewitt, a presidential scholar and doctoral student at Harvard. With a singular poetic voice brimming with imagery, this book is a searing memoir of American racism from a Somalian-American who survived hardships in his birth country only to experience the dehumanization of Blacks in his adopted land, the United States. Farah’s writing has appeared in the Guardian, the Harvard Transition, the Kennedy School Review, the Huffington Post, and more. He recently founded the Abaadi Center in Garowe, Somalia, which offers instruction in English, math, and science to students ages 13-24. Registration is required.
Videography 101 (Main)
Friday, February 24
10-11 a.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.
Vacation Week Program: Wingmasters: The World of Owls (Boudreau)
Friday, February 24
11 a.m.-Noon
Watch a demonstration of live owls that shows how they use their special powers of sight, hearing, and flight to survive and thrive.
Vacation Week Program: ASL at the Library -- Signing Rocks! (O'Neill)
Friday, February 24
2-3 p.m.
Join us for a party and an American Sign Language class rolled into one!
Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Friday, February 24
3:30-4:30 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! You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.
Saturday Screens (O'Neill)
Saturday, February 25
3-4:45 p.m.
Join us on the last Saturday of the month for family movies at the Library! The February film will be Soul (2020, Disney Pixar), rated PG, running time 101 minutes.
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All the best!
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries