Director's Update, August 13, 2023
8/13/2023 • 8 months ago
Dear Patrons,
Our Summer Reading program will conclude on Saturday, August 26. There’s still plenty of time to participate in a Summer Reading adventure and enter to win a Porter Square Books gift card. Community participation in this year’s Summer Reading program has been outstanding so far, and I hope you keep adventuring in the next two weeks so that we can conclude this year’s program with record participation. Stay tuned for some exciting upcoming programs this fall!
The Library is pleased to offer the following programs for the week that begins on Sunday, August 13. I hope you will join us for one of them.
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Activities for Kids
This week, 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.
Sing-Alongs
Story Times
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups.
Baby Lapsit (Main)
Monday, August 14
10-10:20 a.m.
Just for you and your baby! Enjoy time with other parents, caregivers, and babies to learn, play, and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for 0-12 months. Come prepared to sit on the floor with your baby in your lap. This program can accommodate 15 babies and their caregivers. 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. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.
Summer Reading: After-Camp Hangout (O'Neill)
Monday, August 14
3-6 p.m.
Enjoy games, snacks, and a weekly rotating activity. Beat the heat or just hang out with friends! All youth and their families are welcome.
LEGO Time (Main)
Monday, August 14
4-4:45 p.m.
It’s a weekly block party! Bring 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.
ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, August 14
6-7 p.m.
Join us for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)! 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.
Summer Reading: Cozy Up With a Good Book (Main)
Tuesday, August 15
1-5 p.m.
Too hot to do anything? Come into the air-conditioned Teen Room and read (or listen to) a good book! Beanbag chairs, snacks, and reading suggestions provided.
Sewing 101 (Main)
Tuesday August 15
1:30-3 p.m.
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. It 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 with 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. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, August 15
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters as you work, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, and mend. Refreshments will be provided.
Summer Reading: Talewise Presents Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together (Valente)
Tuesday, August 15
3-3:45 p.m.
In this action-packed story, two unlikely heroes work together to save their town (and the planet) from a super-polluting mastermind! Throughout the adventure, volunteers will help the performer conduct several exciting science experiments that bring this story to life! Together we’ll explore Newton’s Laws of Motion, air pressure, chemical reactions, and more! Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers.
Summer Reading: Paper Engineering (Collins)
Tuesday, August 15
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Each week, participants will take simple paper and cut, fold, and combine it into a new creation. A new activity will be featured in every session. Recommended for children ages 5-12 and their caregivers.
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Tuesday, August 15, and Thursday, August 17, 3:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, August 19, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, August 20, 11 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.
One-on-One Tech Help (Central Square)
Tuesday, August 15
5-8 p.m.
Looking for some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Want to learn how to access audiobooks and eBooks? Stop by during our drop-in hours! Sessions will be limited to 30 minutes for each patron. A laptop will be available for use during the session. We can help you with:
- accessing library eBooks, audiobooks, and other eResources on your devices
- e-mail and searching the Web
- smartphone and mobile app questions
We are not able to help you with:
- installing advanced software programs
- completing online transactions
- computer hardware and technical maintenance
If you have any questions, please contact syasuda@cambridgema.gov.
Lawrence Millman on Fungi and Foraging (Collins)
Tuesday, August 15
6-7 p.m.
Join the local mycologist Lawrence Millman for an educational reading and discussion from his new book, Foraging with Jeeves. These essays and stories defy any genre, just as fungi often tend to defy our attempts to identify them. Think science (the Salem witchcraft fungus) followed by satire (a fungal Faust) followed by an account of what sorts of fungi we might find in Antarctica.
Millman is also the author of Fascinating Fungi of New England, the first guidebook dedicated to understanding New England mushrooms. Registration is required and ensures a seat. Others are welcome to join and stand.
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, August 15
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Bring your project, yarn, and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.
Summer Reading: Countdown to Kindergarten (O'Neill)
Tuesday, August 15
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Stories and activities to help prepare rising junior kindergartners and kindergartners (and their caregivers) for the first day of school!
Morning Bird Watching Walk at Mount Auburn Cemetery (Collins)
Wednesday, August 16
10:15-11 a.m.
Join us for a walk at the renowned birdwatching spot in our own backyard, Mount Auburn Cemetery! We will help you identify birds, learn birdwatching tips and tricks, and familiarize yourself with the summer migratory birds as well as those that can be spotted year-round! A limited supply of binoculars will be available. Registration is required. The walk will meet at the courtyard of the Collins Branch at 10:15 a.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.
Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Wednesday, August 16
1-2:30 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 on our equipment booking page at designated times. Registration is required.
Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate trainings. You must participate in the Glowforge workshop to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Summer Reading: Nintendo Switch in the Teen Room (Main)
Wednesday, August 16
3-5 p.m.
Come try out a bunch of different Switch games, from Animal Crossing to Mario Kart to The Legend of Zelda. Play on your own or with friends every other Wednesday in the Teen Room.
Summer Reading: Puppet Show (Main)
Wednesday, August 16
3-4 p.m.
Moon Meets the Bogles: Beware! When Moon takes a rest, the Bogles come out to play tricks on anyone traveling through the swamp. Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers.
One-on-one Tech Help (Boudreau)
Wednesday, August 16
4-4:45 p.m.
Would you like help navigating the library's e-resources like Libby or Hoopla? Or maybe you need some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Book a free one-on-one tech help session at the Boudreau branch:
Some topics we cover include:
- Downloading library eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines to your tablet, smartphone, or laptop
- Navigating databases and other library resources such as LinkedIn Learning
- Using the Internet and e-mail
- Setting up devices like smartphones or streaming devices
Guidelines for basic tech help:
- Scheduled sessions run between 30-45 minutes.
- Please bring your device, cords, and any necessary account information.
- Library staff cannot be held responsible for damage to patrons’ equipment.
If you have questions, please send them to: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov.
Summer Reading: Block Party with Jenny the Juggler (O'Neill)
Wednesday, August 16
4-6 p.m.
Celebrate the end of summer with fun, games, snacks, and neighbors old and new! All neighbors of any age are welcome. Featuring performances by Jenny the Juggler, who connects with people through juggling, magic, music, and more to create fabulous experiences with unforgettable memories for any occasion!
Summer Reading: Comic Book Workshop with LJ Baptiste (O'Connell)
Wednesday, August 16
6-7 p.m.
We'll focus on the art of crafting original character-driven comics and cartoons while also studying the work of pros in graphic novels, newspaper comics, and manga! Recommended for ages 8-13.
Summer Reading: Talewise Presents Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together (Collins)
Wednesday, August 16
6-6:45 p.m.
In this action-packed story, two unlikely heroes work together to save their town (and the planet) from a super-polluting mastermind! Throughout the adventure, volunteers will help the performer conduct several exciting science experiments that bring this story to life! Together we’ll explore Newton’s Laws of Motion, air pressure, chemical reactions, and more! Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers.
Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting (Main)
Wednesday, August 16
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter. This two-hour workshop replaces the previous two-part Glowforge 101 offering; the content and length of this workshop and the two-part series are the same. You will start by using the camera on the Glowforge to focus and scan your own images, properly select materials for your project, and fabricate your first design. You will create digital artwork for the Glowforge and learn file formatting for production. Note: This is a badging course for laser cutting. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this program. Register here. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-in (O’Connell)
Thursday, August 17
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters. Work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, cross stitch.
One-on-One Tech Help (Main)
Thursday, August 17
11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Looking for some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Want to learn how to access audiobooks and eBooks? Stop by during our drop-in hours! Sessions will be limited to 30 minutes for each patron. A laptop will be available for use during the session. We can help you with:
- accessing library eBooks, audiobooks, and other eResources on your devices
- e-mail and searching the Web
- smartphone and mobile app questions
We are not able to help you with:
- installing advanced software programs
- completing online transactions
- computer hardware and technical maintenance
If you have any questions, please contact syasuda@cambridgema.gov.
Summer Reading: The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Thursday, August 17
2:30-3 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 taking workshops in The Hive in person, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers. Registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent out an hour before the workshop starts.
XR Lab 101 (Main)
Thursday, August 17
7-8 p.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.https://cambridgepl.libcal.com/event/10977934 Registration is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
English Conversation Practice (O'Neill)
Friday, August 18
10-11:30 a.m.
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Conversation Practice. This group is for those with an intermediate or high skill level of the English language. No testing is required. For more information on other ESOL classes, please call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. This class is currently full. Please call 617-349-4023 for more information.
Summer Reading: Wildlife Encounters with Mass Audubon (Central Square)
Friday, August 18
2-2:45 p.m.
What better way to learn about wildlife than by observing them in person? Meet wildlife ambassadors and discover the amazing adaptations that help them survive in the wild. Ask questions and learn what you can do to protect the wildlife of Cambridge. For children of all ages and their caregivers.
Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Saturday, August 19
9:30-10:30 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! Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Crafting Corner (O'Neill)
Saturday, August 19
1:30-3 p.m.
Fiber crafters of all skill levels are welcome to drop in for companionable crafting! Bring your project and enjoy tea and snacks as you chat, share tips, and even inspire others. No registration is required.
Read to a Dog (O'Neill)
Saturday, August 19
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 by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023).
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All the best,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries