Director's Update, December 31, 2023
12/29/2023 • 4 months ago
Dear Patrons,
Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year!
All Library locations will be closed on Monday, January 1, for New Year’s Day.
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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.
Sing-Alongs
Story Times
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups.
3D Printing 101: Game Piece Design (Main)
Tuesday, January 2
1-2:30 p.m.
Learn how to create your favorite game piece in digital space and print it out using our Sindoh 3D printers. In this workshop, 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. Before taking this workshop, you will need to complete The Hive Safety Training and create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account. Register here. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, January 2
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.
Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Tuesday, January 2, 3:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 4, 4:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, January 5, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, January 6, 1-4:30 p.m.
During this period, anyone who has completed The Hive training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able.
STEAM Academy: iFp Studio (Main)
Tuesday, January 2
Wednesday, January 3
Thursday, January 4
3:30-7 p.m.
Innovators for Purpose (iFp) Studio is a teen-powered design and innovation program where teens channel their energy and creative vision to imagine and build a better world. Blending art, design, science, technology, and storytelling within a social justice framework, teens engage in real-world client-sponsored projects. Teens are invited to learn more and apply on the iFp website: Innovators for Purpose.
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, January 2
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Bring your project, yarn, and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-in (O’Connell)
Wednesday, January 3
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, and cross stitch.
Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)
Wednesday, January 3
1-3 p.m.
Looking for assistance creating a résumé or finding jobs? Join us for assistance with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
Wednesdays of Wonder - WOW! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, January 3
3-4:30 p.m.
Come to the Library for games and a different activity each week! Kids of all ages can hang out and do crafts or STEAM activities. No registration is required.
Sewing 101 (Main)
Wednesday, January 3
1-2:30 p.m.
Come 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. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
Wednesday, January 3
5-6 p.m.
Need help with a class? Have a question before an exam? Tutors are available to help you! Cambridge School Volunteers and the Library are pleased to offer tutoring services in the Teen Room on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5 to 6 p.m. Please contact 617-349-4027 with any questions.
Wednesday Word Puzzles (O'Connell)
Wednesday, January 3
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Drop in to try some fun puzzles every week: word searches, riddles, and variety crosswords! You can come alone or bring a grown-up. Recommended for ages 11 and up. No registration is required. E-mail cmeisler@cambridgema.gov for more details.
Sewing Circle (Main)
Wednesday, January 3
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Continue building your machine-sewing skills and receive support with your own projects. Participants must register but may drop in anytime. This program is designed for patrons who know the basics of our Janome sewing machines. Registration is required.
Brewery Book Club (Lamplighter)
Wednesday, January 3
7-8:30 p.m.
You’re invited to our January Brewery Book Club, where Lamplighter and the Library team up to highlight contemporary works from marginalized voices while having a beer.
This month we’ll read When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill. Copies are available at the Main Library. The ebook and digital audiobook can be borrowed through the Libby app. We’ll gather in the Lamplighter’s back taproom to discuss the book: what we learned from it, what we found ourselves touched by, and all other thoughts. Register here.
The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Wednesday, January 3
7:30-8 p.m.
Saturday, January 6
9:30-10:30 a.m.
In this workshop, you will learn about our makerspace, how to use our resources, and how to keep safe in The Hive. Registration is required. The Zoom link will be sent out an hour before the workshop starts. Before taking iworkshops in The Hive in person, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.
Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Thursday, January 4
10-11 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.
Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting (Main)
Thursday, January 4
2-4 p.m.gf
Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter. This 2-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. Registration is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available. Note: This is a badging course for laser cutting. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this program. View The Hive's workshop schedule here.
Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, January 4
2:30-3:30 p.m.
Join our librarians for tea, cookies, and a jigsaw puzzle. It’s an hour of fun and conversation.
Vision Board Crafting Session (Central Square)
Thursday, January 4
6-8 p.m.
Join us for a vision board craft session! Materials will be provided. Materials include magazines, poster paper, glue sticks, scissors, and 2-3 colored pages of anything you would like to add.
XR Lab 101 (Main)
Thursday, January 4
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. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.
Drop-in Activity: Puzzling (Valente)
Friday, January 5
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Join us to work on jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and wordsearches in the cafe seating area.
Cambridge Young Authors’ Squad (O’Neill)
Friday, January 5
4-5 p.m.
Young people ages 10-14 who love to write are welcome to share their ideas and writing. There will be time for share-outs/workshopping as well as group or solo writing. Snacks are provided! Registration is helpful but not required.
Crafting Corner (O'Neill)
Saturday, January 6
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.
Story Time with Sara Levine (O'Neill)
Saturday, January 6
2-2:45 p.m.
Join the local author Sara Levine for a reading of her latest book, Sensitive. This tender picture book follows a girl who is told she is too intense, too sensitive, too much. She's told to grow a thicker skin, but the words of others slip right through. They somersault around inside and press against her heart.
Stay Connected
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All the best,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries
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The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including since disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information, contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.