Director's Update, June 28, 2026

Dear Patrons,  

All Library locations will be closed Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, for Independence Day. On Sunday, July 5, Summer Sundays start at the Valente Branch, from 1-5 p.m. During August and July, the Main Library will be closed on Sundays.

Join us on Monday, June 29, from 10:15-11:30 a.m. for a relaxing walk of Fresh Pond with Park Ranger Amanda Garms! No two weeks are the same in nature, and Amanda will share her insights about what's growing, changing, and blooming in the neighborhood. This walk is not on a paved path. The meeting location for this walk will be at the Fresh Pond Ranger Station at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway. Registration is required.

Join Dr. Beronda L. Montgomery—a writer, science communicator, and plant biologist— on Tuesday, June 30, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Main Library for a wide-ranging discussion of her new book, When Trees Testify: Science, Wisdom, History, and America’s Black Botanical History. The event will be moderated by Tracy K. Smith, a two-term U.S. Poet Laureate and the Boylston Professor of Rhetoric and Oratory at Harvard University. Registration is required.

Best, 
Maria McCauley, Ph.D. 
Director of Libraries  

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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.  

• Sing Alongs
• Story Times

Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups.

The Hive Workshops                             
Check out this week’s classes in The Hive.

ESOL Classes
Find an ESOL Class.

Tech Help

• Drop-in Tech Help
• One-on-One Tech Help

Wellness for Older Adults: Low-impact Fitness (Virtual)
Monday, June 29
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This class is designed for people of all levels to strengthen the muscles, the heart and the brain--all while having fun and moving to great music! Come as you are and take everything at your own pace. You will feel the benefits in mind and body! Registration is required for each session. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.  If you register after that time, please email bquinlan@cambridgema.gov to receive the link.

Summer Reading: Chalk Art (O'Connell)
Monday, June 29
3-4 p.m.

Let's decorate the O'Connell Reading Garden with colorful chalk art! We’ll provide the chalk, you bring the creativity! For children of all ages and their caregivers.

Teen Hangout (Valente)
Monday, June 29
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Hangout with other teens in the Valente Branch Community Room after school to socialize, unwind, and participate in a rotating activity. No registration required.

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, June 29
5-6 p.m.

Come join us at the Boudreau branch for a chess challenge. Players of all skill levels and all ages are welcome to participate. Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own if you prefer. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for individuals who want to play and test their skills against other members of the community. There's no need to register in advance - simply drop by and challenge yourself to improve your mastery of this classic game! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 617-349-4017 or via email: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov or mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov.

Summer Reading: Bluey Party (O'Connell)
Tuesday, June 30
11-11:45 a.m.

Play games including Musical Statues, Pass the Parcel and Keepy Uppy just like your favorite Australian cartoon dog! No registration is required. Recommended for children ages 2-5 with a caregiver.

Artificial Intelligence, Emotions, & Mental Health (Main)
Tuesday, June 30
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

Learn how to mitigate potential risks associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) use and understand how these risks may impact or exacerbate underlying mental health diagnoses. This class will be delivered by a DOORS program instructor. To learn more about the DOORS program please go to: https://www.digitalpsych.org/doors-program.html. To view and register for other Basic Tech Classes at the Library, please go to tinyurl.com/basictechclass. Registration is encouraged but not required. 

Health Care Proxy Clinic (Central)
Tuesday, June 30
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Join members of the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School for a brief presentation outlining the importance of Health Care Proxies followed by the opportunity to complete and execute your own. Registration is requested but not required. The Health Care Proxy is a simple document, legally valid in Massachusetts, which allows you to name someone (an "agent") to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make or communicate those decisions.

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, June 30
2:30-3:30 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. Refreshments will be provided.

Summer Reading: Yo-Yo Show (Collins)
Tuesday, June 30
4-4:45 p.m.

Join us for a high energy comedy yo-yo show. For children of all ages and their caregivers. This program will be outdoors and will move indoors in the case of inclement weather.

Summer Reading: Patio Project (Valente)
Tuesday, June 30
5-6 p.m.

Join us for STEAM activities for all ages outdoors at Valente's patio! This month we will be making winged-seed models to explore nature's seed dispersal strategies! In case of weather complications, this program will be held inside.

Watercolor Workshop (Collins)
Tuesday, June 30
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join local artist Brooke Lambert for an introduction to painting with watercolor. Learn at your own pace to paint still life in a relaxed and welcoming environment. This class will introduce techniques in color mixing, observational painting and composition. You will come away from this class with beautiful watercolor paintings and a greater understanding and appreciation for the medium of watercolor. This class is for adults with all levels of experience and will cover wet on wet and wet on dry techniques, masking, pressing, shading and light techniques, ink washes and pattern making. Registration is required. 

Summer Reading: Family Movie at the Library (O'Neill)
Tuesday, June 30
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us for a family movie at the Library! We will be screening GOAT - PG  (Columbia Pictures, 2026). Light snacks will be provided. You may also bring your dinner to eat while you watch!

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, June 30
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, July 1
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!

Summer Reading: Live Animal Story Time with Land's Sake Farm (O'Neill)
Wednesday, July 1
11-11:45 a.m.

Get up close and personal with chickens! This program includes a chicken-themed story time and educational games about chicken behavior and anatomy. The highlight of the program is the Chicken Circle, where youth can touch and interact with live chickens. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program will happen outside. In case of rain or bad weather it will be inside the O'Neill Branch. Registration is required. When registering, please list how many children are attending. Adults do not need to be included in the numbers for registration

Summer Reading: Board Game Afternoon (Main) 
Wednesday, July 1
2-3 p.m.

Join us for an afternoon of board games! Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, July 1
2:30-4 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 required. This week we will decorate the Library for summer!

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (Valente)
Wednesday, July 1
2:30-4 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 required.

Summer Reading: Bug Walk (Boudreau)
Wednesday, July 1
2:30-4:30 p.m.

Join us for a walk at Fresh Pond as we explore the wonderful world of bugs! This program is open to all ages, from adults to children and their caregivers. Registration is required. We will meet at the Cambridge Water Department parking lot at the beginning of the event. For more information, contact Michael McGlathery at mmcglathery@cambridgema.govor call the Boudreau Branch at 617-349-4017.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, July 2
2:30-3:30 p.m.

Join our librarians for tea, cookies and a jigsaw puzzle. An hour of fun and conversation on a Thursday afternoon at the Cambridge Main Library.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, July 2
4-5 p.m.

Bring your project and join other fiber crafters in your community! Crochet, sew, embroider, knit, cross stitch, spin, mend, and more at this informal drop-in fiber arts circle. All crafts are welcome!

Summer Craft: 3D Pens (Boudreau)
Thursday, July 2
3-5 p.m.

Stop by the Boudreau Branch in the afternoon to create something using 3D pens! This drop-in event is intended for school-aged children and their families.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (Central Square)
Thursday, July 2
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!

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About the Cambridge Public Library:
At the Cambridge Public Library, we welcome all, inspire minds, and empower community. We support a Cambridge where everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, people live their best lives and democracy thrives. The Library’s programming provides an opportunity for civic dialogue, conversation, and learning, which includes exploring a wide range of views. Visit our website to learn more. Subscribe to our email list to stay up to date on our events here.