Director's Update, August 9, 2026

Dear Patrons,  

Upcoming Events 

Summer Fitness: Yoga in the park (Main)
All are welcome to attend the Cambridge Public Library's free outdoor yoga summer series on Tuesday, August 11, from 6-7 p.m. No registration is necessary. The Library will not provide any materials - please bring your own mat and whatever item is in your practice. In case of rain, yoga will be held in the community room. Shayla Tate of M.U.D.D. Flower Yoga leads us through this 60-minute evening flow.

Summer Reading: Tiny Gardens Everywhere (Main)
Join us on August 12, from 6-7:30 p.m. to uncover the radical roots of urban gardening with Kate Brown, author of Tiny Gardens Everywhere (2026). The history of gardening in European and North American cities in the 20th century is a story about ordinary people working with each other—and with plants and microbes—to cultivate life in the unlikeliest of places. Using the deluge of nutrients that flow into cities, working class gardeners regenerated wasteland, built the first garden city communities, and engaged in the most productive agriculture in recorded human history. Following the plants and microbes, urban gardeners also built mutual aid societies that advocated for equity, social welfare, and rights—rights not to liberty and the pursuit of happiness (who can eat that?) but to food, fuel, and shelter; to well-being for all. 

Kate Brown is the Thomas M. Siebel Distinguished Professor in the History of Science at MIT. Her prize-winning books include Manual for Survival: A Chernobyl Guide to the Future (2019), Plutopia: Nuclear Families in Atomic Cities and the Great Soviet and American Plutonium Disasters (2013), and A Biography of No Place: From Ethnic Borderland to Soviet Heartland (2004). Presented in partnership with City of Cambridge Community Garden Program. No 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

Summer Reading: Movie Monday for Teens (Main)
Monday, August 10
2-5 p.m.

The Teen Room at Main is hosting a movie screening based on your favorite YA books. Settle into the chill-out zone, where we dim the lights and put out seating so you can relax and enjoy the movie. Movie is TBA. For more questions contact our teen librarian at ptrunnell@cambridgema.gov. No registration is required.

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, August 10
6-7 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: Hooping Program with Wildkat Hoops (Valente)
Monday, August 10
6-7 p.m.

Put on your dancing shoes for an unforgettable workshop of hula hoop magic with Kat Suwalski! You will learn basic hooping moves while increasing hand-eye coordination, strength, balance, and agility. No prior hooping experience is required. Hoops are provided. Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. This program will happen outdoors at Donnelly Field. In case of inclement weather, it will occur in the gym at King Open School. 

Narcan Distribution (Central Square)
Tuesday, August 11
1-3 p.m.

Swing by the Central Square Branch Library to restock on Narcan and learn more about how to reverse overdoses.

Sit ‘n’ Knit (Main)
Tuesday, August 11
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.

Youth Graphic Novel Design Session 2/3 (Valente)
Tuesday, August 11
3-5 p.m.

Visually capture your own story in a short graphic novel format from story planning to character development and illustration. All materials are provided and no prior art experience is needed! Registration is required, and registering for the first session 8/4 includes the following sessions on Tuesdays, 4/11 and 4/18. This program is for ages 10-18. This workshop is full.

Summer Reading: Crafternoon (Collins)
Tuesday, August 11
4-4:45 p.m.

Join us for activities celebrating the theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" all summer long. Today's activity is Paint by Sticker. Choose a design and match the numbered stickers to the numbered spaces, then watch your artwork come alive.  Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.

Summer Reading: Tales & Origami for Teens (O'Connell)
Tuesday, August 11
5-6:30 p.m.

Discover Japan, the birthplace of Anime, through magical tales and origami! Award-winning storyteller Motoko will discuss how Japanese folklore has inspired games and anime in the U.S. and around the world. Under her step-by-step guidance, participants will make exciting origami figures and design their own original anime characters. Come ready to have fun! No registration is required. Please call (617) 349-4019 for details.

Summer Reading: Finish your BINGO card party! (O'Neill)
Tuesday, August 11
5:30-7 p.m.

It is the last week of Summer Reading and your last chance to complete a line or board of Summer Reading BINGO to earn prizes! We will have books that fit categories for all BINGO boards, snacks for motivation and some fun activities and readalouds! This program is open to people of all ages! No registration is required.

CPL Nature Club: Draw a Bird with Local Artist Mary C. Sullivan (Collins)
Tuesday, August 11
5:30-7:30 p.m.

Join local artist Mary C. Sullivan and learn how to draw the bird of your choice! Participants of any skill level are welcome and will leave the program with their own finished bird drawing. If you don't think you can draw a bird, that's okay - this event will show you that you can! All drawing and reference materials will be provided. Registration is required to participate in this program. This program is suggested for participants ages 8 and up.

CPL Adult Summer Camp: Friendship Bracelets (Valente)
Tuesday, August 11
6-7 p.m.

Join us for one, two, or all CPL Adult Summer Camp activities to meet new people and have nostalgic fun outside in Cambridge! We will be making friendship bracelets in the Reading Garden next to the Valente Branch. In case of rain/high heat, this event will be held at the Valente Branch Library. Registration is required.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, August 11
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Bring your project, yarn and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.

Summer Reading: Outdoor Story Time & Chalk Party (Central Square)
Wednesday, August 12
10:30-11:30 a.m.

Close out Summer Reading with stories, chalk drawing, and a summer treat. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration required. In the case of inclement weather, this program will take place in the Children's Room. Please call 617-349-4012 for more information.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, August 12
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!

Video Game Days (Main) 
Wednesday, August 12
12-2 p.m.

Every Wednesday during the summer, the Teen Room hosts video game days! Buddy up in 1, 2, Switch, or battle each other in Super Smash Bros. Between 12 PM and 2 PM grab a controller and hop into the game! For more information contact Ellen at ekaluza@cambridgema.gov.

Summer Reading: Observing the Partial Solar Eclipse with #Popscope (O'Neill)
Wednesday, August 12
1-2:30 p.m.

Join us during the partial solar eclipse and learn how to safely observe it! Eclipse glasses will be provided. Participants will also have the chance to explore a walkable model of the solar system and create a related craft. This program will happen outside. In case of bad weather, this program will happen inside the Peabody School gym

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, August 12
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. This week we will press flowers! No registration required.

Wednesday Night Creative Writing Group (Main)
Wednesday, August 12
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Writers of all experience levels are invited to join a casual, peer-supported writing group. In this group, participants take turns bringing short in-progress or completed pieces of any genre. The group reads several pieces each month, sharing feedback and constructive criticism in a supportive and inclusive environment. We may practice in-class writing exercises and read samples of published writing as time allows. Registration is required. NOTE: Registration is for this month's meeting only. For more information, please email Susannah at sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, August 13
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.

Summer Craft: Button Making (Boudreau)
Thursday, August 13
3-5 p.m.

Stop by the Boudreau Branch in the afternoon and use two button makers to create your very own buttons. Draw a beautiful picture or print out an image from the computer (once per attendee) to use. This drop-in event is intended for school-aged children and their families.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, August 13
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!

Twilight Music and Movement (Central Square)
Thursday, August 13
5:30-6 p.m.

Join us to sing, play with musical props and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4012 for more information. 

Summer Reading: Fairy Celebration at Bergin Park (O'Neill)
Friday, August 14
11 a.m.-12 p.m.

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for a magical walk-through nature. We will look for signs of fairies and build fairy houses. We will meet at Gerard Bergin Park (Haskell & Pemberton Streets), a short walk from the O'Neill Branch. In case of bad weather, this program will happen indoors at the O'Neill Branch. This program is presented as a part of the CPL Nature Club.

Summer Reading: Decorate a Paper Fan! (O'Connell)
Friday, August 14
2-3 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.

Decorate a handheld paper fan using the simple, meditative basics of Chigiri-e (“chee-gee-ree-eh”), a traditional Japanese art form where the name literally means "torn picture." There will also be a mini-mural station for families to decorate collaboratively to celebrate wrapping up this year's Summer Reading program. An assortment of colorful papers as well as markers, book-themed stickers and other decorations will be provided. Space is limited and registration is required.  There will be two identical back-to-back 60-minute sessions (from 2-3 and again from 3-4). Please sign up for only one session. Register for the 2-3 p.m. session. Register for the 3-4 p.m. session.

Summer Fitness: Tai Chi under the tree (Main)
Saturday, August 15
10-11 a.m.

Join instructor Ellen DeGenova, at the main branch park, to explore Tai Chi elements (without the complicated choreography). Tai Chi offers highly adaptable and accessible ways of moving for everyone. Being outdoors and learning together inspires a sense of well-being and community. A seated option is available. No experience necessary. In case of inclement weather, class will be held in the library’s Community Room.

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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.