The Valente Branch is now open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m. in July and August. The Main Library will be closed on Sundays until September.
Meet the Director
Hi! I am Maria McCauley, the Director of Libraries. Learn more about upcoming Library programs and events in my weekly message.
Learn More
Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, July 13 @ 5:00 PM
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
Learn More
Summer Reading: Storytelling with Ben Cunningham IN THE PEABODY SCHOOL GYM (O'Neill)
Tuesday, July 14 @ 3:00 PM
Due to the weather, this program will happen inside the Peabody School gym. Please enter the gym through Door 8 on Haskell St.
Join local artist, musician and educator Ben Cunningham for a transformative storytelling performance. Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers.
Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
Learn More
News
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Director's Update, July 5, 2026
Art Reception, Edible Wild Plants Walk, Paint and Plant Celebration, and More! -
Director's Update, June 28, 2026
Nature Walk, Dr. Beronda Montgomery in conversation with Tracy K. Smith, Watercolor Workshop, and More! -
Director's Update, June 21, 2026
Summer Reading, Cambridge Cooks, AI Disinformation Workshop, and More! -
Director's Update, June 14, 2026
Summer Kickoff Party, Estate Planning for All, Nature Club, and More
Check out the Monthly Newsletter
Coming Up
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Summer Reading Paint and Plant Celebration (Central Square)
Celebrate Summer Reading's "Plant a Seed, Read" theme! Paint a pot and grab a plant of your own to take home. Browse through a selection of books about our environment and the natural world. Registration is encouraged but not necessary.
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Community Sewing Circle: Biodiversity Banner (O'Neill)
Collaborate on a biodiversity banner to celebrate Moth Week with a sewing circle on July 11 and July 18. Wildlife Arts invites the community to hand sew blocks for a multi-moth fabric banner! We'll teach beginning sewers, and children old enough to handle a needle may work on caterpillar blocks (recommended for age 10 and up). You'll learn about moth biodiversity in Massachusetts and help publicize the humble and little-known world of moths. The banner will be displayed at the Cambridge Moth Ball on July 22 at Fresh Pond Reservation and will be available in the Wildlife Arts banner lending library when complete. All materials will be provided. Registration is suggested. You may attend one or both sessions. The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of 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.
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3D Printing 101 (Main)
Learn to 3D print items in our library and create a 3D model to print using our Prusa 3D printers! Before taking this workshop: Complete Hive Safety Training Create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing certification for future reservations in The Hive. Create a Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com prior to arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account prior to arriving. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
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Hive Safety Training (Main)
Are you interested in using The Hive? In this workshop you will learn about our makerspace, how to utilize the resources we offer and how to keep safe in The Hive. Find out what you need to get started as a maker in The Hive here. Completion of Hive Safety Training is the entry point to making, innovating, and collaborating in this space. Makers must also sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.
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High Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at an high beginner level. No testing is needed.. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
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Songs, Stories and Play (O'Neill)
Join us for songs, stories and rhymes followed by open play. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4023 for more information.
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Baby Lapsit (Boudreau)
Bounces and rhymes for caregivers and babies to learn, play and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4017 for more information.
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Morning Sing-Along (Main)
Join us to sing and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 130 people. 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.
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Wellness for Older Adults: Low-impact Fitness (Virtual)
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 for each session is required. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.
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Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at a beginner level. No testing needed. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. No registration is needed. Bring a notebook and pen.
-
Summer Reading Paint and Plant Celebration (Central Square)
Celebrate Summer Reading's "Plant a Seed, Read" theme! Paint a pot and grab a plant of your own to take home. Browse through a selection of books about our environment and the natural world. Registration is encouraged but not necessary.
-
Community Sewing Circle: Biodiversity Banner (O'Neill)
Collaborate on a biodiversity banner to celebrate Moth Week with a sewing circle on July 11 and July 18. Wildlife Arts invites the community to hand sew blocks for a multi-moth fabric banner! We'll teach beginning sewers, and children old enough to handle a needle may work on caterpillar blocks (recommended for age 10 and up). You'll learn about moth biodiversity in Massachusetts and help publicize the humble and little-known world of moths. The banner will be displayed at the Cambridge Moth Ball on July 22 at Fresh Pond Reservation and will be available in the Wildlife Arts banner lending library when complete. All materials will be provided. Registration is suggested. You may attend one or both sessions. The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of 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.
-
3D Printing 101 (Main)
Learn to 3D print items in our library and create a 3D model to print using our Prusa 3D printers! Before taking this workshop: Complete Hive Safety Training Create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing certification for future reservations in The Hive. Create a Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com prior to arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account prior to arriving. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.
-
Hive Safety Training (Main)
Are you interested in using The Hive? In this workshop you will learn about our makerspace, how to utilize the resources we offer and how to keep safe in The Hive. Find out what you need to get started as a maker in The Hive here. Completion of Hive Safety Training is the entry point to making, innovating, and collaborating in this space. Makers must also sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.
-
High Beginner ESOL Class (Central Square)
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Class. This class will be taught at an high beginner level. No testing is needed.. For more information call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.
-
Songs, Stories and Play (O'Neill)
Join us for songs, stories and rhymes followed by open play. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4023 for more information.
-
Baby Lapsit (Boudreau)
Bounces and rhymes for caregivers and babies to learn, play and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for babies ages 0-18 months and their caregivers. No registration is required. Please call 617-349-4017 for more information.
-
Morning Sing-Along (Main)
Join us to sing and move together. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program can accommodate 130 people. 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 Paint and Plant Celebration (Central Square)
Celebrate Summer Reading's "Plant a Seed, Read" theme! Paint a pot and grab a plant of your own to take home. Browse through a selection of books about our environment and the natural world. Registration is encouraged but not necessary.
-
Community Sewing Circle: Biodiversity Banner (O'Neill)
Collaborate on a biodiversity banner to celebrate Moth Week with a sewing circle on July 11 and July 18. Wildlife Arts invites the community to hand sew blocks for a multi-moth fabric banner! We'll teach beginning sewers, and children old enough to handle a needle may work on caterpillar blocks (recommended for age 10 and up). You'll learn about moth biodiversity in Massachusetts and help publicize the humble and little-known world of moths. The banner will be displayed at the Cambridge Moth Ball on July 22 at Fresh Pond Reservation and will be available in the Wildlife Arts banner lending library when complete. All materials will be provided. Registration is suggested. You may attend one or both sessions. The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of 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.
-
3D Printing 101 (Main)
Learn to 3D print items in our library and create a 3D model to print using our Prusa 3D printers! Before taking this workshop: Complete Hive Safety Training Create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com You will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing certification for future reservations in The Hive. Create a Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com prior to arriving. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account prior to arriving. You must complete Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Please arrive on time. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will not be able to join the class.