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Director's Update, June 19, 2022

caution sign The information on this page may be outdated as it was published 1 year ago.

Director McCauley

Dear Patrons,

Happy Juneteenth!  

All Library locations will be closed today, Sunday, June 19, and Monday, June 20, in observance of Juneteenth. The Library is hosting the storyteller Valerie Tutson on June 21 from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. at the O’Neill Branch and from 6 to 7:15 p.m. at the Boudreau Branch in celebration of Juneteenth.

                                                                                                 ###

We are also offering the following programs this week.

Outdoor Programs for Kids

This week, these programs for young children will be offered (weather permitting) at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, and Valente locations:

  • Outdoor Songs & Stories: All ages are invited to sing, dance, and share a story! 
  • Outdoor Story Time: All ages are invited to join us for a half hour of stories!
  • Outdoor Toddler Story Time: Suitable for ages 3-5.

Please see the events calendar for further details. Registration is not required. 

Book Groups

Learn more about Book Groups at the Library this week.

ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays
10:30 a.m.-Noon

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur at the Central Square Branch on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Intermediate ESOL is at 11 a.m., High Beginner ESOL is at 1 p.m., and Advanced ESOL is at 3 p.m. Beginner ESOL is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Registration is required for each class

The Hive Safety Training (Virtual)
Tuesday, June 21
1:30-2 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 attending workshops in The Hive, all makers must bring signed copies of The Hive User Agreement and Waivers. Registration is required

Journey to Juneteenth -- and Beyond with Storyteller Valerie Tutson (O'Neill)
Tuesday, June 21
3:30-4:15 p.m.

The storyteller Valerie Tutson presents a special program celebrating Juneteenth. Hear the story of the day news of freedom came to Galveston, Texas, through the eyes of a fictional character Valerie calls Ma'lizzy. Learn about her life before that day, as well as what happened to her and her family afterward. All ages are welcome! Learn more

Preschool Story Time (Main)
Tuesday, June 21
4-5 p.m.

We invite children and their caregivers for 20-25 minutes of stories and songs. Recommended for children ages 3-5.

This program can accommodate 45 people. Tickets are available on a first come, first served, basis on the day of the program. The entire group must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to those waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more.

Gentle Movement (Collins)
Tuesday, June 21
4:30-5:30 p.m. 

Join us in the Collins Branch courtyard for an afternoon of gentle yoga with Cambridge-based Carol Faulkner. Carol will guide us through a 45-minute period of movement, stretching, and reflection. We will move slowly through introductory yoga poses. All abilities are welcome. Please bring your own mat, towel, blanket, or piece of clothing to practice on. You don't have something to use? It’s not a problem! Contact LFlamm@cambridgema.gov. Registration is required

Journey to Juneteenth -- and Beyond with Storyteller Valerie Tutson (Boudreau)
Tuesday, June 21
6:30-7:15 p.m. 

The storyteller Valerie Tutson presents a special program celebrating Juneteenth. Hear the story of the day news of freedom came to Galveston, Texas, through the eyes of a fictional character Valerie calls Ma'lizzy. Learn about her life before that day, as well as what happened to her and her family afterward. All ages are welcome! Learn more

3D Printing 101: Design and Creation, Parts 1 & 2 (Main)
Tuesday, June 21 & Wednesday, June 22
6:30-8 p.m. 
Wednesday, June 22 & Thursday, June 23
3:30-5 p.m.

Learn how to create objects in digital space and fabricate them using our Sindoh 3D printers in this two-part series. In Part 1, you will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer and gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad. In Part 2, you will create designs and practice setting up your own 3D print construction. You must complete The Hive Safety Training and create a free Tinkercad account before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.  

Note: This is a badging course for 3D Printing. Signing up for Part 1 allows you to participate in Part 2 the next day. You will be badged at the end of the Part 2 workshop. 

Mending Matters (Valente/Virtual)
Wednesday, June 22
6:30-8 p.m. 

Learn how to get more life out of your clothes or put household textiles to new uses in this monthly hands-on workshop! The artist Jessamy Kilcollins will demonstrate different techniques and provide guidance on your projects. A limited number of supply kits will be available for registered participants to pick up at the Valente Branch. Registration is required.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (Main)
Thursday, June 23
10-11 a.m. 

Learn more about the resources in our community that support independence and well-being in this discussion from representatives of Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services. This discussion will feature a brief overview of the programs offered by this mission-driven nonprofit, followed by a Q&A with the Senior Elder Care Advisor Kris Wiitala. Doughnuts and coffee will be served. Learn more.

Fiber Arts Drop-in Group (O'Connell)
Thursday, June 23
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. 

Bring your project and enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters.  Learn more

Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)
Thursday, June 23
6-8:30 p.m.
Friday, June 24
2:30-4:30 p.m.

At this time, anyone who has completed The Hive Safety Training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve Hive equipment or studio spaces.Learn more about becoming a badged maker. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more

Sewing 101 (Main)
Friday, June 24
10-11:30 a.m.

In this 90-minute class, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. This session will cover setting up a machine, its basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when the 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 sewing project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class.  

You must complete The Hive Safety Training or Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

Yoga on the Lawn: Yoga Is Who We Are (Main)
Saturday, June 25
10:15-11:30 a.m. 

Join Cap Aguilar (she/they) for weekly yoga classes on the lawn at the Main Library! Each class will be 75 minutes, when we will explore movement, mindfulness, and breathing practices for 60 minutes followed by 15 minutes for reflective journaling and/or conversation. 

This will be an opportunity to practice ways to embody elements of yoga philosophy (non-harm, truthfulness, and self-inquiry to name a few) in our life. Registration is required

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Saturday, June 25 
2-3 p.m.

Complete this workshop to earn a badge for the Epilog Zing laser cutter. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required

Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate training. You must participate in the Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting workshop in order to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. 

Stay Connected

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All the best,

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries 

Page was posted on 6/19/2022 1:31 PM
Page was last modified on 7/25/2023 5:50 AM
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