Director's Update, June 26, 2022

Dear Patrons,

It was meaningful to host Juneteenth events and story times across our libraries. These included a story time with Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui as well programs with the storyteller Valerie Tutson. She described the day news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas, through the eyes of Ma’lizzy, a fictional character who paints a captivating picture of life before and after emancipation. And last Saturday the Central Square Branch hosted a joyous celebration with the storyteller Valerie Stephens and the Albino Mbie Band. Thank you to the Cambridge Public Library Foundation, the Mayor’s Office, and the City Manager’s Office for funding our Juneteenth programs. Attached is a photo.

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Get curious, creative, cozy, and connected! The Library’s annual Summer Reading program will kick off on July 1. The program, which will run through August 26, aims to promote reading and a love of books while highlighting Library resources, services, spaces, and collections. Learn more.

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The Library will offer a new service this July and August: Summer Sundays at the Valente Branch. Valente Summer Sundays will run from July 3 through September 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. Everyone is invited to a Summer Launch Party at the Valente Branch on Sunday, July 10, at 2 p.m. Learn more.

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The Collins Branch is adding Wednesday and two additional evenings to its hours of operation beginning on Tuesday, July 5. This expansion is part of the City’s and the Library’s commitment to increasing its hours at all its branches. Learn more.

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We are also offering the following programs and events 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, O’Neill, and Valente locations:

• Baby Lapsit: Just for you and your baby! Enjoy time with other parents, caregivers, and babies to play and develop language and motor skills.
• Pajama Story Time: For children aged 0-5. Join us at the Library in your pajamas to listen to stories, read with your children, and enjoy a snack before bed!
• Sing-Along: All ages are invited to sing and dance!
• Songs and Stories: All ages are invited to sing, dance, and share a story!
• Story Time: All ages are invited to join us for a half hour of stories!

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

Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups this week.

Summer ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, June 27
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class at the Valente Branch this summer! It will be taught at a beginner level. No testing is needed. Everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. Learn more.

Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting, Parts 1 & 2 (Main)
Monday, June 27, and Tuesday, June 28
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 28, and Wednesday, June 29
7- 8 p.m.

Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter in this two-part series. In Part 1, you will use the camera for focusing and scanning your own images, properly select materials for your project, and fabricate your first design. In Part 2, you will create digital artwork for the Glowforge Pro and learn file formatting for production. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before participating in this program. Registration is required.

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.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, June 28
6:30-7:30 p.m.

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

Equipment and Studio Reservation (Main)
Wednesday, June 29
1-4:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 30
6-8:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 2
1:30-4:30 p.m.

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

Bike Check-Up Clinic (O’Connell)
Wednesday, June 29
2:30-4:30 p.m.

Get your bike in great riding shape with a free bicycle check-up at the O’Connell Branch. Professional mechanics from Landry's Bicycles will be on hand to assess your bike, make small repairs or adjustments, and offer advice. Registration is required. Contact the branch during open hours to book a timed slot. Call 617-349-4019 or stop by.

Summer Reading: Librarians Recommend (Main/Online)
Wednesday, June 29
6-7 p.m.

Whether you're traveling or staycationing this summer, whether you're 8 years old or 85, summer is for reading, and reading is for everyone! Join us in person or online to discuss some of the most highly anticipated books this summer with our youth and adult librarians. If you want to attend in person, we will be meeting at the Main Library in the Learning Lab. If you are online, a Zoom webinar link will be emailed to registrants 1 hour before the event. For all ages. Registration is required.

East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (O’Connell)
Thursday, June 30
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Join the staff of the Cambridge Historical Commission at the O’Connell Branch to learn more about the East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Study.

An East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District, if adopted, would regulate demolition, new construction, and certain exterior alterations to existing buildings with the goal of protecting the architectural character of the area while allowing appropriate change and development.

The Historical Commission staff will explain the process thus far and answer any questions you may have regarding this potential conservation district. Learn more.

Fiber Crafts Group – Drop-in (O’Connell)
Thursday, June 30
11 a.m.-1 p.m.

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

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Thursday, June 30
3:30-4:30 p.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.

XR Lab (Main)
Friday, July 1
3:30-4:30 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.

Sewing 101 (Main)
Saturday, July 2
10-11:30 a.m.

Here 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 The Hive Safety Training & Glowforge 101 before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.


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Warm regards,
Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries