Director's Update, October 2, 2022

Dear Patrons, 

 

The Cambridge Science Festival, October 3-9, is a celebration showcasing the leading edge in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). A multifaceted, multicultural event, it makes science accessible, interactive, and fun, highlighting the impact of STEAM in all our lives. As part of the festival, the Library will be hosting lectures on topics including gene therapy, Miyawaki Forests, nanosolutions, climate change, and human adaptation. Learn more and register for the events that are part of this collaboration.

 

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Check out our October Newsletter for more information about the events we are offering this month!

  

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We are pleased to offer the following programs this week. 

  

  

Outdoor Programs for Kids      

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

• Preschool Story Time: Recommended for children ages 3-5.     
• 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 Group offerings this week.

  

Love in Metal: Abraham Megerdichian Machined Metal Miniatures (Main)  

September 19-October 14  

Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.  

Fridays-Saturdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.  

Sundays, 1-5 p.m.  

  

Join us for the first major exhibit in Cambridge of Abraham Megerdichian's metal miniatures. The artwork is on display throughout the Main Library – in the lobby, on the second floor, in the Cambridge Room, and in the Children's Room. A lifelong local machinist, Abraham worked with solid scrap metal to express his interpretations of everyday objects. Abraham’s son, Robert, has had pieces from the collection exhibited at nearly 20 places in New England and beyond. Also on display are Scott Sutherland’s professional photographs of the artwork. Learn more. 

 

Baby Lapsit (Main)

Monday, October 3 

10-10:20 a.m. 

 

Just for you and your baby! Enjoy time together with other parents, caregivers, and babies to learn, play, and develop language and motor skills. Recommended for 0 to 12 months. 

Come prepared to sit on the floor with your baby in your lap. This program can accommodate 15 babies and their caregivers. 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. 

 

Wellness for Seniors: Low-Impact Fitness (Virtual)

Monday, October 3 

11-11:45 a.m. 

 

This class is designed for adults 55 and older 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 your mind and body! Registration for each session is required. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. 

 

Read to a Dog (O'Neill)

Monday, October 3 

3-4 p.m. 

 

Read with a cuddly friend! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and uncritical reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required and began on Monday, September 26. Call or visit the O’Neill Branch to register (617-349-4023). Learn more.   

 

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)

Monday, October 3 

3-4 p.m. 

 

Learn how to use our Epilog Zing, an industry-standard laser cutting machine. Complete this workshop to earn a badge for the Zing laser cutter. With a badge, you can reserve the Epilog Zing to use at designated times. Thank you to the STEAM team for hosting. 

  

Note: The Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate training. You must take part in a Glowforge workshop to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. You must first complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.  

 

Evening Story Time (Valente)

Monday, October 3 

5:30-5:55 p.m. 

 

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for a special evening story event. This program will run for 20-25 minutes, with songs, stories, and rhymes. 

  

This program will be held in the Community Room of the Valente Branch, where space is limited. Free 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. Please call 617-349-4015 for more information. Learn more.  

 

Fall ESOL Class (Valente)

Monday, October 3 

6-7 p.m. 

 

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

 

Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)

Tuesday, October 4 & Wednesday, October 5 

1:30-8:30 p.m. 

Friday, October 7 & Saturday, October 8 

9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. 

 

During this time period, anyone who has completed The Hive training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) can reserve The Hive’s equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.  

 

Knitting Group (Boudreau)

Tuesday, October 4 

6:30-7:30 p.m. 

 

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

 

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)

Wednesday, October 5 

1-3 p.m. 

 

Would you like assistance creating a résumé or finding a job? Drop by for help with a résumé, conducting a job search online, and completing online applications. No registration is required. Learn more.  

 

After School Stories and Crafts (Central Square)

Wednesday, October 5 

4-5 p.m. 

 

Join us in the Children's Room for a fun craft and related stories. For more information, call 617-349-4010. Recommended for ages 5-10. Learn more.  

 

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O’Connell)

Thursday, October 6 

11-12:30 p.m. 

 

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters! Join 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! Learn more. 

 

Sewing 101 (Main)

Thursday, October 6 

3-4:30 p.m. 

 

In this 90-minute class, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. It will cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when 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 of us will be able to complete by the end of the class. You must complete The Hive Safety Training. Learn more. 

 

HONK! Concert (Main)

Thursday, October 6 

6:30-8 p.m. 

 

Join Banda Rim Bam Bum from Santiago, Chile, for an evening of conversation and music. The group will perform and then discuss the recent constitutional process and the political evolution of the country since the revolt of October 2019. Registration is not required but is encouraged.  

 

Financial Literacy 101: Budgeting and Saving (Central Square)

Thursday, October 6 

7-8 p.m. 

 

Managing one’s own money in today’s world is tricky. Learning to budget and save is a critical first step. Learning to budget effectively can help reduce stress and prove critical in helping us reach our lifetime financial goals. In this session, we explore forming a budget and comparing different ways to save money for the future. 

  

This workshop is part of four workshops in collaboration with the Cambridge Savings Bank. By learning and applying the concepts from these interactive workshops, participants will better understand and practice managing their money wisely, begin to build savings, avoid unmanageable debt, improve their credit, and shield themselves from fraud. Participants are welcome to register for just one or all of the workshops.  

• October 6: Budgeting and Saving
• October 13: Managing a Checking Account
• October 20: Credit
• October 27: Fraud  

 

Registration is required for each session.  

 

Stay Connected     

Please subscribe to our email list, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and visit our website.      

     

All the best,   

   

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.   

Director of Libraries