Director's Update, February 5, 2023

Dear Patrons,

Happy Black History Month! I am pleased to announce a new partnership with the Museum of African American History (MAAH) that will enable Cambridge residents to access its resources in Boston and Nantucket at a discount. Community members will be able to attend the museum’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Cross-Cultural workshops at a discount, as well as make purchases at the Museum Bookstore at a discount. The Library started this program last year in collaboration with the office of Mayor Siddiqui. This initiative is made possible by a generous donation from the Friends of the Library. Visit the Museum Pass service page on our website to learn more about reserving a pass to the MAAH.

 
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We are pleased to offer the following programs this week.

Activities for Kids 

These programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations. Thank you to our Youth Services librarians for hosting.

• Sing-Alongs 
• Story Times 

Book Groups 

Learn more about our Book Groups this week. Thank you to the librarians hosting book groups.

Wellness for Seniors: Combo Dance Fitness & Let Your Yoga Dance® (Virtual)
Monday, February 6
11-11:45 a.m.

Join us for this fun, dynamic, and ultimately blissful combo: We start with some high-energy (low-impact) dance fitness, then work our way through the seven energy centers (chakras) with Let Your Yoga Dance. You will leave with a good workout and a peaceful, happy mind/body/spirit. It’sgood for everybody! Registration is required for each session.

Creative Aging: Improv (Main)
Monday, February 6
2-4 p.m.

Learn how to seamlessly integrate interactive improv games, scenes, and skillful storytelling with performance in this series of classes offered with Improv Boston. This 8-week course will meet in person on Mondays from 2 to 4 p.m. from January 23 through March 20. Space is limited to 15 participants, and registration is required. To gain the most out of this program, we expect all participants to commit to all eight sessions. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. 

LEGO Time (Main)
Monday, February 6
4-4:45 p.m. 

It's a weekly block party! Join friends to design and build amazing LEGO structures. Let your imagination run wild! The Children's Room has plenty of LEGO pieces, so you don't need to bring your own. Be aware that LEGO pieces are choking hazards for young children, so this program is for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers. It can accommodate 30 builders. Children under age 7 must be accompanied by a caregiver. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. This program starts promptly, and any unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information. Learn more. 

Fall ESOL Class (Valente)
Monday, February 6
6-7 p.m.     

Join us for a beginner-level English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) class! No testing is needed, and everyone is welcome. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. Learn more. Thanks to Maria and the Valente team for hosting this program.

XR Lab 101 (Main)
Monday, February 6
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. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop.

ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesday, February 7, and Thursday, February 9
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, February 8, and Friday, February 10
10:30 a.m.-Noon 

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur 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 not required. Learn more.

Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Tuesday, February 7, 1-4 p.m.
Thursday, February 9, 1:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, February 10, Noon-3 p.m.
Saturday, February 11, 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

During 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. Staff will assist participants as they are able. Learn more.

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

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

Sewing 101 (O'Neill)
Tuesday, February 7
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Learn to use a sewing machine! This 4-week series of 60-minute classes is designed for ages 7-18. Ages 7-11 must participate with an adult. Ages 12-18 may participate alone or with an adult. You’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. We will cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when problems arise. As we learn together, we’ll work on one or two simple sewing projects. Please register only if you will be able to attend all four sessions.

Participants may use this series to become badged for the sewing machines at The Hive. If you wish to do this, please complete The Hive Safety Training before the end of the workshop series. This series is part of the O'Neill Community Quilt Project. Visit our calendar for more event listings.

Wellness for Seniors: Tai Chi Paradigm - Level 1 (Main)
Wednesday, February 8 and Friday, February 10
10-11 a.m.

Join Sifu Mynor Diaz in this 12-week Tai Chi practice, which focuses on the mind-body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low-impact routine. We expect participants to attend all classes. This workshop is open to participants who have attended the fall session.Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation. Learn more and register.

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)
Wednesday, February 8
1-3 p.m.

Looking for assistance creating a résumé or finding a job? Join us for help with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required. Learn more.

Videography 101 (Main)
Wednesday, February 8, 2-3 p.m. and 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Step into The Hive's state-of-the-art recording studio and film a short video of yourself in front of our green screen. Then, spend some time becoming familiar with video editing software while working with your footage. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Registration is required.

A Conversation on Native American Sovereignty with Larry Spotted Crow Mann (Main)
Wednesday, February 8
6-7:30 p.m.

Join us for a conversation on Native American sovereignty with Larry Spotted Crow Mann, a multitalented Indigenous artist with a career spanning more than three decades. He is a nationally acclaimed author and an award-winning writer, poet, cultural educator, traditional storyteller, and tribal musician whose work centers around the intersection of cultural and environmental awareness, spirituality, and youth sobriety in the Indigenous community. Mann is also the author of three books, Drumming & Dreaming, The Mourning Road to Thanksgiving (2015 Native American WordCraft Circle of Honors winner), and the internationally acclaimed Tales from the Whispering Basket. Registration is required.

Studio Recording 101 (Main)
Wednesday, February 8
7:30-8:30 p.m.

Are you interested in podcasting, audio production, or video production? The Hive has two state-of-the-art recording studios! Join this workshop to become familiar with our studio equipment and software. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. Thank you to the STEAM team for hosting.

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)
Thursday, February 9
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! Please call 617-349-4019 if you have questions.

Afternoon Games (O’Neill) 
Thursday, February 9
3-5 p.m. 

Join us to play your favorite board game or complete a puzzle after school! To learn more, please call 617-349-4023.

Button Making (Boudreau) 
Thursday, February 9
3-3:45 p.m.

Learn how to use a button maker (on loan from The Hive makerspace at the Main Library) and turn your own designs into wearable art. Learn more.

Photo-Scanning Party (Boudreau)
Thursday, February 9
4-5 p.m.

It’s time to scan all those photos that have been collecting dust in the basement, closet, and attic. Invite friends, bring your photo albums, and even bring something to eat and drink: it’s a party! Registration is required.

As you share your memories, we will help you digitize your photographs (and documents, too). This way you can preserve them or share them online or even get them reprinted. You will have the peace of mind that those memories and moments won’t disappear. You will need photos, a USB drive of 4GB or more or any hard drive.

Zing Laser Cutting 101 (Main)
Friday, February 10
3:30-4:30 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 on our equipment booking page to use at designated times. Please note that the Epilog Zing laser cutter and Glowforge laser cutter require separate trainings. You must participate in the Glowforge workshop to operate our Glowforge Pro laser cutter. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. 

Pop-Up Card Workshop (Valente)
Friday, February 10
4-5 p.m.

Learn how to make a card that really pops! Join us for a hands-on workshop, learn to make your very own pop-up cards, and take your finished products home to share with family and friends! This workshop is for children ages 7-12. No registration is required.

Vinyl Cutting 101 (Main)
Saturday, February 11
10-11 a.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.

Community Quilting Bee (O'Neill)
Saturday, February 11
1:30-4:30 p.m.

People of all ages and sewing abilities are welcome to help put together our Community Quilt! Help determine the layout of the quilt squares. Learn from members of the Cambridge Modern Quilt Guild how a quilt is constructed and watch them in action. People who are badged to use the sewing machines at The Hive or who completed Sewing 101 at the O'Neill Branch can practice quilting sample squares. This series is part of the O'Neill Community Quilt Project. Visit our calendar for more event listings.

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All the best!

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries