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Why does the Massachusetts State flag matter? Learn about the history and significance of the Massachusetts state seal, flag, and motto from Sage Carbone and David Shane Lowry. Think more deeply about your community's symbols and better understand why our state flag must be changed. This discussion is inspired by the Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission’s open call to artists, historians, educators, students, and members of the public to participate in the effort to redesign the state’s seal, flag, and motto. Established by the Legislature in 2024, the Commission is tasked with developing and recommending new symbols to represent the state through a statewide public process. Learn more about the Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission’s open call to artists.

Get up close and personal with chickens! This program includes a chicken-themed story time and educational games about chicken behavior and anatomy. The highlight of the program is the Chicken Circle, where youth are able to touch and interact with live chickens. Recommended for children of all ages and their caregivers. This program will happen outside. In case of rain or bad weather it will be inside the O'Neill Branch. Registration is required. When registering, please list how many children are attending. Adults do not need to be included in the numbers for registration 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.

Four notable public safety responses have occurred since Friday. Each response involved residents who were struggling with mental health issues. Three of the four involved residents were armed. Each situation was resolved peacefully without any injuries to anyone involved and the residents were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment.

Join the Cambridge Public Library in celebrating Pride Month by welcoming Kristen Arnett, author of Mostly Dead Things, With Teeth, and—published just this past March—STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE. After a reading from her work, Arnett will be joined in conversation by Jill McDonough, author of five books of poetry including American Treasure and Here All Night. Called "a perversely funny novel about family, ambition, and desire" (Shelf Awareness), STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE follows a professional clown, Cherry Hendricks, as she tries to stay true to her needs as a person as well as an artist. This is a hybrid event and registration is required. This event is cosponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.

Greene-Rose Heritage Park lies along Harvard Street near the intersection with Moore Street. There is also an access point from Broadway near the intersection with Windsor Street. The park was expanded and renovated in 2008 and now includes a children’s playground, water play area, open field, benches, landscaping and trees, and public art installations.

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us for 20-25 minutes of fun and scary songs and stories for a late October treat! Feel free to wear your favorite cozy pajamas or a scary or fun costume! Pajama Story Time is presented by the Cambridge Public Library and the Center for Families.

The 273,000 square foot facility houses the King Open School (JK-5), Cambridge Street Upper School (Grades 6-8), Cambridge Public Schools Administration, King Open Preschool, King Open Extended Day, Community Schools, and Valente Branch Library. It is is the first Net Zero Emissions and first LEED V4 Platinum school in Massachusetts.

What happens when mental illness meets homelessness and there’s nowhere to turn? What does healthcare look like when you’re sleeping outside, alone, and invisible? Join NAMI Cambridge/Middlesex and the Cambridge Public Library for an unflinching look at healthcare on the margins as Dr. Jim O’Connell, founding physician and President of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) shares stories, insights, and hard truths from a lifetime spent caring for patients—not in pristine clinics but in shelters, on sidewalks, and under bridges. Moderated by Dr. Rich Parker, this one-night event will explore the barriers so many in our community face when mental illness goes untreated, housing is out of reach, and support feels out of sight. Cosponsored by Cambridge Public Library. Registration is required.

The City of Cambridge is taking another step toward reducing noise and air pollution by officially prohibiting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and requiring all users to transition to electric or battery-powered leaf blowers. This initiative aligns with the city’s commitment to protecting public health and reducing harmful emissions.

Join local artist, musician and educator Ben Cunningham for a transformative storytelling performance. The Story Terrarium is not your average storytelling experience—it's an educational, interactive adventure for children and families alike. No registration required. Funding for Vacation Week Programming: Live at the Library has been generously provided by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.