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Join Earthwise Aware for a thought-provoking workshop examining how land use and climate change influence the design, function, and future of urban green spaces. Starting at the library’s front lawn, we will explore how conventional designs can undermine biodiversity and tree health. What makes a space truly nature-friendly? Can a lawn, sidewalk, or plaza be transformed into habitat? We will compare low-functioning green spaces with examples of micro-forests, native plantings, and meadows. Along the way, we will observe seasonal changes in plants and wildlife through the lens of phenology, the study of nature’s calendar. We will also introduce simple participatory science tools that help monitor habitat quality, foster community engagement, and inform better decisions. Even a modest native plant patch can be a pocket of resilience. Come learn how to spot, support, and reimagine urban nature that works with the ecosystem, not just mimics it. The program will start with a workshop in the Rossi Room, then move outside to Joan Lorentz Park. Registration required.

CALEA, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, awarded the Cambridge Police Department Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation in 2025. The department is now committed to the ongoing, multi-year process required to maintain this accreditation, which is considered the gold standard in law enforcement and aligns with our mission of procedurally just policing. CALEA’s primary focus is on improving how public safety services are provided, with a goal of strengthening crime prevention, maintaining fair and non-discriminatory hiring practices, and increasing interagency cooperation -- all to serve in increasing community and staff confidence in the department. As part of the process, Cambridge Police invites the public to comment directly to CALEA.The purpose of this public portal is to receive comments regarding an agency's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status. These comments can be in the form of commendations or concerns. The overall intent of the accreditation process is to provide the participating agency with information to support continuous improvement, as well as foster the pursuit of professional excellence. Click Here to Read More or Access the Comment Portal.

In honor of National Public Health Week, please join us on Thursday, April 9th from 1-2:30 pm to volunteer to put together overdose prevention kits at the Cambridge Public Library, Central Square Branch. This year’s National Public Health Week theme "Ready. Set. Action!" calls on each of us to take part in community-driven solutions and daily actions that create healthier, more equitable, and connected communities. The You Can initiative (youcan.info) addresses overdose deaths by increasing access to lifesaving skills and resources statewide. Volunteers play a crucial role in this program by assembling the kits that are then mailed out across the state, getting lifesaving resources out to people and families who need them, free of cost. Each kit contains naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and other vital resources. Volunteers will be able to leave with a completed kit, if desired. Representatives from the Cambridge Health Department will also be onsite to provide additional resources and support. This program is a partnership between the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Health Resources in Action (HRiA) and hosted by the Cambridge Health Department and Cambridge Public Library.

Join Earthwise Aware (EwA) for an interactive walk to observe, document, and take part in shaping urban spaces that work with nature. Together, we will explore how design choices and climate pressures shape the ecological value of our everyday green spaces, and document habitat conditions using simple citizen science tools. Starting at the library lawn, we will examine spaces that appear green but often function poorly. Manicured lawns and sparse tree plantings may look inviting, yet they frequently support little biodiversity and can limit soil health and resilience. What makes a space truly nature-friendly? We will record what is present, what is missing, and what that tells us about ecological function. During the walk, we will: Observe and document plant communities and habitat quality Identify signs of low and high ecological function Compare conventional landscapes with more resilient plantings such as native beds or meadow patches Contribute real data that supports local ecological understanding and decision making This is participatory science in practice. Your observations will feed into broader efforts to track urban biodiversity and inform better land use choices. The program will meet outside the library in Joan Lorentz Park. Registration required. Rain date: Wednesday May 6

A Conversation with Sola Mahfouz, Death Café, Tai Chi for Seniors, and More!

Join us for a Know Your Rights presentation led by an attorney from De Novo. This session will share important updates for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, including: How to renew your TPS Work permit and travel information Legal supports and available resources You’ll also have the chance to ask questions and connect with local organizations that can help with ongoing support. This a hybrid event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. We will be providing interpretation in Spanish and Haitian Creole on location during the event. Registration is encouraged but not required. Pizza will be provided! Vin jwenn nou pou yon prezantasyon ak yon avoka imigrasyon De Novo sou Estati Pwoteksyon Tanporè (TPS). Nou pral eksplore sijè tankou: Kijan pou renouvle pèmi Travay TPS ou ak enfòmasyon sou vwayaj Sipò legal ak resous ki disponib Pou wè prezantasyon sa a sou Zoom, enskri pou reyinyon an ak lyen ki anwo a. Pou gade l an dirèk, vizite Bibliyotèk Central Plas la (45 Pearl Street). Entèpretasyon an ap disponib an kreyòl Ayisyen ak an Espanyòl. Gratis epi louvri pou tout moun! Acompáñenos a la presentación de un abogado de inmigración de De Novo sobre el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS). Hablaremos sobre los siguientes temas: cómo renovar su TPS permiso de trabajo e información de viaje apoyos legales y recursos disponibles Para ver esta presentación en Zoom, regístrese en la reunión usando el enlace anterior. Para verla en vivo, visite la Biblioteca de Central Square 45 Pearl Street, Cambridge Habrá interpretación en criollo haitiano y español. ¡Entrada libre y gratuita!

Wednesdays of Wonder, Brewery Book Club, Story Time with Sara Levine, and More!

Fresh Pond Nature Walk, 3-D Printing, Fiber Craft Groups, and More!

Jenny Odell at the Main Library, Cosmic Story Time, One-on-One Tech Help, and More!

Birdwatching at Mt. Auburn, Board Games, Estate Planning, and More!