Summer Reading: Family Combat Robotics with Guild Hall Learning (Main)
Join us for a collaborative experience where families build and battle robots together. This event is recommended for children ages 7 and up and their families.
This program can accommodate 16 families. 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.
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.
Summer Reading: Seed Art and Mosaics with Hands on Nature (Main)
Join us for a simple discussion on the life cycle of a plant, then make some seed art to take home! Recommended for children ages 5 and up and their caregivers.
This program can accommodate 50 people. 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.
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.
Summer Reading: Wingmasters, World of Owls (Valente)
This program shows how owls use their specialized powers of sight, hearing and flight to survive and thrive. A wealth of fact and folklore about these masters of the night explains the natural and unnatural history of owls. A variety of live North American owls provides the focus of this presentation. Recommended for children ages 6 and up and their caregivers.
Space is limited, and we may not be able to accommodate late arrivals once the program begins. Thank you for understanding!
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.
Summer Reading: BioDesign with the Rhode Island Computer Museum (Main)
Delve into the wonders of the natural world. Attendees will learn about different types of animal homes and use them to inspire their own creation. Recommended for ages 8-13. This program can accommodate 12 people. 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.
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.
Summer Reading: Live Animal Story Time with Land's Sake Farm (O'Neill)
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.
Cambridge Cooks: Charcuterie with Jacob Lavoie (Main)
Jacob Lavoie is a proud Cambridge resident, cheese lover, and the Program Director for Food & Wine at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. With a background in wine and spirits, arts and culture, and lifelong learning, Jacob brings curiosity, creativity, and collaboration into the classroom. In this class, he invites students to explore the art of building a stunning and delicious cheese board perfect for entertaining or a cozy night in. Jacob will guide participants through selecting a balanced mix of cheeses, charcuterie, and flavorful accompaniments while sharing tips for thoughtful pairings, visual composition, and crowd-pleasing presentation. Students will leave with practical techniques they can use for future gatherings, celebrations, or weeknight treats, along with inspiration for wine pairings to elevate the experience. The class concludes with a communal tasting of cheese and charcuterie.
CPL Nature Club: Morning Bird Watching Walk at Mount Auburn Cemetery (O'Neill)
Join us for a morning walk at one of the most renowned birdwatching spots in Cambridge, Mount Auburn Cemetery! We will help you identify birds, learn birdwatching tips and tricks, and familiarize yourself with migratory birds as well as those that can be spotted all year round. A limited supply of binoculars will be available.
The walk will meet at the Bird Sighting Board near the front entrance of Mt. Auburn Cemetery at 10:15 am.
Registration is required. This event can only accommodate a certain number of participants. One registration is good for one person. If you do not register, you cannot participate. Those on the waitlist will be contacted if a space becomes available.
For more information, contact Michael Roberson at mroberson@cambridgema.gov or call the O'Neill Branch at 617-349-4021.
Signs for Inclusion: Fun & Practical ASL for Everyday Communication (Main)
Join us for this special summer reading edition of a fun, interactive, activity-based American Sign Language lesson, including:
Everyday communication signs (greetings, help, common phrases, fun "Plant a seed, read!" summer reading themed signs)
How to respectfully and effectively interact with Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals
Basic expressive communication using facial expressions and body language
How to navigate simple real-life scenarios using ASL
Inclusive communication strategies that can be used immediately
The session also includes:
Silent communication challenges
Interactive group practice
Engaging sign language games
This program is recommended for participants ages 10 and up.
Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Cambridge Public Library and Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Artwork copyright iRead.
Summer Reading: Wingmasters, Birds of Prey (Main)
This presentation incorporates 4-5 live birds of prey that all native to New England. The program is designed to explain predation, the birds' place at the top of the food web, their different hunting adaptations and their status in a rapidly changing world. Because many birds of prey are declining in number, this presentation also features one or more of the endangered raptors that Wingmasters cares for, and explains why these species face an uncertain future. Recommended for children ages 6 and up and their caregivers.
This program can accommodate 75 people. 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.
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.
January 5 2023
Cambridge Historical Commission minutes of January 5th 2023