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What is an endangered species? Why are many animals and their habitats disappearing? Learn about endangered species in the wild here in New England, and around the world, and some things we can all do to help them. Recommended for children ages 4 and up and their caregivers. 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.

In honor of Earth Day, spend your afternoon at the Library creating your own terrarium. In partnership with Emerald City Plant Shop, you will have the opportunity to learn more about different kind of plants and plant care. This event will be conducted in the front park area of the Library. In the case of rain, the class will be moved to the Rossi room. The Library will provide all needed supplies. There will be 2 timed sessions. Please make sure to choose the time that works best for you.

In honor of Earth Day, spend your afternoon at the Library creating your own terrarium. In partnership with Emerald City Plant Shop, you will have the opportunity to learn more about different kind of plants and plant care. This event will be conducted in the front park area of the Library. In the case of rain, the class will be moved to the community room. The Library will provide needed supplies. There will be 2 timed sessions. Please make sure to choose the time that works best for you.

Join us in Joan Lorentz Park from 1-2:30 p.m. for a concert celebrating the roots of folk music with Reclaiming Folk, a concert series that celebrates and honors people of color in folk music, created by singer-songwriter Naomi Westwater. Back by popular demand, this event will feature original compositions—performed by Valeria Orrantia, Anand Nayak, and Naomi Westwater—as well as cover songs that honor the musicians who came before, short interviews with the musicians about folk music, and time for a Q&A from the audience. Registration is not required.

Our Magic Tree House book group for kids ages 5-10 meets the first Friday of the month. Pick up a copy of the book beforehand. Our October book is Magic Tree House #2, "The Knight at Dawn." This event is onsite at O'Connell, with the option to attend virtually. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. Need a laptop or hotspot to participate? Call the O'Connell Branch at 617-349-4019. For questions about the Magic Tree House book club, please email cmeisler@cambridgema.gov.

Learn about the local tradition of turning maple sap into maple syrup with Land's Sake Farm! Enjoy a maple sugaring themed story time, touch and explore the tools we use to make maple syrup, and try using hand drills to tap a demonstration log. This program is recommended for children ages 4 and up. Children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required - please register only the children who will be attending the program.

On February 4, 2021, the Governor of Massachusetts announced that as of Monday, February 8, 2021, the capacity limits for certain businesses will increase from the current 25% to 40%.  After careful consideration, the City of Cambridge will follow the increase but will continue to monitor and amend if necessary in the interest of the public’s safety. The City of Cambridge previously announced that it will be returning to Phase III, Step 1 effective on Monday, February 8 at 12:00 a.m.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of MassNotify, a new free smartphone service that people in Massachusetts can voluntarily use to let others know that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. Massachusetts remains a leader in the nation in COVID-19 vaccinations, with almost 4 million residents fully vaccinated, and COVID-19 case trends continue to drop. Case counts in Massachusetts are down 99% from their peak in January, and hospitalizations are down by 93% since their peak in January.

In anticipation of the extremely cold weather this weekend, the City of Cambridge is expanding capacity at shelters and offering important safety tips. The Winter Warming Center, located in the basement of 806 Massachusetts Ave. will be open on Saturday, Feb. 4. Libraries will also be open for regular hours over the weekend. Limit outdoor time for the whole family, including pets. If you go outside, dress in layers and cover exposed skin. Wear a hat and mittens (not gloves). Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect your lungs. When outside, stay active to maintain body heat and take frequent breaks from the cold.

Hangout with other teens in the Valente Branch Community Room after school to socialize, unwind, and participate in a rotating activity. No registration required, drop-in between 3:30-4:30pm. The City of Cambridge does not discriminate, including on the basis of disability. We may provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to people with disabilities. For more information contact us at library@cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4032 (voice), or via relay at 711.