Summer Reading: Hip Hop Xpression (Central Square)
Experience the joy of Hip Hop Xpression with Jarell Howard Rochelle in this fun, high-energy program for kids and teens. Participants will learn simple choreography, explore freestyle movement, and be introduced to authentic hip hop terminology and culture. This interactive class emphasizes connection, creativity, and self-expression, while celebrating the spirit of hip-hop.
No prior dance experience is needed — just come ready to move, laugh, and have fun together. Families and youth of all ages are welcome.
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.
Books Not Binaries Reading Group (Central Square)
Join us for a book discussion and hangout each month as we read books that celebrate the LGBTQIA+ experience. All readers age 12-15 welcome! Registration is required. For questions, email hsaxton@cambridgema.gov.
This month we're reading Spells to Forget Us by Aislinn Brophy (Putnam, 2024).
Copies of the book are available at the Central Square Library Children's Desk.
Pizza will be provided!
CPL Nature Club: Seed Swap (O'Neill)
Bring the extra garden seeds you don't think you will plant this year! See what your neighbors have before you purchase more! We will have envelopes and pens to help keep them straight. If you don't have seeds, come anyway, as we will have extras.
This event is co-hosted by Cambridge City Growers, a group of volunteers across Cambridge working to start up gardens in neighborhoods to increase access to healthy, organic, and locally grown food.
Parent/Child (Ages 7-9) Book Group (Main)
Join us for a lively discussion of a great book in person at the Main Library! Snacks will be provided. For ages 7-9 and a parent or caregiver.
This month's book is Strangeville School is Totally Normal by Darcy Miller. Harvey Hill just wants other kids to think he’s normal. So he’s happy to start fresh as the newest kid at Strangeville Middle School. Except Strangeville is anything but normal. Something sinister swims in the drinking fountain, the cafeteria could swallow you whole, and a giant rat named Cuddles is on the loose. And don't even get the vice principal started on the third-floor supply closet. In fact, don't even think about it. What supply closet? Copies of this month's book are available at the Children's Desk.
Both caregiver and child should read the book before the discussion to participate. Registration is required — only one registration is needed per family.
For questions about parent/child book group, please email Rachel: rbeaton@cambridgema.gov
Teen Design Your Own Graphic Novel Session 1/3 (Valente)
Learn how to visually capture your own memoir or fictional creation in a short graphic novel through story planning, character development, and techniques for capturing emotions, motion, and time. Materials provided and no prior art or author experience needed! Registration is required, and registering for this session includes the following two Tuesdays 1/20, and 1/27. This program is for ages 10-18.
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.
Summer Reading: Crafternoon (Collins)
Join us for activities celebrating the theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" all summer long.
Today's activity is perler bead plants. Work with perler beads to follow a pattern and create a flower, fruit or your own unique design. We'll fuse the finished product into place for you to take home.
Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.
July 7 - Tissue Paper Flowers
July 14 - Bird and Bug Suncatchers
July 21 - no activity on this date
July 28 - Perler Bead Plants
August 4 - Paint by Sticker
August 11 - Origami Peace Cranes
CANCELED - Board Game Night for Adults (Valente)
Join us for an evening of board games. We have: Wingspan, Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Azul, Splendor, Scrabble, chess, checkers, Boggle, Bananagrams, and more!
Feel free to bring a board game to play with others.
We will provide pizza and beverages.
Registration helpful.
[CANCELED] CPL Nature Club: Morning Bird Watching Walk at Mt. Auburn Cemetery (Collins)
UPDATE: Due to the impacts of this week's winter storm, this walk has been canceled. There will be another walk on Wednesday, February 25th. Register for that walk at this link.
Join us for a morning walk at one of the most renowned bird watching 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 Collins Branch Library at 64 Aberdeen Ave at 10:15 am. We will walk to Mt. Auburn Cemetery together (about a five minute walk). Please try to be on time as we will leave shortly after 10:15!
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.
[CANCELLED] CPL Nature Club: Morning Bird Watching Walk at Mt. Auburn Cemetery (Collins)
UPDATE: Due to the severe weather in the forecast, this walk has been cancelled. There will be another walk on Wednesday, February 25th. Register for that walk at this link.
Join us for a morning walk at one of the most renowned bird watching 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 Collins Branch Library at 64 Aberdeen Ave at 10:15 am. We will walk to Mt. Auburn Cemetery together (about a five minute walk). Please try to be on time as we will leave shortly after 10:15!
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.