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Join the Cambridge Public Library in welcoming Philip Taubman, former Washington Bureau Chief of The New York Times and Pulitzer Prize-winning author William Taubman for a discussion of their latest book, McNamara at War, a captivating and authoritative psychological portrait of Robert S. McNamara. Informed by newly discovered diaries, letters, and interviews with those closest to him, the authors uncover an emotionally tortured man—a man who mastered everything in life, until the Vietnam War mastered him. The discussion will be moderated by Fredrik Logevall, the Laurence D. Belfer Professor of International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School and the author of JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century.

Join us for activities celebrating the theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" all summer long. Today's activity is Tissue Paper Flowers. Learn to create flowers made from tissue paper. Build a bouquet to take home for yourself or share with someone special. 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

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!

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.

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.

Although we strive to complete your record request as quickly as possible, please allow up to ten days for your records to become available.

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

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.

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

If you are interested in learning how to play Ping Pong or enjoy playing, join one of the workshops. A volunteer will be available to play with you and demonstrate the elements and rules of the game.