Director's Update, May 26, 2024

Dear Patrons,

All Library locations will be closed on Sunday, May 26, and Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day.

Last Friday, the Library's archivist, Alyssa Pacy, was one of several City employees who received an Outstanding Employee Award. It was a wonderful event celebrating many impactful members of our Cambridge community. Congratulations to Alyssa on receiving this award! (In the photo, from left to right are Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan, Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Alyssa Pacy, and City Manager Yi-An Huang).

This week, the Library was included in a WGBH piece on library social workers. Check out the story here: Massachusetts libraries are boosting their mission with new hires: Social workers | GBH (wgbh.org).

Join us on Wednesday, May 29 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for the 25th Annual Youth Poetry Awards celebrating youth poets K-8 who live or attend school in Cambridge. For more information, call 617-349-4012 or e-mai: jpittel@cambridgema.gov.

On Thursday, May 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., the Library and Harvard Book Store welcome Kay Redfield Jamison—the Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders and professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist, Robert Lowell: Setting the River on Fire—for a discussion of the paperback release of her book Fires in the Dark: Healing the Unquiet Mind. She will be talking with Dr. Arthur Kleinman, the author of The Soul of Care and professor of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School. Registration is required.

Join us for the return of Park Sounds on Saturday, June 1, from 1 to 3 p.m. We’ll be celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month with a live performance by Lady Lee and the New Awakening Band (Main). This event is sponsored by the Cambridge Library Foundation.

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Activities for Kids    
This week, these programs will be offered at our Boudreau, Central Square, Collins, Main, O’Connell, O’Neill, and Valente locations.     

Sing-Alongs       

Story Times   
          
Book Groups
Learn more about our Book Groups.

ESOL Classes (Central Square)
Tuesday, May 28, and Thursday, May 30
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 1-2:30 p.m., and 3-4:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 29, and Friday, May 31
10:30 a.m.-Noon

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes occur every weekday. On Mondays, High Beginner ESOL is from 10:30 a.m. to noon and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Intermediate ESOL is at 11 a.m., High Beginner ESOL is at 1 p.m., and Advanced ESOL is at 3 p.m. Beginner ESOL is at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Registration is not required.

3D Printing 101: Game Piece Design (Main)
Tuesday, May 28
1-2:30 p.m.

Learn how to create your favorite game piece in digital space and print it out using our Sindoh 3D printers. In this workshop, you will get hands-on experience running the 3D printer, gain fundamental 3D modeling skills using Tinkercad, and earn your 3D Printing badge for future reservations in The Hive. Before taking this workshop, you will need to complete The Hive Safety Training and create a free Tinkercad account at www.tinkercad.com. Parents may need to assist users under the age of 18 to create an account. Register here.

Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, May 28
2:30-3:30 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters as you work, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, and mend. Refreshments will be provided.

Equipment and Studio Reservations (Main)
Tuesday, May 28, 3:30-8:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 30, 5-8:30 p.m.
Friday, May 31, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 1, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

During this period, anyone who has completed The Hive Safety Training and is badged to use equipment or studio(s) canreserve equipment or studio spaces. Staff will assist participants as they are able.  

Drop-in Tech Help (Central Square)
Tuesday, May 28
4-6 p.m.
 
Looking for some basic computer or mobile device guidance? Want help using an online resource? Need someone to read your résumé and help with navigating online job applications? Join us for our drop-in hours. No registration is required. If you have any questions, please contact library@cambridgema.gov.

Teen Advisory Board Meeting (Main)
Tuesday, May 28
4-5 p.m.

Teens! Help us plan teen programs for the Library! Earn community service hours! Enjoy free snacks! We meet monthly during the school year. No registration is required. Stop by the Teen Room or call 617-349-4027 to learn more.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, May 28
6:30-7:30 p.m.           

Bring your project, yarn, and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters. 

Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-in (O’Connell)
Wednesday, May 29
11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters. Work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, and cross stitch.    

Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square)
Wednesday, May 29
1-3 p.m.    
     
Looking for assistance creating a résumé or finding jobs? Join us for assistance with job hunting and online applications. No registration is required. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.

English Conversation Practice, Intermediate (O'Neill)
Wednesday, May 29
1-2:30 p.m. 
 
Join us for an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Conversation Practice. This group is for those with an intermediate or high level of English language skill. No testing is required. For more information on other ESOL classes, please call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013. 

Sewing 101 (Main)
Wednesday, May 29
9:30-11 a.m.

In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of sewing machine operation and safety. We’ll cover machine setup, basic functions, threading the machine, reloading the bobbin, sewing straight stitches, and recognizing when stitch tension has gone awry. We’ll also cover some safety best practices when operating a sewing machine. As we learn together, we’ll work on a simple project—a drawstring bag—which most students will be able to complete by the end of the class. Registration is required. You must complete The Hive Safety Training before registering for this workshop. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.

Cambridge Street Scavenger Hunt for Teens (Valente)
Wednesday, May 29
3-5 p.m.

Walk around Cambridge Street to look for clues in this outdoor urban scavenger hunt! Cooperate or compete with your friends to win prizes (while supplies last).  This program is recommended for preteens and teens ages 12 and up. 

Wednesdays of Wonder - WOW! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, May 29
3-4:30 p.m.

Come to the Library for games and a different activity each week! Kids of all ages can hang out and do crafts or STEAM activities. No registration is required. This week we will be having fun with beads.

Hive Teen Hangout (Main)
Wednesday, May 29
3:30-5 p.m.

Have you checked out The Hive yet? Teens are welcome to come learn about our space and try their hand at sticker making, video recording in our studio, and more. This is a drop-in event designed for patrons ages 12-18.

Sewing Circle (Main)
Wednesday, May 29
5:30-8:30 p.m.

Continue building your machine-sewing skills AND receive support as you work on your own projects with our Library sewing community. Participants must register but may drop in any time during the program. Registration is required. This program is designed for patrons who know the basics of how to use our Janome sewing machines. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.

25th Annual Youth Poetry Awards (Main)
Wednesday, May 29
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Join us for the 25th Annual Youth Poetry Awards celebrating youth poets K-8 who live or attend school in Cambridge. For more information, call 617-349-4012 or email: jpittel@cambridgema.gov.

Wednesday Word Puzzles (O'Connell)
Wednesday, May 29
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Drop in to try some fun puzzles every week: word searches, riddles, and variety crosswords! You can come alone or bring a grown-up. Recommended for ages 11 and up. No registration is required. E-mail cmeisler@cambridgema.gov for more details.

The Hive Safety Training (Main)
Thursday, May 30, 10-11 a.m.
Saturday, June 1, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Are you interested in using The Hive? In this workshop you will learn about our makerspace, how to use the resources we offer and how to keep safe in The Hive. Find out what you need to get started as a maker in The Hive here. Registration is required. Completion of The Hive Safety Training is the entry point to making, innovating, and collaborating in this space. Makers must also sign The Hive User Agreement and Waivers.

Wellness for Seniors: Zumba Gold (Virtual)
Thursday, May 30 (in person)
11-11:45 a.m. 

Put on your dancing shoes to improve flexibility and balance, strengthen muscles, and have fun! The certified Zumba Gold instructor Emily B. will lead you through 45 minutes of low-impact and easy choreography in your own home through Zoom. Join us! Registration for each session is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available. This is a virtual event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.

Glowforge 101: Creative Laser Cutting (Main)
Thursday, May 30
2-4 p.m.

Learn how to cut, engrave, and shape designs from a variety of materials using the Glowforge Pro laser cutter. This 2-hour workshop replaces the previous 2-part Glowforge 101 offering; the content and length of this workshop and the 2-part series are the same. You will start by using the camera on the Glowforge to focus and scan your own images, properly select materials for your project, and fabricate your first design. You will create digital artwork for the Glowforge and learn file formatting for production. Note: This is a badging course for laser cutting. Registration is required. This workshop is full; a waitlist is available.

STEAM Academy: iFp Studio (Main)
Thursday, May 30
3:30-7 p.m.

Innovators for Purpose (iFp) Studio is a teen-powered design and innovation program where teens channel their energy and creative vision to imagine and build a better world. Blending art, design, science, technology, and storytelling in a social justice framework, teens engage in real-world client-sponsored projects. They are invited to learn more and apply on the iFp website: Innovators for Purpose.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, May 30
2:30-3:30 p.m.

Join our librarians for tea, cookies, and a jigsaw puzzle—an hour of fun and conversation.

Kay Redfield Jamison in conversation with Dr. Arthur Kleinman (Main)
Thursday, May 30
6-7:30 p.m.

The Library and Harvard Book Store welcome Kay Redfield Jamison —the Dalio Professor in Mood Disorders and professor of psychiatry at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist Robert Lowell: Setting the River on Fire—for a discussion of the paperback release of her book Fires in the Dark: Healing the Unquiet Mind. She will be talking with Dr. Arthur Kleinman, the author of The Soul of Care and professor of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School. Registration is required.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, May 30
7-8 p.m.

Bring your project and come join other fiber crafters in your community! Crochet, sew, embroider, knit, cross stitch, spin, mend, and more at this informal drop-in fiber arts circle. All crafts are welcome!

Kids' Zine Collective (O'Neill)
Friday, May 31
4-5 p.m.

What's a zine? And how do you make one? Come find out! Kids are invited to explore making, copying, sharing, and swapping zines. It will include activities like writing, drawing, and collage. Recommended for ages 7 and up. Snacks are provided!

Drop-in Maker Studio (O’Neill)
Saturday, June 1
1-3 p.m.

Come to the Library to create something special! Use your own supplies or try out our equipment. You can use our 1-inch button maker, 2.5-inch button maker, 3D Doodle pens, or Janome sewing machines. The Library will provide basic supplies. Learn more.

PARK SOUNDS: Celebrating Caribbean Heritage Month with Lady Lee and the New Awakening Band (Main)
Saturday, June 1
1-3 p.m.

Caribbean Heritage Month, warmer weather, the start of the Library’s 2024 Park Sounds season—there are so many things to celebrate! Lady Lee and the New Awakening Band kick off Park Sounds 2024 with a mix of reggae, originals, and popular covers. Rain date: Thursday, June 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. 

PARK SOUNDS 2024 brings free musical performances featuring local artists to the front lawn of the Main Library. These events are for all ages. Bring a chair, food, and loved ones to celebrate the summer! Funding is provided by the CPL Foundation. 

Stay Connected   

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All the best!    

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries  

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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.