Director's Update, October 6, 2024

Dear Patrons,    

   

Want to vote in the upcoming election? Need to double check that you’re still registered? Swing by the Central Square Branch on Wednesday, October 9, from 3-6 p.m., to learn all about what you need to vote on Tuesday, November 5. We’ll have snacks and voter registration support for everyone, including registration forms in multiple languages and information about how to register without a permanent address.  

 

The Library is pleased to welcome Carmen Maria Machado on Wednesday, October 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. She is the author of a bestselling memoir, In the Dream House, as well as a short story collection, Her Body and Other Parties. She has also won several major prizes, including the Shirley Jackson Award, the Bard Fiction Prize, and the 2018 Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction. The conversation will be moderated by Claire Luchette, the author of Agatha of Little Neon and a current Radcliffe fellow. A Q&A and book signing will follow. Registration is required. This event is full, but a waitlist is available. It is co-sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.

On Thursday, October 10, at 6 p.m., the Library and Harvard Book Store will welcome Nina Guilbeault, Ph.D.—sociologist, educator, and cofounder of the nonprofit Plant Futures—for a discussion of her new book, The Good Eater: A Vegan’s Search for the Future of Food. She will be talking with Michael Pollan, a Professor of the Practice of Nonfiction at Harvard and the author of nine books, including This Is Your Mind on Plants. Registration is required.

 

 

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Weekly Activities for Kids        

    

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

• Sing-Alongs   

• Story Times   
     

Book Groups      

Learn more about our Book Groups.    

   

The Hive Workshops   

Check out this week’s classes in The Hive.    

   

ESOL Classes    

Find an ESOL Class.   

   

Tech Help   

• Basic Tech Classes   

• One-on-One Tech Help   

   

Estate Planning for All (Virtual)
Monday, October 7
10-11:30 a.m.   

The Library and the Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School are excited to offer Estate Planning for All. Estate plans can help you prepare for unexpected changes, offer a sense of security in uncertain times, and ensure that your wishes will be carried out if you become ill, incapacitated, or die unexpectedly. Everyone—regardless of background or financial situation—can have an estate plan.

We will discuss: 

• Financial issues during our lifetimes: power of attorney, homestead declaration, and trusts 

• Health and medical issues: health care proxy, medical directives, and HIPAA authorization 

• Preparing for death: wills and declaration as to remains 

Estate planning issues specific to veterans and individuals with disabilities will also be discussed. 

This webinar will be presented on Zoom. Registrants may phone in if preferred. Zoom information will be sent to registrants before the session. Questions? Contact Brynne at bquinlan@CambridgeMA.gov or call 617-349-4041.  

Chess Hour (Boudreau)
Monday, October 7
5-6 p.m.  

Come join us for a chess challenge. Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. This is not an instructional class, but rather a gathering for individuals who want to test their skills against other members of the community. No registration is required. Simply drop by and challenge yourself to improve your mastery of this classic game! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 617-349-4017 or via e-mail: ipachoncaballero@cambridgema.gov or mmcglathery@cambridgema.gov.  

Paint Party at the Library (O'Connell)
Tuesday, October 8
2-5 p.m.

Come treat yourself to an afternoon of fun, creativity, and community while a local artist guides us step-by-step through the process of creating a beautiful, acrylic mountain landscape painting in your choice of colors. We'll provide the tea and coffee. No experience is necessary, and everyone is welcome. Acrylic paint can stain clothing, so please wear old clothes. Seating is limited to 8. Register as soon as you can! 

Sit 'n' Knit (Main) 
Tuesday, October 8
2:30-3:30 p.m.   

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters. Drop in with this informal group to work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, and mend. Refreshments will be provided.  

Welcome Back Bingo for Teens (Valente)
Tuesday, October 8
3:30-4:30 p.m. 
 
Join the Library’s staff and the Social Work Team for afterschool fun! Bring your friends, play a few rounds of bingo, win prizes, and enjoy snacks at this free event. No registration is required. All materials will be provided. This event is for preteens and teens in grades 6 to 8. Call 617-349-4015 for more information.  

Cambridge Cooks @ Valente: Mulled Cider Jam (Valente)
Tuesday, October 8
6-7:30 p.m.

Jam out during this Cambridge Cooks installment as Afton Cyrus of Jam Sessions teaches us how to make mulled cider jam using local apples.  

Cambridge Cooks invites local chefs for a free cooking demonstration, followed by a tasting and Q&A with the chef. Afton Cyrus is a freelance food editor and recipe developer based in Arlington.  His work appears in print and online for America's Test Kitchen, Serious Eats, and Ten Speed Press. 
 
Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)  
Tuesday, October 8, & Wednesday, October 9
5-6 p.m.  
 
Need help with a class? Have a question before an exam? Tutors are available to help you! Cambridge School Volunteers and the Library are pleased to offer tutoring services in the Teen Room. No registration is required. Stop by or call 617-349-4027 to learn more.   

Learn Knife Skills with Shiso Kitchen (Main)
Tuesday, October 8
6-7 p.m.

Jess Roy of Shiso Kitchen teaches essential culinary knife skills. Cambridge Cooks invites local chefs for a free cooking demonstration, followed by a Q&A with the chef. Jessica Roy is a traveling chef who’s always looking for the next adventure. The owner of Boston’s Shiso Kitchen, the former athlete and Le Cordon Bleu Chef instructor also has specialty training as a Left-Handed-American-Female Sushi Chef. She has been a TV host, a business owner, a chef, caterer, and consultant, and a food columnist and writer, in addition to traveling the globe in search of new flavors. 

Froca Fitness with Sylver Rochelin (Central Square)
Tuesday, October 8
6:30-7:30 p.m.

Join us at the Lewis Room of the Central Square Branch for an electrifying, hip-whining, and upbeat African and Caribbean-infused dance fitness class with founder and instructor Sylver Rochelin! Registration is required!
 
Knitting Group (Boudreau) 
Tuesday, October 8 
6:30-7:30 p.m.    

Bring your project, yarn, and needles to enjoy an hour in the company of other crafters. Registration is not required.   

 

Fiber Crafts Group, Drop-In (O'Connell)   

Wednesday, October 9  

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.   

   

Bring your project and enjoy the company of other fiber crafters. Drop in with this informal group to work on your craft, get inspired, pick up skills, and socialize. All crafts are welcome! Registration is not required.  

  

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)

Wednesday, October 9 

2:30-4 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 make cyanotype prints using natural materials and light-sensitive paper.

  

Voter Registration Drop-In (Central Square)
Wednesday, October 9
3-6 p.m.

Want to vote in the upcoming election? Need to double check that you’re still registered? Swing by the Central Square Branch to learn all about what you need to vote on Tuesday, November 5. We’ll have snacks and voter registration support for everyone, including registration forms in multiple languages and information about how to register without a permanent address.  

   

 

Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
Thursday, October 10
9:30-10:30 a.m.

This 8-week program will use mindfulness techniques to help us examine and regulate everyday life changes with a focus on aging. We will benefit from the development of a mindfulness practice to enable responding to getting older in a calm, clear, and thoughtful manner. It is led by Zeenat Potia, a meditation teacher with over 15 years of training and experience. Registration is required. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. 

  

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, October 10
2:30-3:30 p.m.

Join our librarians for tea, cookies, and a jigsaw puzzle. It’s an hour of fun and conversation. Registration is not required.  

Evening Yoga at the CPL (Main)
Thursday, October 10
7-8 p.m.

Shayla Tate of M.U.D.D. Flower Yoga leads an evening flow in the Community Room. The Library will not provide any materials - please bring your own mat and any other items in your practice.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, October 10
7-8 p.m. 

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

Creative Aging: Drawn to Nature (Main)
Friday, October 11
1:30-3:30 p.m.

Drawn to Nature is an introductory drawing course, focusing on the plant world as a basic subject. Botanical drawing is an ancient art, and we will examine how scientists and artists have drawn the natural world through the ages. Over 10 weeks, we will focus on a variety of plant life as we explore line, volume, space, and color with graphite and water color. Students will keep notebooks recording both the plants they draw and the techniques they learn. All levels are welcome.  

This will take place at the Main Library. Space is limited to 10 participants. To gain the most out of this popular program, we expect all participants to commit to all 10 sessions. Registration is required. 

Stay Connected   

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All the best!   

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.  
Director of Libraries