Director's Update, September 15, 2024

Dear Patrons,

In honor of Library Card Sign-Up Month, I Love Libraries is challenging everyone to try something new at their library during September and share their experience. Whether it’s exploring a new service, picking up a fresh skill, or even getting your very first library card, they want to hear about it. Everyone who participates will be entered in a random drawing for a chance to win some great prizes. Submit your “something new” here: https://ilovelibraries.org/try-something-new-at-your-library-promotion/.

At Massachusetts libraries, everyone should have equitable access to the materials they want to use. That’s why libraries continue to prioritize accessibility and inclusion, ensuring everyone can engage with their local library. We were honored to be featured in the Massachusetts Library System's video about accessibility and inclusion in libraries, alongside the impressive efforts of the S. White Dickinson Memorial Library and the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers. Check out the video here!

From Wednesday, September 18, through Friday, September 20, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., come to the Central Square Branch to meet Jibo, the world's first social robot for the home! Jibo is a friendly robot who talks, listens, tells jokes, and loves to dance. Kids will learn a bit about how he works and will have a chance to chat with him and see what he can do. Recommended for children age 5+ and their caregivers. This program is in partnership with the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab.

On Thursday, September 19, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., join the CPL Nature Club for a nature walk for all ages in Danehy Park. From birds to mammals, insects to plants and fungi, our green spaces contain a surprising richness of wildlife. We will explore the various micro habitats the park has to offer using our eyes and ears, plus a few pairs of binoculars and magnifying glasses available for close looks. Registration is required for this event.

Stop by the Main Library on Saturday, September 21, at 1:30 p.m. for a screening of Join or Die, a film about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America depends on it. Follow the story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of Robert Putnam, whose legendary "Bowling Alone" research into the decline of community in America may hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis.

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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

Wellness for Older Adults: Zumba Gold (Virtual)
Monday, September 16
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. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event.

CPL Nature Club: Elder Walk at Magazine Beach
Monday, September 16
3-4 p.m.

Join our guide Stefanie Haug while exploring nature and celebrating Elderhood. Dr. Louise Aronson is responsible for naming "Elderhood" as the penultimate vital and rich phase of human life. Nature likewise offers many examples of Elders that continue to grow, connect, and contribute to the world around us. As a group, we'll connect with nature mindfully with a gentle walk and draw on contemplative practices. Throughout and together, we'll explore how nature invites us to connect from the inside out and the outside in. Come share your wisdom and celebrate your Elderhood. Bring layered clothing, comfortable shoes, and water. Registration is required.

Sarah Lewis Presents: The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America (Main)
Monday, September 16
6-7:30 p.m.

Harvard Book Store and the Library welcome Sarah Lewis, the award-winning author of The Rise and the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Humanities at Harvard University, for a discussion of her new book, The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America. She will be joined in conversation with Imani Perry, the National Book Award winner of South to America and a professor at the Harvard Radcliffe Institute. Registration is required.

Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, September 17
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.

Board Game Night for Adults (Valente)
Tuesday, September 17
6-7:30 p.m.

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 is helpful.

Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, September 17
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.

Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm-Intermediate (Main)
Wednesday, September 18
10-11 a.m.

Join us in this 12-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low-impact routine. Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions. Participants are decided by lottery and have been notified.

Fiber Crafts Group, Drop-In (O'Connell)
Wednesday, September 18
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, September 18
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 be making paper fortune tellers.

Teen Zone: Spirographs and Doodles (Valente)
Wednesday, September 18
3-4 p.m.

Teens and tweens, come play with our spirograph kits and enjoy some snacks! Spirograph is a geometric drawing tool that creates fun repeating patterns. Coloring pages and other doodle-related activities will be available in addition to the spirograph sets. All materials will be provided by the Library. No registration is required for this drop-in event. Recommended for ages 12-18.

Meet Jibo! (Central Square)
Wednesday, September 18, through Friday, September 20
4-5:30 p.m.

Come meet Jibo, the world's first social robot for the home! Jibo is a friendly robot who talks, listens, tells jokes, and loves to dance. Kids will learn a bit about how he works and will have a chance to chat with him and see what he can do. Recommended for children age 5+ and their caregivers. This program is in partnership with the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab.

Linocut Workshop (Boudreau)
Wednesday, September 18
6-8 p.m.

Create beautiful linocut prints! In this class students will be introduced to the printmaking process of linocut. It will cover techniques in carving linoleum, composition, ink mixing, and printing. At their own pace, students will create a design and carve it in linoleum using carving tools. They will then learn how to ink and print their linoleum blocks by hand. No experience is necessary. Registration is required. This event is full, but a waitlist is available.

Wednesday Night Creative Writing Group (Main)
Wednesday, September 18
6:30-8:30 p.m.

Writers at all experience levels are invited to join a casual, peer-supported writing group. Participants take turns bringing short in-progress or completed pieces of any genre. The group reads several pieces each month, sharing feedback and constructive criticism in a supportive and inclusive environment. We may practice writing exercises in class and read samples of published writing as time allows. Registration is required. For more information, please e-mail Susannah at sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov.

Aging with Mindfulness (Virtual)
Thursday, September 19
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. Participants 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.

CPL Nature Club: Danehy Park Nature Walk (O’Neill)
Thursday, September 19
10-11:30 a.m.

All ages are welcome as we explore the urban ecosystem at Danehy Park. From birds to mammals, insects to plants and fungi, our green spaces contain a surprising richness of wildlife. We will explore the various micro habitats the park has to offer using our eyes and ears, plus a few pairs of binoculars and magnifying glasses available for close looks. Registration is required. We will meet near the Sherman Street entrance to the park, near the playground and parking lot. For more information, contact the O'Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.

Puzzle Party (Main)
Thursday, September 18
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.

Read to a Dog (O’Neill)
Thursday, September 19
3:30-4:30 p.m.

Read with a cuddly friend! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 10-minute time slot is required by calling or visiting the O’Neill Branch (617-349-4023).

Cambridge Cooks: All Things Salsa with Hiram Falfan (Main)
Thursday, September 19
6-7 p.m.

Kick off the return of Cambridge Cooks with a lesson in all things salsa from Hiram Falfan! Cambridge Cooks invites local chefs for a free cooking demonstration, followed by a tasting and Q&A with the chef. Registration is required.

Fiber Arts Circle (Central Square)
Thursday, September 19
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!

Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm-Beginner (Main)
Friday, September 20
10-11 a.m.

Join us in this 12-week Tai Chi Paradigm practice, which focuses on the mind and body connection. Tai Chi is a fluid sequence of movements choreographed in a low-impact routine. Due to the popularity of Sifu Diaz's classes, we expect participants to attend all sessions. Participants are decided by lottery.

Creative Aging: Drawn to Nature (Main)
Friday, September 20
1:30-3:30 p.m.

This introductory drawing course focuses 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 watercolor. Students will keep notebooks recording both the plants they draw and the techniques they learn. All levels are welcome.

Registration is required. Our space is limited to 10 participants. Due to its popularity and to gain the most out of this program, we expect participants to commit to all sessions in this 10-week course. Thank you to the Adult Services team for this program.

Kids’ Zine Collective (O’Neill)
Friday, September 20
4-5 p.m.

What's a zine? And how do I make one? Come find out! Kids are invited to explore making, copying, sharing, and swapping zines. Making zines will include activities like writing, drawing, and using a photocopier. For kids age 7 and up. Snacks are provided!

CPL Summer Dance in the Park (Main)
Saturday, September 21
10-11 a.m.

Want to add some new dance steps to your routine? Spend your mornings at the Library and learn new dances! In partnership with the Dance Complex, all are welcome at this free outdoor dance class series. The class will take place in the park in front of the Library or in the Community Room in case of rain.

Join or Die Screening at the CPL (Main)
Saturday, September 21
1:30-4:30 p.m.

Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America depends on it. Follow the story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of Robert Putnam, whose legendary "Bowling Alone" research into American community decline may hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis. A special appearance by Professor Putnam will precede the film. Afterward, the Library will host a panel discussion with community partners focusing on civic engagement, volunteering, and community building within Cambridge. Presented in partnership with Cambridge Neighbors and Cambridge Volunteers. No registration is required.

Chess Hour (O’Neill)
Saturday, September 21
3-4 p.m.

Join us for a game of chess! Players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to participate. Chess sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. This is a space for individuals to play and test their skills against other members of the community. This is not an instructional class.

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All the best!

  

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.  

Director of Libraries