Director's Update, November 3, 2024

Dear Patrons,

Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Terry B. Hill, Jersey City Free Public Library; Paula Brehm-Heeger, Cincinnati Public Library; Darren Solomon, Kitchener Public Library; and Brian Bannon, New York Public Library for a discussion about the transformation of libraries at the Urban Libraries Council's Annual Leadership Forum.

Upcoming Events

On Thursday, November 7, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., the Boudreau Branch is hosting a Kids' American Sign Language workshop. Have fun learning to talk with your hands! This interactive workshop, taught through instructions and games, includes learning to fingerspell the American Sign Language alphabet (ASL) and hand signs for words and numbers. (Handouts will be provided.) Registration is required.

Come to the Central Square Branch to celebrate the reopening of the Lewis Room on Thursday, November 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy refreshments from the S&S Restaurant and entertainment by the Somerville-based soul, R&B, and alternative pop artist ALDRA.

Teens! Thrift Shop for Free with The Spot at the Main Library's Lecture Hall onFriday, November 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This Spot event just for teens will offer lots of clothing, both new and vintage, including winter coats. Pizza and soda will be provided but must be enjoyed outside the Lecture Hall.

The Library is pleased to offer the programs below for the week beginning November 3.

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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.

Book Groups

Learn moreabout our Book Groups.

The Hive Workshops

Check out this week'sclassesin The Hive.

ESOL Classes

Find anESOL Class.

Tech Help

Wellness for Seniors: Let Your Yoga Dance (Virtual)
Monday, November 4
11-11:45 a.m.

A fun, dynamic, and ultimately blissful routine. We'll work our way through the seven energy centers (chakras) with Let Your Yoga Dance. You will leave with a good workout and a peaceful, happy mind/body/spirit. Good for every body!Registration for each session is required. This is a virtual event.

Expressive Art for Those Living with Dementia (Main)Monday, November 4
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Come for an hour of creative respite from your day-to-day life and learn how to create a paint pour! Using special paints, we will create unique art on canvas panels. No experience is necessary. The Art Therapist Erica Curcio will guide you through every step of the process and will support both caregivers and their companion experiencing dementia. Come for the respite and leave with a feeling of accomplishment!Registration is required. Sponsored by the Cambridge Library Foundation.
Chess Hour (Boudreau)Monday, November 4
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 those of 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 contact us at 617-349-4017 or via e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected].
Expressive Art for Older Adults: Beading Workshop (Main)Tuesday, November 5
10 a.m.-Noon
Learn the basics of making beaded jewelry and the difference between semi-precious and precious stones. Participants will keep all the pieces they make. This program, led by Zangar Freeman, will be held in person. Space is limited to 10 participants.Registration is required. This program is full; a waitlist is available. Sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.
Paper Bag Story and Craft (O'Neill)Tuesday, November 5
11 a.m.-Noon
We invite children of all ages and their grown-ups to join us for stories and a simple paper bag craft as we explore the transformation of simple objects into beautiful works of art! This story time and craft will be led by the storyteller and community member ashley herring.
Sit 'n' Knit (Main)
Tuesday, November 5
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.

Free Drop-in Tutoring for Teens (Main)
Tuesday, November 5, Wednesday, November 6, and Thursday, November 7
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.
Knitting Group (Boudreau)
Tuesday, November 5
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, November 6
10-11 a.m.

Join us in this twelve-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. Registration is required. This program is full; a waitlist is available.
Fiber Crafts Group - Drop-In (O'Connell)Wednesday, November 6
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. Knit, embroider, crochet, spin, mend, cross stitch, and more. All crafts are welcome! Registration is not required.
Résumé and Job Application Support (Central Square) Wednesday, November 6
1-3 p.m.

Looking for assistance creating a résumé or finding jobs? Join us for help with résumés, job hunting, and online applications. No registration is required. For more information, call Maria Balestrieri at 617-349-4013.

Wednesdays of Wonder - W.O.W.! (O'Neill)
Wednesday, October 23
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 required.This week we will build a pipe cleaner park.

Read to a Dog (Valente)Wednesday, November 6
3:30-5 p.m.
Read to Dante, our cuddly therapy dog! Trained therapy dogs provide warm and nonjudgmental reading companions for new or experienced readers up to age 14. Registration for each 15-minute time slot is required by calling or visiting the Valente Branch (617-349-4015). Please note that this event was initially set to occur on Thursday, October 31, and has been rescheduled.
Cambridge Cooks Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Pagu (Main)Wednesday, November 6
6-7 p.m.
Chef Winson from Cambridge's own Pagu teaches us how to make Vietnamese spring rolls. Cambridge Cooks invites local chefs for a free cooking demonstration, followed by a tasting and Q&A with the chef. Registration is required.
Puzzle Swap (Main)Thursday, November 7
2-4 p.m.
Donate your gently used jigsaw puzzles and browse a collection of fun new puzzles to take home! Puzzles of all sizes for all ages are welcome. Due to space constraints, we are able to accept only 5 puzzles per person/group. Donation policy:

• Make sure your puzzle has all the pieces
• Rubber band or tape the box so it won't fall open
• Drop off puzzles at the Main Library Q&A desk from Monday, November 4, through Wednesday, November 6

Kids' American Sign Language Workshop (Boudreau)Thursday, November 7
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Have fun learning to talk with your hands! This interactive workshop, taught through instructions and games, includes learning to fingerspell the American Sign Language alphabet (ASL) and hand signs for words and numbers. Try something different and experience speaking with hands! (Handouts will be provided.) Registration is required.
Lewis Room Opening Reception (Central Square)Thursday, November 7
6-8 p.m.
Come to a reception at the Central Square Branch to celebrate the reopening of the Lewis Room with refreshments from the S&S Restaurant and entertainment by the Somerville-based soul, R&B, and alternative pop artist ALDRA.
Evening Yoga at the CPL (Main)Thursday, November 7
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.

Wellness for Older Adults: Tai Chi Paradigm-Beginner (Main)Friday, September 6
10-11 a.m.

Join us in this twelve-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. Registration is required. This program is full; a waitlist is available.

Thrift Shop for Free with The Spot (Main)Friday, November 8
11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Exclusively for teens! Enjoy pizza and soda while you Thrift Shop for Free with The Spot in the Lecture Hall! This event just for teens will offer lots of clothing, both new and vintage, including winter coats. Pizza and soda will be provided but must be enjoyed outside the Lecture Hall.

Creative Aging: Drawn to Nature (Main)
Friday, November 8
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. Space is limited to 10 participants. To gain the most out of this popular program, we expect participants to commit to all 10 sessions.Registration is required. This program is full; a waitlist is available.
Cambridge Young Authors' Squad (O'Neill)Friday, November 8
4-5 p.m.

Young people aged 10 to 14 who love to write are welcome to share their ideas and writing. There will be time for share-outs/workshopping, as well as group or solo writing. Snacks are provided! If you are attending for the first time,registration is helpful but not required.

Creativity Club: Fuse Beads (Valente)Friday, November 8
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Join us once a month for Creativity Club, where we will learn or practice an arts & crafts activity. Recommended for children ages 7-11. All materials will be provided by the Library.

Materials are limited, and registration is helpful, but not required, for planning purposes. On the day of the program, we will welcome drop-ins if space and materials are available. The program will begin promptly, and we may not be able to accommodate latecomers. Please contact the Valente Branch at 617-349-4015 if you have any questions.

Open Gaming with One-Up Games (Valente)Saturday, November 9
1:30-4:30 p.m.
Join us for our video game free play event hosted by the Massachusetts eSport and gaming venue, One Up Games! Play the latest titles on XBOX Series S, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch! This is a drop-in event recommended for ages 7+. No registration is required; however, you may register online if you'd like an e-mail reminder before the program. We will have puzzles and games available for younger children. Registration is required.

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All the best!

Maria McCauley, Ph.D.
Director of Libraries

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