COVID-19 Update: Contact programs to confirm information.City of Cambridge COVID-19 Updates

Cambridge Public Library

Cambridge library logo.

Contact

Library Circulation Desk
617-349-4040
Main Library Q&A Desk
Help & Information Desk
617-349-4041
Library Administrative Offices
617-349-4032
Library Children's Room/Services
617-349-4038

Location

449 Broadway Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Mid Cambridge

Last updated August 24, 2020.

Is this page inaccurate or outdated? Please let us know!

Current programs

Program

Virtual 4-STEAM Bingo Game

Cambridge Public Library and Cambridge Science Festival

We're hosting a STEAM Bingo game. Complete any four STEAM activities, post your scorecard and WIN a Cuebot!

Program

Computer Classes at the Cambridge Public Library

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

The Cambridge Public Library offers free computer classes at our Main branch.

Program

Literacy and ESOL at the Cambridge Public Library

Cambridge Public Library

The Literacy Project offers free classes in English conversation, job hunting/resume writing and computer basics (Word, Internet and email).

Program

Senior Services and Delivery at the Cambridge Public Library

Cambridge Public Library

Monthly delivery service is available for residents who are homebound due to short or long term disability.

Program

Early Childhood Resource Center at the Cambridge Public Library

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

The Cambridge Public Library is the proud home of the Greater Boston ECRC, which includes materials, services, programs and other resources for the early childhood community.

Program

Library Opportunities for Children

Cambridge Public Library

Our CPL calendar links provide a list of all upcoming opportunities for children ages 0-11; regular activities include a variety of virtual story times, arts, musical, and dance events!

Program

Library Opportunities for Teens

Cambridge Public Library

Our CPL calendar links provide a list of all upcoming opportunities for tweens and teens ages 12-18; regular activities include a tween/teen hangouts, 3D printing workshops, and lots more!

Program

Takeout Technology Service at CPL

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge North Cambridge Wellington Harrington Cambridgeport

We extend access to technology like Chromebook laptops and mobile WiFi hotspots by allowing patrons to check out devices during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Program

STEAM@Home: Backyard Birding

Cambridge Public Library and Cambridge STEAM Initiative

Explore local birds in their natural habitat either in your own neighborhood or further afield. Identify the birds you see. Keep track of your findings on paper or in a sketchbook!

Program

STEAM@Home: Leaf Rubbing

Cambridge Public Library and Cambridge STEAM Initiative

Ever wonder about the trees around you? Let's learn to identify trees in our neighborhoods or on-the-go.

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Program

Alzheimer's Association Community Forum

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Upcoming events

Event

Virtual Intermediate ESOL Class

Cambridge Public Library

3pm – 4pm

Also: 3pm – 4pm, 3pm – 4pm, and 3pm – 4pm

Join us for a Virtual ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Class conducted by Zoom.

Event

Virtual Preschool Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

4pm – 4:30pm

Also: 4pm – 4:30pm, 4pm – 4:30pm, and 4pm – 4:30pm

We invite children ages 3-5 and their grown ups to join us from home for 25 minutes of engaging stories.
Event

Tween/Teen Virtual Hangout

Cambridge Public Library

4pm – 5pm

Also: 4pm – 5pm, 4pm – 5pm, and 4pm – 5pm

A drop-in hour for tweens, teens and their caregivers.

Event

Virtual Sing-Along

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 11:30am

Also: 11am – 11:30am, 11am – 11:30am, and 11am – 11:30am

Put on your dancing shoes!

Event

Virtual Baby Lapsit

Cambridge Public Library

10am – 10:30am

Also: 10am – 10:30am, 10am – 10:30am, and 10am – 10:30am

Just for you and the baby!

Event

Perspectives Virtual Book Group 

Cambridge Public Library

5:30pm – 6:30pm

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

O'Connell Branch Virtual Book Group

Cambridge Public Library

6:30pm – 7:30pm

April book selection:  Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
Event

Wellness for Seniors: Low Impact Fitness

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 11:45am

Also: 11am – 11:45am and 11am – 11:45am

This class is designed for people of all levels ot strengthen the muscles, the heart and the brain--all while having fun and moving to great music!

Event

POETS IN THE ROUND: Yanyi, Shira Erlichman, and Asiya Wadud

Cambridge Public Library

6:30pm – 8pm

Join us for this special event in honor of National Poetry Month!

Event

Podcasting from Home (CCTV)

Cambridge Public Library

12pm – 1pm

What equipment do you need and how do you set up at home to record yourself and your guest who's calling in remotely?

Event

Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Group

Cambridge Public Library

6pm – 7pm

Also: 6pm – 7pm

October Book Selection: All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Event

Contemporary Reading Group

Cambridge Public Library

6pm – 7pm

Also: 6pm – 7pm and 6pm – 7pm

October Book Selection: Celestial Bodies by Jokha Alharthi
Event

O'Neill Branch Book Group

Cambridge Public Library

6:30pm – 8pm

Also: 6:30pm – 8pm, 6:30pm – 8pm, and 6:30pm – 8pm

North Cambridge

A book discussion group for adults at the O'Neill Branch Library. We read a mixture of fiction and nonfiction. Registration is required. 
Event

Virtual Pajama Story Time Series

Center for Families and Cambridge Public Library

6:45pm – 7:15pm

Also: 6:45pm – 7:15pm and 6:45pm – 7:15pm

The Center for Families and the Cambridge Public Library invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes to wind down the day.

Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 11:30am

Also: 11am – 11:30am, 11am – 11:30am, and 11am – 11:30am

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes.
Event

Virtual Intro ESOL Class

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 12pm

Also: 11am – 12pm, 11am – 12pm, and 11am – 12pm

Join us for a Virtual ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Class conducted by Zoom.

Event

Virtual Beginner ESOL Class

Cambridge Public Library

1pm – 2pm

Also: 1pm – 2pm, 1pm – 2pm, and 1pm – 2pm

Join us for a Virtual ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Class conducted by Zoom.

Event

Virtual STEAM Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 11:30am

Also: 11am – 11:30am

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of stories and hands-on activities.
Event

Career Skills: Resume Writing

Cambridge Public Library

6pm – 7:30pm

Also: 6pm – 7:30pm and 6pm – 7:30pm

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Materials Returns - O'Connell Branch

Cambridge Public Library

10am – 6pm

Also: 10am – 6pm

Mid Cambridge

We are now accepting returns of any Minuteman Library Network materials at the O'Connell Branch, generally Tuesdays and Fridays, from 10 a.m.

Event

Family STEAM Night: Art Machines

Cambridge Public Library

6:30pm – 7pm

Design a system of moving parts to bring your mechanical grabbing machine to life! We will explore simple machines and forces through hands-on making. 

Event

Vacation Week Program: Bamidele Dancers & Drummers

Cambridge Public Library

2pm – 3pm

Join Bamidele Dancers & Drummers, of Young Audiences of Massachusetts, for an interactive dance workshop for children and their families.

Event

Spring Fling! Clear Away Clutter & Make Room for Peace

Cambridge Public Library

6:30pm – 8pm

Spring into action and make space for what matters most with Helane Blinn of Ducks In A Row Professional Organizing.

Event

Tinkercad 101: Customized Phone Stand

Cambridge Public Library

7pm – 8:30pm

Interested in making a customized phone stand?

Event

Library at Home: Stream Movies & Music

Cambridge Public Library

3pm – 4pm

Join us for a Zoom demonstration of Naxos, Hoopla and Kanopy.

Event

Virtual Pajama Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

6:45pm – 7:30pm

Also: 6:45pm – 7:30pm and 6:45pm – 7:30pm

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories and rhymes to wind down the day.

Event

The Forgotten Irish of Mount Auburn Catholic Cemetery

Cambridge Public Library

12pm – 1pm

Join us for a presentation by cemetery historian Bill McEvoy, Jr. on the obscure Mount Auburn Catholic Cemetery in Watertown. 
Event

Alternative Medicine Exploration: Intro to Medical Cannabis

Cambridge Public Library

7pm – 8pm
Mid Cambridge

Medical cannabis is now legal (in various forms) in 39 states.

Event

Margret and H. A. Rey Curious George Lecture: Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell

Cambridge Public Library

6:30pm – 7:30pm

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

El día de los niños Virtual Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

3:30pm – 4pm

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Enfòmasyon sou Vaksen COVID-19 ki soti nan Kominote Ayisyèn Cambridge la | COVID-19 Vaccine Information for the Cambridge Haitian Community

Cambridge Public Library

6pm – 7pm

Tanpri vin rejwenn nou pou yon sesyon enfòmasyon osijè vaksen COVID-19 yo.

Event

Climate Justice Monopoly with Spring Forward (Tween/Teen Hangout) 

Cambridge Public Library

4pm – 5pm

Join us for a series of workshops for tweens and teens about social justice. 
Event

Preserve Your Family Treasurers

Cambridge Public Library

12pm – 1pm

Do you have treasured family photographs and documents but don't know how to care for them?

Event

Dina Gilio-Whitaker presents As Long as Grass Grows in conversation with Daniel Faber

Cambridge Public Library

7pm – 8:30pm

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

CPL CRAFTS: Portraiture Paint Night with Ayana Mack

Cambridge Public Library

6pm – 7:30pm
Mid Cambridge

Join us for a special paint night that celebrates portraiture of Black women with local artist

Event

Virtual Story Time: Caterpillars and Butterflies

Cambridge Public Library

10:30am – 11am

We invite children and their grown-ups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of fun stories and songs about how caterpillars change into butterflies and moths!

Event

Mindfulness & Compassion: Resilience Training for Challenging Times

Cambridge Public Library

6:30pm – 8pm

This introduction to mindfulness and compassion will offer techniques that help cultivate presence and build resilience in everyday life.

Event

Boudreau Branch Virtual Book Group

Cambridge Public Library

12pm – 1pm

May book selection: A Million Aunties by Alecia McKenzie.
Event

Know Your Rights (Tween/Teen Hangout)

Cambridge Public Library

4pm – 6pm

Join us for a series of workshops for tweens and teens about social justice. 
Event

American Treasures from the Cambridge Public Library's Archives and Special Collections

Cambridge Public Library

12pm – 1pm

Join Drew Griffin, Cambridge Public Library's Senior Librarian, as he takes us on a tour of the American Treasures in the Library's Archives and Special Collections.

Event

Collins Branch Virtual Book Group

Cambridge Public Library

6pm – 7pm

April selection: Down Along with That Devil's Bones by Connor Towne O'Neill
Event

CPL International Briefing: The Line of Actual Control: The Border Dispute between India and China with Rukmani Gupta

Cambridge Public Library

6pm – 7pm

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Basics of Photography (CCTV)

Cambridge Public Library

12pm – 1pm

This class will go over the basic tenets to consider when exploring photography.

Event

Virtual STEAM Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 11:30am

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of stories and hands-on activities.
.:
Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories and rhymes.
Event

Passion & Pathways: A New Virtual Series for Teens  

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Passion & Pathways: A New Virtual Series for Teens  

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Passion & Pathways: A New Virtual Series for Teens  

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Passion & Pathways: A New Virtual Series for Teens  

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Bullet Journaling Workshop

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Passion & Pathways: A New Virtual Series for Teens  

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Passion & Pathways: A New Virtual Series for Teens  

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes.
Event

Passion & Pathways: A New Virtual Series for Teens  

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes.
Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes.
Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes.
Event

The Hope Storytelling Project: Finding Comfort

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

For our inaugural workshop, we will begin by giving thanks to the places, people, and objects that make us who we are.

Event

The Hope Storytelling Project: Understanding Perspective

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Classical Music in Quarantine

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Please register below.

Event

[Registration Required] Portraiture in Photography

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Please register below.

Event

Virtual Family Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

We invite children and their grownups to join us from home for 20-25 minutes of songs, stories, and rhymes.
Event

Sunday Morning Yoga with Rachael Junard

Cambridge Public Library

Mid Cambridge

Join us for a virtual community yoga class every Sunday in June from the comfort of your own home with instructor Rachael Junard!

Event

New Immigrant and Refugee Visions Welcome Event

Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC) and Cambridge Public Library

Agassiz, Mid Cambridge, and Neighborhood 9

CIRC and the Public Library will host a New Immigrant and Refugee Visions event to present a selection of three films followed by discussion and luncheon.

Event

Cambridge Family Literacy Fun Day!

Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative, Center for Families, Cambridge Public Schools, Cambridge Public Library, and Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP)

Mid Cambridge

Come celebrate National Family Literacy Month at the 23rd Annual Cambridge Family Literacy Fun Day at City Hall!

Event

Virtual Intermediate ESOL Class

Cambridge Public Library

3pm – 4pm

Also: 3pm – 4pm, 3pm – 4pm, and 3pm – 4pm

Join us for a Virtual ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Class conducted by Zoom.

Event

Tinkercad 101: Customized Phone Stand

Cambridge Public Library

Interested in making a customized phone stand?

Event

Voices for Justice: Ta-Nehisi Coates in Conversation with Callie Crossley

Cambridge Public Library

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Bike Maintenance Basics

Cambridge Public Library

We all know that bicycling is a great way to get around town, keep fit and reduce your carbon footprint.

Event

Who's Little Joey: Photo Detecting 101

Cambridge Public Library

Do you have unidentified people in your family photo albums?

Event

CPL International Briefing: The Conflict between India and China with Rukmani Gupta

Cambridge Public Library

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Virtual Preschool Story Time

Cambridge Public Library

4pm – 4:30pm

Also: 4pm – 4:30pm, 4pm – 4:30pm, and 4pm – 4:30pm

We invite children ages 3-5 and their grown ups to join us from home for 25 minutes of engaging stories.
Event

Tween/Teen Virtual Hangout

Cambridge Public Library

4pm – 5pm

Also: 4pm – 5pm, 4pm – 5pm, and 4pm – 5pm

A drop-in hour for tweens, teens and their caregivers.

Event

Books to Go (Boudreau)

Cambridge Public Library

Neighborhood 9 and West Cambridge

Borrow a bag of pre-selected books for kids, teens or adults!

Event

Linked Descendants: African American Genealogy Prior to 1870

Cambridge Public Library

Join us for a workshop with Sharon Leslie Morgan, renowned genealogist and founder of Our Black Ancestry, as we delve into African American ancestry before abolition. 
Event

Books to Go (Collins)

Cambridge Public Library

Strawberry Hill

Borrow a bag of pre-selected books for kids, teens or adults!

Event

VOICES Concert Series: Andrea Cruz

Cambridge Public Library

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Collins Branch Virtual Book Group

Cambridge Public Library

April selection: Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen
Event

CPL CRAFTS: Grocery Store Natural Dyeing with Stephen Hamilton

Cambridge Public Library

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Boudreau Branch Virtual Book Group

Cambridge Public Library

April book selection: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Event

Virtual Sing-Along

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 11:30am

Also: 11am – 11:30am, 11am – 11:30am, and 11am – 11:30am

Put on your dancing shoes!

Event

Buns, Beards, Bodices and Bustles: Understanding Ancestors Through Clothing

Cambridge Public Library

Ancestral fashions and the industry that produced them left behind a fascinating legacy of images and information.

Event

The Hope Storytelling Project: Finding Unity in Diversity

Cambridge Public Library

In a social climate where divisiveness, racism, and prejudice are growing and separating our country, it can seem like there's no where to turn, that everything is hopeless.

Event

Hip Hop HERstory: A Discussion of Influential Women in Hip Hop

Cambridge Public Library

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

The Whys and Whens of Car Maintenance

Cambridge Public Library

Chaya Milchtein of Mechanic Shop Femme presents an overview of car maintenance that will can save you time, money and hassle.

Event

Wellness for Seniors: Low Impact Fitness

Cambridge Public Library

11am – 11:45am

Also: 11am – 11:45am and 11am – 11:45am

This class is designed for people of all levels ot strengthen the muscles, the heart and the brain--all while having fun and moving to great music!

Event

Google Drawing 101: Sticker Design

Cambridge Public Library

Interested in making your own vinyl stickers?

Event

The Hive Open House

Cambridge Public Library

Interested in learning about the new creative space at our main library?

Event

Design Support

Cambridge Public Library

Have you attended one of our virtual design workshops or developed a project idea on your own that you would like to bring to life using some of the tools in The Hive?

Event

Being one with Earth: Telling stories with papercutting

Cambridge Public Library

Free event at the Cambridge Public Library.

Event

Virtual Family Night with Children's Illustrator Bryan Collier

Cambridge Public Library

Join us for a very special chat about art, storytelling, and making books with the beloved, award-winning children's book writer and illustrator, Bryan Collier.
Event

Kids Books to Go (Boudreau)

Cambridge Public Library

Neighborhood 9 and West Cambridge

Borrow a bag of pre-selected library books for your kids and teens!

Event

Kids Books to Go (O'Connell)

Cambridge Public Library

East Cambridge

Borrow a bag of pre-selected library books for your kids and teens!