Visit Our New Website

Hello Friends,

Thank you for visiting our blog! Please visit our new website here to stay up to date on activities and events.

Thanks again, see you soon 😊

Friends of the Cambridge Public Library Board Members

That's What Friends Are For

If you've been reading this blog over the past months, you might have noticed the many ways the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library support the library programs and services for each and every patron in the city. 

Through membership dues and fundraising events like this year’s Secret Gardens of Cambridge garden tour, the Friends sponsor important programming and activities at the library. You might have enjoyed some of these very perks if you've joined in Cambridge READS, participated in a summer reading program with your children or teen, attended an author discussion, used a free museum pass to get the family and visitors out of the house, perused new collections, checked out a Nook for vacation reading, or watched a film festival movie at home courtesy of the library’s new IndieFlix service.

Those are just a few of the ways the Friends support the Cambridge Public Library and each of our neighborhood branches and help make them each special places in our communities. Keep up with the Friends on Facebook and if you're interested in becoming a member, find out more here.

Your Very Own Film Festival and New Nooks for Vacation Books

This summer, the Cambridge Public Library has something new for patrons looking for summer entertainment, no matter whether you’re vacationing or staycationing.

If you’re planning summer fun at home with friends and family and need a break between wiffle ball games, check out the new IndieFlix movie streaming service from the Cambridge Public Library.

Provided with funding from the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, IndieFlix is the latest database available to patrons of the Cambridge Public Library. It offers more than 3,500 first-run films, including those currently at film festivals, past award winners and many films that will never be released on DVD or Blu-Ray. And it’s available anywhere! Once you sign up, you can watch IndieFlix movies from any Internet-enabled computer, smartphone, or tablet with a Web browser.

For those of you planning a getaway, but still having trouble fitting all your summer reads into the suitcase, don’t forget that you can check out a Nook from the Cambridge Public Library. With support from the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, Nooks are available at all branches and the main library. 

And now, the new sleeker Nook Glowlights are also available at the Q&A desk and Teen Room at the main library--perfect for a sunny day at the beach or the pool--and they’re loaded with brand new titles for adults and teens.

Cambridge READS Announces 2014 Title

If you've been looking for a special summer read you won't soon forget, consider the just-announced 2014 Cambridge READS selection: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz.

With support from the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge READS is an annual city-wide book club to promote the love of reading and connections within the Cambridge community. Mark your calendars for the Cambridge READS author event and discussion on October 14, 2014 and watch here for more details coming this summer.

And just for fun, check out this archive blog post featuring author Junot Diaz speaking about the importance of libraries during a visit to the Cambridge Public Library last year.

There are always great things happening at the library! For more information about how you can get involved with the Friends to help support our Cambridge libraries and exciting programs like Cambridge READS, click here. 

Summer Days Mean Summer Reading

School days are counting down and the official start of summer is almost here! That means it's time to set summer reading goals and more at the library.

The Cambridge Public Library is kick starting summer activities and reading programs for children and teens at the main library and many of the branches in June. Don’t miss a cool concert, a petting zoo, or a little magical mayhem for kids of all ages.

While you're there, get started on your summer reading list. Pick out a new book or three and take it to the beach, the neighborhood library branch, or the backyard!

The Friends of the Cambridge Public Library helps sponsor many of the summer reading programs at the library. There are always great things happening at the library! For more information on how you can get involved with the Friends to help support our Cambridge libraries, click here.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You!

What a spectacular day this past Sunday for the Secret Gardens of Cambridge!

Special thanks to each and every one of our gracious garden hosts for allowing us to take a peek at your secret sanctuaries. Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket and helped support the Cambridge Public Library with your participation. And thank you to the local retailers who sold tickets and put up posters to help the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library promote the event.

Proceeds from the event go to support acquisitions, events, museum passes, summer reading programs and more at our Cambridge Public Library and branches. We hope you enjoyed the 2014 Secret Gardens of Cambridge garden tour! If you have a garden that should be on the tour in 2016, we'd love to see it. Contact the Friends to tell us about your secret garden in Cambridge.

Secret Gardens of Cambridge is this Sunday!

It looks like weekend temperatures will bring back the hints of spring. So don't wait! Get your tickets for the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library Secret Gardens of Cambridge tour THIS SUNDAY, June 1 from 10am to 4pm.

Rain or shine, you'll love meandering through the Cambridge neighborhoods to enjoy the lush green terraces, brilliant pops of color, and the fragrant scents of flowers in bloom that will surprise you at every turn.

Get your tickets before they’re gone! Tickets are $25 each and are on sale now at all Cambridge Public Library locations and at the following local retailers: 

Bonny's Garden Center

Brattle Florist
Dickson Bros. Hardware
Mahoney's in Brighton
Nomad
Pemberton Farms
Porter Square Books
Rodney's Books

Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library in support of our Cambridge Public Library.