Welcome!

Ticket/Booklet pick up for June 9th Secret Gardens of Cambridge is happening now until 2pm at the main public library and tmrw from 10am-2pm. We are looking forward to seeing everyone out and about tmrw. Rain or shine! 📸: @ms_oddly_charming . . . .
The layering of different greenery made an impact for this #notsosecretgarden ! . . . . . #secretgardensofcambridge #cambridgema
Two weeks + until the Secret Gardens of Cambridge on June 9th. Follow along here to see some “not so secret gardens”. . . . . . #secretgardensofcambridgema #cambridgema
We met Mayor Simmons on Sunday when she stopped by our booth to see what we were up to… promoting the 2024 Secret Gardens of Cambridge! . . . . . #harvardsquare #cambridgema #2024secretgardensofcambridgema
The Friends of CPL have a booth on JFK Street at the 39th annual MayFair Festival in Harvard Square. Tickets to the Secret Gardens of Cambridge are now live on our website via EventBrite. Stop by and pick up a beautiful bookmark or sticker. . . . . .
The Friends of the Cambridge Public Library will have a booth on JFK Street promoting the 2024 Secret Garden Tour. We will answer any questions you may have about the garden tour and what the Friends support. Tickets will go live tmrw. Stop by and sa

The Friends of the Cambridge Public Library is a volunteer-driven community membership organization open to all library-loving individuals and families who wish to participate in the ongoing celebration and support of the Cambridge Public Library, its six neighborhood branches located throughout the City of Cambridge, and the diverse population that it serves.

Formed in 1995 for the purpose of helping the library achieve goals beyond its financial capacity, the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, Inc. is a non-profit 501c(3) corporation that dedicates itself to supporting our library’s endeavors with funding for special projects, community events, acquisitions, and new technologies. In many cases, the Friends’ support enables the library to provide services for its patrons that go beyond the scope of city and state budgets and to respond quickly as new programming opportunities arise.

What We Do

With our members’ support, the Friends funded the following exciting projects and programs this past year:

  • A laptop kiosk, providing comprehensive software and Internet access for in-library use

  • A 3D printer and software for the new Technology Cart, used for programming such as the Wayfarers teen program this past summer

  • Admission passes to the Museum of Fine Arts, New England Aquarium, the Museum of Science, and others

  • Guest author events with Roxane Gay and Jacqueline Woodson

  • Build a Better World children’s reading program, circulating almost 88,000 items in July and August

  • Events including a free family friendly concert, Valentine’s Day Tea, Trivia Party, and library open house

  • Training and appreciation opportunities for library staff

We actively recruit new members, not only to increase funds for the library, but also to expand our reach into the library branches and the greater Cambridge community. We also welcome volunteers to help with library and Friends’ activities, including the Secret Garden Tour.

Get involved today and join us in our ongoing celebration of the Cambridge Public Library. It belongs to you!

2024 Annual Appeal

We raise funds for the Library through memberships, donations, events, and book sales. Individual donations to the Friends, most $100 or less, go a long way. We have a volunteer staff, so costs are kept to a minimum.

Suggested membership is $25, but we welcome any level of support. Your membership donation is tax-deductible and membership lasts for one year. Many thanks for your support!

We’re joining forces with the Cambridge Public Library Foundation for our annual appeal! Click the button below to be directed to the Foundation donation site.

 

Support the Friends!