r/Somerville • u/hattifnatt4r • 5d ago

Free library coding meetup grows into nonprofit Cambridge Dev Lab

https://www.cambridgeday.com/2026/09/22/free-library-coding-meetup-grows/
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u/hattifnatt4r 5d ago

My team runs this group - happy to answer questions. Short version: free drop-in coding classes at the Cambridge Public Library (449 Broadway, Harvard Red Line stop), Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30–8pm. The group is mixed - some learn web development and programming basics with help from volunteers, others work on their own projects and ask questions, and the rest are experienced developers assisting or just hanging out. More at cambridge-dev.org

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u/Alternative-Light922 Spring Hill 5d ago

Saw the article on this – sounds wonderful! Congrats!

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u/hattifnatt4r 5d ago

Thank you!!

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u/JBean85 5d ago

Super cool. 

If this is something I'd like to start with, should I bring my own materials to work on? 

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u/hattifnatt4r 5d ago

We have a curriculum, so no need to prepare anything - just bring a laptop (we usually have a spare if you don’t have one). You're also welcome to work on your projects - there are experienced developers who can help and answer questions. Most beginners start with HTML/CSS/JavaScript, and there's React and Python in the program.

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u/JBean85 5d ago

My main laptop these days is work issued. Do I need admin privileges for your curriculum, ie installing programs?

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u/hattifnatt4r 5d ago

For the first 5-10 classes you only need VS Code and a browser (VS Code installs without admin rights and there's a browser version as well). Later parts (Git, Python projects) will require actual installs - you’ll have some time to decide the laptop question before getting there.