Idea Exchange Changes Name to Cambridge Public Library

The Cambridge Public Library Board and staff announced this week that a new chapter will begin for the organization. We will move from using the name Idea Exchange to Cambridge Public Library.

“As I returned to the area and began my new role with Idea Exchange, I spent much of my time building relationships with community members, learning about their connection with our organization,” said Chrissy Hodgins, CEO. “During these conversations and throughout our strategic plan process, I began to notice that people were less certain about what the public library was about and it became clear that returning to a name that included “public library” was the right choice for our community.”

“It is the board’s hope that this change will restore the clarity, trust, and sense of purpose of the public library,” said Thomas Sandor, Chair of the Cambridge Public Library Board. “And that the change will ensure everyone knows exactly what the library is about and why it is so important to our community. Cambridge Public Library will continue to bring the future to Cambridge.”

Responding to Our Community

Last year, we started examining who we are and how we can best serve our community as we developed our 2024 - 2027 Strategic Plan, and we are grateful for the volume of responses to our Community Survey. 

An overwhelming majority of community members identified that the Idea Exchange name created barriers to access for residents and those new to Cambridge. Acting on this feedback, the Cambridge Public Library Board voted unanimously to rename from Idea Exchange to Cambridge Public Library.

Our members and the community will notice gradual changes as we work through the process. The change will be completed ahead of the opening of our sixth location at the new Southeast Cambridge Recreation and Library Complex, expected to be completed in 2026.

More details on the change can be found under the Frequently Asked Questions section.

History of Idea Exchange

From 2012 to 2014, the Cambridge Public Library Board and staff went through a journey to reinvent how people interacted with public libraries and to show the Cambridge community how libraries were a dynamic part of the community.

The use of Idea Exchange began a discussion about how libraries support the public and how they evolve as the community evolves. The Library Board at the time determined that changing the name of the library from Cambridge Libraries and Galleries to Idea Exchange would make us more contemporary. Idea Exchange was rolled out to the public in 2014. Since 2014, Idea Exchange experienced expansion of services, information and technology, collections, and the launch of a new digital library location, the Old Post Office.

Today’s libraries are recognized as vibrant community hubs with access to information, books and a diversity of other things you want to borrow, cutting-edge technologies, amazing programs for all ages, and most importantly, a safe, welcoming space for all. Changing the name never changed our legacy of bringing exceptional library service to our community. Modern public libraries are as innovative, forward-thinking, and community-focused as we have always been. 

Will this change my membership and booklists?

You can keep using your membership card, your online library account and all our virtual resources as you do now. We will be redesigning the card to align with our new location.

Do we still use ideaexchange.org?

Yes, the website and email addresses will remain the same until we update our website URL. Future changes will be communicated in advance to the public.

Will Cambridge Art Galleries continue to be part of the library?

Cambridge Art Galleries continues to be part of the Cambridge Public Library as it has been a part of Idea Exchange. We are excited to celebrate the Galleries’ 50th Anniversary in 2027!

What will the rebrand cost?

The rebrand to Cambridge Public Library will be funded with existing budgets and through scheduled projects. This will not affect service levels or collection materials. 

 

We can keep the cost low by funding through existing budgets and within scheduled projects. An example of this is our membership cards: year over year, we have increased membership and in 2024, membership has grown 9% over the previous year. We know that we will need to purchase more membership cards and when we do, these will have Cambridge Public Library on them. We will use up the current stock so that they are not wasted. This means that the cost will be covered by existing planned purchases. 

I liked Idea Exchange. Are you no longer exchanging ideas?

Modern public libraries are as innovative, forward-thinking, and community-focused as we have always been. Cambridge Public Library is a 21st-century library that will continue to bring state-of-the-art service to Cambridge.