Beautiful building with lots of local art. On a visit from Georgia, I stopped in and was impressed…read moreby the book collection, the local history and some gifts for the granddaughter.

The oldest of the…read moreold The first Sturgis Library was founded in 1863, that's pretty old but there are older libraries. However the building that the library is in was built by the Reverend John Lothropp in 1644 and that makes this building the oldest in the country to contain a library. And since the good Reverend held pray meetings in the front of the house that makes this building the oldest in the country to have held regular pray services. Of course the structure has been modified over the years but still looks and feels really old. Even smells really old, in a good way. And a really old building should have really old stuff inside and this place is filled with old stuff. Even some of the old floor boards creak in a really cool and old sounding way. This library is more of a museum than a book container, cool pictures of dead people on the walls, meticulously crafted ship models, really old books. antique furniture and other old stuff grace the interior of the library. The Sturgis Library is a really cool and functional library in a really cool Cape Cod town, the type of place you can easily drive right by without even noticing it. And that would be a real shame.

A library on the…read more cape Marstons Mills is a itty, bitty village in the city of Barnstable on Cape Cod. Definitely a cool, little place but not really a whole lot there. However they do have one very impressive and extremely friendly library. The original library in Marstons Mills was founded back in 1891 when a bookcase was put in a local post office and loaded up with books. You could only take out one book at a time simply because they didn't have a lot of books and they didn't one person to have them all. A demand for books was so great that it became obvious that a more permanent library was needed so the present building was constructed in 1894. Still didn't have a whole lots of books but over the years and decades the tiny edifice was expanded with more rooms until now the library has 21,000 volumes, audios, computers and all the modern amenities of a much larger library. However the building still holds on to it's historical roots with a cool fireplace and rambling and non symmetrical walls. From the outside you can see how the building just sort of flows from one section to another with a pragmatic sense of aesthetics. As with most small, local libraries the building also serves as a place for events, displays, poetry readings and information about town events. Local folks and visitors can come here to find out what's going on. And like many small, local libraries this library has an absolutely wonderful librarian. Helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming, the one I met was the quintessential small town librarian. She probably knew everything there was to know about the village and the Cape and was worth a visit to Marston Mills just to talk to. The library itself probably gets four stars but with the great librarian definitely gets five.

The best little library on Cape! It's not the Cavernous…read moreMashpee library, or the "you need a key from the security guard for the bathroom in Hyannis" library. It is just the best little library on Cape Cod!

What a beautiful library !! Very welcoming. Juan was very helpful…read more.. Loved the display for mental health month (May)

Quilts and books…read more Osterville Public Library is a huge library that dominates the center of the small village of Osterville. Dedicated in 2012, the new building has two floors and all the modern amenities expected in a new library. Lots of computers, free wifi that works well, and plenty of chairs and tables to work, read or just relax. Even thought this is a very functional and practical library it has the aesthetics of a traditional Cape Cod library. A lovely, old grandfather clock, cool rocking chairs on the porch, a large used book area, and of course a wonderful library quilt. An amazing library, especially considering the village of Osterville has less than four thousand year round residents.

A visit to this beautiful library has moved me to add it to the yelp listings. We originally went…read moreto print out our parking pass for game 6 of the World Series, but found a little gem. The library itself looks historic & matches the area well. There are parking stalls along the right side of the building. Once inside the library you will see rich wood everywhere! Four computers with a printer available at 15 cents a sheet. The staff and the patrons were so kind and helpful. Comfortable seating to relax and read. The grandfather clock also sets this library apart. It does announce the time and shows itself off. If you need something printed this is the library that is worth a quick stop. GO RED SOX!!!!

Wonderful staff, wonderful programming, wonderful facility... a cornerstone of Cotuit Village that…read moreis just... wonderful!

School houses and…read morelibraries Old school houses make great libraries and fortunately New England still has quite a few quant old school houses that were converted into libraries and still function in that capacity. The Cotuit Library was started around 1874 and found a permanent home in 1894 when they moved into a little school house that was built around 1830. Or course the original school house was tiny and over the years additions were built. The library today is a lovely and quant place with old furniture and pictures in the older rooms and more of a modern look in the newest addition. Practical, useful and aesthetically interesting at the same time. The library definitely has a small town ambiance to it and lots of events, programs and meetings are held here. A wonderful library that has the conveniences of the modern world with the history of the past.

Two different…read more worlds The Hyannis Library is one of the oddest libraries I have ever been in. It started out like most libraries in New England as a tiny place that just kept growing. The original part was a cool 18th century cottage that became the library in 1908. Over the decades new additions and wings were built until the largest and most modern part was added in 1974. All these different rooms and parts gives the library a pleasantly strange character to it. The old parts are absolutely wonderful, with fireplaces and great charm. However as you cross into the newest section things change. No more charm, just a very practical, efficient and modern area. One of the most surprising things that I noticed is the security guard. I don't believe I have ever seen one except in the large libraries in the major cities. He was certainly pleasant and polite enough but his presence gave a whole different feel to the library. Not the mellow and friendly ambiance of the typical Cape Cod library but a no nonsense and pragmatic atmosphere. I was surprised to learn that this library has had some problems in the past that necessitate the presence of the guard. Various assaults and disturbances caused by individuals that used the library as a place to hang out and not for study. In fact I had a rather odoriferous individual ask me for money while I was in the library. That doesn't happen except in much larger libraries in the cities. The librarians were busy and didn't have time to chat and the security guard started looking at me funny so I didn't spend much time in here. This is the type of library to do what you have to do and then leave. The old sections are lovely but as you cross over into the newer parts you are reminded that things aren't always as quaint and tranquil as they seem.

For a small resort island, I love that they their own public library and it's larger than you'd…read moreexpect. It doubles as a cultural center and a mini museum. Located right in the middle of everything in the downtown district, this is a site not to be missed! Beautiful exterior architecture and a grand staircase. Two floors, with a range of books, a corner for free books for the taking, restrooms in the lower level, and friendly staff. They have events year round including lectures and special exhibits. I wish I had more time to explore!

The Atheneum is a must visit. It's great for kids and adults…read more First, wander around the outside grounds. Check online for any programming, too; we stumbled upon a really great outdoor show for young kids with music and dancing - very memorable and fun. We got our kid's first library card here, even as a non-local. The kid book section is right in front with a great selection. There's also a kid's bathroom. There are extra bathrooms for adults in the basement, but they took forever.

I come here mostly for their baby coalition classes. We love it. Wish the play area was a little…read morebigger as we tend to travel to Falmouth Main library to hang out with other parents and their kids, but lots of kids books and friendly staff! I read myself and enjoy coming here as the library itself is massive and seems brand new. Lots of selections and staff have always been helpful, knowledgeable and nice.

More than a…read morelibrary The Mashpee Library is a new library that replaces the tiny library that served the town before for many decades. Opened in early 2010, this library is huge, modern and very impressive. Lots of space to find a place to read and lots of computers available for public use. A fantastic kids area and beautiful staircases and comfy chairs to sit on. The library also serves as a community center and has a whole bunch of rooms for different programs and events. Reading, arts & crafts, movies and a whole bunch of other things are always going on. A wonderful new library that has just about everything that a town could ask for.

History and…read moreconvenience The very first idea for a library in the town of Falmouth was back in 1792. At first the books were stored where ever there was room and eventually ended up in the town hall. The library finally got a permanent home in 1901. As the town grew the need for a larger library also become obvious. So in 1966 an addition was completed. And again in 1978 another addition was added. And finally in 2008 major renovations took place and now the library is a whole lot larger than the original one but still has the charm of the very first building. The library is beautiful, both inside and out and the additions and renovations blend in extremely well with the original concept so it can be difficult to see exactly where the addtions were added. The seal of the town of Falmouth is even embedded on a dome in the ceiling. The library has lots of very comfy place to sit or study as well as a great local history room, kids department and community room. A lovely and very useful library that has grown along with the town.

We went to this library a lot when our kids were little. They loved it and we loved it. We had not…read morebeen back for a while but wanted to see how it had fared in recent years. It's a small town library that's really crowded during summer tourist season and never used to be crowded at all in the off season when we were often in town. It was jam packed on a cool drizzly summer day. It still has a large lower level children's section. And it is still the place to be with wonderful creative updates. The book areas are nicely delineated by age groups and book styles and there are lots of inspiring posters even on office and closet doors. A creative playhouse is at one end. A local garden having a butterfly release on Saturday was nicely featured with all the details of the event and displayed many correlated books. The librarians were very helpful and parents circulated through the areas with their kids. There did seem to be lots of locals socializing with each other but also some obvious tourists enjoying the facility. The building still has lots of historic charm but there are updates to some areas as well as the exterior. There appeared to be an addition since we were last here and we heard maybe yet another in the near future. Parking was a real problem this week but I would guess they can handle the off season/school year just fine.