5 Hall Street, Dennis Port, MA 02639 508-760-6219
Open: Tuesday - Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday & Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
About this website
Winter Birds of Cape Cod
Cape Cod is renowned worldwide for the abundance of birds during the fall season, but many people don’t realize the birding opportunities during the winter months. Vast flocks of winter robins, several species of hawks and owls, and the occasional appearance of winter vagrants make for plentiful birding opportunities on the Cape in the winter. Join Ian Ives, Director of Mass Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary for a glimpse into the winter birds of Cape Cod, and learn about the many amazing survival adaptations that they employ to stay warm and find food.
New Local Author Chip Bishop
Pulitzer Prize winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin writes, “Chip Bishop identifies one of the central keys to T.R.’s success, his unparalleled ability to forge warm relationships with the press, even then they challenged and criticized him.”
Food for Fines - Friday is last day
Food will be donated to the Family Pantry in Harwich.
First Wednesday Classic Film Series
Wednesday, January 4th at 2:00
A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies. This beloved 1955 film stars James Dean and Natalie Wood, who was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar.
Holiday Open House
Here in Dennis town
And the librarians at DPL
Are the jolliest around!
Come patrons! Come teenagers!
Come kids and grandparents, too!
We’ll have cookies and candies
And treats just for you!
Happy Holidays!
Dennisport Holiday Stroll - free candy cane!
Toys for Tots
Please donate a new, unused toy and make a difference in a child's Christmas.
Many thanks!!!
First Wednesday Classic Film Series
CLOSED - Friday, November 25th
The library will be open again on Saturday, November 26th for regular hours: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Local Author Maura Rooney Hitzenbuhler
Photographer Stanlee Wetzel
Stanlee Wetzel is having a one-person Photographic Show at the Dennis Public Library to run for the month of November 2011.
The show is called: “Eclectic Photographic Images” by Stanlee Wetzel.
Stanlee is a juried member of the Fine Art Photography division of the Cape Cod Art Association and a juried-in member of the Russell Gallery at the Plymouth Center for the Arts.
Her works have received awards in numerous competitions, and she has been recognized for her one-woman photography shows in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Many of her pictures hang in homes along the Eastern seacoast and overseas.
As a freelance photographer her images have been published in annual reports, newspapers, brochures and business advertising.
She approaches subject matter from a unique point-of-view and focuses on how the rendering of images creates a distinctive perspective.
ESL Classes are Back!
Our star teacher is back and ready for new students. Classes take place every Wednesday night at 6:30. No charge. Please come and join us.
Tales of Haunted New England Lighthouses
Are you ready for a fright? Lighthouses are picturesque icons that remind us of our rich maritime history, but they also have a dark side. Lighthouses and ghost stories often seem to go hand in hand. Jeremy D’Entremont, a leading expert on New England’s historic lighthouses, shares stories of the macabre tales of New England’s coastal beacons, including the lovelorn spirit known as Ernie at Connecticut's New London Ledge Light and the piano playing ghost of Maine's Seguin Island Light. Not necessarily suitable for children. Chills and thrills guaranteed.
Jeremy D’Entremont is the historian for the American Lighthouse Foundation and the author of nine books on lighthouses and maritime history. He has personally taken part in lighthouse investigations by paranormal research groups, and he’ll share his personal experiences. He has also appeared on the Syfy Channel’s popular Ghost Hunters show, as well as Haunted Lighthouses of America on the Travel Channel.
The Archaeology of the Americas
Continuing our celebration of Massachusetts Archaeology Month, archaeologist Kevin Quackenbush will discuss the archaeology of the Americas. As he considers ancient man, Kevin invites the audience to imagine that they are in the middle of an ancient continent with nothing. What would they need to survive? Could they make or get what they needed? His lively, interactive style will engage people of all ages. Artifacts, such as projectile points, scrapers, hammerstones, drills, and an axe and adze will be available for touching.
Learn about Owls on Cape Cod
Get ready for Halloween! Learn about owls, the animals often associated with the spooky holiday. North America’s owls are commonly thought of as secretive and nocturnal forest inhabitants. In fact, many owls can be observed, or at least detected, during daylight hours. With a little experience, they can be discovered relatively easily. Long Pasture Director Ian Ives teaches our audience how to identify Cape Cod owl species and describes their life histories. Discover the art of owling and have a spooky good time!
The Historic Archaeology of Cape Cod
Come and help us kick off Massachusetts Archaeology Month! Archaeologist Dave Wheelock, caretaker of the Wing Family Fort House in Sandwich, talks to our audience about the historic archaeology of Cape Cod. He’ll discuss why archaeology is important in helping us understand the lives of colonial Americans and how we use material culture, i.e. recovered trash, to determine periods of occupation, economic status, and food types and preparation. The talk will segue into gravestones of the period, as Mr. Wheelock created a reproduction of a 1757 stone for his late friend and noted archaeologist Jim Deetz.
Author's Friday - Hallie Ephron
Award-winning book reviewer for the Boston Globe Hallie Ephron arrives to talk to our audience about her own work as an author. Her latest novel Come and Find Me was released in March; last year's effort Never Tell a Lie was nominated for the "Best Novel of 2010" and became a TV movie called And Baby Will Fall.
Registration strongly encouraged for this highly anticipated event.
Civil War Reading Group resumes
The Civil War Reading Group is back from its summer hiatus with speaker Anne Speyer, who will look at the role of women during the Civil War.
Come and enjoy the discussion.
NEW! Mystery Book Club
Spadefoot Toads
The eastern spadefoot toad is the rarest frog species in Massachusetts. It gets its name from an elongated, crescent-shaped spade on each hind foot, which is used for digging. These special toads are currently endangered, and their status in the state is listed as “threatened.” Staff from the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary will explore the secret life history of this elusive and little known species with our audience, using unique and seldom seen photographic documentation. They will also introduce Mass Audubon’s one of a kind conservation project aimed at protecting the eastern spadefoot toad population on Cape Cod. Come and learn to love this unusual amphibian!
Author Saloma Furlong talks about the Amish
Author Saloma Furlong was born and raised in an Amish community in Ohio. Driven by her desire for freedom and more formal education, she broke away from her community –– not once, but twice. She graduated from Smith College in May 2007 with a major in German Studies and a minor in Philosophy. Her education has included research on the Amish with Dr. Donald Kraybill and a semester abroad in Germany, where she studied at the University of Hamburg. During her thirty-year inner struggle of coming to terms with her Amish past, she has gleaned a better understanding of herself and her heritage. This September she will be featured on NPR’s radio show The Point with host Mindy Todd.
Her book Why I Left the Amish is a gripping memoir that will be available for sale and signing during the Dennis Public Library event.
Author's Friday - Carol Higgins Clark
New York Times besting author Carol Higgins Clark returns to Author's Friday after a four year absence. Readers lover her colorful characters and unique locales. Her newest contribution to the Regan Reilly mystery series, Wrecked, reached #8 on the New York Times Bestseller List. She received Agatha Award and Anthony Award nominations for her first book Decked had has co-written five holiday books with her mother, Mary Higgins Clark. Registration is strongly recommend for this event; slots are almost full. Please call the library as soon as possible to reserve your space.
Local author Joshua Blair Delaney
Come hear a tale of an 18th-century pirate, a witch, and a spirit seeker. Joshua Blair Delaney's newly released work of historical fiction, Pieces of Eight, is set in the rich landscape of Colonial Cape Cod. His tale is of the people and events that surround the wreck of the pirate ship Whydah. An impoverished washashore named Sam Bellamy realizes that his only chance for prosperity is to turn to piracy. But his search for fortune will take him away from his sweetheart, Maria Hallett, whose moments of clairvoyance make the townsfolk wonder if she is a witch. Meanwhile, John Julian, a native man, follows the trail of the last wolf on Cape Cod. He is propelled by the belief that it is a messenger from the spirit world that will help him save the land he loves. Delaney's love of Cape Cod history shows in both his work and his presentation. Books will be available for sale and signing.
The Gravestone Girls
Are you fascinated by the old gravestones in cemeteries? The Gravestone Girls take our audience on a virtual (slideshow) tour of colonial burial grounds through modern cemeteries, using examples from the town of Dennis. The Girls will highlight gravestones that illustrate beautiful artwork and symbolism. Discover why we have cemeteries and gravestones and why they look the way they do. See reproduction castings, produced in cooperation with local authorities, and discuss the pros and cons of doing grave rubbings. Bring lots of questions! You'll learn to appreciate the history that can be learned from our local burial places and be inspired to protect and preserve what remains.
Local author Tom Cooper
Do you ever feel overloaded by the never-ending stream of e-mail, voicemail, texts, and tweets? Are you overwhelmed by the magazines, newspapers, websites, blogs, and radio and TV shows that are supposed to help us stay on top of what's happening in the world around us?
Dr. Thomas Cooper's newest release Fast Media/Media Fast is a guide to finding peace, perspective, purpose, productivity, and one's creative voice amidst the media- saturated world dominated by the "triple-ups": speed-up, blow-up, and keep-up. He suggests a "fast" or break from all forms of media, an experiment he's conducted with multiple groups of people. Come explore the possibilities with him. Books will be available for sale and signing.
Coastal Water Birds
Come and learn about some of Cape Cod’s fine feathered friends! The Massachusetts Audubon Society talks to our audience about coastal water birds. Each year the staff of the Society’s Coastal Water Bird Program covers the coasts of Cape Cod in search of terns, endangered Piping Plovers, Oystercatchers, and their relatives. They record every detail from the birds’ arrival to courtship, nesting, and fledging chicks. Their work includes helping protect these delicate populations from human disturbance and wild predators. A great presentation for summer beachgoers, discover how beachgoers and birds can coexist and how these diminutive creatures, with their camouflaged nests, survive the windswept conditions of Cape Cod’s exposed beaches.
Learn to Write a Cookbook
Local authors Elaine and Karin Tammi take our audience through the process, using their new cookbook Scallops: A New England Coastal Cookbook as an example. During the creation of their book, they received encouragement from Julia Child, who wrote, “You have done a wonderful bit of research and it should be known. It’s just a matter of getting it to the right people.” The authors obtained recipes from celebrity chefs and scallop fishermen, and they interviewed scientists. They will review concept, text, and selection of images. Large photographs from their cookbook will be shown. Afterwards, feel free to ask questions. Their cookbook will be available for sale and signing.
The Turtle Whisperer
Long Pasture Director and Herpetologist Ian Ives introduces the turtles of Cape Cod. Come see living examples of species such as the rare Diamondback Terrapin, the domed Box Turtle, and the prehistoric looking Snapping Turtle. Also discover the diverse and threatened turtles of Asia, where virtually all species are heavily harvested for food and traditional medicinal trades, and learn about the conservation actions being taken to save the world's turtles - giving us hope for our slow moving friends!
Container and Sandy Soil Gardening
Show off beautiful plants no matter what the limits of your home environment!
Expert Michael Sarowsky from the Master Gardener's Association talks about gardening in containers and in sandy soil. Container gardening is great for people with limited space. Discover how to get the most out of window boxes or how to decorate decks with plants in distinctive containers of all shapes and sizes. Or, if sandy soil is a problem in your Cape Cod backyard, learn techniques for improving soil. Come with all of your questions - Michael is ready to respond! Pretty soon your little place on Earth will be the prettiest little place on Earth, attracting the attention of the whole neighborhood.
Summer Hours in Effect July 1st
Closed - Saturday July 2nd
We wish all of our patrons a very happy and safe holiday! See you Tuesday!
Bayberry Quilters Raffle Quilt on Display - Change in Date!
The Bayberry Quilters have been working hard all year and their stunning work is complete. The quilt features the outline of Cape Cod and whimsical details like mermaids, lighthouses, ferries, flowers, and a compass rose.
Buy your raffle tickets, $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. The quilt is the grand prize, but second and third prizes are offered. Proceeds go to fund scholarships for Cape Cod Regional Technical High School students pursuing higher education. Be generous and be lucky!
Learn about the First Woman to Cycle around the World
Peter Zheutlin talks about his great grandaunt Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, who reinvented herself as globetrotter and adventurer Annie Londonderry. She became one of the most celebrated women of the 1890s. Her amazing trip was reportedly set in motion by a wager that required Annie not only to circle the earth by bicycle in 15 months, but also to earn $5,000 en route as well. This was no mere test of a woman’s physical endurance and mental fortitude; it was a test of a woman’s ability to fend for herself in the world. Peter captures all of his aunt’s charisma and skill for self-promotion in his book, Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry’s Extraordinary Ride. Expect the unexpected, for the adventure ends with the revelation of a stunning family secret!
Part of the Library's "Novel Destinations" travel series.
1st Wednesday Classic Film
Author's Friday - Andrew Krivak
Andrew Krivak's The Sojourn is a masterful World War I novel inspired by his own family's capture and trek across the frozen Alps.
A former Jesuit, his first published book The Long Retreat chronicled eight years as a Jesuit before leaving to teach at Harvard, marry and become a full-time author. Registration is recommended for this highly popular event. Please call the Library at 508-760-6219.
Mountain Climber Craig John
Learn to Grow Roses
Learn How to Write a Children's Book
1st Wednesday Classic Film
Wednesday June 1st at 2:00 pm
In this tense 1958 courtroom drama, a dissenting juror in a murder trial slowly manages to convince the others that the case is not as obviously clear as it had seemed. Sidney Lumet’s directorial debut stars Henry Fonda, with fabulous performances by one of the best ensemble casts in history.
Lisa Genova Fundraising Event
Author's Friday - William Martin
William Martin has been called "one of the best historical fiction writers in America." He is heralded for impeccable research and masterful storytelling. His latest work City of Dreams is a fascinating romp through the streets and financial history of New York City. Other popular titles include Annapolis, The Rising of the Moon, Cape Cod, Harvard Yard, and The Lost Constitution. Registration is strongly encouraged; please call the library at 508-760-6219.
Local Author Carol McCleary
Become a Backyard Vegetable Gardener
In these times of high prices and questionable food sources, are you thinking of starting your own backyard garden? Expert gardener Kevin Mennegerode teaches our audience the basics of organic vegetable gardening. Don't be afraid! It can be fun and easy! With humor and a clear, concise style, Kevin explains how to get started, where to get seeds or seedlings, and where to go for additional help and information when you need it. This summer you could be enjoying the freshest salads you've ever eaten - from your own backyard!
Focus on Dennis
Photos must be taken in Dennis. Open to all photographers.
SHOW: Submitted photos will be on display in our Meeting Room from April 9th to April 23rd.
SUBMISSION: Photo submissions must be turned in to Dennis Town Hall by Friday, April 8th at 4:00 p.m.
RECEPTION and AWARDS: A reception will take place on Tuesday, April 12th from 6 - 8 p.m., where awards will be given in each category: FIRST PLACE - $50/YOUTH and $100/ADULT; SECOND PLACE - $25/YOUTH and $50/ADULT; HONORABLE MENTIONS in each category.
Sponsored by the Dennis Arts and Culture Council.
Author's Friday - Peter Abrahams
Peter Abrahams is a multi-talented author, loved by both adults and young adults. With 25 novels to his credit, Abrahams has been a consistent award winner for books such as Nerve Damage and his 18 psychological thrillers, plus his New York Times best selling Echo Falls Mystery series for young adults. Under the pseudonym Spencer Quinn, he created the Chet and Bernie Mystery series with delightful Chet the dog as narrator. Finally, to add to his repertoire, Abrahams' first picture book, illustrated by Frank Morrison, is called Quacky Baseball, featuring a thumb-sucking duck named Thumby. Come and enjoy his insight. Registration is recommended. Please call the library at 508-760-6219.