We are collecting YOUR stories on how Brooks Free Library is valuable to you. Want to participate? Fill out this form and we will reach out to hear your story!
Thank you to all who have participated! We began collecting stories for National Library Week 2022, and this is a living document that will continue to be updated with more BFL stories. We would love to include yours!
Please click on a picture to read each BFL story
My daughter, Charlotte, and son, Alexander, have been so lucky to participate in Miss Ann’s weekly story time. This was especially important to us in 2020-21 when we were homeschooling Charlotte’s first year of preK and Miss Ann hosted the program online. In addition to our weekly story time, Miss Ann would help curate our curriculum - I would send Miss Ann the themes for a few weeks at a time and she would gather relevant materials and have them ready for curbside pickup. We are so grateful to Miss Ann and the wonderful people at Brooks Free Library!
Peggy began using our children's services in the 70s, and has volunteered at BFL since the 80s by shelving children's books, taking shifts at the Friends bookstore, Books on Wheels and more. She uses our audiobooks, DVDs, and our fiction books. Peggy really enjoys Suzanne's Book Klatch book group, Joanne's wellness classes and Emily's Four Agreements meetings, and is thankful for our resources when the library doors were closed during peak Covid-19. Our virtual book groups "helped keep everyone connected" and curbside service was a lifeline. The main takeaway Peggy says about Brooks is the friendship, "everyone is helpful, there is always someone to answer your question"
I can truthfully say, without hyperbole, that the Library is one of my favorite things about living in Harwich. As a member of the CLAMS network, the Library's ability to get the latest books is amazing. I read a review, put in a hold request and it appears on the Hold Shelf in seemingly no time. Similarly, the OverDrive app is a great resource for electronic books. Libraries are important community centers and do so much more than offer books. I avail myself of the Library's computers and printing stations, as well as the copy machines. When my internet is offline, I work in the carrels. I find the Library's social media feed a great source of information on events at the Library and around Harwich. The Brooks Free Library staff is unfailingly eager to offer help. The work they did to pivot during the Covid crisis was remarkable. I so appreciated the curbside pickup, especially when I could schedule a set time each week. When I invariably forgot and called in a frenzy, whichever staff member answered the phone would kindly make new arrangements for me to get my books. I am incredibly grateful for and appreciative of the work done by the Brooks Free Library staff
![[no picture] I have been involved in 2 book clubs since I moved to the Cape in March of 2016 and the library is the first place I look before buying the books or ordering through my Kindle. I enjoy just visiting the library and wandering through the aisles checking out different authors. I am very impressed with what Brooks Free Library offers and the systems that are in place. Everything is very efficient. I can put my request in via email and when the book is available I am sent an email and can drop in and pick it up. Everyone there also is so helpful and pleasant. Thank you!!!](https://www.brooksfreelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Kathy-IG-1-1024x1024.png)
Brooks Free Library "Was the first place I came to when I moved to Harwich 36 years ago." Her favorite library resource is ordering books that are available here or across the CLAMS network. The ability to use the app for checking out items makes everything easier, but having Phil check out her items is always an adventure!
I am an avid reader. The Brooks Free Library and my CLAMS card have been my ticket to access an endless supply of great reading material, but my best experience has been volunteering with their VITAL (Vision Impaired Technology Assistance at the Library) Program, loading audiobooks weekly for patrons with vision impairment and teaching assistive technology on the iPhone and Victor Reader Stream. The personal fulfillment has been more than I could have hoped for and I have had the enormous pleasure of interacting with a number of wonderful people
![[includes photo of the field game Cornhole, no picture otherwise] ] "The first thing I want to say is I love the library, I think people who work at the front desk, everybody who works there is awesome" Anna uses our online services and mostly requests DVDs and audiobooks, takes paperbacks to the beach, and takes advantage of our Library of Things, "oh no, more people will take out the games, and I won't be able to get cornhole!"](https://www.brooksfreelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Anna-IG-1-1024x1024.png)
“I Eat Poop [by Mark Pett] is my favorite book. It’s all about bullying, and I think it’s really important. I used to go to Mrs. Ann’s Story Time when I was little, but now I’m older. I can show you where everything is in the library” Joyce - “I loved Brooks Free Library as a child growing up in Harwich; their books brought adventure and a global perspective to my childhood on Cape Cod. And now I love bringing my son Francis to BFL where we’ve run into old friends and made new ones! Francis benefits so much from the children’s programming and I love being able to check out books on my kindle. We are so grateful for BFL and its important role in our community!”
"I have always loved and valued libraries, and I believe the Brooks Free Library is top-notch. Everything about it is welcoming and warm. I love my volunteer job. I have reconnected with the library through weekly volunteering, and I am renewing my love of reading by being with the books. I am also very impressed at the library's successful efforts to stay completely relevant in the digital age. The up-to-date services are impressive. To me, the library is a constant source of information, inspiration, assistance, and entertainment and it is FREE! Thank you!"
![[no picture] “I started coming to Brooks Free Library about 10 years ago, and Brooks offered more resources than the other libraries I had used in the past. As the years went on, I developed macular degeneration and needed to start downloading books because I could no longer read print. At the time, I was using a walkman and having trouble downloading books. Someone in reference helped my husband and I download books and use the BARD system. Carla helped me with VoiceOver, and I’ve been coming to the library every week to work with her, she has been a great resource!”](https://www.brooksfreelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Marjorie-IG-1-1024x1024.png)
Alan - “We’ve been here since 2013, I use the library for the books. My wife volunteers. I am retired and one of the silver linings of the pandemic was that a bunch of high school buddies of mine started a book club, and I’ll come here to get my books. If it’s up to me, I tend to read nonfiction. I think this is the nicest library I have been in, and I’m 70 so I’ve been in a few! We have a grandson who is about two years old and we love going into the picture book room, it’s a beautiful room”
![[no picture] Jacki - “Carla and the VITAL program really gave John back his life” John - “I lost my vision overnight and the VITAL program has been a lifesaver. Before the VITAL program, I couldn’t use my phone or computer, Carla helped give me the tools to do so. She took me in and settled me down, so to speak, and told me that I could and I can do this. She got me through the Victor Reader and my phone. She delivered the comfort of the training in a spectacular way. I can’t say too many wonderful things about Carla, there aren’t enough good adjectives to describe her!”](https://www.brooksfreelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Jacki-John-IG-1-1024x1024.png)
Caela's Mom: Her favorite thing is to drop off her big brother (in second grade) and head to the library. She is currently on a very large Peppa kick. When I just asked her why she loves the library she said “there are big books and little books and I love them”
![[No picture, Edited for clarity]: In the 1970s, my first job [volunteering] was to choose books for delivery to the homebound, shelving, and whatever else needed doing. I was invited to be on the Board of the Friends of Brooks Free Library and the rest is history. The Friends were very much involved in raising funds and also raising awareness for the need for a “new” library. I was President of the Board, lifelong friendships were made and I learned much about the town and how it works. The renovation was completed about the time of the 100th anniversary of Col. Brooks's gift to the town. It has continued to grow in value to the town as the devoted staff steers it into the 21st century. My grandchildren have been known to refer to it as “Gramma’s Library”](https://www.brooksfreelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gloria-IG-1-1024x1024.png)
“My favorite part of the library is the books, videogames and comic books” Chase is currently reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney
Mark primarily uses our books, DVDs and computers. “I like the [public] computers for music and reading.” He also really enjoys going to the morning book group. “Everyone I know here, the staff is really nice to work with”
![[No Photo] “Besides the obvious procuring of books, I love BFL because of Knit Lit. I try to attend every week for the camaraderie, help, and fun. I appreciate that it is available via zoom, and that during the pandemic we were allowed to meet at the park. My husband loves the free puzzles, and my grandkids liked the programs for them ( Trevor the Juggler and the making of buttons, in particular). Brooks Free Library has something for everyone!”](https://www.brooksfreelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Donna-1-1024x1024.png)
![[no picture] I think your outstanding staff makes all the difference. Carla Burke, who runs the Knit Lit, as one of her many other roles, does a wonderful job of making people feel comfortable no matter what their ability to knit, supports the community with knitting projects, and even discusses books. I joined to learn how to knit items for my new grandson and learned a whole lot more. The atmosphere is so congenial with contests, clever ideas, and generous knitters. More recently, I read in your newsletter that [Youth Services Librarian Ann] will film you reading a picture book and you can get a QR code to put in the book. I tried it, and gave the book to my grandchildren who could watch me reading it with a QR Reader app on their ipads. It was quick and easy, and magical. BFL is nothing like the old fashioned library that you come to for books and movies. There is so much more! And it's free! It's your tax dollars working hard.](https://www.brooksfreelibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Bobbie-1-1024x1024.png)