
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
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
“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!"
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”
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”
“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”