Your BFL Stories - Brooks Free Library

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

Dominic has brown curly hair and a great smile. On left, Dominic smiling and holding his book by a tree. On right, Dominic and Youth Services Librarian Ann smiling in front of the local author collection.

Elizabeth holding son Alexander and Charlotte standing in front of her. All are smiling, standing between the children's shelves.

Peggy smiling in front of our children's stacks

Tricia smiling in front of our hold shelf

[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!!!

Bernadette smiling in front of our hold shelf

Chris smiling in front of the VITAL room

[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!"

On left, Francis playing as a vet on a play phone. On right, Francis smiling with book, "I Eat Poop" by Mark Pett

Mary smiling in front of the non-fiction stacks

[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!”

Alan and Sue smiling in the picture book 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!”

Caela smiling with a stack of books: Oscar Board Book, Princess: The Essential Guide, and a book that is unknown.

[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”

on left, Chase lying in the children's stacks reading "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" on right, Chase looking up from his book and smiling

Mark smiling in front of the Non-Fiction DVDs

[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!”

[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.