You don't have to whisper . . .

Tai Chi

2012-01-19T10:27:00.001-08:00

Truffle-Making Demonstration and Tasting

2012-01-19T10:24:00.000-08:00

The Library on Your Digital Device

2012-01-19T10:22:00.001-08:00

Friends Meeting on 1/12

2012-01-04T12:09:00.001-08:00

The library's survival is dependent on two important factors, our volunteers and our friends. Without either, we would not be able to provide the service or materials the community wants and needs.

The saying goes, "you can never have to many friends." In in our case, it's the truth! Consider joining the West Dennis Library Friends. COme to their next meeting and find out how much they do for the community behind the scenes at the library. I guarantee you will enjoy yourself and leave feeling satisfied that your time and effort went toward a worthy and grateful cause.

The Lion and The Journalist

2011-12-28T13:32:00.000-08:00

Come hear Chip Bishop speak at the library about his newest work, The Lion and The Journalist, on January 12 @ 7:00 PM

The evening promises to be full of interesting conversation, warm coffee, and tasty treats. The perfect way to chase away the winter chill of a Cape Cod evening in January.

Chip's book follows the friendship of President Roosevelt and newspaper editor Joseph Bishop.

Hope to see you there!

Give the gift of life this holiday season

2011-11-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

Give the gift of life this holiday season by donating blood on 12/20 @ the library.

All donations stay on the Cape in the Cape Cod healthcare system.

Nurses will be at the library from 10-5.

New Movie Club @ West Dennis Library

2011-11-30T12:58:00.000-08:00

Join us for our new movie club; open to everyone! The club chooses a movie to watch each month and then holds a discussion about the film. This is a fun group of people who all love film of every variety. Popcorn is on the house!

We meet every third Friday from 6-8

Crime Prevention Meeting

2011-11-30T12:56:00.001-08:00

Join Officer Ryan Carr for our monthly Crime Prevention Meeting focused on the issues of interest to West Dennis. This meeting is held on the First Wednesday of the month in the library meeting room. Bring your questions and concerns and connect with your neighbors.

Fun Holiday Appetizers

2011-11-30T12:50:00.001-08:00

Join us on December 9th from 7 - 9 for fun holiday appetizers. Seating is limited. $10 per person. You won't want to miss these scrumptious morsels.

Cookie Bake Sale

2011-11-30T12:47:00.000-08:00

The Friend's Cookie Sale starts December 9th.

If you want to BAKE cookies, call the library and let us know.

If you want to EAT cookies, stop by the library on and after the 9th to buy these tasty treats.

Of course, no one is saying you can't do BOTH!

You do not want to miss these morsels!

Carol Smilgin Speaks

2011-10-31T11:14:00.001-07:00

Come meet Carol Smilgin and hear about her new novel, Provenance:

"When Jeffrey Lawler inherits a pair of masterworks by two famous European painters, he discovers unexplained gaps in their records of prior ownership. Determined to find the reason, he decides to investigate. He draws up a list of art dealers and gallery owners through whom the artworks may have passed. But just as he is getting closer to solving the mystery, he is killed by a hit-and-run driver-and the list turns up missing. Anxious to avenge Jeffrey's death, his beautiful widow, Rebecca, enlists the help of two experts, Georges Lartigue, a provenance specialist from Paris, and David Neville, an old friend and former lover. The trail leads them from the port of Balboa to the art galleries in Madrid, through the salons of Lisbon and Paris, to the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin. There Georges finds the key to the missing piece in the puzzle, but not before Rebecca suddenly realizes that the same people who killed her husband have targeted her for death too."

Food Drive: Food for Fines

2011-10-26T08:53:00.001-07:00

The West Dennis Library is pleased to be partnering with The Family Pantry in Harwich for a Food Drive from 11/1 - 11/16. The food collected goes to a food bank which serves the residents of West Dennis.

Bring in canned and boxed goods to the library, and we will waive the fines on your account. Don't have any fines? Bring in food anyway to help stock up the shelves for the coming winter season.

Let's work together, as a community, to help our neighbors feeling the pinch of the current economic times. Join with the library on this food drive!

More Yoga!

2011-10-26T08:50:00.001-07:00

The library is happy to let you know that the Free Yoga classes are now being offered, by Journey to Hope, EVERY Wednesday! Good news for those looking to get limber or just increase their overall health. The classes are geared to be inclusive of all ages and ability levels, and the instructor pays close attention to each individual's needs. Come down to the library and try out our yoga classes. You, and your body, will be happy you did.

Living safe in West Dennis

2011-09-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

Join your neighbors and learn ways to improve your safe living in West Dennis. Patrolman Ryan Carr will discuss issues pertaining to West Dennis. Coffee and snacks will be provided.

Friends Bake Sale

2011-09-21T12:57:00.000-07:00

Bake something to sell or just stop by and buy something to eat.

If you want to bake, call the library at 508-398-2050 to sign up, or stop by.

Thanks!

Join us . . . if you dare

2011-09-21T12:56:00.001-07:00

Classic Chills and Thrills on Friday's in October
We are celebrating Halloween all month long with movies that still pack a scary punch. Titles include:
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (the very first horror film), Bela Lugosi's Dracula, Hitchcock's Psycho, Rosemary's Baby, Halloween and Scream.
Popcorn and beverages are on us. Stop by and get creeped out!

Mah Jongg

2011-09-21T12:55:00.001-07:00

Mah Jongg is open to everyone. Stop by on a Thursday to meet the group and try your hand at few rounds.

Community Day of Health

2011-09-15T12:32:00.001-07:00

The Health Tech Students from Cape Cod Regional Technical High School will be at the library on October 26th from 10-1:30.

Stop by to have them check your:
Blood pressure
Sugar level
Cholesterol level
Body Mass Index
and have a skin cancer screening

Everything is FREE of charge!

Let's keep West Dennis Healthy

Annual Meeting

2011-09-15T12:31:00.001-07:00

Free Yoga Classes: Bi-weekly

2011-09-15T12:30:00.001-07:00

Book Club starts up again

2011-09-15T12:29:00.001-07:00

New Hours

2011-08-17T12:49:00.001-07:00

Annual Book, Bake, and Tag Sale

2011-08-17T12:47:00.000-07:00

Young Adult Book Club starts at West Dennis

2011-07-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

Free Movies on Fridays in August

2011-07-12T06:45:00.001-07:00

Cape Cod and MA Authors come to West Dennis Library

2011-07-04T16:25:00.000-07:00

This Friday, local authors from the Cape and greater Massachusetts will be at the West Dennis Library to meet the community, sign their books, and share in a free picnic. The schedule includes a brief presentation about free digital tools at 3pm and a panel discussion at 4pm. Panelists include:
Leslie Meier discussing the process of aging a character
Jim Coogan talking about writing for children
Barbara Ross discussing how being a publisher informs her writing process
Sheila Connolly explaining how she writes more than one ongoing series with several sets of characters
Susan Santangelo is our moderator and is available to discuss her experiences publishing for the Kindle

Some of the featured authors include:

Barbara Ross’ first mystery novel The Death of an Ambitious Woman featuring Police Chief Ruth Murphy was published in August 2010. In addition to her novel writing, Barbara recently became one of the editor/publishers at Level Best Books, which produces an anthology of crime stories by New England writers every year. The eighth edition, titled Thin Ice, was released in November 2010 and contains stories nominated for Edgar® and Agatha awards as well as winners of the Derringer and Al Blanchard awards. Prior to her adventures in fiction, Barbara had a career as a chief operating officer in the educational technology field where, among other duties, she worked with major textbook publishers on their e-publishing strategies. Barbara and her husband divide their time between Somerville, Massachusetts and Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Leslie Meier

My books draw heavily on my experience as a mother of three and my work as a reporter for various weekly newspapers on Cape Cod. My heroine, Lucy Stone, is a reporter in the fictional town of Tinker’s Cove, Maine, where she lives in an old farmhouse (quite similar to mine on Cape Cod!) with her restoration carpenter husband Bill and four children. As the series has progressed the kids have grown older, roughly paralleling my own family. We seem to have reached a point beyond which Lucy cannot age–my editor seems to want her to remain forty-something forever, though I have to admit I personally am dying to write “Menopause is Murder!”

Now that the kids are grown — I now have two grandchildren — my husband and I are enjoying our empty nest on Cape Cod which we share with our Brittany, Sylvie.

Susan Santangelo

Susan Santangelo, author of the Baby Boomer Mysteries, is an early member of the Baby Boomer generation herself. She has been a feature writer, drama critic and editor for daily and weekly newspapers in the New York metropolitan area, including a stint at Cosmopolitan magazine. A seasoned public relations and marketing professional, she produced special events for Carnegie Hall's Centennial. In addition to being a member of SiNC and SiNCNE, she is a member of the Cape Cod Writers Center, and reviews mysteries for Suspense Magazine. She divides her time between Cape Cod, MA, and the Connecticut shoreline, and shares her life with her husband Joe and three English cocker spaniels: Tucker, Lucy and Boomer. A portion of sales from the Baby Boomer Mysteries is donated to the Breast Cancer Survival Center, a non-profit based in Connecticut which Susan founded in 1999 after being diagnosed with cancer herself.

Elizabeth Moisan, a native New Yorker, has worked professionally as an artist since graduating from Parsons School of Design in 1970. She is an Arts member of the Cape Cod Branch of the National League of American Pen Women; the founding host of A Book in the Hand and Shelf Space, two literary programs; the facilitator of a writing group; and founder and member of Just Plain Folk, a folk music group that performs locally.

A 13th generation Mayflower descendant, she lives in Massachusetts, on Cape Cod—a place with very deep family roots—a short distance from the setting of her book. Master of the Sweet Trade is her debut novel.

Sheila Connolly

Sheila Connolly writes the Orchard Mysteries for Berkley Prime Crime. As Sarah Atwell, she also wrote the Glassblowing Mysteries, whose debut book, Through a Glass, Deadly, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Another series, the Museum Mysteries, opened in October 2010 with Fundraising the Dead, and she is planning a third series, set in Ireland, which will appear in 2012.

Sheila is a member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America, as well has Romance Writers of America. She currently serves on the SinCNE Board as President and is co-chair of the 2011 New England Crime Bake.

Leslie Wheeler

Leslie Wheeler is an award-winning author of books about American history and biographies. LOVING WARRIORS, her biography in letters of the nineteenth-century feminist, Lucy Stone, and her husband, Henry Blackwell, won the English-Speaking Union's Ambassador of Honor Award. Leslie now writes the Miranda Lewis "living history" mystery series--books set in the present-day but at historic sites, which enables her to weave in a lot of history. Titles include MURDER AT PLIMOTH PLANTATION, MURDER AT GETTYSBURG, and the recently published, MURDER AT SPOUTERS POINT. Leslie's short crime fiction has appeared in five anthologies published by Level Best Books: WINDCHILL, SEASMOKE, STILL WATERS, DEADFALL, and THIN ICE. She is now a contributing editor to Level Best Books.

Leslie and her family divide their time between Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a rural retreat in the Berkshires.

Sarah Smith

An Agatha winner for her most recent novel, THE OTHER SIDE OF DARK, Sarah Smith has been interested in ghosts and storytelling since she was four. She studied English at Harvard, where she hung out in the library reading mysteries, and film in London. She has written a bestselling adult mystery series set in the Edwardian period; two of the books were named New York Times Notable Books of the Year, one was a London Times Book of the Year, and the first, THE VANISHED CHILD, is being made into a musical. Her standalone novel about the Shakespeare authorship, CHASING SHAKESPEARES, is being made into a play. She is working on a novel about the TITANIC.

Marie Sherman, Justice of the Peace from Brewster, has chosen 90 true stories about interesting wedding ceremonies she has performed. She kept notes from the beginning which enabled her to draw on over 1,200 weddings for the book. They range from funny happenings, strange locations, annoying situations, near disasters, and much more!

Sit down, relax, and enjoy this amusing little book.

The book makes a delightful and unusual bridal shower gift, engagement, birthday, thank you, or Christmas gift.

Now in her 25th year as a Justice of the Peace, Marie still enjoys officiating at weddings at Inns, B&Bs, private homes, on the beach, and at her antique home, “Old Glory Homestead.”

Jim Coogan, Marjorie Frith, and others!!!

Library Puppies Kickoff was a howling good time!

2011-06-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

These pictures speak for themselves. The kids, dogs, parents, and handlers had a blast reading stories together on Firday evening. The next program date is June 24th. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Library Puppies

2011-05-21T12:18:00.001-07:00

Blood Drive

2011-05-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

BLOOD DRIVE WITH CAPE COD HEALTHCARE

Wednesday - June 8, 2011

Time: 10am - 4pm

All blood donated at this drive will be used on Cape Cod.

Please call
508-86BLOOD
(508-862-5663)to make an appointment.

Walk-ins are welcome too.

Taste of Dennis

2011-05-21T12:08:00.000-07:00

“TASTE OF DENNIS” AND AUCTION SUNDAY, JUNE 12
The tickets for the Taste of Dennis are now on sale at the library. All tickets are $25.
For those of you off Cape who would like to reserve your tickets, please call the library. You can then send your check to West Dennis Library, Taste of Dennis, PO BOX 158 West Dennis, MA 02760.
Don’t forget this is an Auction too!
There is something for everyone at the auction. Here are just a few of the items up for grabs: Red Sox tickets, an autographed Red Sox baseball, an autographed Bruin’s hockey puck from Milan Lucic, a Jane Pope Lamp, art, jewelry, a professional portrait sitting, and this fully rigged 14’ O’Day Sail Boat. Plus a 50/50 raffle.
So come for the food, come for the fun and take something home (maybe even the boat!) to get your summer off to a great start!

Father's Day Program

2011-05-21T12:06:00.001-07:00

The Ultimate Tea Party

2011-05-09T12:41:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, the West Dennis Graded Schoolhouse filled to the brim with mother's and their children of all ages for the ultimate tea party. Everyone dressed in their best, and some wore fabulous hats, to the envy of this author, to dine together on finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and desserts galore. Let me tell you about those desserts. They included baklava, eclairs, chocolate dipped strawberries, and more! Ladies sipped tea while Mairead Doherty strummed her harp surrounded by a lush garden provided by the Green Spot. The Friends of the West Dennis Library organized a wonderful afternoon, enjoyed by all who attended and coveted by all who did not get their tickets in time. No worries, Tea will be served again . . . next May!
Thank you to the Friends and volunteers who cooked, baked, and carried tables tirelessly, to our business supporters, and to the attendees.

Amazon to Allow Library Lending of Kindle Books

2011-04-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

New program will integrate with all existing ebook catalogs offered through OverDrive

"Library patrons across the United States will soon be able to borrow ebooks from over 11,000 libraries using Amazon's Kindle reading device.
Long a missing link in the library lending chain, Amazon's announcement today that it will offer, sometime later this year, Kindle library lending is likely to create a flood of demand, since many patrons have long been puzzled and librarians irritated by the inability to use the market-leading device to access library books.
The lending will be available for all generations of the Kindle as well as Kindle reading apps, and it will integrate with all the existing ebook catalogs in the United States powered by OverDrive. In other words, the libraries—including schools, colleges and public libraries—will not have to add a new format, and the ebooks now available on the OverDrive sites will be immediately integrated with the Kindle, Dan Stasiewski, a marketing associate with OverDrive, told LJ. . ."(follow the link for more)
Michael Kelley Apr 20, 2011

My Library Story

2011-04-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

I will never forget the day, when I was in first grade, that I discovered an amazing place to visit. To this day I still visit them where ever I am living. My little friend from school had me over to her house after school. On the way home, she took a slight shortcut in her usual route walking home. I had to rush home to share my new experience with my mother that night!!
"Mom, Mom!! I found a building today in town that is filled with shelf after shelf of books to read. You can even have a card stamped and kept at this place they called a Library! They keep the card that says what book or books I had, and when to return them. They LET you borrow them to read. You don't pay anything, unless you return the book late. Then you have to pay a fine. Can you believe it, Mom? Have you ever seen such a place?"
Mom was noticeably biting her lip, trying not to laugh. She knew of this place, and had used it herself! I asked her to take me there when I finished the books I had checked out! She was totally saying, "Yes, Dawn, I will take you there whenever you want to go." Wow, I loved my Mom extra big that day!!
Dawn Morea

A Lifetime of Libraries and A Circle of Friends

2011-04-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

As a grade schooler I was encouraged by my parents to participate in the reading programs at our library. As a teenager, my first (taxable) job was at our recently new town library in suburban New Jersey. I had the pleasure of working in the basement putting the plastic protectors on the new books (which the publishers now do) and making simple repairs to worn books. (Dare I say I earned $.65/hr)

…...Now in retirement and living in Orleans for 11½ years, I was directed to the West Dennis Library through coincidences of my son's friend in Boston. After years of computer use, I've learned by doing, and I can pass that knowledge to others, including the patrons using computers in the library. But also I get to be “Marian the Librarian”, performing the front desk responsibilities for patrons.

…...Another bonus is the circle of friends I've made here in West Dennis, including the Gill family.

Susan Owens

Children's only library

2011-04-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

My experience with libraries started at the age of 5 when we moved to New Rochelle, N.Y. A branch library of the New Rochelle library system was within walking distance so my mother took me every week. When I started first grade, I was allowed to walk by myself (times were different). The building was like a gothic doll-house -- so very welcoming and charming with a marvelous children's section located upstairs. When I go back to visit now, I see that the building is now an exclusive chidren-only facility. My parents were big readers and supporters of libraries, and I have passed that on to the children I have taught over the years. Two of my brothers are published authors!
Alice Callahan

The Library Card As A Pop-Culture Fiend's Ticket To Geek Paradise

2011-04-12T16:07:00.000-07:00

Nils Geylan

Blogged by Linda Holmes on NPR
There's a big public library literally across the street from my bank and the supermarket where I most frequently pick up stuff like milk and paper towels. Across the street. As in: first I buy Diet Coke, then I dodge one SUV careening around the corner, and I'm there.
And yet, until this weekend, I'd never been in it and I had no library card.
I know.
I've talked a bunch of times about the economics of e-book purchasing and paper book purchasing, about my love of paperback romance novels, and about how unattached I am to book ownership and the growth of my personal library, and somehow, I never crossed the street . . . Click for the rest of the story

A Library Story

2011-04-11T13:16:00.000-07:00

When I was in my early 40's and had 3 kids 12 and under, I felt swallowed up by their needs. Looking back now, it was a wonderful time with them, but at the very least a demanding time. I started to come to the library here in West Dennis on summer Friday nights, because my husband would relieve me when he came down after being in Boston all week. The librarian, Jackie, was very welcoming and friendly. After she got to know me, she would save books for me that she thought I'd like. I was sooo grateful to have someone looking out for me (for a change!).
Carole O'Connell

"Libraries - The Heart of Every Community"

2011-04-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

Upon retiring to the Cape I found myself somewhat isolated and thought the library might be a good way to connect with the community. Going to the West Dennis Library to donate my collection of children’s books was a decision that changed everything. Immediately, I had a sense of belonging. Everyone was welcoming and encouraged me to return and participate in the various activities offered there. Suddenly I had a new group of friends and a support network right in my own back yard! Besides the anticipated access to books and media, there were movies, programs and special events. I became a volunteer. I was spending a lot of time in MY LIBRARY. By being involved with the library I became an active member of my new community!
This year’s theme for National Library Week is “Libraries- the Heart of Every Community!” I couldn’t agree more.
BBD

Tell your library story!

2011-04-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

To celebrate National Library Week, April 10-17, the West Dennis Library invites you to tell your story about a library, any library (or librarian), which made an impact on your life. We will publish your story on our blog (with a picture of you optional). Send your story to jwiley@clamsnet.org, or pick up a form at the circulation desk. We are excited to hear about how libraries helped shape the people in our village community and beyond. So, what's your story?