Storytimes near Cotuit Public Library

Kirkman Room

Join our Thursday morning Mahjong group at the Cotuit Library. This is an ongoing, social play group designed primarily for experienced players who are comfortable with the rules and have been playing regularly for at least a few months. Players are encouraged to bring their own Mahjong set if they have one. We typically offer a mix of experienced tables and a beginner-friendly table; however, “beginner” in this context means players who already know how to play and are continuing to build confidence through regular play. No registration is required — simply drop in and join us. Please plan to arrive promptly (or a few minutes early) so tables can be set up and play can begin by 10:00 a.m. If you are brand new to Mahjong or are looking for formal lessons, please contact the library. We can connect interested patrons with a local instructor who offers instruction privately outside the library. For questions, please contact Averyl Clemons at aclemons.ct@clamsnet.org.

Join the Cotuit Library out in the community for a fun-filled session of creativity and discovery. We are bringing the library to you with a special hands-on crafts inspired by some of our favorite books. Whether you are already a regular visitor or have never stepped through our doors, this event is the perfect opportunity to see what we are all about. During the program, you can: Get Creative: Make unique, book-themed crafts to take home. Get Connected: Sign up for a free library card on the spot. Get Inspired: Discover our digital apps, museum passes, and hidden resources. This program is completely free and open to all ages. No registration is required—just bring your creativity and your curiosity! * All crafting materials are provided free of charge, while supplies last.

Kirkman Room

Join traveler and speaker Marguerite Dennis for Letters from Away, a personal reflection on 25 years of international travel and the people and places that shaped her journey. While working in international student recruitment, Dennis spent decades traveling the world—packing her bag with anticipation for each new country, each new culture, and each new adventure. Along the way, she discovered that travel offers more than new destinations; it opens the mind and reshapes how we see the world. As she reflects: “Traveling opened up the eyes of my eyes and reset the compass of my heart. It allowed me to explore the marketplace of new ideas and encouraged me to look at life and people in a different way.” Through stories and reflections, Dennis invites audiences to journey with her to some of the countries she visited and to meet, through her experiences, some of the remarkable people she encountered along the way. Drawing on the words of Nobel Prize–winning author V.S. Naipaul, Dennis reflects on the idea of becoming “the traveler defining myself against a foreign background.” Come along for an evening of travel, storytelling, and reflection on how the journeys we take can change the way we understand the world—and ourselves.

Kirkman Room

Run by the historical society of Santuit and Cotuit.

Cotuit Village Green

Meet local heroes at the library! Firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers, teachers, and other community helpers will share how they make our neighborhood a better place. Kids and families can ask questions, see demonstrations, and learn about the important work these everyday heroes do. All ages welcome!

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email.** Welcome to our yearlong series in which “America’s Preeminent Presidential Doodler”, Heather Rogers, shares facts, factoids, and fun illustrations about the presidents of these United States. This month, our focus turns to Andrew Jackson: Into dueling (and had a bullet near his heart to prove it). Blamed John Quincy Adams for his wife’s death. Last president to conveniently die at the same place where his funeral was held and he was buried (his f*cking swearing parrot was kicked out of his funeral). Don't you want to know more (esp about that parrot!?!)? In 2026, journey through Heather's sketchbooks as she shares some of her favorite tidbits, doodles, observations, and resurrection stories about the first 12 presidents. Don't you want to know more? In 2026, journey through Heather's sketchbooks as she shares some of her favorite tidbits, doodles, observations, and resurrection stories about the first 12 presidents. Register directly on Zoom HERE. You can sign up for one session or for all! RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program. This event is offered in collaboration with a multitude of MA and NH libraries. MA: Amherst, Andover, Chatham, Chelmsford, Cohasset, Cotuit, Falmouth, Groton, Hanover, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Maynard, North Reading, Quincy, Shutesbury, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, Wellesley, West Newbury, and Woburn; NH: Amherst, Dover, and Greenfield.

Cotuit Village Green

Join us for one of Cotuit’s favorite summer traditions—all in support of the Cotuit Library. The Annual Cornhole Tournament is a lively, community-driven fundraiser that brings together friendly competition, great energy, and an afternoon on the Village Green. Whether you’re playing or cheering from the sidelines, this event is all about coming together to support the library. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM Bags fly at 4:30–4:45 p.m., so please plan to arrive by 4:00 p.m. for check-in. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with: A local food truck Adult libations available for purchase Raffles and more throughout the evening 📅 Friday, July 10, 2026 🕓 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM 📍 Cotuit Village Green Thank you for supporting the Cotuit Library—we look forward to seeing you on the Green! Interested in volunteering with this event? Please click here to sign up! SEASON SPONSOR Rogers & Marney, Inc. Builders SEAFARER SPONSORS Therapeutic Bodywork Bobby Byrne's and The Lanes LIBRARY FRIEND SPONSORS Bortolotti Construction Cotuit Liquors Daily Paper on Main Franey Mechanical Services Grover Building Kettle Ho Kings Grant and Courtside Cafe Mycock Insurance Siena Mashpee If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please click here for more information.

Children's Room

Bring your little ones for music and play! Join us on Mondays at 10 a.m. for fun activities at Cotuit Library.

Children's Room

For ages 0-18 Months: Connect with other parents and bond with your child through songs, books, and play. Miss Julie will lead with fingerplays, songs, a few stories, and time to play and connect with other families.

Kirkman Room

Join the cribbage group at Cotuit Library on Mondays for a friendly game from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.!

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email. Due to limited space, if you know you cannot make it live do not register with zoom but please fill out THIS FORM to receive the video link.** We're at it again! We keep having so much fun with Loretta and Susan that we had to keep bringing them back for encore performances. And, this time, they are focusing on the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. They are so knowledgeable about the everyday lives of people who lived through this era as well as how war could upend those lives. We know that, as always, we'll have a great conversation and learn so much about how this historic happening affected every aspect of people's lives. You know them as the Two Nerdy History Girls - authors Loretta Chase and Susan Holloway Scott were the originators of the infamous blog. We, once again, have Loretta and Susan here to answer all of our burning questions about the 250th. How do they do their research, how much of it comes out of their visits to Colonial Williamsburg, and how do they incorporate their knowledge into their writing? We can't wait for what we know is going to be a fascinating conversation between these two friends and researchers. Register directly on Zoom HERE. Due to limited space, if you know you cannot make it live do not register with zoom but please fill out THIS FORM to receive the video link. RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Library Front Lawn

Come to the Cotuit Library for a fun, entertaining, and interactive Storytime with the Kettleers! The Kettleer Coach and players will come each Tuesday through July to entertain kids with stories, games, and baseball fun! Weather permitting, we will hold Storytime outside in the park. BYOBlankets for an extra nice spot to stretch out and relax in the shade! Some chairs and blankets will be provided.

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email.** Love Historical Fiction but not sure what to read next? Join bestselling author, Jane Healey, monthly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of historical fiction out there! We're sure you'll find something to like from Jane's many enthusiastic reviews. Register directly on Zoom HERE. You can sign up for one session or for all! We'll send out a list of all recommendations for those who register. We will also be recording our meetings and uploading them to the Ashland Library YouTube Channel. Please register for this event, and you'll receive the link in the confirmation and reminder emails - make sure to check your spam folder for them, the email will be coming from Zoom. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and is in collaboration with a multitude of MA and NH libraries.

Join us for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of We Are All Guilty Here, in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, The Secrets We Hide. In The Secrets We Hide, Slaughter welcomes readers back to North Falls. A small town with big secrets… 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors. When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead. Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town. And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth… Register now to take part in the discussion and for an exclusive sneak peek of The Secrets We Hide, coming out August 11, 2026! This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cotuit Library. Thank you, Friends!

Children's Room, Library Front Lawn

On Wednesdays from July 8th - August 19th, kids are welcome to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through fun, hands-on learning activities. Kids will have fun making tiny greenhouses, seed medallions, dissecting flowers, and experimenting with planting.

Kirkman Room

Join our Thursday morning Mahjong group at the Cotuit Library. This is an ongoing, social play group designed primarily for experienced players who are comfortable with the rules and have been playing regularly for at least a few months. Players are encouraged to bring their own Mahjong set if they have one. We typically offer a mix of experienced tables and a beginner-friendly table; however, “beginner” in this context means players who already know how to play and are continuing to build confidence through regular play. No registration is required — simply drop in and join us. Please plan to arrive promptly (or a few minutes early) so tables can be set up and play can begin by 10:00 a.m. If you are brand new to Mahjong or are looking for formal lessons, please contact the library. We can connect interested patrons with a local instructor who offers instruction privately outside the library. For questions, please contact Averyl Clemons at aclemons.ct@clamsnet.org.

Join the Cotuit Library out in the community for a fun-filled session of creativity and discovery. We are bringing the library to you with a special hands-on crafts inspired by some of our favorite books. Whether you are already a regular visitor or have never stepped through our doors, this event is the perfect opportunity to see what we are all about.--> During the program, you can:--> Get Creative-->: Make unique, book-themed crafts to take home.-->--> Get Connected-->: Sign up for a free library card on the spot.-->--> Get Inspired-->: Discover our digital apps, museum passes, and hidden resources.-->--> --> This program is completely free and open to all ages. No registration is required—just bring your creativity and your curiosity! *All crafting materials are provided free of charge, while supplies last.

In her ambitious new memoir, Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can’t Forget, beloved bestselling author Reyna Grande illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival. What is the true power of stories? Can they heal the jagged edges of a traumatic childhood? Is the cost of telling the story worth the price of the cure? With her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty, Grande interrogates how living between two nations, two languages, and two identities has shaped the woman, mother, and writer she has become. Moving from the legacy of violence in her hometown of Iguala, Mexico, to a bittersweet family vacation in Europe spent reconciling her own impoverished past with her children’s world of abundance, she uncovers startling truths about the nature of survival. Whether being racially profiled in the Arizona borderlands or finding unexpected wisdom from the slugs in her garden, Grande unflinchingly asks: How do we bridge the gap between who we were and who we have become? How do we turn pain into power? When memory threatens to define us, how can we use story to heal while still honoring our boundaries? Register today for this virtual talk if you identify as a seeker, a dreamer, or “anyone who believes in the enduring, transformative power of finding one’s voice.” This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Cotuit Library. Thank you, Friends!

Kirkman Room

Paul Clerici - author of “A History of the Falmouth Road Race,” the only book entirely about the race’s history - will appear at Cotuit Library on Thurs. July, 16, 2026, at 4 p.m., to discuss the historic five-decade-old Cape Cod road race. Hear how the race began in a bar; tales of the late great founder Tommy Leonard; how the race grew alongside the running boom; stories and anecdotes of Olympic stars on the roads of Falmouth; and how it continues to inspire. The award-winning writer takes readers through its 50-plus years via informative, humorous, and enlightening detail that includes stories about every moment, race, monument, landmark, and the course and its history. A freelance journalist, photographer, and former newspaper editor, he delivers talks and lectures at libraries, historical societies, bookstores, running clubs; appears at expos, book signings, group meetings; appears on television (NECN, cable stations, etc.), radio (NPR, local and city stations, etc.), and media outlets including “The Boston Globe” and the “Cape Cod Times.” Race director of the Camy 5K Run & David 5K Walk in Walpole, he has competed in nearly every distance from the mile to the marathon – including two triathlons, 43 marathons, the Falmouth Road Race several times – and has won numerous age-group and Clydesdale running awards. He is also the author of “Boston Marathon Traditions and Lore,” “Born to Coach: The Story of Bill Squires,” “Images of Modern America: Boston Marathon,” “Boston Marathon History by the Mile,” and “History of the Greater Boston Track Club.” Books will be available to purchase and be signed by the author. www.paulclerici.com

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email.** Love Women's Fiction but not sure what to read next? Join bestselling author, Kristan Higgins, quarterly for 30 minutes of pure book recommendations - the best of women's fiction out there! We're sure you'll find something to like from Kristan's many enthusiastic reviews. Register directly on Zoom HERE. You can sign up for one session or for all! We'll send out a list of all recommendations for those who register. We will also be recording our meetings and uploading them to the Ashland Library YouTube Channel. Please register for this event and you'll receive the link in the confirmation and reminder emails - make sure to check your spam folder for them, the email will be coming from Zoom. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library and is in collaboration with a multitude of MA and NH libraries.

Kirkman Room

Speaker: Sean Brown, Fire Chief, Cotuit Fire District Topic: From a humble start, the Cotuit Fire Department has grown and we’re building a new fire station. After looking back over the history of our fire houses, Chief Brown will update us on the design and construction of our new fire station.

Cotuit Village Green

Meet local heroes at the library! Firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers, teachers, and other community helpers will share how they make our neighborhood a better place. Kids and families can ask questions, see demonstrations, and learn about the important work these everyday heroes do. All ages welcome!

Kirkman Room

Join us for Episode 1 of The American Revolution, directed by Ken Burns. This opening episode traces the origins of the American Revolution back to the global conflict of the Seven Years’ War (known in North America as the French and Indian War). It begins in 1754, when a young George Washington leads Virginia militiamen in an ambush that ignites a worldwide war between European powers. The conflict reshapes North America, and in 1763, the Treaty of Paris grants Britain vast new territories — but at high financial cost. In the war’s aftermath, Britain seeks to consolidate control and recover debt by issuing royal proclamations limiting westward expansion and imposing new taxes on paper, glass, lead, tea, and other goods. What Parliament considers necessary imperial reform, many colonists view as overreach. The episode follows the escalating resistance: the formation of groups such as the Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty; organized boycotts of British goods; and mounting unrest in Boston. Tensions explode in the Boston Massacre, when British soldiers fire into a hostile crowd, killing five men. Protest intensifies with the Boston Tea Party, as colonists dump 46 tons of tea into Boston Harbor. In response, Parliament enacts the Coercive Acts — known in the colonies as the Intolerable Acts — closing Boston Harbor, imposing martial law in Massachusetts, and dissolving the elected assembly. Colonial leaders convene the First Continental Congress to coordinate resistance. The episode culminates in April 1775, when armed conflict begins at Lexington and Concord. After the first shots are fired, British troops retreat under heavy militia fire, and Boston becomes surrounded by thousands of armed Patriots — marking the beginning of open war. The film will be shown on the library’s Vibe Board, generously gifted by the Friends of the Cotuit Library in support of enhanced community programming. This screening is part of Cotuit Library’s 250th Revolution programming, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.

Art Room

Children's Room

Bring your little ones for music and play! Join us on Mondays at 10 a.m. for fun activities at Cotuit Library.

Children's Room

For ages 0-18 Months: Connect with other parents and bond with your child through songs, books, and play. Miss Julie will lead with fingerplays, songs, a few stories, and time to play and connect with other families.

Kirkman Room

Join the cribbage group at Cotuit Library on Mondays for a friendly game from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.!

**PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A VIRTUAL PROGRAM THAT WILL TAKE PLACE VIA ZOOM. Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom Webinar via email. Due to limited space, if you know you cannot make it live do not register with zoom but please fill out THIS FORM to receive the video link.** We are so pleased to be continuing this 9-week series to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence! We're thrilled to welcome Gracia Collins Rich, Independent Scholar, Author and Avid Reader to our virtual stage. She will be discussing the extraordinary efforts of Black Americans whose invaluable contributions during the Revolutionary War helped bring about U.S. Independence. Gracia discusses ALL things history and all things on the origins of the United States, even if it is uncomfortable, because she believes that that is what leads to a better understanding of this Country and why some things are the way they are. We hope you can join us for this fascinating and important conversation! Register directly on Zoom HERE. Due to limited space, if you know you cannot make it live do not register with zoom but please fill out THIS FORM to receive the video link. RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.

Library Front Lawn

Come to the Cotuit Library for a fun, entertaining, and interactive Storytime with the Kettleers! The Kettleer Coach and players will come each Tuesday through July to entertain kids with stories, games, and baseball fun! Weather permitting, we will hold Storytime outside in the park. BYOBlankets for an extra nice spot to stretch out and relax in the shade! Some chairs and blankets will be provided.

Art Room

Bring a book from home that could use a little bling and have fun learning how to decorate the cover using tiny, reflective gemstones. Adult craft. Ages 16 and up recommended.