Postcards from Falmouth: West Falmouth Library

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The West Falmouth Library is a resource built by and for its community. From its humble beginning as a club for sharing books and cultural education, it grew into a well-loved non-profit whose programs and fundraisers draw audiences year after year. Check out our oral history interview with Charlie McCaffrey, former president of the Library Board, to learn about the way those outreach efforts are guided by the library’s philosophy.

“When the library was built in 1895, the main building had two rooms of approximate equal size,” he says. “One had the books, and the other was a community room […]. It was built as much as a community center and gathering place as a place for borrowing books.”

Visit the West Falmouth Library with Charlie McCaffrey here.

Explore the postcard collection online here.

Postcards from Falmouth is a local history project of Falmouth Public Library, funded by a LSTA grant and administered by the MBLC.

Book Bike is Back for 2022!

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The Falmouth Public Library Book Bike is hitting the road once again for its 2022 touring season!

All members of the community are invited to stop by. You can sign up for a library card, pick up free books and DVDs, and meet FPL staff. We are looking forward to seeing you and spreading our love of the Library throughout town!

Please note all visits are weather permitting:

Mondays at 10:30-11:00 am find us at:

June 6, July 25, August 22, September 26, Cape Cod Apartments, 62 Locust Street
June 13, August 8, October 3, Mayflower Apartments, Choate Lane
July 11, August 28, Salt Sea Apartments, Salt Sea Lane
July 18, September 12, Rose Morin Apartments, Rose Morin Lane
August 1, September 19, Harborview Apartments, 115 Scranton Ave

Thursdays 12:30-1:30 pm every week:

Falmouth Farmer’s Market, Marine Park.

Thursdays 4:45-5:15 pm:

Surf Drive Beach Storytime with Ms. Deirdre. June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28, August 4, August 11.

Looking for more books? The Friends of the Falmouth Public Library will hold their Annual Summer Book Sale from July 1-July 6, 2022 on the lawn of the Main Library at 300 Main Street. It’s open every day from 10 AM-4 PM, except July 6. July 6 hours are 10 AM – Noon. This is a huge event with thousands of books, most of which will be $2! Don’t miss it!

About the Friends

The Friends of the Library are a group of citizens whose purpose is to support and enhance the programs and services of the Falmouth Public Library in cooperation with the Staff and Library Trustees. They are a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing the projects, programs, and services of the Falmouth Public Library. The Friends are happy to accept monetary donations.

Kanopy: Access Free Films and TV Shows

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

With your Falmouth Public Library card, you can now access over 30,000 films and TV shows, including critically acclaimed movies, inspiring documentaries, award winning foreign films, kids content, and more for free using Kanopy!

With the Kanopy app, you can stream their content on your favorite devices including desktops, iOS and Android phones and tablets, Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV and Fire tablet.

To start streaming today, go to Kanopy, click on “Add Library Card” and follow the prompts to enter in your Falmouth Public Library card information.

To view all Falmouth Public Library online resources, click here.

Below the Edge of Darkness Book Discussion with Allan Adams: A WHOI & FPL Community Read Event!

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Join us on Wednesday, May 25th from 7pm-8pm via Zoom to discuss the 2022 WHOI & FPL Community Read, Below the Edge of Darkness: A Memoir of Exploring Light and Life in the Deep Sea by Dr. Edith Widder, in a group setting! We will have a special guest, Allan Adams, joining us. Allan is an Adjunct Oceanographer at WHOI in the Applies Ocean Physics and Engineering Department.

This event is free to the public and registration is required. Register online by clicking here or by calling the library at 508-457-2555 x7.

Below the Edge of Darkness: A Memoir of Exploring Light and Life in the Deep Sea takes readers deep into our planet’s oceans as Widder pursues her questions about one of the most important and widely used forms of communication in nature. In the process, she reveals hidden worlds and a dazzling menagerie of behaviors and animals, from microbes to leviathans, many never before seen or, like the legendary giant squid, never before filmed in their deep-sea lairs. Alongside Widder, we experience life-and-death equipment malfunctions and witness breakthroughs in technology and understanding, all set against a growing awareness of the deteriorating health of our largest and least understood ecosystem.

Come pick up a copy today at the library! Below the Edge of Darkness is also available for purchase at Eight Cousins and the WHOI Bookstore! The 2022 WHOI & FPL Community Read is part of Dispatches from an Ocean Planet: A Celebration of Film and Literature presented by the Yawkey Foundation and WHOI.

Falmouth Reads Together: June Events

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We’ve got three public events scheduled for Falmouth Reads Together in June – two documentary films and a discussion of the book The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery. Read on for details and registration links.

Documentary film screening of My Octopus Teacher.

Watch as a filmmaker forges an unusual friendship with an octopus living in a South African kelp forest, learning as the animal shares the mysteries of her world. “One of the best nature documentaries I have ever seen. Absolutely beautiful and wonderfully narrated and educational–tremendous with its scientific breakthroughs on these amazing creature’s behavior and intelligence. “

Friday June 10, 2pm.
Location: Hermann Meeting Room.
Duration: one hour; appropriate for most ages. Discussion follows (optional).
Register here.

Book Discussion: The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness, by Sy Montgomery.

You’ve probably read the book by now. If not, get in line for a copy. Then join us to discuss!

Friday June 17, 2pm.
Location: Hermann Meeting Room.
Duration: one hour; appropriate for adults or teens.
Register here.

Documentary film screening of Octopus: Making Contact

Follow an Alaskan professor as he raises and studies a day octopus in his home, making remarkable discoveries about its extraordinary intelligence, personality and skills.

Friday June 24, 2pm.
Location: Hermann Meeting Room.
Duration: one hour; appropriate for most ages. Discussion follows (optional).
Register here.

Postcards from Falmouth: Main Street

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How well do you know Main Street? Join Camille Beale and Nancy Eldridge on an insider tour, and learn about everything you could buy, browse, or admire on Falmouth’s main drag in the middle of the 20^th century. Both longtime residents with ties to Main Street, Camille and Nancy have watched it grow and change from front-row seats. In conversation with Barbara Kanellopoulos, they recall lunches at the five and dime, Western films at the Elizabeth Theater, and the attractions popular stores used to entice customers, from the monkey to the x-ray machine.

Tour our Main Street digital exhibit here.

Explore the postcard collection online here.

Postcards from Falmouth is a local history project of Falmouth Public Library, funded by a LSTA grant and administered by the MBLC.

Pseudoscience & Archaeology

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Pseudoscience & Archaeology

How the Media Blends Fact & Fiction: ‘The Indiana Jones Effect’

Join the Falmouth Public Library on Wednesday, May 18th via Zoom from 7pm-8pm for the online lecture of Pseudoscience & Archaeology: How the Media Blends Fact & Fiction ‘The Indiana Jones Effect’ by Marie Zahn. Registration is required. To register online click here or call us at 508-457-2555 x7.

Marie will discuss how the evolution of science fiction has affected the public view of archaeology. Throughout the history of sci-fi, archaeological plot lines have become more popular in recent times. While this has furthered public interest in archaeology, the science fiction origins of the “ancient alien theory” have tarnished the view of legitimate archaeological studies. From H.P. Lovecraft to Indiana Jones and Doctor Who, the impact of the entertainment industry on archaeological research is examined.

This free, online lecture is sponsored by the Trustees of the Falmouth Public Library.

Celebrating 50 Years of Homebound Services

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In the 50 years since 1972, the Falmouth Public Library has delivered just shy of a quarter of a million library books, movies, audiobooks and magazines to Falmouth residents who were unable to visit the library due to illness, injury or other reasons through our Homebound Library Service.

Without interruption, FPL’s Homebound Service has continued through 8 US presidents, 5 library directors, 5 economic recessions and enormous technological changes. Despite the arrival of ebooks, most library users continue to prefer physical books and to make use of DVDs and CD audiobooks.

The Beginning

In 1972, recently retired Library Director, Hazel Atwood, envisioned a service for shut-ins and created a volunteer home delivery service to provide library books to local residents. Assisted by Laurie McNee, FPL’s now retired North Falmouth Branch Librarian, Mrs. Atwood delivered books in her own white Buick Skylark. Although Mrs. Atwood began winding down her volunteer commitment due to her husband’s illness by 1979, the delivery service was so popular that the Falmouth Public Library created a paid part-time position to continue it. Laura Wool, already a staff member at FPL, became the Library’s first Homebound Librarian.

Today

Laura Wool visits patrons at home or in local facilities every three weeks. According to Laura, many new patrons find out about the Homebound Service through word-of-mouth from family, friends or neighbors. Service can be provided on a short-term basis in case of injury or surgery, or on an ongoing basis if needed. Residents can provide a specific list of titles, or Laura will also assemble a delivery based on specific interests and preferences. Just call the library to begin the process. Laura is available Monday-Fridays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, when she isn’t on the road making deliveries.

Words of Appreciation

The Falmouth Public Library is both proud and grateful for the support of the town in providing this needed and much appreciated service for the past five decades to countless residents. We hope to continue it for many years to come!

Here are some words of appreciation from some residents who have benefited from the service.

” You have no idea how much you have enriched my life. In this time of all the stress and worry in this world you are a ray of sunshine…You have helped me out with a life line to the books that helped keep me on an even keel.”

“One never appreciated the convenience of a handicapped society until one has been there. I am so thrilled to have books delivered to my door as this is my main recreation and I can’t manage a trip to the library.”

“Thank you again for the variety of books which you’ve shared with Mom over the year. Your visits have meant a good deal to us!”

“Your service to shut-ins was invaluable to me and I am sure many others, and then to have it come in the delightful person of Laura Wool is an added bonus as she gives a great lift to the day.”

Our 50th Anniversary Celebration

On May 12th from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, the Falmouth Public Library will be holding an Open House to celebrate their 50 years of service. The public is invited to attend, to reminisce and learn more about FPL’s Homebound Services. Please join us!

Postcards from Falmouth: Falmouth Center

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If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to weather the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944, the late Donald Fish has a story for you. A student of Falmouth history, he recounts boyhood adventures alongside older stories of Falmouth’s modernization and development. He vividly recalls the chaos of the storms of 1938 and 1944: “As it got darker the wind picked up severely […] The water’s coming up, set yachts are foundering along the shore, raising hell.”

His four-part video series also touches on less-explored topics from our postcard collection: the Parthenon power plant, development along Shore Street, ice skating on Shiverick’s Pond, and even the long-gone era of the stagecoach. Follow along with his walk down memory lane, then check out the supplementary materials we’ve collected to complement the videos.

Explore Falmouth with Donald Fish here.

Explore the postcard collection online here.

Postcards from Falmouth is a local history project of Falmouth Public Library, funded by a LSTA grant and administered by the MBLC.

Science and History of Shipwrecks

Posted on by Jessica O'Connor

Check out the video below of Marie Zahn’s talk from Please Tuesday, January 25th from 7pm-8pm as she discussed the Science and History of Shipwrecks: Archaeology and Conservation and answered audience questions!

The journey of an artifact from the past into the present. When it comes to shipwrecks, archaeologists have a potential time capsule of the past. It’s a safe assumption to claim that most shipwrecks happen unintentionally – all of the objects on board, from the parts of the ships themselves to the cargo and personal items of the crew, sink together. What you have is a single slice of history preserved in one place. A small moment in time captured unexpectedly. This discussion into the world of underwater archaeology focusses on the challenges of artifact conservation and the effects of different underwater environments on ships and their artifacts. See how material objects deteriorate and decay over time by looking at shipwrecks from diverse time periods throughout history as well as spanning the globe in terms of construction and final resting places – from ancient Greece to pirate treasure!

Marie Zahn, a Cape Cod native, is the Director of the Brooks Academy Museum and A. Elmer Crowell Decoy Barn Museum for the Harwich Historical Society, as well as serving as the Administrator for the Historical Society of Old Yarmouth. Prior to this, she spent several years working on an early 18th century shipwreck as an archaeologist, conservator, and science education coordinator. When she’s not talking about history, Marie volunteers as a Solar System Ambassador for NASA, acting as a liaison between the space agency and the public, spreading awareness of current and upcoming NASA missions and sharing news about ongoing work in the space sciences and space exploration. Marie’s work in science and archaeology has given her a unique perspective and appreciation for history. She believes that history is a continuous narrative, and that it is of the utmost importance to make connections between the past and where we are today. Marie aims to make science open, inclusive, and accessible to anyone that’s curious about the past, present, and future.