February 2020
“Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.”
― Mary Oliver
February is for Book Lovers

During the month of February we will be exhibiting our staff members' favorite books of all time. We'll also be displaying images of each staff member. Your job will be to match the favorite books with the correct staff member. Will you succeed?

New mugs are now in stock!
Two new Sturgis Library mugs have just arrived. Both hold a generous 16 ounces, and are dishwasher and microwave safe.
  • The white mug pictured on the left features a block print image of Sturgis Library at the turn of the century, and has a pottery bottom. It sells for $12.
  • The mug on the right features the Sturgis Library seal. It is a warm cream color with grey inside and grey printing. It sells for $8.
  • Mugs are available at the Library during regular library hours.
  • To have either mug shipped, add $6. Email [email protected] with your mailing address, number of mugs, and your email address so we can invoice you securely through PayPal.
  • You can also order your mug(s) by calling us at 508-362-6636 and having your credit card and other information at the ready.
1 to 5 Tree Initiative
This year, we are excited to announce our 1 to 5 Tree Initiative! It's similar to the reading challenges we've done in the past...but with more planting/gardening involved.

The way the initiative works is you get 1 point per each tree or shrub you plant, 1 point for each environmental/gardening/tree-related program you attend, and 1 point for each book you read dealing with the environment, trees, ecology, climate science, gardening, and the like. You can get up to 5 points in each category, but no more. If you score above 11, turn in your filled out form and be entered into a raffle to win a giftcard to our annual plant sale. These forms can be picked up at the library.

Good luck and happy planting!!!
Calling All Artists, Craftspeople, and Collectors
We've got openings in our exhibits spaces in February, March, April, and August through December. We invite artists, photographers, craftspeople, and collectors to exhibit their work or collections.

We've exhibited all genres of artwork, from fine art to children's artwork, illustrations, comic art, avantgarde pieces, needle arts, textiles, photography, mixed media, and more. In addition, we love to exhibit interesting collections. Over the years we've exhibited miniatures, shells, minerals and gemstones, ship's models, peanut butter tins, pottery and porcelain, woodworking tools, teapots, jewelry, antique valentines, sailor's valentines, bird carvings, antique glass fire extinguishers, and many other interesting collections.

Do you have artwork, photography, sculpture, crafts, a collection, or other interesting items to exhibit? Contact Corey Farrenkopf at 508-362-6636 or email him at [email protected]


Artists and others are invited to sell their work; a portion of the proceeds from the sale of exhibited items benefits Sturgis Library. Proceeds are used to enhance library services and programs. 
Brown Bag Book Group Lunch Spectacular
To be held the second Thursday of every month beginning
@ 12:00 pm

Join Assistant Director Corey Farrenkopf from 12 PM to 1 PM on the second Thursday of each month to talk about the books you are currently reading and eat lunch (one that you bring with you). There is no registration required. Just drop in!

The group will be happy to talk about fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir, biographies, short story collections, screenplays, graphic novels, grocery lists, play bills, and basically anything besides tax returns. Let's avoid that. This will be a free flowing conversation about our joint love of books and all things reading related.
Climate Change and the Cape, What Can We Expect?
Tuesday February 11, 2020 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm

In this talk, the first of a two-part series, Gideon Nachman from Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) will lead a discussion about what local impacts from climate change the Cape can expect, with a particular focus on extreme and unpredictable weather. The goal of this program is to create and talk through a working timeline of the effects we are already seeing and then those we will most likely see in the immediate, near-, and long-term futures. Special attention will be paid to Cape-specific infrastructure, as well as the psychological, societal, and personal effects extreme weather and natural disasters can precipitate. There will be extreme weather preparedness materials and information to take home as well.

CREW is a network of local leaders building grassroots climate resilience through inclusive & hands-on education, service, and planning.

Together, we are working to equip families & communities with the resources and capacity to prepare for and respond to local climate changes equitably, sustainably, & collaboratively.

This program is funded by a generous grant from the Sustainable Future Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation!

Free to the public. Registration is appreciated! Email [email protected], call 508-362-6636, or online at https://www.sturgislibrary.org/event2/climate-change-talk-with-crew-1/
The Boatman's Daughter: an Evening with Andy Davidson
Wednesday February 19, 2020 @ 6:00 pm

Andy Davidson’s second novel, The Boatman’s Daughter, has been hailed by Paul Tremblay as a “lush nightmare,” inviting comparisons to Flannery O’Connor, Clive Barker, Neil Gaiman, Cormac McCarthy, Jesmyn Ward, and Daniel Woodrell. However, once upon a time, Davidson’s “captivating horror fable” (Kirkus) was little more than a cheap pot-boiler based in the author’s love of EC Comics and a long-forgotten drive-in horror flick shot in his home state of Arkansas. Join the author as he ferries you through the novel’s origins, answering (honestly) that age-old question writers so love to hate: “Where do you get your ideas?”

Free to the public. Registration is appreciated. Call 508-362-6636, email [email protected] or online at https://www.sturgislibrary.org/event2/an-evening-with-andy-davidson/
Andy Davidson holds an MFA in fiction from the University of Mississippi. His debut novel, In the Valley of the Sun , was nominated for the 2017 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a First Novel, This Is Horror ’s Novel of the Year, and the 2018 Edinburgh International Book Festival’s First Book Award. Born and raised in Arkansas, he now makes his home in Georgia with his wife and a bunch of cats.
Meet the Author: Rev. Dr. Libby Gibson
Saturday February 29th @ 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Join us for a book signing/sale with local author Rev. Dr. Libby Gibson. She will be signing/selling her latest book, Musings for Everyday Living. This event is part of our Saturday Meet the Author series. Free to the public. Stop by to talk books and writing and get your copy personalized!
Climate Change and the Cape, What Can We Do?
In this talk, the second of a two-part series, Gideon Nachman from Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) will lead a discussion on what we, as a community, can do to stem some of the most harmful local effects of climate change. There will be segments focused on personal and communal action, as well as broader discussion of how to take action in the face of a problem that seems insurmountable and undefeatable. The goal of this series will be to arm each attendee with an idea of what resilience—personal, familial, environmental, communal, psychological, or political—will look like to them in the face of climate change. All ages are welcomed and this will be an interactive event.

This program is funded by a generous grant from the Sustainable Future Fund of the Vermont Community Foundation!

Free to the public. Registration is appreciated. Call 508-362-6636, email [email protected] or online at https://www.sturgislibrary.org/event2/climate-change-talk-with-crew-2/
Sturgis Library Seed Swap
Tuesday, March 10th, 2020 from 6 to 8 PM
Tech Help Thursdays
Tech help is available every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30PM.

Bring in your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or eReader for basic help with their operations.

Appointments are made in twenty minute blocks. Email Corey at [email protected] to reserve a space, or call him at 508-362-6636.

This time is meant to answer basic questions about these devices and how to use the Overdrive app to access and download eBooks, audio books, and eMagazines. Unfortunately we cannot assist with more in-depth issues such as virus remediation or account recovery.
Upcoming Exhibits and Displays
Ellen Dornemann will be displaying her photography project, "My Cell Phone Summer", in our Simpkins Room. This will encompass a summer retrospective of nature photographs to brighten up a winter's day. All scenes were shot on the Cape in Barnstable, Yarmouthport, and Eastham.

This month, in our lobby standing display case, we will be showing a selection of wooden-block animal puzzles collected by Dr. Herbert Mathewson for his Hyannis Pediatric Group office from 1972 to 2003.


In our lobby, we will be displaying a selection of the staff's most loved books for Valentines Day!
The Write Thing
Meets from 4:00-5:00 on
February 4, 11, 18, and 25

A low-key atmosphere for young writers of ALL experiences!

Join Sturgis Library’s four session creative writing workshop for anyone ages 14-18 who wants to brush up on and acquire more creative writing skills. All levels and abilities are welcome.

This program is free! But… a simple registration is required. Email Christy Munier at [email protected] or call 508-362-6636.

Valentine Creation Celebration
Saturday, February 8th from 11:00-2:00

Swing by Sturgis Library to make valentines for the special people in your life!

There are special people doing important jobs everyday— our community helpers! While you’re making valentines for family and friends, make a valentine for a community helper, too! Police officers, firefighters, animal rescuers, sanitary workers, library volunteers, and mail carriers do so much for us, let’s show them some love! You create the valentine and Sturgis Library (along with the mail carriers, of course) will take care of the delivery.

You’ll probably work very hard on these valentines for family, friends, and community helpers. You’ll probably work so hard you’ll work up an appetite. Show yourself some love and eat a valentine treat when you’re done creating!
February Vacation
Acrobat Performance
Thursday, February 20th at 1:00
at THE WEST BARNSTABLE FIRE DEPARTMENT

“Traditions of Chinese Acrobatics” is a one-woman acrobatic performance. Li Liu performs hand balancing, plate spinning, artistic cycling, ribbon dancing, Chinese yo-yos and foot juggling. Come down to the West Barnstable Fire Department to see this incredible performance!
Preschool Storytime

Wednesdays at 11:00

Sturgis Library offers Drop-In Preschool Storytime every Wednesday. Enjoy stories, songs, and fun with Christy! There's no need to register -- just drop in!

This program is designed for children ages 2-5 and their parents or caregivers, but siblings are always welcome. 
LEGO Club
NOW EVERY WEDNESDAY from 4:00-5:00 PM

The Sturgis Library LEGO Club now meets EVERY WEDNESDAY! Come enjoy our MASSIVE collection of LEGOs and create a masterpiece or just play with new friends.

Free. Drop-in. Ages 5+
Did you know that Sturgis Library receives only about 40% of its annual operating budget
from the Town of Barnstable? The Library is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization,
and we need to raise nearly 60% of our funds from donations, grants, proceeds from sales and events, and other non-municipal sources. Please help us raise the funds we need to provide
you with exemplary library services. Click the button below to make a donation.
Additional Sturgis Library Information
We will be CLOSED on Monday, February 17th, 2020 for Presidents' Day

Regular Library hours are:
Monday                                     10 AM to 6 PM
Tuesday                               1 PM to 8 PM
Wednesday                               10 AM to 6 PM
Thursday, & Friday                  10 AM to 5 PM
Saturday                               10 AM to 4 PM
Sunday & major holidays    CLOSED

Trustees and Staff FY2020

Greg Williams, President, Board of Trustees
John Littlefield, Vice President

Lucy Loomis, Library Director
Corey Farrenkopf, Assistant Director

For a complete list of staff and Board members, click here.
Do you have questions about the Sturgis Library? Contact us:

Phone & Fax:
Phone: 508-362-6636
Fax: 508-362-5467

Email:    [email protected]