Programs & Events

The parking lot behind the Library is open.

The handicap parking space is available.  The side entrance is open and the book drop on the side of the building on Library Lane and in the back parking lot are both open.

We offer virtual, in-person, hybrid, and outdoor program opportunities for adults. Download our June Adult Programming Calendar & see below for our scheduled programs. Also check out our:

• Poetry Walk 2026: "The Triangle"
• Adult Craft Club and Digital Resource Classes
• EPL Summer Reading Adventure: Unearth a Story
• Children & Young Adult programming

Virtual Speakers Series:
Thank you to the Friends of the EPL for their continued support of our adult programing. Some of our talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders are brought to you in partnership with the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library and the Library Speakers Consortium. You can view these upcoming and past author programs at https://libraryc.org/eldredgelibrary.

Upcoming Adult Programs

See also our full Calendar of Events

Tuesday, June 23 @ 2:00 pm - Simple, Sustainable, and Powerfully Delicious Meals (ONLINE)

Wednesday, June 24 @ 1:00 pm - Cape Cod History: 12 Stories For 12 Generations - Christopher Setterlund 

Chatham History Month continues at EPL with an afternoon of storytelling as we welcome back native Cape Cod writer Christopher Setterlund to share tales from his latest book, In Their Footsteps: The Interesting People, Places, and Events of Cape Cod History. In little more than 400 years, Cape Cod went from a tree-covered spit to a worldwide destination. In between, there have been countless memorable residents and stories. From explorers to true crime. From discoveries to destruction. Entertainment meccas, legendary restaurants, famous faces, and unsung heroes, all are remembered and revisited inside this book, which will be for sale at the event. Christopher Setterlund, the author of nine other books, is a twelfth-generation Cape Codder whose roots go back to the second Mayflower voyage. His 9th-great-grandfather is Deacon John Doane. Registration is required for this in-person event at the Library. Walk-ins subject to availability.

Thursday, June 25 @ 5:00 pm - Marcellus Eldredge: Catalyst for the Chatham We Know 

Join Eldredge Library director Amy Andreasson and Chatham Railroad Museum co-director Gil Sparks to explore the life and legacy of one of Chatham’s most prosperous and benevolent native sons, Marcellus Eldredge (1838-1898), whose local investment and philanthropy not only built the library but also catalysed the town’s transformation during the late 1800’s from fishing village to tourist destination. This program is part of the Library's celebration of Chatham History Month, sponsored by Historic Chatham and featuring a month of special events at historic sites, museums and organizations across town. Registration is required for this in person program at the Library. Walk-ins are subject to availability.

JULY PROGRAMS

Tuesday, July 7 @ 2:00 pm - How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are - Mark Wolynn (ONLINE)

How do the experiences of our ancestors influence our thoughts and behaviors today? In his award-winning book, It Didn’t Start with You, author and therapy expert Mark Wolynn shares compelling evidence that the roots of our anxiety, phobias, and chronic pain may not reside in our immediate life experience or in chemical imbalances in our brains—but in the lives of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. And now, The Official It Didn’t Start with You Workbook is available with practical exercises to take your understanding even further. Registration is required to join this VIRTUAL conversation and learn more about how inherited family trauma impacts your health–and how to break the cycle. 

Friday, July 10 @ 10:30 am - Presidential Doodler Series: Andrew Jackson (ONLINE)

Join our year-long journey with Heather Rogers “America’s Preeminent Presidential Doodler”, as she shares some of her favorite doodles, observations, and tidbits about the first 12 presidents. 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!?!)?  Registration is required for this VIRTUAL program. You can sign up for one session or for all! 

Tuesday, July 14 @ 5:30 pm - Local Author, David J. Farrell, Jr. : Dead in the Water

Join maritime attorney and Chatham resident David Farrell, who delivers the first evidence-driven, insider account of Nathan Carmen who was found floating on a life raft 100 miles south of Martha's Vineyard after a fishing trip with his mother Linda, who disappeared at sea. Drawing on exclusive exhibits and his five interrogations of Carman, Farrell and his team fill in the blanks with oceanography, forensics, and missing documents they hunted down close to home and around the world. A frequent speaker and author on maritime law and public policy issues, Attorney Farrell has written hundreds of non-fiction briefs during his career. Dead in the Water: The Real Story of Nathan Carman is his first non-fiction book. Registration is required for this in-person program at the Library. Walk-ins are subject to availability.

Tuesday, July 14 @ 7:00 pm - Small Towns and Big Secrets - Author Karin Slaughter (ONLINE)

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 which Slaughter welcomes readers back to North Falls. A small town with big secrets… Register now to take part in the VIRTUAL discussion, and for an exclusive sneak peek of The Secrets We Hide, coming out August 11, 2026!

Thursday, July 16 @ 2:00 pm - Migrant Heart: The Hidden Cost of the American Dream - Reyna Grande (ONLINE)

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. 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. Registration is required for this VIRTUAL program.

Monday, July 20 @ 3:00 pm - The Greenhead Chronicles with Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project

Wednesday, July 22 @ 2:00 pm - Diamondback Terrapins - Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

Come learn more about the Diamondback Terrapin, a state-threatened species of turtle and salt marsh specialist. Discover their unique adaptations and the ongoing conservation work supporting this special turtle. Nearly hunted to extinction in the nineteenth century as a culinary delicacy, the Diamondback Terrapin population rebounded after its popularity as a food declined. However, the species is once again threatened throughout its range by increased predation, habitat loss, and the wildlife pet trade. Registration is required for this in-person program at the Library. Walk-ins are subject to availability. This is an adult program, but suitable for all ages.

Monday, July 27 @ 3:00 pm - Author Jenn Bouchard: Palms on the Cape

Join us to welcome author, Jenn Bouchard and celebrate her new novel, Palms on the Cape, releasing July 2nd, 2026! Jenn will give a reading from the book, which explores the life, loves and challenges of Rachel Sinclair, owner of an upscale beach bar, Palms on the Cape, which is packed with vacationers and regulars throughout the busy Cape Cod summer season. Jenn Bouchard is the award-winning author, whose works include First Course, Considering Us, and several short stories. The author will be available for book purchase and signing after the reading.  Registration is required for this in-person program at the Library. Walk-ins are subject to availability.

Monday, July 27 @ 7:00 pm - Celebrating America's 250th: The Escapes of David George - Gregory O'Malley (ONLINE)

We're thrilled to welcome author and historian Gregory E. O'Malley who will be discussing his book, "The Escapes of David George: An Odyssey of Slavery, Freedom, and the American Revolution" which reveals a remarkable, untold experience of the American revolutionary period. Piecing together archival records and David George’s own brief account of his life—the earliest written testimony by a fugitive enslaved person in North America—Greg O’Malley presents a thrilling narrative and a unique perspective on our nation’s origins, principles, and contradictions. Registration is required for this VIRTUAL program. 

Tuesday, July 28 @ 2:00 pm - The Power of Connection - Dr. Marisa Franco (ONLINE)

Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection. Her book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–And Keep–Friends, explores the science of different attachment styles and how they impact our relationships–often in ways we don’t realize! An enlightening psychologist, New York Times bestselling author, and TED speaker, Dr. Marisa G. Franco is known for digesting and communicating science in ways that resonate deeply enough with people to change their lives. Registeration is required  for this VIRTUAL program.

Thursday, July 30 @ 12:00 pm - Safety at Sea - Fishing Partnership Support Services

Adult Craft Club

Adult Craft Club is a great way for adults to try new arts and crafts while easing stress and having a little fun. We will alternate between open crafting, staff-led projects, and art-based programming. The projects focus more on technique and joy than on the outcome, allowing all to tap into their creative freedom. Thanks to the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library and craft donations, there is no fee, and no experience is necessary. 

Upcoming sessions:

• Monday, July 13 @ 11:00 am - Brazilian Embroidery with Esther Begleiter - Registration is required

Monthly registration is required to save your spot and space will be limited.  Your space is not secure unless you receive confirmation. (Please be aware this is an 18+ club. Visit our children's programming page or connect with our Youth Services department for more information on events for children.)

Digital Resource Classes

Ready to download eBooks and Audiobooks? Get Started with Libby

Getting Started with Libby - Learn how to download ebooks and audiobooks from the CLAMS digital library through the Libby app by Overdrive. Join Mike McCartney, EPL Circulation Supervisor, at the Library or online via Zoom, to ask your questions and learn how to download items. (Note: the Libby app is currently compatible with smart phones and tablets. eBooks can be downloaded on another device (phone, iPad, etc.) and transferred to Kindle devices.)

Next class: June 25 @ 11:00 am.  These hybrid sessions are offered in person and online - Registration is required

Canvassing Canva

What's all the hubbub with Canva? Although Canva has many uses across a variety of different specializations and functional areas, its primary use is as a graphic design platform. You can use Canva to edit photos and videos, design custom graphics, and create or modify other image-, text-, and video-based projects. From Presentations and Flyers to Social Media Posts and Birthday Cards, Canva has something for everyone! Join our Circulation Supervisor, Mike McCartney, for a guided tour of this special tool.

Next class:  October 14 @ 11:00 am (@ the Library) - Registration is required

Google Suites

If you have a Gmail address, then you have access to Google Suites. Google Docs, Sheets, and Presentations give you almost all the same functionality as Microsoft Office but for free - and with the ability to share your work or even collaborate.  Join our Circulation Supervisor, Mike McCartney, for a guided tour of this special tool.

Next classes:  September 9 @ 10:30 am (@ the Library) - Registration is required