Programs & Events

The parking lot behind the Library is currently unavailable. A sign at the entrance to Library Lane will provide daily updates on parking lot availability. 

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
• Friends Learning Series
• 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 9 @ 2:00 pm - Eat Your Ice Cream: A Compassionate and Humorous Roadmap to Wellbeing - Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel (ONLINE)

Join us for an empowering conversation with health expert Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel as he shares his vision for living well and aging with purpose. In Eat Your Ice Cream: Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life, he explores how to embrace health, happiness, and longevity without falling for quick fixes or unrealistic promises. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, MD, PhD, is the Vice Provost for Global Initiatives, the Co-Director of the Healthcare Transformation Institute, and a Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Registration is required for this VIRTUAL program. 

Thursday, June 11 @ 7:00 pm - Apocalyptic Mayhem, Lava-Spitting Llamas, and One Very Sassy Cat: Surviving the Universe's Most Twisted RPG - Matt Dinniman (ONLINE)

Hold onto your heart-patterned boxers! Matt Dinniman, New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular (and just plain wild) Dungeon Crawler Carl series, joins us to chat about his latest book, A Parade of Horribles. As chaos and mass panic spread outside the dungeon in the wake of Faction Wars, Carl and Donut find themselves on the tenth floor, where they’re forced to compete in a surprisingly normal set of tasks. Well, normal for the dungeon. This is a fun-filled discussion you won’t want to miss! Matt Dinniman is a writer and artist from Gig Harbor, Washington. He is the author of the New York Times bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series along with several other books about the end of the world. Registration is required for this VIRTUAL program.

Friday, June 12 @ 10:30 am - Presidential Doodler Series: John Quincy Adams (ONLINE)

This month in our year-long series with Heather Rogers, “America’s Preeminent Presidential Doodler”, we're all about John Quincy Adams: He was a  skinny dipper; one of two presidents with a foreign-born wife; adored the metric system. 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. Registration is required for this VIRTUAL program. You can sign up for one session or for all! 

Monday, June 15 @ 11:00 am - Mosquito 101 with Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project

Join Aubrey Paolino, entomologist with Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project (CCMCP), for a talk about mosquitoes on Cape Cod. Learn about mosquito biology, how CCMCP manages mosquito habitat, and what you can do to protect yourself from mosquito bites and the diseases mosquitoes transmit. Registration is required for this in person program at the Library. Walk-ins  subject to availability.

Tuesday, June 16 @ 11:00 am - Bloomsday Celebration - Daniel Burt

Tuesday, June 16 @ 4:00 pm - Author Eric Jay Dolin at FEPL Annual Meeting

All are invited to the Friends of the Eldredge Public Library annual meeting, with a focus on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.  Following a brief business meeting, acclaimed author Eric Jay Dolin will talk about his book Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution. The heroic story of the founding of the U.S. Navy during the Revolution has been told before, yet missing from most maritime histories of America’s first war is the ragtag fleet of private vessels, from 20-foot whaleboats to 40-cannon men-of-war. Registration is required for this in-person program at the Library.

Thursday, June 18 @ 2:00 pm - Massachusetts Microadventures - Alison O'Leary 

Waterfalls – Museums – Islands –Abandoned Towns – Biking – Wildlife Spotting – AND MORE!! Join Alison O'Leary for a look inside spectacular scenery, hiking trails, and other wonderful opportunities for adventure in Massachusetts. The best part is most of these places are hidden in plain sight: in our museums, state parks, and shared spaces. Get inspiration for all of your summer day trips and adventures in one program! Registration is required for this in person program at the Library. Walk-ins subject to availability.

Thursday, June 18 @ 2:00 pm - Nurturing Future Generations: Stories from the Heart of Grandfatherhood - Ted Page (ONLINE)

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

John 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. 

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, June 8 @ 11:00 am - Decoupage Shells with Heidi Hilty and Debbie Gaines - Registration is required
• 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