April 9-15 is National Library week. On the Cape are so lucky to have a library in almost every village.  The CLAMs network is an AMAZING network that connects all the Cape libraries online.  It is difficult to pick just a few libraries to highlight, because there are so many special spaces, but here are a few of our favorites.

South Dennis Library

The winner for the cutest library on cape definitely goes to the South Dennis Library.  The building (nicknamed , “the little library”) was constructed in 1856 at the height of the American Gothic style and features quintessential gingerbread details from the ornate latticework eaves, to the Gothic pointed windows, and inlay clover trim detail. 

Accounts of the buildings exact origins differ-- some say it was moved from another site on Cape or even possibly the Vineyard before it found its home in South Dennis.   Others say it was built by a resident of the town, or maybe even a gift.  In 1918 it was Jonathan Matthews, a sea captain, who bought the cottage for the town to use as a library. 

South Dennis Library Website:  http://www.southdennislibrary.org/

Jacob Sears Memorial Library

The library was built in 1895 by long time East Dennis resident, Jacob Sears.  It is located in the heart of Dennis village and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.  There are two distinguishing architectural features that make this building especially unique.  The first is the covered entry porch with adjacent polygonal turret.  The wraparound steps leading up to the front door with flanking supporting columns and large brackets makes for a beautiful procession into the space.  The second feature is the 3 floor to ceiling doghouse dormers that articulate the front facade of the building. 

Jacob Sears Memorial Library Website:  http://www.jacobsearslibrary.org/

Eastham Library

Eastham has a new library that opened this past fall and is a modern interpretation of the Cape Cod architectural style. The interior spaces are bright and modern with beautiful views of the pond beyond.  The exterior of the building is clad in the cape’s vernacular trademark:  cedar shingles and clapboard.  A lovely courtyard sits adjacent to the entry corridor and main reading spaces – we look forward to seeing how this space changes though the seasons.   The original one-room library from 1898 sits at the front of the site and is now a quiet reading space.

Eastham Library Website:  www.easthamlibrary.org