December 2025 News

Special Events & Adult Programs

Collecting Donations for Our Neighbors in Need

November 13th through December 13th, 2025

The Thanksgiving Food Donation Drive was a HUGE success. We are so grateful for the incredible generosity of our patrons.

We are running another donation drive for our neighbors in need. Donations will be brought to The Family Pantry of Cape Cod and The Veterans Outreach Center.

If you're able, please bring nonperishable food products and/or unopened self care products to Sturgis Library for our neighbors in need!

Item Suggestions:

Baked Beans
Hot Sauce
Canned Fruits
Canned Soups
Cereal
Rice
Peanut Butter
Whole Wheat Pasta
Baby Diapers & Wipes
Baby Food & Formula

Deodorant
Shampoo
Soap
Body Lotion
Toothpaste
Tissues
Menstrual Products

Tales of the Sea with Cynthia Elder

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025 at 5:30pm

Join author Cynthia Elder for a look at her new historical novels, Tales of the Sea, based on unpublished 1800s ship logs, letters, and journals from West Barnstable’s Jenkins and Fish families. Discover the true story of a seafaring family during the final days of the Great Age of Sail and the Civil War.

Elder’s research at Sturgis Library brings local history to life, featuring references to Captain William Sturgis and The Barnstable Patriot.

Copies of The Journey Begins and The Drumbeats of War will be available for sale, signing, and checkout.

To register, visit sturgislibrary.org/events or click here.

Holiday Shell Decoupage Workshop

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 11:00am

Join us for a fun, hands-on shell decoupage workshop where you’ll transform simple shells into beautiful, keepsakes. Using Mod Podge, printed napkins, and shimmering gold paint, you can create unique ring dishes, hanging ornaments, or charming handmade holiday gifts for friends and family.

All materials will be provided. Participants are welcome to bring extra shells or decorative napkins to personalize their projects, though it’s not required.

To register, visit sturgislibrary.org/events or click here.

The Art of Picture Books

Friday, December 12th, 2025 at 12:30pm

Adults are invited to join Children's Librarian Christy Munier for a monthly gathering honoring the brilliance of picture books and picture book art.

This gathering will focus on the artwork of Julia Sarda.

To register, email Christy at youth.adult@sturgislibrary.org

Technology Cafe with Barnstable Council on Aging

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 10:00am

Technology can help create digital equity. We'll cover the basics of using your devices like iPhones, Androids, tablets, and laptops. Feel free to bring your device along, and we'll offer both one-on-one and peer support to help you out!

No registration required. Questions? Email Stacy Cullen at Stacey.Cullen@town.barnstable.ma.us

Fireside is Back!

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5:30pm

The Fireside Novella Club is a reading group that meets monthly by the fire at Sturgis Library to sip tea and discuss literary fiction novellas.

January’s novella is Claire Keegan’s Foster. Copies of the book will be available at the circulation desk beginning December 15th.

To register, email Gabrielle at reference@sturgislibrary.org.

Multigenerational & Kids' Programming

Winter Window Stars

Monday, December 22nd, 2025 at 10:30am

Participants will learn how to create magical, colorful, hanging stars to brighten their windows this winter.

This program is a multigenerational program for adults, young adults, & kids 7+

Registration is required. To register, visit sturgislibrary.org/events or click here.

Button Books

Monday, December 30th, 2025 at 10:30am

Make tiny books using two buttons as book covers! Paper is used to make accordion style pages that can be filled with whatever the creator desires. Gentle illustration guidance will be provided.

This program is a multigenerational program for adults, young adults, & kids 7+

Registration is required. To register, visit sturgislibrary.org/events or click here.

Weekly Storytime

Wednesdays at 10:30am

Kiddos and their grownups are invited to join Children's Librarian Christy to share a story, illustrate a picture, talk with friends, and learn about nature at Sturgis Library's weekly Storytime!

Geared to ages 1-3 but all are welcome to attend.

Registration is not required.

Questions? Email Christy at youth.adult@sturgislibrary.org

Lego Club

Saturday, November 29th, 2025 at 1:00pm

Saturday, December 20th, 2025 at 1:00pm

Master Builders of all ages are invited to swing by Sturgis Library to create a Lego masterpiece!

Lego creations will be put on display for one week in the children’s room for all to admire.

Registration is not required.

Questions? Email Christy at youth.adult@sturgislibrary.org

The Bookish Society of Young Readers

Tuesday, December 16th, 2025 at 5:00pm

Readers ages 10ish-13ish are invited to join The Bookish Society’s monthly book club!

This gathering will focus on The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.

Registration is required. For more information and to register, please email Christy at youth.adult@sturgislibrary.org

Special News

Kanopy: FREE Streaming Service

Patrons with a Sturgis Library card can access Kanopy streaming service for free!

Kanopy is a wonderful streaming service for quality, thoughtful entertainment. Find movies, shows, documentaries, foreign films, classic cinema, independent films, and educational videos that inspire, enrich, and entertain.

Patrons will also have access to Kanopy Kids which offers a well-curated, educational collection of movies and shows for children.

All you need is a Sturgis Library card number and your password/pin.

Click here to get started or visit www.kanopy.com/en/sturgislibraryba

Adopt a Museum Pass

Sturgis Library offers a variety of passes to museums and other attractions around the state. The passes allow you to visit those places for free or discounted admission.

While some of the library passes are provided to us free of charge by the museum, other museum passes cost an average of $300 each per year. We are fortunate to have some generous donors willing to adopt our passes. If you are interested in adopting a museum pass for $300 for the coming year, please contact us at director@sturgislibrary.org or 508-362-6636.

The museum passes that need adoption for 2026 are Heritage Museums and Gardens, Isabella Stewart Gardner, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum.

To see a list of all of the passes Sturgis Library offers, CLICK HERE or visit https://www.sturgislibrary.org/services/museum-passes

Recommended Titles: Beyond the Bestsellers

Adult Fiction

Before I Forget
by Tory Henwood

A funny, heartfelt, late coming-of-age story that examines the role of memory in holding us back—and in moving us forward.

Beasts of the Sea

By Iida Turpeinen translated from the Finnish by David Hackston

A sweeping and intimate tale about a fateful encounter between man and nature spanning three centuries and linked by a long-extinct denizen of the northern oceans.

The Murder at World's End

By Ross Montgomery

Secrets, murder, and mayhem collide as this unlikely sleuthing duo—an under-butler and a foul-mouthed octogenarian—hunt a killer in a manor sealed against the end of the world.