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Woods Hole Public Library

581 Woods Hole Road
508-548-8961

The Woods Hole Library began as the Woods Hole Social Library in 1875 and was housed in various locations in the village until 1913 when it moved into its new fieldstone building on Woods Hole Road. In 1952 an addition doubled the library’s original size. The Woods Hole Historical Collection Committee was formed in 1974 to establish a museum and archives in the Bradley House adjacent to the Library. The library received a generous bequest from the estate of Thomas G. Ratcliffe in 1981 that established a library endowment. In 1989-90 the Library building was completely renovated and made handicapped accessible. A two level addition to the building provided space for a separate children’s room on the upper level, and on the lower level a small room that houses the Thomas G. Ratcliffe Theatre Collection.


Recent News

Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - January 2024

Social Justice Book Group Wednesday, January 17 7:00 - 8:00 PM The WHPL Social Justice Book Group will meet via Zoom to discuss Clint Smith's How the Word is Passed. This book has been described as "important and timely", as it chronicles the…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - October 2023

Climate Change Discussion Monday, October 2 6:30 PM Join your neighbors for an evening discussion about climate change at the Woods Hole Public Library on Monday, October 2, at 6:30 PM. This will be an interactive session, led by Jim Green, for…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - September 2023

Greek Tragedy Discussion Group Monday, Sept. 18 6:30 PM A new classics-oriented reading group is forming at the Woods Hole Public Library this fall. They will begin by delving into Greek tragedies with the Oresteia. a trilogy of Greek tragedies…

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Woods Hole Public Library News and Events - August 2023

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Woods Hole Public Library Mid-July News and Events 2023

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Woods Hole Public Library News and Events - July 2023

Woods Hole Public Library July News and Events Summer Reading WHPL Camp Read-a-Lot Young readers at the Woods Hole Public Library are heading to summer camp – WHPL Camp Read-A-Lot! Participants will sign up at the Library, keep track of…

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Woods Hole Public Library News and Events - June 2023

Woods Hole Public Library June News and Events Author Talk: Mark Rucker Wednesday, June 7 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Join us for an online conversation with Mike Rucker, Ph. D. on Wednesday, June 7, at 4:00 PM as he discusses his book The Fun Habit:…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - May 2023

May News and Events Plant Sale Saturday, May 13 9:00 AM - Noon (rain or shine!) Our eagerly await Plant Sale is coming up on Saturday, May 13! As usual, all the plants come from members’ gardens and are donated to the sale, which is…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - April 2023

Woods Hole Public Library April News and Events Celebrating Jennifer Gaines Saturday, April 1 1:00 - 5:30 PM Jennifer Gaines is retiring from her position as librarian at the Woods Hole Public Library after a 45 year career on Saturday,…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - March 2023

New Library Catalog Debuted Feb. 27 You may have noticed the library catalog looks a little different! All CLAMS libraries have upgraded to this user-friendly catalog designed to make it easier than ever to find and borrow materials from the…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - February 2023

Poetry Workshop with Jon Hare (And a call for poems!) Saturday, Feb. 4 1:00 PM Join us for a workshop on short poetry forms at the Library on Saturday February 4 at 1 PM, led by year-round resident Jon Hare, who is the author of the haiku…

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Woods Hole Public Library : January Reminders

Memories and Well Wishes for Margaret! If you haven't already done so, it's not too late to write a note of gratitude to Margaret McCormick. After serving as Library Director for 17 years, Margaret is stepping down into a less administrative (and…

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Woods Hole Public Library News and Events - January 2023

Woods Hole Public Library January News and Events Film: The Invisible Extinction Virtual Screening: Saturday, Jan. 14 - Monday, Jan. 16 In-Person Screening, Saturday, Jan. 14 at 2:30pm The Woods Hole Public Library will be holding both a…

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Woods Hole Public Library News and Events - December 2022

Woods Hole Public Library December News and Events Woods Hole Library Pottery Raffle It's that time again! Once again, our extremely generous local Woods Hole potters have supplied us with outstanding pieces that are both functional and beautiful.…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - November 1, 2022

New Schedule Coming Soon! Thank you to our many patrons who took the time to fill out our planning survey! Not only did we find your feedback on our hours and programming extremely helpful, but many of you also took the time to send us heart…

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Woods Hole Public Library News And Events - October 2022

Woods Hole Public Library October News and Events We want to hear from you! Have you filled out our short survey yet? Now that a busy, book-filled summer is behind us, we are looking ahead and want to hear from YOU about how we can serve you…

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Woods Hole Public Library - Community Art Auction

The Woods Hole Public Library Community Art Auction ends soon! Don't miss out on your chance to own a unique piece of artwork and support your favorite Library! The Woods Hole Library’s summer Community Art Exhibit and Auction is almost…

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Woods Hole Public Library News and Events - August 2022

Woods Hole Public Library August News and Events Community Art Project: Sheet Music Artwork on display now until August 15 The Woods Hole Library’s summer Community Art Exhibit and Auction is under way! This year’s medium is sheet…

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Woods Hole Public Library : News and Events - July 2022

Woods Hole Public Library July News and Events Summer Reading Program July 1 - August 12 This year's Summer Reading Program celebrates two of our favorite things: books and pollinators! Readers of all ages are invited to sign up, keep track of…

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Woods Hole Public Library : News and Events - June 2022

Rescheduled! Talk and Tour with Athena Aicher and Chuck Verbeck Friday, July 1 6:15 pm - 8:00 pm Originally scheduled for Friday, June 3, this talk has been moved to Friday, July 1 Join us for an Open House at the Woods Hole Museum’s…

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