Established in 1880, Brooks Free Library was the first free public library in Harwich. Founded by Col. Henry C. Brooks and originally known as the Broadbrooks Free Library, the Library is part of a broader legacy left to the town by the Brooks family. The Library has been owned and operated by the Town of Harwich since 1910 and is governed by a 7-member elected Board of Trustees. The Trustees meet monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 PM and welcome public input. Brooks Free Library is member of CLAMS, the Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing (CLAMS) consortium. Through CLAMS, 1.5 million books, videos and audio materials of the 35 member libraries readily available to Harwich residents and visitors.
Our mission is to promote full and equal access to information and ideas, the love of reading, the joy of learning, and engagement with the arts, sciences, and humanities.