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Experience Osterville

The 2023 Experience Osterville book is at the printers!

Experience Osterville is the sought after guide, now in its 11th year. 

Welcome to the Osterville Village Library.

Your first thought might be, “Wow, what a big library for a small village.” It is. In fact, the library is “big” in a variety of ways. Most important, the Osterville Village Library is big in vision, scope and spirit. This library plays a big role in making a significant contribution to people’s lives. First, permit us to dispel at least two commonly held myths.

Number one, this library doesn’t cost the taxpayers millions due to its size. This is due to the fact three quarters of our annual funding is self-generated. That means we work hard to secure 75 cents of every dollar we spend in order to serve the community.

Number two, someone once said libraries will soon be obsolete. The folks who line up outside our front and back doors at opening time seven days a week apparently are unaware of this supposed fact. The dozens of patrons who use library WiFi, printers, scanners and our computers for public use must have missed that bulletin as well.

The Osterville Village Library hosted over 1000 programs, meetings and events last year, and whereas these events are also streamed for the at – home audience, OVL’s Youtube page boasts thousands of hits. Seems we have dozens, hundreds and thousands of patrons returning to this library in some way, shape or form time and time again. Who knew? We did.

It’s no small measure of work, although it may be a labor of love. Our satisfaction as stewards of what is a nearly 150-year-old institution resides in knowing we have assisted and enriched the lives of individuals, families and allied non-profits who in turn contribute their part to the community at large.

The Osterville Village Library is an extension of the community. Our work, and our purpose aligns with the modern definition of what a library is and does for the people it serves. We’re more than books. Think in terms of blood drives, free tax prep services, shelter from inclement weather during power outages, coats and toys for kids who have none, programs and events designed to foster community inclusion, art exhibits, concerts, parades, cappuccinos and parties.

If that sounds more like a community center than a library, you begin to get the picture. A community center with best sellers, periodicals, computer services, printing capability and a qualified staff to assist you every step of the way. That’s what a library is in 2023.

Thank you for helping us make it all possible.

Cyndy Cotton
Executive Director

PS Print addition will be available mid May, online version now.

Bay Street Bliss


Welcome aboard, dear sea-lovers and sunset seekers! We're setting sail to the heart of Cape Cod – specifically to a special corner of Osterville. Say hello to Bay Street, your destination for maritime merriment like no other. This picturesque…

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Experience Osterville posted a photo
Lots of great dress!
19 hours ago
Mike K liked Experience Osterville's blog post Hit the Road, Osterville walks, waking and bike routes
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Mike K liked Experience Osterville's blog post The Country Store aka Charlies
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Mike K commented on Experience Osterville's blog post The Fox Hole
"The Fox Hole, before it was dug out. "
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Mike K liked Experience Osterville's blog post Launching His Own Legacy
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Mike K liked Experience Osterville's blog post Osterville’s Historic Inns & Lodges
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Mike K liked Experience Osterville's blog post Osterville Historian Paul Chesbro
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Maris A updated their profile
Sep 13
Maris A is now a member of Experience Osterville
Sep 13
Experience Osterville posted a photo
Fall is in the Air at J. McLaughlin stop by the store and see what is new.
Sep 8
Experience Osterville posted a blog post
As the calendar pages turn and we welcome August, it’s a gentle reminder that summer is making its final bow. But worry not! While the season of sunshine and warm breezes may be drawing to a close, Osterville Village remains as vibrant and enticing…
Aug 13
Experience Osterville posted a photo
stop by the Osterville store today.
Aug 9
Stella Abudheir updated their profile
Jul 27
Nippers is now a member of Experience Osterville
Jul 3
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