Culture

The Provincetown Public Library is both a literal and metaphorical center of the Provincetown community, housing nearly 40,000 items, more than 30 works of art from the Town’s Art Collection, and the Rose Dorothea schooner model.

The Library has fostered countless collaborations and creative cross-pollinations in the community and beyond.

Some of the Library’s cultural offerings of note:

Moby-Dick Marathon Reading

Our Marathon is a beloved annual mainstay that recognizes Herman Melville’s literary achievement and the critical importance of whaling in the history of Provincetown. For three days we set up on the second floor of the library, off the starboard quarter of the schooner Rose Dorothea, to listen as locals and visitors read aloud the complete tale of Captain Ahab and the white whale.

2024 Moby-Dick Marathon is scheduled for:

Friday, April 26: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday, April 27: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Sunday, April 28: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

For anyone interested in being a reader or for questions about the event, please email Amy Raff at ptownmobymarathon@gmail.com.

The Marathon was virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic. Thanks to a remarkable collaboration by the Provincetown Public Library and Provincetown Community Television (PTV), it’s available to delight all ages! With the help of more than 35 dedicated readers a, a shortened version of the Marathon was created using both video and audio recordings. The resulting nine (!!) videos created by PTV can be viewed for free on Vimeo. In 2021 the Library created a different kind of Moby-Dick Marathon with a week full of virtual Moby-inspired programs!

Photo and a Poem

Featuring teamings of local photographers and poets, this curated weekly feature is shared via our E-Newsletter (to subscribe, email araff@clamsnet.org) and on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Provincetown Book Festival

Three days of literary events for readers, writers, and book lovers of all kinds, featuring distinguished authors. All events are free and open to the public.

Check provincetownbookfestival.org for updates on the 2024 Festival.

The 2020 Festival was cancelled due to the pandemic. 2019 marked the fourth annual Provincetown Book Festival.

The Rose Dorothea Awards

Created by Chair Emeritus James Johnson, The Rose Dorothea Award is presented by the Board of Library Trustees of the Provincetown Public Library to a person with a strong connection to the Outer Cape who has made a significant contribution through the written word. The Board of Library Trustees nominates and selects the award recipient.

Previous Awardees

2015 - Michael Cunningham

2016 - Josephine Del Deo

2017 - Sebastian Junger

2018 - Marge Piercy

2019 - Mark Doty

2021 - Karen Finley

2022 - Paul Lisicky

2023 - Frank X. Gaspar

Writers Voice Cafe

The Provincetown Public Library has been home to numerous live reading and performing events for many years. The Writers Voice Cafe, curated by Dian Hamilton, is one of the best known. You can watch some of the Cafe’s videotaped readings on YouTube.