Reference Services

The Dennis Public Library has a staff of professional reference librarians, and our reference department offers many services and tools to patrons doing research and homework. If you have a question, we will do our best to help you answer it!

Catalogs and Databases
DPL offers access to a number of catalogs and online databases for your research needs.

CLAMS Library Catalog - Look up library materials available at the Cape Cod libraries.

CLAMS Kids Catalog - A catalog designed just for kids!

Virtual Catalog - The Mass statewide catalog. If you can't find a book in CLAMS, try the Virtual Catalog. You must have a valid CLAMS library card to use this catalog. If you need help, please visit the reference department.

Other Mass Catalogs - Links to a collection of other catalogs in Mass.

Overdrive Downloadable Media Catalog - Download audiobooks, e-books, and digital music.

MANGO Languages - Mango is an online language-learning system that teaches actual conversation skills. Dennis Public Library offers French, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, and Russian, as well as English for Spanish speakers and English for Portuguese speakers. It's fast! It's fun! It's online! Dennis Public Library card needed for access.

CLAMS Reference Databases - The collection of research databases offered by CLAMS. Follow directions for home access.

Encyclopedia Britannica - The complete micro- and macropedias online. Call the library for username and password for home access, or access from the library.

Heritage Quest - Genealogy database. A Dennis Public Library card number is required for home access.

Ancestry - Genealogy database. Access available at the Dennis Public Library.


For Readers
DPL subscribes to print and online resources to help you find a great book to read. Also be sure to check out our Tools For Readers page, which lists both subscription services and FREE online tools.

Booklist Online - A definitive source by the American Library Association. Read, search, and browse thousands of book reviews and hundreds of author profiles and literary articles. You need a Dennis (DPL or any of the four Village Libararies) library card to access from home, or visit your library.

BookLetters - An online reader's advisory guide for people looking for their next good read. Sign-up for newsletters via email, read author bios and interviews, and check out book reviews and lists.

BookPage - A monthly newspaper of book, author, and publishing news. Available in the library while supplies last.


Print Resources
The library has a great collection of print reference resources to help you with your research, homework, and consumer needs. The collection includes encyclopedias on art, literature, music, health, science, and the 2007 Encyclopedia Britannica. If you need print resources for your research paper, please visit the reference desk - we're happy to help!


Special Collections
Dennis Public Library is home to a number of special collections.

Consumer Information
We have a large collection of current consumer news and information including Consumer Reports magazine, the NADA Auto Guides, and a vast array of newsletters, pamphlets, and leaflets on a variety of consumer information subjects.

Cape Cod Collection
A large selection of non-fiction and reference titles about Cape Cod and/or by Cape Cod authors. We also have a smaller collection of Cape Cod fiction titles available.

Cape Cod Genealogy
In addition to the genealogy resources in our Cape Cod Reference collection, the Dennis Public Library is also the home of the Cape Cod Genealogical Society's Genealogy Room. The CCGS holds daily office hours where you can get personal help with your genealogical research.

Cape Cod Salties Collection
The Cape Cod Salties Sportfishing Club has generously donated a number of fishing books, video tapes, and DVDs to the library. The Salties continually add to the collection, so there is always something new to see. If you need to know where the best fishing spots are, or how to tie a fly, stop in and check it out.

Echos Culturels Foreign Language Collection
Echos Culturels is a new organization specializing in acquiring foreign language books and fostering the learning of foreign language. Presently the organization is focusing on French, and this new collection consists of French language fiction and instructional books for children, and beginning, intermediate, and advanced-level adult readers.