Monday, November 30, 2009

Red Stocking Fund Gift Drive

The Vineyard Haven Public Library is collecting books for The Red Stocking Fund Holiday Book Drive. Please bring your donations of new books only, for ages 0-14 to the Vineyard Haven Public Library through December 9th. If you bring back overdue library materials when you make your donation, the library will forgive your fines on the items you are returning!

The Library is also collecting donated toys. For more information, see the Red Stocking Fund display in the library display case. Since 1938, the Red Stocking fund has been distributing gifts to children from needy families. The Red Stocking Fund is expected to reach 300 children and their families this holiday season.

An Easier Way to Learn a Language

Mango Languages is an online language-learning system teaching actual conversation skills. A library card, computer and Internet access are required to access the system from home.

Learning with Mango is now even easier with a new service called Mango Basic. These abbreviated courses are designed to teach simple, practical and polite conversation skills. Library patrons can choose the basic course or complete course when they login.

Mango is fun and easy to use. Vineyard Haven Public Library patrons have access to six language courses: French, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Brazilian Portuguese, and English for Brazilian Portuguese Speakers.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Library Recognition

We're happy to share that the Vineyard Haven Public Library has been named one of 258 "star" libraries (out of 7,268 rated) in Library Journal's annual rating of U.S. public libraries. The rating is based on four public service indicators—circulation, visits, program attendance, and public Internet use—from 2007 data collected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. There are 13 "star" libraries in Massachusetts, also including the West Tisbury and Oak Bluffs Libraries on Martha's Vineyard.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Remembering Paul Newman

Beginning on Tuesday, November 24th, the library will be hosting a Paul Newman "Film Festival." We will show classic Paul Newman films from all decades of his work. There will be comedies, dramas, and mysteries. The films will feature other stars including his wife, Joanne Woodward, Robert Redford, Katherine Ross, George Kennedy, James Mason and Jackie Gleason.

Our series has been sponsored by the Newman's Own Foundation, who have generously provided popcorn, lemonade and other treats for your enjoyment. The series will continue on Tuesday evenings through December 29th. All screenings begin at 7pm. A complete schedule of films is available at the library.

Events This Week: Cooking Class, Book Sale, and Art Quilts

Just in time for cold weather comfort, Ellen Eisenberg will be sharing her recipe for chicken soup with matzoh balls. Join us on Wednesday, November 18th at 7pm for this free program.

On Saturday, November 21st from 1pm-3pm, the Friends of the Library will be hosting their monthly "mini" book sale. The Friends have recieved lots of new books since the last sale so you can get started on your holiday shopping and support the library children's programs and other work of the Friends.

On Sunday, November 22nd the Friends will present a free program starting at 2pm. Author Nora Nevin and photographer Harvey Beth will talk about the Haiti PeaceQuilts Project and their new book, "Patience to Raise the Sun: Art Quilts from Haiti and their Power to Change Women's Lives". Refreshments will be served following the talk. The "Sunday with Friends" program series will be offered monthly through the winter.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Early Closing November 17th

The Library will close early at 6:30pm on Tuesday, Nov. 17th. All public access computers will be shut down at 6pm.

Tisbury voters are reminded to attend the Special Town Meeting at the Tisbury School auditorium at 7pm that evening. The Warrant is available for preview in the library and on the Tisbury Town Website.

Spend your Sundays With Friends!

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library will be presenting the first of their Sunday afternoon programs for the season on Sunday, November 22nd at 2pm. Author Nora Nevin and photographer Harvey Beth will be speaking about the Haiti PeaceQuilts Project. Nora and Harvey have both contributed to the new book “Patience to Raise the Sun: Art Quilts from Haiti and their Power to Change Women’s Lives.” Learn how a few Vineyarders and their friends are trying to make a difference in the poorest country in the western hemisphere! Light refreshments will be served following the talk.

The PeaceQuilts Project is enabling Haitian women to earn a living through meaningful, creative work -- improving their lives and those of their families. The first model quilt-making cooperative is located in Lilavois, Haiti, just outside the capital of Port-au-Prince. Here, women from the community are producing one-of-a-kind original art quilts informed by Haitian imagery. They earn a daily wage plus a portion of the sale price when their quilts sell. PeaceQuilts, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, is an outgrowth of the Martha's Vineyard Fish Farm for Haiti Project, helping the poor of Haiti since 1998.

The Library will be open from noon to 4pm on Sundays throughout the winter, and the “Sunday with Friends” program series will be offered monthly. The Friends of the Vineyard Haven
Public Library
is a volunteer organization that encourages public understanding of the Library's vital role in the community, supports activities for both adults and children, and provides various other volunteer services.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Programs This Week: Film Screening, and Dr. Sheldon Hackney

On Tuesday, November 3rd at 7pm, the library will be showing a film. This sleeper stars Kathy Bates, Rupert Everett, Dan Ackroyd, Jonathan Price and Lynn Redgrave with cameos by Julie Andrews and Barry Manilow. This delightful mix of comedy, mystery, tragedy, and drama follows Grace Beasley (Kathy Bates) who in the face of her failing marriage, and the death of her favorite pop star, learns the value and limitations of "unconditional love".

On Wednesday, November 4th at 7pm, Dr. Sheldon Hackney will present a talk entitled "The Concept of Freedom and the American National Identity." The library closes at 5:30 that evening but will reopen at 6:30pm so this event can be presented in the main room of the library. Dr. Hackney is the David Boies Professor of History at the University of Pennsylvania, with special interests in the history of the South since the Civil War, the 1960s, and the American identity. He has served as president of both Tulane and the University of Pennsylvania.