Wednesday, July 28, 2010

"Reverse 911" Community Notification Enrollment for Tisbury Residents

Tisbury residents now have the opportunity to enroll in a community notification "reverse 911" program. Once entered, residents will receive geographically relevant communications in the event of an emergency. Examples include: evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports. Notifications can be received by telephone, email, or text message.

To enroll, visit the Tisbury Town website at www.tisburyma.gov, and click on "Code Red". Be sure to enter Vineyard Haven, rather than Tisbury, as your city.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Lecture and Photo Exhibit with Dr. Mariana Chilton

Witnesses to Hunger is a project featuring photographs by women who are working to create better lives for their children. As part of this work, low-income mothers of infants and toddlers have taken digital photographs of their everyday experiences.

On Tuesday, August 10th at 7pm, project founder Dr. Mariana Chilton will give a lecture at the library. One of the mothers participating in this project will be on hand to share her experiences. At the same time, there will be a photo display in the library.

Dr. Mariana Chilton is the Director of the Philadelphia GROW Project/Witnesses to Hunger,Department of Health Management and Policy, Drexel University School of Public Health.

Library Book Sales Held 3rd Saturday of Each Month

The Friends of the Library hold "mini" book sales at the library, from 1pm-3pm on the third Saturday of each month. The August sale will be held on Saturday, August 21st.

Proceeds from these sales benefit library programs for children, and other library services supported by the Friends. Sales are also planned for Saturday, September 18th, and Saturday, October 16th, from 1pm-3pm.

Katharine Hepburn Month at the Vineyard Haven Library

Often referred to as a National Treasure, Katharine Hepburn holds the record for the most Best Actress Oscar wins with 4, from 12 nominations. During the month of August the library will be showing 4 of her films on Tuesday evenings. All screenings begin at 7pm, with free popcorn and lemonade.

Tuesday August 3rd: Summertime (1955), with Rossano Brazzi
Tuesday, August 17th: African Queen (1951) with Humphrey Bogart
Tuesday, August 24th: Desk Set (1957) with Spencer Tracy
Tuesday, August 31st: Bringing Up Baby (1938) with Cary Grant

Thursday, July 22, 2010

An Evening with Friends: Jules Feiffer appears August 18th

On Wednesday, August 18th at 7pm, the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an evening with Jules Feiffer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip artist and author of the new memoir "Backing Into Forward." A reception and book signing will follow the talk.

Jules Feiffer's Pulitzer Prize-winning comic strip ran for forty-two years in the Village Voice and one hundred other papers. He also penned the Obie Award-winning play Little Murders and the screenplay for Carnal Knowledge.

Copies of the new book will be available for sale during the event.

Ecuadorian Cultural Celebration at the Library July 28th

Francisco de Orellana, the Spanish conquistador, founded Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador (Perla de un pacifico mar) on the 25th of July 1537. Even before the Spanish founded it, it already existed as a native village.

On Wednesday, July 28th beginning at 7pm, the Library will host a celebration of this holiday with the Ecuadorian community of Martha’s Vineyard. We will learn about the culture, traditions and history of Guayaquil, Ecuador; the different cultural manifestations of Guayaquil, the pre-Hispanic life, Spanish conquest, modern life and tourism of this beautiful province. There will be folk music, apparel native to Ecuador and presentation of some of the old fashioned Guayaquilean dances followed by some traditional and delicious snacks.

Alexia Garcia will be presenting this program. She was an intern and is now studying at the Archeology Museum Ecuador Guayaquil Presley Norton. Alexia speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese and will be glad to share the program in all 3 languages.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Register Online for the September 12th 5k Run/Walk and Fun Run

On Sunday, September 12th, the Friends of the Library will host the annual Race for the Library. The 5k Run/Walk starts at the library with runners proceeding to the West Chop lighthouse and back. There will also be a 1/2 Mile Fun Run for Kids (13 & under). There will be prizes for winners in all age groups, and a raffle. 5k starts at 10 am; Fun Run for Kids starts at 9:45 am; Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

To sign up online visit www.needtorace.com. Online registration closes on September 9th.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Art Show and Reception for Haitian Artist Wilfrid Dantis

The Library will present a special exhibition featuring the work of visiting Haitian artist Wilfrid Dantis. His paintings will be on display in the library program room during regular library hours on Friday, July 9th and Saturday, July 10th. The library will host two receptions with the artist from 4pm-7pm on Friday and from 11am-1pm on Saturday.

W.S. Merwin Named Poet Laureate

W.S. Merwin has been chosen to succeed Kay Ryan as the 17th Poet Laureate of the United States. The Poet Laureate is appointed annually by the Librarian of Congress and serves from October to May.

Merwin has received numerous awards for his poetry and translations, including the National Book Award for Poetry in 2005, the Tanning Prize from the Academy of American Poets in 1994, and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1971 and 2009.