Saturday, December 20, 2014

New: Commonwealth eBook Collections!

CLAMS is the first library network in the state to provide our library cardholders with access to the Commonwealth eBook Collections. These services are brought to you by the Massachusetts Library System in partnership with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and your local library, funded in part by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The collection includes eBooks and other media from our partners, BiblioLabs, Proquest EBL, and Baker & Taylor.

Baker & Taylor's Axis 360  provides popular eBooks and audiobooks and full-color children's books. Books may be downloaded to a variety of tablets and other devices (excluding e-ink Kindles).

BiblioBoard Library includes all types digital content: books, articles, documents, audio, images and video.The content comes from traditional publishers, self-published authors and libraries’ own content collections.

Proquest's EBL (eBook Library) includes resources to help with academic research as well as personal interests, from cooking to gardening.

In addition, CLAMS will continue to offer access to our popular Overdrive eBook and Audiobook collection, which offers a wide variety of eBooks and audiobooks in all genres that work with almost any device. Vineyard Haven Library cardholders also have unlimited access to Tumblebooks eBooks for children.

To learn more, visit Vineyard Haven Library's Digital Media page at http://www.vhlibrary.org/econtent.shtml

Friday, December 19, 2014

January Programs for Adults

Sunday, January 4th, 1 pm
Adult Crafts: Handmade Hardcover Books
Jennifer will demonstrate techniques for making a hardcover book from scratch, then participants will make their own book. All materials provided and the program is free for adults and teens ages 12 and up. Adult craft programs are offered monthly on Sunday afternoons, and sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Tuesday, January 6th, 7 pm
Fighting for My Life:  Finding Hope and Serenity on Martha’s Vineyard
Author and Photographer Michael Blanchard has been capturing images of Martha’s Vineyard for the last 3 years.  Mike’s passion for photography paralleled his first steps toward recovery from alcohol addiction as described in his new book “Fighting for My Life:  Finding Hope and Serenity on Martha’s Vineyard”.  In this 1 hour talk Mike suggests the use of photography in programs of recovery ranging from cancer to addiction. His photographs will be on display in our "Art in the Stacks" gallery for the month of January.

Wednesday, January 7th, 7pm
The Long Point Five in Concert
Celebrate the New Year with a concert by Island repertory ensemble the Long Point Five, featuring John Schilling on trumpet, Jim Athearn on trombone, Julie Schilling on clarinet, Bud Larson on flute and Jeri Larson on piano. Refreshments served.

Tuesday, January 13th, 7 pm and Tuesday, January 20th, 7 pm
Making it Through: Bosnian Survivors Telling Stories of Truth
Demaris Wehr, PhD will present a two-part series on the topic of her new book, Making it Through: Bosnian Survivors Telling Stories of Truth. On January 13th Demaris will give a Power Point presentation featuring the narratives of 8 interviewees, illustrating the unique way each one made it through the war. On January 20th, Demaris will focus on the life of  interviewee Vahidin Omanovic, a young, inspiring Muslim priest. Vahidin was fifteen when genocide hit his Bosnian village.

Sunday, January 25th, 2 pm
Sunday with Friends: Travel Talk with Anita Hotchkiss
Travel the world without leaving Martha’s Vineyard. Anita Hotchkiss will share her photographs from her recent trip to Mongolia. The talk is free and refreshments will be served. Presented by the Friends of the Library.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Holiday Schedule Changes

The Vineyard Haven Library will close early at 1pm on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24th, and remain closed on December 25th. There will be no Story Time programs the morning of Tuesday, December 23rd.

The library will also close early at 1pm on New Years Eve, Wednesday, December 31st , and remain closed on January 1st.

The library is now open on Sundays from Noon until 4pm, however we will be closed both Sunday January 18th and Monday January 19th for the Martin Luther King, Jr's Day holiday.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Best Books of 2014: A List of Lists

Some choices for the best of 2014, from the media, associations, and readers:

American Library Association (ALA)
Notable Books For Adults:
http://www.ala.org/rusa/awards/notablebooks/lists/2014
Notable Books For Children:
http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists/ncb

Bookpage
http://bookpage.com/the-book-case?category_id=11544

Boston Globe
http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2014/12/06/the-best-books/OEl8OYXyz5Rcpc4AJHTsOO/story.html

Chicago Tribune Printer's Row Journal
http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/books/ct-prj-best-books-2014-printers-row-picks-20141126-story.html

Christian Science Monitor
Fiction:
http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2014/1201/10-best-fiction-books-of-2014
Nonfiction:
http://www.csmonitor.com/Books/2014/1201/10-best-nonfiction-titles-of-2014/

Goodread's Choice Awards
http://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-books-2014

The Guardian: Writers Pick the Best Books of 2014
http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/nov/29/-sp-writers-pick-best-books-2014

Kirkus Reviews
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/issue/best-of-2014/section/fiction/

Library Journal
http://reviews.libraryjournal.com/2014/11/best-of/top-ten-best-books-2014/

NPR's Guide To 2014’s Great Reads
http://apps.npr.org/best-books-2014/

New York Times Notable Books
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/books/review/100-notable-books-of-2014.html

Publisher's Weekly
http://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2014

Salon.com Best Graphic Novels of 2014
http://www.salon.com/2014/11/30/the_best_graphic_novels_of_2014/

Slate.com Best Books 2014 Staff Recommendations
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/books/2014/11/best_books_2014_slate_staff_recommendations.html

Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-10-best-books-of-2014/2014/11/20/40784e0a-3dc6-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

"Make It Mighty Ugly" Night at VH Library

On Tuesday, November 18th at 7pm, Vineyard Haven Library will host a special evening workshop inspired by the new book “Make it Mighty Ugly : Exercises & Advice for Getting Creative Even When it Ain't Pretty,” by author and blogger Kim Piper Werker. Participants are invited to make the ugliest creature they can as a means to unlock their creativity, get unblocked, or free themselves of expectations. Jennifer Rapuano will lead the program and the book’s author, Kim Piper Werker, will be participating remotely via Skype. The workshop is free and materials are provided.

According to Kim Piper Werker, “the point of the exercise is to do something we usually avoid when we make stuff – by deliberately making something ugly (not cute-ugly, ugly-ugly!), we’re able to confront the creative demons that try so hard to make us feel bad when we try to make stuff under normal circumstances. And it allows us to gain some perspective on our general experience of making stuff. No matter who we are or how we think of ourselves – as artistic or untalented or creative or not at all creative – we all make stuff, whether it’s dinner for our family, blankets for charity, or art to sell through exclusive galleries.”

Kim Piper Werker is a writer and freelance editor who tries to make something--anything--every day. Many of those things are awful; some are not. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she lives in Vancouver, BC. Learn more about her work, teaching schedule, and rag-tag adventures at KimWerker.com. For more on Mighty Ugly, including links to resources and a book-club guide, visit MightyUgly.com.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Winter Craft Series for Adults and Teens Starts November 9th!

For the fourth year, The Library will be hosting a series of crafting classes for adults and teens, offered monthly on Sunday afternoons throughout the winter. The classes are supported by the Friends of the Library and led by our artist in residence Jennifer Langhammer. The classes are free of charge and most supplies are provided.

Past programs have included instruction on making handmade books, marble paper, block prints, jewelry, snow globes, and a host of other projects. Jennifer chooses simple crafts that anyone can do and get beautiful results. Participants do not need to be experienced crafters or artists to come to these classes. The programs offer something for the beginner as well as the expert, and are a great opportunity to get to together with friends and other members of the community and spend a few hours creating something.

This year’s Adult Craft series at the Vineyard Haven Library will begin Sunday November 9th. At 1pm, Jennifer will demonstrate a variety of image transfer techniques, and participants will complete a project. This is a great technique to use to make personalized homemade Christmas presents or cards. Participants are invited to bring in their own images to transfer, as well as any surface they would like to transfer images onto including cloth, wood, glass, paper, and stone.

Upcoming Adult Craft programs at Vineyard Haven Public Library are listed in the newspaper’s Calendar section, and on the library’s website, www.vhlibrary.org. To receive email invitations for future programs, send an email to Jennifer at jrapuano@clamsnet.org, with “Craft” in the subject line.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Sunday with Friends: Peter H. Luce Play Readers Perform "Seven"

On Sunday, November 16th at 2pm at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, the Peter H. Luce Play Readers will perform the documentary play "Seven" as a staged reading. A collaboration of 7 award-winning women playwrights, "Seven" is based on personal interviews with women who have triumphed over huge obstacles to create major changes in human rights in their home countries. The play is performed with the permission of the Dramatists Play Service, Inc., and this performance is sponsored by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The performance is free, and refreshments will be served.

Playwrights Paula Cizmar, Catherine Filloux, Gail Kriegel, Carol K. Mack, Ruth Margraff, Anna Deavere Smith and Susan Yankowitz interviewed woman from 7 different countries. The common thread is the serious injustices done to women in these countries and how--slowly but steadily--strong individual women are beginning to speak out and be heard; changing laws, rescuing women in distress and bringing the attention of the world of the plight of disadvantaged and abused women.

The first productions of "Seven" were launched during International Women's Week in 2008, with performances in New York City, Washington D.C. and Deauville, France. Since then the play has been performed almost continuously in cultural festivals throughout the United States and all over the world, often with the encouragement and sponsorship of the U.N. and many other international institutions.

Leslie J. Stark has adapted and staged the play for the Luce Play Readers and will also direct. The cast includes Connie McCreery as Inez McCormack of Northern Ireland, Charlena Seymour (as Anabella De Leon of Guatemala, Nora Nevin as Farida Azizi of Afghanistan, Rise Terney as Marina Pisklakova of Russia, Sofia Anthony as Mu Sochua of Cambodia, Ellie Beth as Hafsat Abiola of Nigeria, and Elaine Bart as Mukhtar Mai of Pakistan. Each of the performers will also read the speeches of several minor characters. The play will be performed without intermission and should run just over one hour. It will be introduced by Linda Vadasz, who originally brought this play to the attention of the Play Readers.

For more than 15 years, the Peter H Luce Play Readers have met every Wednesday of the year at the Vineyard Haven Senior Center from 9AM to Noon to read plays of every era and of every genre, from the Greek and Roman classics to the cutting-edge works of contemporary playwrights... and everything in between: Shakespeare, Shaw, Checkov, Moliere, Miller, Ibsen Albee, O'Neil, Pinter and Neil Simon. The group is named for its founder, Peter Luce, who died in 2007.

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library encourage public understanding of the Library's vital role in the community, support activities for both adults and children, and provide various other volunteer services. Their mission is to support the Library, to build a partnership between the Library and the community and to advocate for exemplary library service. All volunteers and those who are interested in knowing more about the Friends meet at 10:00am on the fourth Saturday of every month (except December) at the library.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Additional Opportunity to Participate in Tisbury Vision Planning

Tisbury is hosting a second town-wide visioning workshop. Participants will review the findings from the first workshop, discuss a draft vision statement and explore strategies to achieve our vision.


Residents and businesses are all encouraged to participate in one of the upcoming workshops to help draft a vision plan to guide future town decision-making.  For more information, visit the town’s website, www.tisburyma.gov


There are two opportunities to participate in this workshop:


Wednesday, November 5, 2014 from 7-9PM
Tisbury Senior Center, 34 Pine Tree Road

Friday, November 7 from 10:00AM-Noon
Gen. George W. Goethals Post 257 (American Legion Hall), 34 William Street


If you know which session you plan attend, an email RSVP to visionplan@tisburyma.gov would be greatly appreciated.

Friday, October 10, 2014

Art in the Stacks: Harry Seymour

"The Hug" by Harry Seymour
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by Harry Seymour, on display on the library’s Art Wall on the lower level throughout the month of October. "Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year.

Harry Seymour grew up in Ecorse, Michigan, a small suburb southwest of Detroit, and now divides his residency between western Massachusetts and Martha’s Vineyard. In his artwork, including pastel, scratchboard and egg tempera paintings, he draws upon the beauty of Martha's Vineyard and his African American cultural experiences for inspiration. His work has been shown in Martha’s Vineyard galleries such as the Dragonfly, L’Elegance Art Gallery and Carol Craven Gallery. He recently joined a select group of artists included in the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital Permanent Art Collection.

For more information, visit the artist's website here: http://hseymour.artspan.com/

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Sunday Hours and Programs Resume on October 19th!

Sunday, October 19th, will be the first Sunday of the season that the library will be open. The library will be open from noon-4pm throughout the winter, except for a few holiday weekends.

As in past years, the Friends of the Library will be presenting a variety of special programs on Sunday afternoons at 2pm, including a play reading and free craft programs with Jennifer for adults and teens.

The Library will be open special evening hours for Halloween on Friday, October 31st. We will stay open until 8pm that evening so your family can take a break from trick-or-treating and enjoy cider and candy provided by the Friends of the Library.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Opportunity to Participate in Tisbury Vision Planning

Help the Town of Tisbury plan for the future by attending a community workshop at the Vineyard Haven Public Library!

The workshop will be held Friday, October 3rd from 10am to noon. Refreshments will be provided. All are welcome, including anyone who lives, works, or owns a business in Tisbury. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to visionplan@tisburyma.gov (RSVP is appreciated but not required).

For more information, visit the Town of Tisbury Vision Planning website at http://www.tisburyma.gov/Pages/TisburyMA_VisionPlanning/index

If you are not able to attend the workshop at the library, additional workshops are being offered. Dates and locations:
  • 7-9pm Tuesday September 30th at Tisbury Senior Center
  • 10am-noon Saturday October 4th at Tisbury Emergency Services Building

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Island-Wide Flu Clinic and Flu Information

An all-island seasonal flu immunization clinic will be held on Saturday, October 4th from 9am to noon at the Martha's Vineyard High School. Vehicles must register at one of two prescreening/staging areas, at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs and at the West Tisbury School, prior to going to the High School to get vaccinated.

The clinic is open to anyone including children over six months old. Forms and additional information are available at the library or may be downloaded here. Contact your local Board of Health if you have any questions or seek further information about the clinic.

Do you have questions about the flu? Flu.gov provides one-stop access to U.S. Government information on H1N1, avian and pandemic flu. Other recommended resources are provided below.

Staying Healthy

The two most basic practices a person can do to help prevent catching and spreading germs and viruses are hand washing and covering your cough.

Hand Washing: People in the United States are being advised to be very diligent about hand washing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information on their web site about when and how you should wash your hands.

Covering Your Cough : Another important way to prevent the spread of diseases is to properly cover your cough. The CDC provides information on covering your cough.

Other Healthy Practices: There are several other steps the CDC recommends as ways to prevent the spread of flu and other diseases:

  • Avoid close contact with those who are sick or when you are sick
  • Stay home when you are sick. Keep your children home if they are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Practice other health habits of getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, drinking plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
Additional Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): information on the Seasonal Flu and Novovirus.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH): Flu Website includes information in English and Spanish.

Medline Plus: Flu information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Monday, September 15, 2014

Complete 5k Results!

                  Vineyard Haven Library 5K - 9/14/2014 
                            Tisbury, MA        

Mixed 5000 Meter Run
      Comp#  Name                      Team                    Time
====================================================================
 1   418  Steenkamp, Reaan        M47  Vineyard Haven, MA   19:35.00
 2   324  Fargo, Lance            M48  Oceanview, DE        20:22.00
 3   326  Graves, Joel            M34  Edg, MA              20:51.00
 4   428  Spencer, Hayley         W33  Oak Bluffs, MA       23:23.00
 5   450  Reske, Trish            W53  Westboro, MA         23:37.00
 6   446  Ricciardi, Walter       M60  Aquinnah, MA         23:50.00
 7   309  Norton, Jonathon        M10  Tisbury, MA          23:55.00
 8   439  Story, Nate              M8  Vineyard Haven, MA   23:57.00
 9   328  Cherry, Catherine       W13  Edg, MA              24:02.00
10   445  Thorton, Edward         M45  W Barnstable, MA     24:09.00
11   459  Greene, Alice           W19  W Tisbury, MA        24:15.00
12   441  Brown, Katie            W39  Vineyard Haven, MA   24:27.00
13   314  Best, Douglas           M58  Vineyard Haven, MA   24:57.00
14   438  Ferron, Christine       W43  Vineyard Haven, MA   25:07.00
15   330  Donnelly, Kevin         M64  Mansfield, MA        25:15.00
16   431  Lobdell, Karen          W61  Vineyard Haven, MA   25:49.00
17   429  Hopkins, Mike           M43  Virginia Beach, VA   25:55.00
18   329  Nolan, Diane            W49  Vineyard Haven, MA   26:03.00
19   404  Nasser, Frank           M61  Oak Bluffs, MA       26:08.00
20   313  Wendt, Irene            W18  Oak Bluffs, MA       26:12.00
21   463  Caresto, Michael        M47  Suffield, CT         26:16.00
22   462  Coogan, Nell            W35  OB, MA               26:21.00
23   444  Keane, Marion           W55  Norfolk, MA          26:24.00
24   451  Reske, David            M52  Westboro, MA         26:47.00
25   452  Kopoyan, Robin          W48  Quincy, MA           27:20.00
26   321  Connolly-Cochrane, Jean W66  Tarpon Spring, FL    28:03.00
27   417  Davey, Jason            M13  Vineyard Haven, MA   28:18.00
28   433  Kisiel, Harrison        M25  Vineyard Haven, MA   28:25.00
29   407  Parker, Matthew         M27  Vineyard Haven, MA   29:33.00
30   403  Taylor, Jane            W33  Vineyard Haven, MA   29:41.00
31   456  Reske, Caleb            M12  Westborough, MA      29:42.00
32   457  Reske, Jacob            M23  Westborough, MA      30:07.00
33   327  Kirk, Kimberly          W47  Edg, MA              30:38.00
34   316  Battles, Martha         W61  New York, NY         33:02.00
35   419  Fairbanks, Susan        W69  Vineyard Haven, MA   33:38.00
36   432  Bergeron, Mary          W32  Edg, MA              33:39.00
37   414  Clough, Marston         M71  Vineyard Haven, MA   33:40.00
38   420  Ray, Matthew            M47  Vineyard Haven, MA   33:47.00
39   453  Dever-Kelly, Patricia   W48  Quincy, MA           34:33.00
40   319  Munn, Linus              M9  Vineyard Haven, MA   34:56.00
41   317  Munn, Dana              M45  Vineyard Haven, MA   35:04.00
42   315  Moore, Faith            W66  Cambridge, MA        35:09.00
43   318  Munn, Natalie           W44  Vineyard Haven, MA   36:06.00
44   408  Parker, Amanda          W27  Vineyard Haven, MA   37:05.00
45   415  Clough, Louise          W66  Vineyard Haven, MA   37:47.00
46   464  Kirk, Lucinda           W43  Vineyard Haven, MA   37:51.00
47   401  Schneider, Audrey       W72  Vineyard Haven, MA   38:03.00
48   331  Silva, Claudia          W50  Smithfield, MA       38:22.00
49   443  Krauthamer, David       M13  Oak Bluffs, MA       39:01.00
50   310  Norton, Dougie          M14  Vineyard Haven, MA   39:02.00
51   442  Krauthamer, Natalie     W39  Oak Bluffs, MA       39:30.00
52   402  Magiera, Debrah         W49  Greenville, RI       39:53.00
53   423  Jims, Ian                M6  Vineyard Haven, MA   40:00.36
54   447  Ray, Earle              M70  Vineyard Haven, MA   40:00.90
55   421  Ray, Charlotte           W9  Vineyard Haven, MA   40:02.00
56   422  Jims, Elizabeth         W35  Vineyard Haven, MA   40:19.00
57   311  Schroder, Olivia        W12  Oak Bluffs, MA       44:08.00
58   312  Wendt, Veronica         W12  Oak Bluffs, MA       44:17.00
59   434  Kari, Caitlin           W25  Vineyard Haven, MA   44:39.00
60   322  Robertson, Ruth         W69  Holiday, FL          44:41.00
61   325  Peterson, Cynthia       W81  Middle Haddam, CT    46:30.00
62   425  Robinson, Sharon        W72  Oak Bluffs, MA       47:22.00
63   427  Robinson, Nicholas      M35  Oak Bluffs, MA       49:04.00
64   426  Robinson, David         M71  Oak Bluffs, MA       49:05.00
65   411  Street, Pamela          W67  Vineyard Haven, MA   49:50.00
66   320  Israel-Connolly, Anne   W66  Vineyard Haven, MA   52:29.00
67   323  Connolly, Mary          W59  Mansfield, MA        52:30.00

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Art in the Stacks: Birds of New England and Florida, by Dick Biros

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Richard "Dick" Biros, on display during regular library hours, from September 4th through October 4th, 2014.

Dick Biros moved to Martha's Vineyard in 1998, with his wife, Martha. Dick is an Army veteran and Fulbright Exchange teacher, who has had a 40 year career in education as a Biology teacher, Vice Principal, and Summer School Director.

Dick has pursued photography as his avocation for nearly 60 years. His favorite subject is nature, especially the birds of New England and Florida. Dick has shown his work in Florida, where he has been awarded Blue Ribbon and Honorable Mention awards.

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Evening Lecture Series: September Events

All programs at the Vineyard Haven Public Library are free and open to the public. Please join us!

Tuesday September 2nd, 7pm
Documentary Film: Under our Skin
A gripping tale of microbes, medicine & money, Under Our Skin exposes the hidden story of Lyme disease, one of the most controversial and fastest growing epidemics of our time. Slate Magazine called it “Head-spinning…riveting…a rigorously researched and highly thorough piece of investigative reporting.” Film screening will be followed by discussion with Dr. Enid Haller, Executive Director of the Lyme Center of Martha’s Vineyard.

Tuesday September 9th, 7pm
Get BUZZD, and A Taste of Honey
Set in the scenic natural beauty of Martha's Vineyard, "BUZZD: The Bee Kill Conspiracy" tells the story of corporate greed, mercenary killing and a new agricultural chemical that endangers the island ecosystem. On September 9th at 7pm, hear from Author Michael G. West, and sample honey provided by Monica Miller (who may or may not be the character Maya in the book).

Wednesday September 17th, 7pm
Tolstoy's Modern Epic: War and Peace
Philip Weinstein, the Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor of Literature at Swarthmore College, will present the first session of a six-part workshop on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. Professor Weinstein will be using the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation of the book. A limited number of copies are on reserve at the library, or may be requested through CLAMS. To prepare for the first class, please read Volume One, Parts One and Two.

Tuesday September 23rd, 7pm
Painting a life : Ray Ellis
Author Cynthia (CK) Wolfson will share stories and images from her new biography of the American artist Ray Ellis, "Painting a Life." CK writes an enthusiastic account of his artistic life. Ellis' paintings are interwoven with the text and document his evolution as an artist. Ellis himself wrote captions that accompany the paintings as give insight into his process as a painter.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Annual 5k Run/Walk & FREE Kid's Fun Run on September 14th!

On Sunday, September 14th, the Friends of the Library will host the annual Run for the Library. The USATF-Sanctioned 5k Run/Walk starts at the library with runners proceeding to the West Chop lighthouse and back. There will also be a FREE 1/2 Mile Fun Run for Kids (13 & under).

There will be prizes for winners in all age groups, and a raffle. 5k registration includes a t-shirt. 5k starts at 10 am; Fun Run for Kids starts at 9:45 am; Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Save $5 by registering in advance. Registration forms are available at the library or downloaded from our website, www.vhlibrary.org.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Register for "Tolstoy's Modern Epic: War and Peace"

REGISTRATION FOR THIS WORKSHOP IS NOW CLOSED

Beginning in September, Philip Weinstein, the Alexander Griswold Cummins Professor of Literature at Swarthmore College, will present a six-part workshop on Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace. The series will be held on Wednesday evenings beginning at 7pm at the Katharine Cornell Theatre at 54 Spring Street in Vineyard Haven. Class dates are September 17th, October 1st, 15th, & 29th, November 12th, & December 3rd.

"Not a novel," Tolstoy said about his epic novel, yet War and Peace is a supreme example of 19th-century Western fiction. Realistic, recognizable, filled with intricate and sympathetic characters, this novel does what great novels do: it informs and it entertains. It also does more: it seeks not just to rewrite history but to articulate the philosophy of history, intermingling the real and the invented in ways that baffled Tolstoy's critics. Reading 200 pages per session (every two weeks, for three months), we shall take the time necessary to do justice to Tolstoy's masterpiece.

In order to prepare enough materials the library requests that patrons register in advance, online or at the library main desk.

To prepare for the first class, it is recommended that participants read Volume One, Parts One and Two. Professor Weinstein will be using the Pevear/Volokhonsky translation of the book. A limited number of copies are on reserve at the library, or may be requested through CLAMS:

Request hardcover edition

Request paperback edition

Saturday, August 2, 2014

Visit the Whalemobile! Program Aug. 6th from 4pm to 5pm, at the Tisbury School!

Wednesday, August 6 at 4 pm!

Cynde McInnis, owner of The Whalemobile, will be bringing her life-sized (43 ft.) inflatable whale, Nile, to Tisbury, as part of the Vineyard Haven Public Library’s summer reading program. Because the whale is too big to fit in the Library, the program will be held at the Tisbury School Gym.

The presentation begins with a slide show introducing the toothed whales and baleen whales that are found off the coast of Massachusetts in the Gulf of Maine. Sounds of each species and videos of humpbacks are included. 

After the presentation, children will meet Nile, a 27-year old humpback whale whom McInnis has seen almost every summer since 1994. They can go inside of the inflatable whale and see ways in which whales are similar to humans. Artifacts such as baleen, teeth and bones are available for children to see and feel.  

2014 is McInnis’ 21st season with Cape Ann Whale Watch out of Gloucester, MA as Lead Naturalist and Education Director. She has studied whales in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. She brings her passion for whales as well as her vast knowledge of these animals into schools to help shape future generations of ocean advocates. 

The Whalemobile aims to captivate kids and help them connect with the oceans, both emotionally and intellectually. Children will come away with knowledge of and a fascination for whales that will be a spark that inspires them to care about the oceans and the environment around us. 

This free program is supported by a grant from the Anderson Foundation to the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public library.

Friday, August 1, 2014

Art in the Stacks: MV Art Association 60th Anniversary Exhibit

"Illumination Night" Watercolor by Gilberta Goodwin
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of artwork on loan from the Martha’s Vineyard Art Association's Old Sculpin Gallery, on display on the library’s Art Wall on the lower level from August 2nd through September 3rd, 2014.

Over the years the Old Sculpin Gallery has assembled a Permanent Collection of over 100  paintings by many of the Island’s most accomplished artists. The 2014 season marks the association’s 60th anniversary and in celebration of this special occasion, The MVAA’s Old Sculpin Gallery has assembled a Traveling Exhibit that will be visiting many areas of the Island.

The MVAA’s 60th Anniversary Traveling Exhibit includes works from the following Vineyard Artists: William Abbe, Mary Drake Coles, Gilberta Goodwin, Joseph Hazen, Patricia Reeve Mead, Ruth Appledoorn Mead, and Vaclav Vytlacil. The exhibit will move to the Oak Bluffs Library in September, and the West Tisbury Library in October.

"Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year. To learn more about the Friends or to become a member, stop by the Library or visit www.vhlibrary.org/libraryfriends.shtml.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Town "Vision Planning" Survey at the Library

The Tisbury Planning Board is preparing to conduct a community-wide "vision planning" process to help prepare the town to manage its future. To begin the process, community members are invited complete a brief survey, now available at the Vineyard Haven Library.

Vision planning is a process by which a community envisions the future it wants and plans how to achieve it. Through a series of facilitated community workshops, participants will discover common values upon which to base a vision plan and guide future actions. The plan will establish manageable community goals and an action plan to accomplish the vision.

Why now: the town will face a number of important issues in the coming years. A Vision Plan created with broad community participation will establish a framework to guide town decisions and enable us to take advantage of future development and funding opportunities.

Participation: Your voice is important. Residents, property owners and businesses are encouraged to participate in the planning workshops.

Schedule: Workshops will begin in late summer and run through the fall. Surveys will be available at the Vineyard Haven Public Library through the month of August.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Evening Lecture Series: August Events

All programs at the Vineyard Haven Public Library are free and open to the public. Please join us!


Tuesday August 5, 7pm
Evelyn Barish: The Double Life of Paul de Man
Author Evelyn Barish will discuss her landmark biography that reveals the secret past of one of the most influential academics of the twentieth century, who was later revealed to be a Nazi collaborator and anti-Semite.


Wednesday August 13, 7pm
Josh Ruxin: A thousand hills to heaven : love, hope, and a restaurant in Rwanda
In his new book, Columbia professor Josh Ruxin tells the tale of picking up and moving to deepest Rwanda, where he helped revitalize a village and fell in love with a little restaurant called Heaven. Join us to hear Josh's story of living in Rwanda, building a village from the ashes, then constructing a restaurant from scratch—and, during it all, beginning his own family.


Tuesday August 19, 7pm
Marsha Winsryg: African Artists Community Development Project
For the past 10 years, the African Artists Community Development Project (AACDP) has been helping the Mama Bakhita Center for disabled children. Periodically they visit the teachers, parents, Franciscan Sisters and children who live and work at the Center. This presentation is a report of their latest visit accompanied by Rick Bausman (drumming) and Jane Norton (yoga) and Cynthia Bloomquist, and a quick overview of the AACDP’s evolving projects in Zambia. Presented by Marsha Winsryg, founder.


Tuesday August 26, 7pm
Michael Tougias: Rescue of the Bounty
Why would a seasoned skipper sail an aging ship near the path of an approaching monster hurricane? Co-authors Michael Tougias and Douglas Campbell examine Captain Robin Walbridge's mystique through those who knew him. The result is this harrowing tale of shipwreck in Superstorm Sandy, including a breathtaking rescue by US Coast Guard pilots far from land in the midst of a storm. Michael will present the story of his book, Rescue of the Bounty through slides and his own narrative.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Ladybug Girl Visits Island Libraries

Ladybug Girl, the picture book character created by David Soman and Jacky Davis, will be visiting all the Island libraries in the weeks ahead, in a series of programs organized by the Martha's Vineyard Library Association. For details, please call your local library.

Ladybug Girl (a full-sized costume with a hardy volunteer inside) will be enlivening library story hours on the following schedule:

Saturday, July 26th, 1pm
Aquinnah Public Library

Monday, July 28th, 11am
Chilmark Library (At the Chilmark Community Center)

Tuesday, July 29th 10am and 11am
Vineyard Haven Public Library

Wednesday, July 30th 10:30am
Oak Bluffs Public Library

Thursday, July 31st 10:30am
West Tisbury Public Library

Friday, August 1st 12pm
Edgartown Public Library

Friday, July 11, 2014

Art in the Stacks: Art Quilts from Haiti

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of art quilts from Haiti, on display on the library’s Art Wall on the lower level throughout the month of July. "Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year.

This month's exhibit has been put together by PeaceQuilts, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, economic development organization relieving poverty in Haiti by establishing and supporting independent, member-owned, women's sewing cooperatives in Haiti. Currently PeaceQuilts works with approximately 100 women organized into cooperatives in Lilavois, Damassin, Saut-D'eau, and Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince. PeaceQuilts provides training, materials, supplies, marketing assistance, and educational opportunities.

Local author Nora Nevin and photographer Harvey Beth have contributed to a recent book about the project, “Patience to Raise the Sun: Art Quilts from Haiti and their Power to Change Women’s Lives.” The book is available for checkout from the Vineyard Haven library and other CLAMS libraries.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Would a Whale Fit in the Library?

Cynde McInnis, owner of The Whalemobile, will be bringing her life-sized (43 ft.) inflatable whale, Nile, to Tisbury on August 6 at 4 pm, as part of the Vineyard Haven Public Library’s summer reading program. Because the whale is too big to fit in the Library, the program will be held at the Tisbury School Gym.

The presentation begins with a slide show introducing students to the toothed whales and baleen whales that are found off the coast of Massachusetts in the Gulf of Maine. Sounds of each species and videos of humpbacks are included. After the assembly, students will meet Nile, a 27-year old humpback whale whom McInnis has seen almost every summer since 1994. They can go inside of the inflatable whale and see ways in which whales are similar to humans. Students will learn about Nile’s migratory path, how many calves she’s had, as well as how researchers learned this information. Artifacts such as baleen, teeth and bones are available for children to see and feel. At the end of the presentation, students will learn about what they can do to keep the oceans safe for all the animals.

2014 is McInnis’ 21st season with Cape Ann Whale Watch out of Gloucester, MA as Lead Naturalist and Education Director. She has studied whales in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. She brings her passion for whales as well as her vast knowledge of these animals into schools to help shape future generations of ocean advocates.

The Whalemobile aims to captivate students and help them connect with the oceans, both emotionally and intellectually. Children will come away with knowledge of and a fascination for whales that will be a spark that inspires them to care about the oceans and the environment around us.

This free program is supported by a grant from the Anderson Foundation to the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public library.

Free Concert with the Long Point Five

On Wednesday July 23rd at 7pm, the Long Point Five will perform a free concert at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The Long Point Five is an Island repertory ensemble composed of John Schilling on trumpet, Jim Athearn on trombone, Julie Schilling on clarinet, Bud Larson on flute and Jeri Larson on piano. Their repertoire is diverse and spans genres from early Dixieland jazz and American standards to classical and contemporary works; all arrangements are written by Bud Larson. Please join us!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Evening Lecture Series: July Events

All programs at the Vineyard Haven Public Library are free and open to the public. Please join us!

Tuesday, July 1st, 7 pm
Greg Balco: Antarctica and the Antarctic Ice Sheet
News reports in the past few months have highlighted the fact that parts of the Antarctic ice sheets are shrinking rapidly and likely to continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Greg Balco, a scientist at the Berkeley Geochronology Center, studies Antarctic ice sheet change. He will give a talk that aims to put these reports in some context by discussing what ice sheets are and how they work; what exactly is in Antarctica, what it looks like, and what it means that it's "collapsing;" and what is involved in actually getting to and working in Antarctica to learn about ice sheet change.

Thursday, July 3rd, 7 pm
Suzan Bellincampi:  Martha’s Vineyard: A Field Guide to Island Nature
In her new book, author Suzan Bellincampi, director of Mass Audubon's Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary,  takes you on favorite Island trails and behind the scenes of what the natural Vineyard has to offer. Suzan will talk about how she did the research for the book and will include some slides from her explorations here on the Island.  Reception to follow.

Wednesday, July 9th, 7 pm (doors open at 6:30)
Sam Low: Hawaiki Rising
As the walls of Troy were falling to the Greeks, Polynesian explorers followed star paths across the world’s greatest ocean to settle one third of Earth’s surface. It’s one of the most amazing stories of navigation and maritime exploration, and it has never been properly told — until now. Reception to follow.

Tuesday, July 15th, 7 pm
Neville Frankel: Bloodlines
Novelist and South African emigré Neville Frankel will discuss his literary thriller of the apartheid era. Bloodlines, called "fierce and thrilling" by Kirkus Indie Review, is the riveting story of a family fractured by apartheid and a son who struggles to piece everything back together. The author will read excerpts from his novel and discuss South Africa’s troubled history from a personal and political perspective.  Reception to follow.

Wednesday, July 16th, 7 pm (doors open at 6:30)
William Waterway: Gay Head Lighthouse: The First Light on Martha’s Vineyard
Join us for the launch of this fascinating book. In 2013 it was determined the lighthouse needed to be moved from the eroding cliffs. We will learn about the lighthouse and how as a community we will save it. Slideshow.  Reception to follow.

Tuesday, July 22nd, 7 pm
Susie Bowman from Felix Neck: Martha’s Vineyard Seashells
Susie Bowman, naturalist and educator from Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, will join us to present a program on the seashells of Martha's Vineyard.  She will present a slide show and bring samples. 

Tuesday, July 29th, 7 pm
Peter Simon: Through the Lens 
For over 40 years, Peter Simon has documented some of the world’s most historic events from the protest-filled 1960’s, hippie communes, nude beaches and the New Age Movement to the greatest names in Rock n’ Roll, Reggae, Pop music; the action of Major League Baseball and the majesty of Martha’s Vineyard. Through his multimedia presentation, Simon speaks honestly about his photographic art, privileged background, alternative lifestyle explorations, and an addictive personality that finally got the better of him and affected his relationships with family and friends.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Sunday with Friends: An Afternoon with John Hough, Jr.

http://library.clamsnet.org/record=b1936326~S1On Sunday, July 20th at 2pm, the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library will present an afternoon with Vineyard author John Hough, Jr. at the Library. Mr. Hough will read from and discuss his newly published novel, Little Bighorn. This event is free, and refreshments will be served. Doors will open at 1:30 pm for the event.

John Hough, Jr. grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts and now lives on Martha’s Vineyard. His grandfather and his father edited the Falmouth Enterprise and his great-uncle was for many years the editor of the Vineyard Gazette. Hough is the author of five previous novels, including Seen the Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Gettysburg, and three works of nonfiction.

The Friends of the Library support a variety of programs for both adults and children throughout the year, including an annual summer event honoring a local author. Past honorees have included Geraldine Brooks, Art Buchwald, Stephen Carter, Phil Craig, Jules Feiffer, Lillian Hellman, Ward Just, David McCullough, Cynthia Riggs, and William Styron.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Summer Reading for Kids, Teens, and Grownups at the Vineyard Haven Library

http://www.vhlibrary.org/Summer.shtml
Registration for the Summer Reading Program at the Vineyard Haven Public Library begins Monday, June 30th, 2014. Children may visit the Children's Room at the library to sign up, log the books they read, and earn prizes including a T-shirt and gift certificates from local businesses. Teens ages 12 to 18 can register online. Teens who register online can visit the library circulation desk to claim a prize, just for signing up.

The Martha's Vineyard Library Association is hosting a special event to kick off the Summer Reading Program. On Saturday, July 5th, comic juggler Bill Ross will perform at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury at 11am. This family event will also feature face painting, popcorn, and all around fun. Admission is $4; doors open at 10:30am.

Free programs for children at VH Library this summer include a concert by Ellen Allard for ages 4 and up on July 8th at 11am, musical story times with Joyce Maxner on Tuesday July 15th at 10am and 11am, and concerts by Jeremy Berlin on July 22nd at 10am and 11am. Marvelous Marvin will bring circus arts, magic and music to the library on August 7 at 4pm. On Wednesday August 6th, visit the "Whalemobile", a life-sized inflatable humpback whale. Children can go inside the whale, hear the sounds of different species of whales, touch real whale parts, and learn how to help protect these animals (at the Tisbury School). These events are made possible by a contribution from The Anderson Foundation.

Additional special guests planned for children's programs include Kathy Forrester, Emily Solarazza, Phyllis Vecchia, storybook character Ladybug Girl, and Susie Bowman from Felix Neck. Details will be available at the library and on our website, www.vhlibrary.org.

For the fourth year, the Vineyard Haven Library is offering a Summer Reading Program for “Grownups”. Adults who keep track of their summer reading will be eligible to win a gift certificate and other prizes sponsored by the Friends of the Library. To participate, patrons should create an online account by visiting the library homepage. Patrons may log the books they read over the summer, write reviews, and register for prizes.

The summer reading program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Programs for children are supported by the Friends of the Library and are free for participants.

Images are copyrighted. Contact the CSLP at 1-866-657-8556 or contact@cslpreads.org for more information.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Tisbury Memorial Day Picnic

The town of Tisbury’s annual community gathering will be held at the Tashmoo Waterworks on Monday, May 26th from noon to 4pm. Bring your own picnic food; free ice cream and grills will be provided. Entertainment will include children’s games, chalk art, pony rides, rowboating, tours of the building, and music by the Flying Elbows. The event is supported by funding from the MV Cultural Council. VTA buses will stop at the Tashmoo Overlook between 11:30am and 4pm.

The Vineyard Haven Library will be closed on Memorial Day.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

4th Annual Group Art Show in June at the Library

This June, more than 20 local artists will exhibit their work in the annual group art show at the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The artwork will be on display during regular library hours from June 2nd through June 14th.  The show has been curated by Francine Kelly, and sponsored by the Friends of the Library, who will host an opening reception on Tuesday, June 3rd from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. This event is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served.

This year's featured artists include Renee Balter, Laura Beebe, Christine Coon, John Crelan, Deirdre DeCarion, Joe Doebler, Phyllis Dunn, Lowely Finnerty, Lisa Glus, Maryanne Goldberg, Carolyn Henderson, Susan Johnson, Nancy Kingsley, Iris Kirkwood, Clara Kisko, Jennifer Langhammer, Jeri Larson, Peter Mallen, Janet Messineo, Robert Schaefer, Emily Walkenstein and Ovid Ward.

The library has a collection of artworks that are displayed throughout the year, including 12 paintings by Vineyard artist Captain John Ivory. In addition, the "Art in the Stacks" space features rotating monthly exhibits managed by the Friends of the Library.

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library encourage public understanding of the Library's vital role in the community, support activities for both adults and children, and provide various other volunteer services. The mission of the Friends is to support the Library, to build a partnership between the Library and the community, and to advocate for quality library service.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Art in the Stacks: John Holladay

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of paintings by John Holladay, on display on the library’s Art Wall on the lower level throughout the month of May. "Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year.

John Holladay moved to Vineyard Haven in 2001. He teaches Computer Graphics and Animation at Falmouth High School, and reverse commutes to work. John says me moved here instead of the Cape for two reasons: the people and the landscapes. On weekends and during the summer, he teaches at Featherstone Center for the Arts. His work can also be seen at Louisa Gould Gallery in Vineyard Haven, and at the Vineyard Artisans Festivals.

Before moving to Martha's Vineyard, John was a Graphic Artist entertaining fans by creating cartoons for Collegiate and Professional teams. These humourous cartoons may be seen on his website www.JohnHolladayGraphics.com. He has also done corporate work for Hewlett Packard, Hardees, John Deere, PGA Golf, Tropicana Resort, Universal Studios, Chicago Cubs and Charles Levy.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Art in the Stacks: Steve Myrick

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Steve Myrick, on display on the library’s Art Wall on the lower level throughout the month of April. For more information about Steve Myrick and his photographs visit: www.stevemyrickphotography.com/

Arts and Tourism Public Hearing Scheduled in Vineyard Haven

State Representative Cory Atkins (D-Concord) and State Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives (D-Newburyport) Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development have announced that the Committee will hold its next public hearing and listening tour stop on Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday, April 15th.

The Committee will convene a public hearing on Martha’s Vineyard on April 15th at the Vineyard Film Center at 10:00 a.m. Legislators from the committee, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, and the Martha’s Vineyard Regional Tourism Council will join community members, artists, and local business owners to discuss the economic impact the arts, culture, and tourism have on the islands.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Call for Submissions for June Art Show

Local artists will have an opportunity to feature their work in a group show at the Vineyard Haven Library this June. The show will be held from June 2nd through 14th, and will feature recent work by local artists. This year's show will be curated by Francine Kelly and coordinated by Jennifer Rapuano at the library. The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library, who will host a reception for participating artists and the public on Tuesday June 3rd from 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Artists interested in participating may contact the library for details on submitting their work. The deadline for submissions will be May 1, 2014. Artwork submitted for consideration can be in any medium including photography, painting, drawing, ceramics, mixed media, jewelry, computer design, and collage. The Library can accommodate wall-mountable two-dimensional work or small three-dimensional pieces. Site-specific installations may also be proposed. We recommend that wall pieces should not be larger then 4 feet in length or width.

Submissions may be sent via email to francine@featherstoneart.org, or dropped off at the library during regular library hours. The curator will consider recent work (2012 and later) and submissions should include the artist's contact information, an artist statement, an image of the work, and information about the work including title, media, and dimensions. Multiple works may be submitted but due to space considerations not all submissions will be exhibited. Artists will be notified after May 15th if their work has been accepted.

For more information, visit the library website at www.vhlibrary.org/artshow.shtml or call Jennifer at the library at (508) 696-4210 x12. To contact curator Francine Kelly, email francine@featherstoneart.org.

Flying Elbows with Jemima James & Friends in Concert April 16th

On Wednesday, April 16th at the Katharine Cornell Theater at 7pm, come enjoy a live concert featuring the Flying Elbows with Jemima James and friends. The concert is free and will represent America’s Music genres such as "Old Timey" and Blue Grass.

The concert is part of the America's Music series that the Vineyard Haven Public Library launched in January. America's Music is a project of the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint, and the Society for American Music. "America’s Music" has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

March 26th Weather Related Schedule Changes UPDATED 2PM

The Vineyard Haven Library will be closed today.

All programs including this evening's concert have been cancelled (concert postponed until April 16th).

If the performers are willing and roads are clear, the library will still hold the scheduled concert with the Flying Elbows & Jemima James and friends at the Katharine Cornell Theater at 7pm.

The Vineyard Haven Library will have a delayed opening on Wednesday March 26th due to the impending storm. The Library and other town buildings plan to open at noon. Afternoon and evening library programs will be held as scheduled if conditions allow.

The Town of Tisbury has issued a parking ban starting at 10pm Tuesday evening through 10am Wednesday morning (subject to change).

Monday, March 24, 2014

Spring Schedule Changes

The Vineyard Haven Public Library will be closed on Sundays beginning April 20th. Sunday hours will resume after Columbus Day.

The Library will be closed for the day on Monday April 21st due to the Patriots Day holiday. 

The Library will close early at 6:30pm on Tuesday, April 29th, due to the Tisbury Annual and Special Town Meetings which will take place at the Tisbury School Auditorium beginning at 7pm. Library computers will be shut down at 6:00pm that evening.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Opportunity to Serve on the Library Board of Trustees

The Vineyard Haven Public Library Board of Trustees anticipates that there will be multiple openings on the Board for fiscal year 2015. Nomination papers are now available for Tisbury residents interested in becoming Trustees, and must be returned by March 25th, 2014, in order to appear on the ballot. For more information, please contact the Tisbury Town Clerk at (508) 696-4215.

The Library Board of Trustees is an elected board responsible for financial oversight, policymaking, and long-range planning for the Vineyard Haven Public Library. The Trustees meet at 5:30pm on the third Wednesday of each month. For more information about the Vineyard Haven Library please contact the Library Director at (508) 696-4210 x11. A Public Library Trustee Handbook is available online from the Massachusets Board of Library Commissioners: http://mblc.state.ma.us/advisory/trustees/2012_handbook.pdf

Additional "America's Music" Events Announced!

Vineyard Haven Library has added more special events to our America's Music program series. All events are free and open to the public.

2pm Sunday, March 16th at the Vineyard Haven Library
Leslie Stark: Modern Jazz, Cool Jazz & the West Coast Sound
Leslie "J. for Jazz" Stark will add to our knowledge of Jazz with his interactive talk about Modern Jazz, including music and discussion.

7pm Wednesday, March 26th at the Katharine Cornell Theatre
Flying Elbows with Jemima James & Friends in Concert
Come enjoy a live concert featuring the Flying Elbows with Jemima James & friends. The concert is free and will represent America’s Music genres such as "Old Timey" and Blue Grass.

7pm Wednesday, April 9 at the Katharine Cornell Theatre
Swing Dance Class with Julie Schilling and Kevan Nichols
Join us for an evening of swing dancing. If you don't know how, Julie and Kevan will teach you. If you already know how, come and enjoy the music and fun.

America's Music: A Film History of Our Popular Music from Blues to Bluegrass to
Broadway” is a project of the Tribeca Film Institute in collaboration with the American
Library Association, Tribeca Flashpoint, and the Society for American Music. "America’s
Music" has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.

Friday, February 28, 2014

Art in the Stacks: "All Across Asia" by Johanna Wooden

Photograph by Johanna Wooden
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Johanna Wooden. The show will be on display during regular library hours throughout the month of March. "Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year.

Johanna Wooden describes herself as a photographer, teacher, world traveler, nature lover, sunset addict, yoga enthusiast & international foodie. A true nomad at heart, Johanna just returned from Asia where she lived and taught on the border of North Korea for two years, in a small South Korean army town. She then went on a six month backpacking trip throughout South East Asia, touring seven countries and traveling over 15,000 km (12,000 just by land)! She gracefully captured the people, culture, color and magical beauty of Asia through her photography. Enjoy a taste of Asia!

Register For 2014 Great Decisions Discussion Group

Register online

The Vineyard Haven Public Library Great Decisions Discussion Group will meet for 8 sessions on Thursday evenings at 7pm, beginning April 3rd.

A Great Decisions Discussion Group is composed of interested individuals who want an opportunity to learn and participate in the foreign policy decision-making process. The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) has published the Great Decisions briefing book, a well researched annual publication covering eight timely global topics to be read by group participants in order to prepare for each discussion. At each meeting we will show a 30 minute documentary film on that week's topic, to be followed by a moderated discussion.

Please register online or at the library. The briefing book may be purchased for $20 from the FPA website. (A limited number of books will be for sale at the library.)

Topics and meeting dates:

Thursday, April 3rd:
Defense Technology
From robotic planes to cyberweapons to 3D printing and human enhancement, new “game-changing” technologies are moving from science fiction to battlefield reality – all during an age of fiscal austerity. But in wrestling with the new, we can actually learn a great deal from the past. Our forebears went through similar challenges with such once fanciful but now normal concepts as airplanes, submarines, and tanks. What are the “killer applications” of the 21st century battlefield, and in turn, what are the issues that the U.S. must navigate in adapting to them?

Thursday, April 10th:
Israel and the U.S.
Modern Israel’s struggles with the Palestinians have turned what was meant as a safe haven for Jews into the center of a decades-long conflict. The U.S. has stepped in as Israel’s ally due to the two countries’ shared values, providing years of unparalleled military and diplomatic support. But now those ties are being tested. The Arab Spring, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, failed peace talks, and Israel’s own decision to give Washington the cold shoulder have put new strains on the 65-year-old “special relationship.”

Thursday, April 17th:
Turkey’s challenges
Turkey: a nation at a crossroads, a bridge over an ever-growing chasm between the East and West. Turkey’s first Prime Minister Kemal Ataturk envisioned a modern, democratic nation-state built on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire with strong ties to Europe, not the Middle East. But as the clashes between secular and religious groups and the recent protests in Taksim Square show, the soul of Turkey is still very much up for grabs.

Thursday, April 24th:
Islamic awakening
The aftermath of the Arab Spring has resulted in unforeseen changes in the political landscape in many countries, especially regarding the role of Islam and democracy. How have the countries in the Maghreb reacted, including Tunisia, where the Arab Spring began? Is U.S. foreign policy adapting successfully to all of the changes in the region?

Thursday, May 1st:
Energy Independence
Energy independence, by taking the bargaining chip of oil dependence off the table, would be good for American foreign policy. But the very technological advances that make independence possible have created a dilemma for lawmakers. In a government with fixed resources, should the U.S. encourage more traditional fuel production or invest in the young technology of renewable resources?

Thursday, May 8th:
Food and Climate
Even as a sixth of the world’s population suffers from chronic hunger, a changing climate threatens to wreak havoc on already insecure and vulnerable populations. As food and water become scarce and once fertile land becomes barren, the U.S. finds itself faced with new challenges in securing the globe. The U.S. is getting ready, but can it lead the way to climate reform?

Thursday, May 15th:
China’s foreign policy
China has gone to great lengths to emphasize the “peaceful” nature of its meteoric rise. Yet few dispute that China is the dominant regional power in Asia – and in recent years Beijing began to flex its muscles regionally in order to advance its strategic interests. What does the rapid rise of this new superpower mean for other countries in the region, and are there potential points of conflict with the U.S. as it “pivots” to Asia?


Thursday, May 22nd:
U.S. trade policy
America’s foreign policy tools are not limited to sanctions, treaties or military campaigns – they also include the sales pitch. The logic behind this pitch, or “economic statecraft,” is simple: promote the benefits of democracy and the free market. In so doing, the U.S. will gain valuable and stable partners, both in business and in diplomacy. Now, as China and other emerging nations battle the U.S. for global influence, Secretary Kerry will take the reigns as a free market matchmaker.Online Registration

Monday, February 24, 2014

Sunday with Friends: Travel Talk by Joe Doebler

The Sea Cloud, photograph by Joe Doebler
On Sunday, March 9th at 2 PM, sail the Greek Islands without leaving Martha’s Vineyard. Experienced photographer Joe Doebler will share his recent photos from a week long sailing trip in the Mediterranean Sea last May aboard the square rigger Sea Cloud. The talk is free and refreshments will be served.

This event is presented by the Friends of the Library as part of their monthly winter program series. The Friends are volunteers who encourage public understanding of the Library's vital role in the community, support activities for both adults and children, and provide various other volunteer services.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Art in The Stacks: Peter Simon & America's Music

This month we are pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by nationally acclaimed photographer Peter Simon. The show will be on display during regular library hours throughout the month of February. This exhibit is presented in conjunction with the library's ongoing "America's Music" program series.

Over the course of a 40 year career Peter Simon has covered an eclectic range of subjects including the greatest names in rock 'n' roll, reggae and pop music. His work has appeared in major publications including Time, Newsweek, People, Village Voice, Atlantic Monthly, Cape Cod Life, Boston Magazine, New York Magazine, The New York Times, and Rolling Stone.

Peter Simon's photographs have been shown at galleries including On the Vineyard gallery, The Field Gallery, The Old Sculpin Gallery, The Nikon House and Niekrug Gallery in New York, and the Kiva Gallery in Boston. His work is also the subject of the a comprehensive retrospective book, "I and Eye", published by Little Brown in 2001.

"Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide individual artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art at the library throughout the year.

America's Music is a series of public programs created by the Tribeca Film Institute™ in partnership with the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and in consultation with the Society for American Music. For more information, please visit the library website at http://www.vhlibrary.org/americasmusic.shtml.


Wednesday, January 29, 2014

2013 Tax Forms Now Available


Many Federal and State tax forms, including the 1040, 1040EZ, 1040A, and associated schedules, are available at the library. If there’s a form we don’t have, the library can make a copy of the form at no charge (instruction books excluded).

This year, anyone, regardless of income, can e-file their extensions at no cost from a home computer using IRS traditional FreeFile or FreeFile Fillable Forms. For more information, visit IRS.gov.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Free Documentary at the MV Film Center Tonight, Wednesday January 22nd

The FREE film screening of the documentary "Say Amen, Somebody" will take place as scheduled, Wednesday January 22nd at 7:30pm at the MV Film Center, 79 Beach Road. Doors open at 7pm.

This event is presented by the Vineyard Haven Public Library with funding from the Tribeca Film Institute, the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This event kicks off the "America's Music" series at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, with a variety of special programs to be held from January through March, 2014. For more details visit: http://www.vhlibrary.org/americasmusic.shtml

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Weather Related Closings - UPDATED

The FREE film screening of the documentary "Say Amen, Somebody" will take place tonight as scheduled, 7:30pm at the MV Film Center, 79 Beach Road. Doors open at 7pm. This event is presented by the Vineyard Haven Public Library with funding from the Tribeca Film Institute, the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Library is closing early at 4 PM on Tuesday January 21st due to weather.

Information on Wednesday hours will be posted when available.

The Library will also be closed on Wednesday January 22nd.

We will hold the Wednesday evening event at the MV Film Center if conditions allow. If the program is cancelled a notice will appear on our website at vhlibrary.org.

Friday, January 17, 2014

Biscuit is Coming to Storytime!

Biscuit, the beloved yellow puppy-dog of children’s books by Alyssa Capucilli, will be making the rounds of Island libraries in the last week of January.

The Martha’s Vineyard Library Association annually funds full-sized costumes for story hours, so that children can enjoy books and pose for pictures with characters ranging from Curious George to Olivia the pig and Amelia Bedelia.

Biscuit’s Vineyard visit will take him to Island libraries on the following schedule:

On Saturday, Jan. 25, the pup will appear for story time at the Chilmark Library at 10:30 a.m. and at the Edgartown Library at 3 p.m.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, Biscuit will visit the Vineyard Haven Library for story hours at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, Biscuit travels up-Island to the Aquinnah Library at 3:30 p.m.

Biscuit will conclude his visit on Friday, Jan. 31, when he visits the Oak Bluffs Library at 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Monthly Book Sales Resume, at a New Time

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library hold monthly "mini" book sales at the library on the third Saturday of each month, now at a new time from 2pm-4pm. The January sale will be held this Saturday, January 18th. Books are priced at $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers, or $12 to fill a bag.

Proceeds from these sales benefit library programs for children, and other library services supported by the Friends. Sales are also planned for February 15th and March 15th.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Holiday Closing and CLAMS Software Upgrade January 20th

The Vineyard Haven Library will be closed on Sunday, January 19th and Monday, January 20th due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.

When the libraries are closed on Monday, January 20th, CLAMS will be upgrading to new software. The CLAMS Catalog and Overdrive download services will be unavailable for the entire day on Monday 20th (starting at 8 am). CLAMS will post an update when the system becomes available. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Art in the Stacks: Image Inspired Writing

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library are pleased to present an exhibit featuring haiku and other poetry from the Martha's Vineyard Poets' Collective, accompanied by the images that inspired each of the poems. The exhibit will be on display during regular library hours through the month of January. At 7pm on Tuesday, January 14th, members of the Collective will read their image-inspired writing in a public program at the library. A reception will follow the readings.

The MV Poets' Collective is a diverse and creative group of individuals with experience in the expressive arts, writing, teaching, business, local government, and publishing. The MVPC has been meeting for three years and is fortunate to have Jill Jupen as their workshop leader. Jill has an MFA in poetry from Warren Wilson College, and Vermont poet Hayden Carruth was her mentor. Well known journalist and essayist, Ted Hoagland, also joins the sessions.

The exhibit features work from Ellie Bates, Tom Durawa, Liz Fauteux, Madeline Fisher, Jill Jupen, Don McLagan, Andrea Quigley, Annette Sandrock, and honorary member Ted Hoagland. Annette, Don, Ellie and Liz took their own photographs to accompany their haiku. Madeline used her original Chinese brushstroke painting. Andrea's haiku is inspired by Jenik Munafo's painting, used with her gracious permission.

The poems have recently been published in a chapbook funded through a grant from the MV Center for the Visual Arts (MVCVA). Copies of the chapbook are available to borrow from local libraries.

"Art in the Stacks" is an initiative of the Friends of the Library to provide artists an opportunity to show their work, and for library patrons to enjoy art throughout the year.