Register onlineThe Vineyard Haven Public Library Great Decisions Discussion Group will meet for 8 sessions on Thursday evenings at 7pm, beginning April 7th.
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 $25 from the FPA website at
www.fpa.org, or by calling (800) 477-5836. (A limited number of books will be for sale at the library.)
Topics and meeting dates:
Thursday, April 7th
Shifting Alliances in the Middle EastFrom a proxy war in Yemen to an ongoing civil war in Syria, a number of conflicts have shaken the traditional alignments in the Middle East to their core. As alliances between state and non-state actors in the region are constantly shifting, the U.S. has found itself between a rock and a hard place. In a series of disputes that are far from being black-and-white, what can the U.S. do to secure its interests in the region without causing further damage and disruption?
Thursday, April 14th
The Rise of ISISBorn out of an umbrella organization of al-Qaeda in Iraq, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) burst onto the international stage after it conquered Fallujah in December 2013. Since then, the group has seized control of a number of critical strongholds in both countries and declared itself a caliphate. Still, the question remains: what is ISIS, and what danger does it pose to U.S. interests?
Thursday, April 21st
The Future of KurdistanKurdistan, a mountainous region made up of parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria, is home to one of the largest ethnic groups in West Asia: the Kurds. Now, most in the West know them for the small, oil-rich autonomous region in northern Iraq called Iraqi Kurdistan—one of the U.S.’ closest allies in the Middle East, and a bulwark against the expansion of the so-called Islamic State. What does the success of Iraqi Kurdistan mean for Kurds in the surrounding region?
Thursday, April 28th
International MigrationAs a record number of migrants cross the Mediterranean Sea, seeking refuge in Europe, the continent is struggling to come up with an adequate response. Although Europe’s refugees are largely fleeing conflicts in Syria, Iraq and parts of Africa, their struggle is hardly unique. Today, with the number of displaced people at an all-time high, a number of world powers find themselves facing a difficult question: how can they balance border security with humanitarian concerns? More importantly, what can they do to resolve these crises so as to limit the number of displaced persons?
Thursday, May 5th
Korean ChoicesAt the end of World War II, Korea was divided. The northern half of the Korean peninsula was occupied by the Soviet Union, the southern by the United States. Today, North and South Korea couldn’t be further apart. The North is underdeveloped, impoverished and ruled by a corrupt, authoritarian regime, while the South advanced rapidly to become one of the most developed countries in the world. With such a wide gap, some are asking if unification is possible, even desirable, anymore?
Thursday, May 12th
The United Nations Post-2015On the eve of the international organization’s 70th birthday, the United Nations stands at a crossroads. This year marks a halfway point in the organization’s global effort to eradicate poverty, hunger and discrimination, as well as ensure justice and dignity for all peoples. But as the UN’s 193 member states look back at the success of the millennium development goals, they also must assess their needs for its sustainable development goals—a new series of benchmarks, which are set to expire in 2030. With the appointment of the ninth Secretary-General in the near future as well, the next U.S. President is bound to have quite a lot on his or her plate going into office.
Thursday, May 19th
Climate GeopoliticsIn the past few years, the American public has become more aware of the damage wrought by climate change. From droughts in the west to extreme weather in the east, a rapidly changing climate has already made its footprint in the United States. Now, it is expected that the presidential election in 2016 will be one of the first to place an emphasis on these environmental changes. What can the next President do to stymie this environmental crisis? And is it too late for these efforts to be effective?
Thursday, May 26th
Cuba and the U.S.The U.S. announced in December 17, 2014, that, after decades of isolation, it would being taking major steps to normalize relations with Cuba, its neighbor to the south. The announcement marked a dramatic shift away from a policy that has its roots in one of the darkest moments of the Cold War—the Cuban missile crisis. Although the U.S. trade embargo is unlikely to end any time soon, American and Cuban leaders today are trying to bring a relationship once defined by antithetical ideologies into the 21st century.
Register online
Vineyard Haven Public Library has been awarded a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant for $10,000 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The grant program, called "Mind in the Making," supports the development of innovative programming and spaces that encourage invention and tinkering, where children ages 0-6 can explore simple concepts in tactile, real ways. This kind of space fuels a child's natural curiosity and teaches valuable lessons by helping them develop fine motor skills, problem solving abilities, and peer relationships. Vineyard Haven Library will use the funding for enhancements to the Children's Room and Children's programming, and creativity kits that can be borrowed by parents and caregivers, or used in local preschools.
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present "Nature, Identity, Creativity: A Retrospective," an exhibit of paintings by Susan Johnson. The exhibit will be on display on the lower level of the library, during regular library hours throughout the month of June.
Vineyard Haven Public Library patrons can now print to the library printer from their mobile device or their internet-enabled computer though the PrinterOn service, from home or in the library. PrinterOn works with our current Envisionware printing system. Print jobs can be emailed, uploaded to a web portal or sent through a mobile app, available for iOS, Android, BlackBerry, and Nook. The apps can be found in your device’s app store or from the PrinterOn website: http://www.printeron.com/apps.html.
On Saturday, May 21st from 10:30am to Noon, Vineyard Haven Public Library will host a party to celebrate the first year of the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" program at the Library. At the event, the Library will be recognizing current readers and welcoming new participants. There will be refreshments and playtime for preschoolers, and parents who enroll their child in the program will receive a gift and be entered to win a door prize.
The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library are pleased to present an exhibit of photographs by Lynn Khosla. The exhibit will be on display on the lower level of the library, during regular library hours throughout the month of March.
We are very pleased to announce that the First Annual MV Mini Maker Faire will take place on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 10am to 4pm at the Ag Hall in West Tisbury. Come enjoy a great day of perfect Vineyard weather, arts and crafts, science and engineering, food and music, fire and water! The MV Mini Maker Faire is organized by librarians from the six Vineyard libraries under the umbrella of the Martha’s Vineyard Library Association with initial support from area businesses and community groups, including the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Featherstone Center for the Arts and MV Community Services. Not sure what the Mini Maker Faire is all about? Visit our website and start getting excited!
