Planning for Your Future in a Time of Uncertaintly

If you missed last week's Advance Care Planning workshop with Healthy Aging Martha's Vineyard, additional online sessions are planned for May 7th and May 14th, hosted by the West Tisbury Library. RSVP via email to Cindy Trish, ctrish@hamv.org or call 508 954-0357 for more information.

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Health Aging Martha's Vineyard and Vineyard Haven Library will present a virtual (online) 90 minute session to share and discuss  information on advance care planning (ACP) which is the process by which an individual lets his or her wishes be known about end-of-life care as well as taking the time to reflect on what matters most to us, and what a good day would look like if we are facing a serious illness. Our facilitators will share how advance care planning is done and how these conversations can occur. The session will be interactive so you can ask questions and hear others thoughts on the subject.

Anyone 18 or older is welcome to join us, although attendance will be limited and you will need internet access to participate. RSVP via email to: amcdonough@clamsnet.org or call 508 696 4211 x116 and leave a detailed message.

Can't attend this session? We're sharing some advice below from Healthy Aging MV. Visit the Advance Care Planning section of the Healthy Aging website for additional resources and links:
https://www.hamv.org/advance-care-planning

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Whatever your age or circumstance, it is increasingly important to be prepared in case of becoming seriously ill with coronavirus or other diseases by following these key steps:

Pick your person.Choose a friend, family member or other trusted person to make medical decisions on your behalf. We can’t control everything, but we can control who will speak for us. Talk to a friend, a family member or other trusted person about becoming your medical care decision-maker if you can’t make decisions for yourself. Make sure the person you choose knows what is important to you first and foremost.

Make it official.Document that person in an official state health care proxy/agent/power of attorney form or an Advance Directive, a term for any written health care instruction that specifies your wishes or names a proxy for you. And if given circumstances mean you can’t make it official make sure the person you choose knows what is important to you and your preferences for the amount and types of treatments you would want to receive.

Talk about it. What do you need the person who would make medical decisions for you to know about what matters to you, so they could speak up for you if you can’t? We can’t plan for everything. But we can help manage life’s unknowns by talking openly about what matters to us and what we’d want most if we became seriously ill with coronavirus disease. Conversations about things we can’t control can actually help to give us a sense of control. We may not be able to predict every choice we’ll have to make, but we can give those we love the guiding principles to confidently make decisions for us. If we don’t say it, they won’t know. Our caregivers may need to make decisions for us, whether we’ve told them what we want or not. We can’t simply assume they know. Open conversations can pave a way to clarity, provide comfort and bring people together.

Stay informed.Know on how your local health department is responding to COVID-19. Check the websites of your local and state departments of public health for updated information on guidelines and procedures for coping during the coronavirus outbreak.

Enjoy our Library Staff Picks for April!

While the library is closed, we invite you to enjoy our downloadable audiobooks, eBooks, online classes, and streaming video collections! To learn more about available resources visit
http://vhlibrary.org/econtent.shtml

Amy recommends: "Always Available" Overdrive Fitness Collection
CLAMS new fitness collection features streaming videos for exercise and wellness from Gaiam. The collection includes sessions for Yoga, Pilates, and T'ai Chi, that are available to all CLAMS cardholders, with no waiting and available at any time.

Anne recommends: Great Courses on Kanopy
"So far my favorite Great Courses (via Kanopy) has been 'Our Night Sky' with lectures by Edward Murphy, PhD. So many fascinating stories, every night, in the sky above us. A very close second in the Great Courses is 'The Big Questions of Philosophy' with  David Kyle Johnson. Big questions with answers that are consistently up for debate."

Emily recommends: re-reading your favorites
"I have just finished reading, "Little Women," again! I enjoy re-reading books that I have read before because I ALWAYS find a new perspective or something that I may have missed the first time I read it. I recommend this book to anyone young and older who enjoy a journey back in time to the earlier days of the late 1800's in Boston, Massachusetts. You will find ways to relate to some or all of the characters in different ways. An enjoyable read where you will feel all kinds of emotions."

Jennifer recommends: "Always Available" teen audiobooks
The CLAMS Overdrive Teen Collection includes thousands of eBook and downloadable titles, including a new collection of "Always Available" titles with no waiting lists. Jennifer's recommended audiobook title for this week is Crow Flight by Susan Cunningham. The curious flight patterns of crows lead a teen computer programmer down a path of mystery and romance.

Kasia recommends: 'Must-read' Nonfiction 
"My pick this week is Nothing to Envy: ordinary lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick. A painful portrait of North Korea through the eyes of defectors now living in South Korea and China. Demick peels back the layers of propaganda, parades and leader worship to expose the people and lives underneath. This is a must-read."

Lagan recommends: Funny true stories on Overdrive 
"When someone tells me a story from their past, chances are there's some amount of exaggeration (especially if they've told the story multiple times!). But I still laugh along because I enjoy the effort they've made to entertain me. I've always enjoyed authors who are able to recreate this and invite me into their world without even having met them. If you're missing swapping anecdotes with friends, please enjoy these fun romps with masters of storytelling." Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris, Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson, Vacationland by John Hodgman.

Polly recommends: Elle Decor from the Overdrive Magazine Collection
"Managing the periodicals is my favorite aspect of working at VHPL. Elle Decor is a magazine I love to borrow each month from the library, but since I am not able to read it in person I have been borrowing it through Overdrive.  Just one click and the magazine is at my fingertips. I love escaping to different homes and landscapes, hearing the stories of interesting people and the visual beauty of the magazine always inspires me."

Library Book Club is reading 'The Giver of Stars' by Jojo Moyes
Everyone is invited to join the library's monthly book group for a lively online discussion on Thursday May 21st at 1:30pm. For more information please email Anne at amcdonough@clamsnet.org or leave a detailed message at 508 696 4211 x116.

More Recommended Reads...
Vineyard Haven Library now offers "Shelf Service" for book recommendations! Complete our online form to let us know your reading preferences, and one of our librarians will email you with personalized reading recommendations you can check out from the CLAMS Overdrive collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Online Library Events: Space Science, Ancient Astronomy, Artist Elizabeth Whelan

While the library is closed we'll be offering online workshops using the video meeting platform Zoom. To register or for more information, RSVP to our Program Coordinator Anne McDonough at amcdonough@clamsnet.org, or leave a detailed voice message including a callback number at 508.696.4211 x116. After you RSVP, you'll receive a welcome email containing the information you need to access the workshop. Attendance for all programs will be limited and you will need internet access to participate.

Monday April 20, 12:30 pm
Online Memoir Writing Workshop with Moira Silva 
In this online, supportive writing community, you will begin transforming your experiences into memoirs. Inspiration abounds we immerse ourselves in exemplary essays, rich discussions and intriguing prompts. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Continues April 27th.

Tuesday April 21, 1 pm 
Finding Ice on Asteroid Vesta 
NASA's Dawn space mission traveled to Asteroid Vesta in 2011 and orbited for a full year while piecing together the geologic history of the second most massive celestial body in the asteroid belt. Dr. Liz Palmer will talk about one of the unique experiments the science team performed using the radio antenna to look for signs of ice beneath its dry, powdery surface. Dr. Palmer is a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, CA in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Wednesday April 22, 11 am
Elizabeth Whelan Talk and Q&A 
A truly a unique opportunity for the artist in all of us, acclaimed artist Elizabeth Whelan will host a Zoom session on the art of painting portraits. Ms Whelan will share some of her favorite portrait tips for your inspiration! Post any questions you have for her on her Facebook page or ask them in the Q&A. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday! Coming next week, Sketch Booking with Elizabeth Whelan on April 29th. Please email erwhelan@gmail.com to get the Zoom access info for each session. This program will be recorded.

Friday April 24, 1pm
The Skies of Antiquity: A Lesson on Ancient Astronomy 
Returning local NASA Ambassador Marie Zahn will give an exciting and educational presentation on archaeoastronomy, which is ancient astromony and how people used the world around them for science. Ms. Zahn is presently the Museum Director for the Harwich Historical Society, operating the Brooks Academy Museum and A E Crowell Barn as well as a Historical and Scientific consultant for Sigma 3. 

Thursday April 30, 10 am - 11:30 am
Online Workshop: Planning for your future in this time of uncertainty 
For all of us it is a time of upheaval and uncertainty and our priorities are shifting. For many of us, this has surfaced a desire to take the time to reflect on our wishes for end-of-life or emergency medical planning. Health Aging MV, will share and discuss information on advance care planning, the process by which an individual lets his or her wishes be known about end-of-life or emergency medical care. The session will be interactive so you can ask questions and hear others thoughts on the subject. 

Learn to use Zoom
New users can learn how to use the Zoom platform on the Zoom Channel on Youtube! Videos created by Zoom staff will show you how to sign up for a free account, download Zoom software on your computer and the Zoom app on your phone, as well as learn the ins and outs of scheduling, joining, and participating in meetings. (If you need more help, contact the library to set up a Zoom practice session with one of our librarians.)

Check out eBooks From OverDrive Partner Libraries

Did you know that the CLAMS Library Network has reciprocal lending agreements with seven other Massachusetts library networks?  These agreements allow CLAMS patrons to use their CLAMS card to check out content from the other networks' digital catalogs -- a combined collection of over 350,000 titles!

Lending periods, as well as limits on the number of loans and holds, follow each network’s rules. When fulfilling holds, priority is given to members of the home network -- for instance, CLAMS card holders are given priority for holds on items in the CLAMS digital catalog.

Here is how it works:

From a computer:

• Visit the CLAMS OverDrive catalog at: https://clamsnet.overdrive.com
• At the top of the screen you will find a link to "Partner Libraries."
• Select one of the partner library networks from the list.
• From the partner library home screen choose "Sign In," select "CLAMS Library Patrons," and enter your CLAMS card number and PIN.
• You can now search and check out materials from the partner library just as you do from the CLAMS OverDrive catalog!
• To return items early, request renewals, or manage holds, you must sign in to your Account page on the lending network's OverDrive website. For example:  items borrowed through SAILS will not appear on your Account page on the CLAMS OverDrive website.

From the Libby mobile app:

• Tap on the Libby icon at the top right of the homescreen.
• Select "Add a Library" or select an already saved library from the list.
• Search for one of the following:  Boston Public Library, Minuteman, CW MARS, Merrimack Valley Library Consortium, NOBLE, OCLN or SAILS.
• When asked to add a library card, choose "I'm visiting From Another Library."  Choose "CLAMS Library Network." Enter your CLAMS card number and PIN.
• You can now search and check out materials from the partner library just as you do from the CLAMS OverDrive catalog
• Your Shelf displays all of your loans, holds, and tags from any network and library card added. You can completely manage or edit loans, holds, and tags from this one location.
• Each entry on your Shelf also indicates which network you borrowed that item from. The lending library network is marked by a square "gem" with their library network brand colors.

Little Pim Language Learning for Age 0-6

 

Little Pim is an online language learning system for ages 0-6. It’s a fun way for kids to learn a foreign language! Little Pim’s Entertainment Immersion Method makes it fun and easy to learn. Kids love Little Pim, the animated panda who teaches each lesson. It’s fun for the whole family, and just like the rest of the Mango system, it’s accessible anywhere you get online, right here:https://connect.mangolanguages.com/vineyard-haven/start?target=little_pim

Now Streaming: Acorn TV British Television and Quello Concert Videos!

Vineyard Haven Library is pleased to introduce new streaming services available with your library card on the RBDigital platform, Acorn TV and Stingray Quello.

Acorn TV offers world-class mysteries, dramas, comedies, and documentaries from Britain and beyond. With thousands of hours of commercial-free programming and new shows added weekly, there’s always something to watch! Return to classic series like Poldark, Foyle’s War, Midsomer Murders, and Agatha Christie’s Poirot or discover a new favorite among 80+ exclusive programs.

Stingray Qello is the world’s largest collection of on-demand full-length performances, concert films, and music documentaries. Stingray Qello transforms your connected devices into the ultimate live concert video experience. Give your favorite headliners a standing ovation from the best seat in the house anywhere, anytime!

To access video content, use your library card to create an RBDigital account, then "checkout" the selected service. Each 7-day checkout provides unlimited viewing for all series and episodes. After 7-days, check out another 7-day access to resume viewing your content. If you need help with our online resources, email us at vhpl_mail@clamsnet.org or  call (508) 696-4210 -- leave a detailed message and your call will be returned.

Get started: https://vineyardhavenma.rbdigital.com/