$50,000 Challenge Grant for Library Capital Campaign

 

The Vineyard Haven Public Library Building Fund, Inc. is pleased to announce a $50,000 challenge grant from the Sibbri Foundation. The grant calls for the Library Building Fund to raise $50,000 by December 31, 2021, which will then be matched dollar for dollar by the Sibbri Foundation. Every gift or pledge for a future gift made before the end of 2021 will be counted towards the challenge, so a gift or pledge today will be doubled!

Through a capital campaign launched in 2019, the Vineyard Haven Public Library Building Fund Inc. (VHPLBFI) is raising funds for the construction of an addition to the library building at 200 Main Street, to house an accessible multi-purpose meeting room with seating for up to 100, with up-to-date technology, appropriate lighting and acoustics, and optimal ventilation. The project will also include a renovated and expanded reading room, and a new interpretation of the Margaret Webster Shakespeare Garden which was lost with the library's last expansion in 2000. 

VHPLBFI is raising the funds needed for the library addition project through gifts and grants, without further taxpayer funding. To date, VHPLBFI has raised approximately $900,000 towards the $2 million campaign goal. An additional $50,000 in gifts to be matched by the Sibbri Foundation would take the campaign past the halfway mark. "We’ve seen wonderful support for the library and look forward to meeting this fundraising milestone near the end of this year,” said Building Fund President Arch Smith. “We are excited to have the Sibbri Foundation gift to offer encouragement to bolster donations, with a matching grant every donation becomes even more important. 

Donations can be made online at www.vhlibrarybuildingfund.org or checks sent to VHPLBFI, PO Box 4961, Vineyard Haven MA 02568. Pledge forms and more detailed information about the capital campaign and building project are available at www.vhlibrarybuildingfund.org.

Climate Preparedness Week Virtual Events

 

WHAT IS CLIMATE PREPAREDNESS WEEK?
During September 24–30* each year, we mark Climate Preparedness Week, dedicated to learning, service, and actions that better prepare our communities for extreme weather events. By coming together to host events, we provide the resources and space to think about the ways that climate change disadvantages some communities more than others. 

THEME: THE WEATHER IS CHANGING: ARE YOU PREPARED?
By coming together to host educational and service-oriented events, we can equip ourselves and our communities with the resources, tools, and mindsets to build resilience in the face of changing weather and our changing climate. We’ll explore how severe weather and climate change affects us all--locally, globally, publicly, and personally. Additionally, we’ll learn about how the impacts of climate change and extreme weather intersect with racial, social, and economic justice and how we can respond to these changes from the ground up and the top down. 

5:30 pm Monday September 27th
Virtual : The State of the Coast presented by The Trustees 
Join The Trustees of Reservations and the public libraries in Vineyard Haven and Edgartown to hear from the lead author of the second annual “State of the Coast” report, detailing many of the coastal challenges being faced by communities on Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Gosnold, as well as potential adaptation methods for the future. Join the discussion to ask questions and see the latest modeling and data forecasts for 2050. Please register for this event at https://thetrustees.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ojdkJQuZSwq_i0cY1tr_xg

Virtual Panel Discussion
Monday, September 27
6:00 pm via Zoom
CREW will be hosting a virtual panel discussion dialogue with several organizations regarding how extreme weather impacts humans' physical and mental health, New England's dependence on fossil fuels, its connection to climate change, what a clean energy future could look like, and political action that several groups are taking on behalf of their communities to mitigate climate change. The organizations involved are Climate Code Blue, Conservation Law Foundation, Green Roots Chelsea, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation and Mattapan Food and Fitness. 

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuduurqzosE9JiduCJK5wxQtOQAjXJrtRe%20 
 
Climate Preparedness Week: Why Trees Matter in a Changing Climate
Tuesday, September 28
6:30 pm via Zoom
We will discuss the importance of urban forests in combatting climate change impacts such as extreme heat. Featuring David Meshoulam, PhD, co-founder of Speak for the Trees.

Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIuceysrz0oHNJ8LF-vOT2fyxOOlx05AG9v 

Questions? Contact vernon@climatecrew.org
 
The Effects of Climate Change on the Ocean and Human Well-Being: How Do We Respond?
Wednesday, September 29
5:30 pm via Zoom
Join us as Dr. Aaron Hartmann will lead the discussion on why/how we can respond to the changing of the weather and how climate change affects the Ocean, and CREW will lead the discussion on how climate change affects human beings.

Register here: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlceGorTMvHdTlJNtBr4kkrb2Vu2h-Koav 

Virtual Event: The State of the Coast Report

5:30 pm Monday September 27th
Virtual : The State of the Coast presented by The Trustees 

By 2050, more than 3,500 structures on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket may be impacted by storm flooding, and nearly 800 structures lost to erosion, according to The Trustees 2nd annual State of the Coast report.

“The impacts of flooding and erosion on these beloved Islands will affect thousands who live and work there, and the thousands more who visit each summer,” says Tom O’Shea, Trustees Managing Director of Resources and Planning. “To put this into perspective: today’s storm is tomorrow’s high tide. The storm surge from Winter Storm Riley in March 2018 produced a water level on Martha’s Vineyard that is roughly equivalent to the average height of the highest tide projected for 2050.”

Join The Trustees of Reservations and the public libraries in Vineyard Haven and Edgartown on September 27 (5:30-6:30pm) to hear from the lead author of the second annual “State of the Coast” report. The report details many of the coastal challenges being faced by communities on Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Gosnold, as well as potential adaptation methods for the future. Join the discussion to ask questions and see the latest modeling and data forecasts for 2050.

The 44-page report, underwritten by ReMain Nantucket, highlights the climate change-driven impacts of sea level rise and storm flooding faced by Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Gosnold (Elizabeth Islands). These include impacts to beaches, salt marsh, developed areas like harbors and business districts, coastal banks, and habitats in Aquinnah, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gosnold, Nantucket, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, and West Tisbury.

This important TToR program is presented in collaboration with the Edgartown and VH libraries. Please register for this event at https://thetrustees.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ojdkJQuZSwq_i0cY1tr_xg

Art in the Stacks: Marston Clough

 

The lower level of the library is now open for browsing. This month, the art wall on the lower level will feature oil paintings by Marston Clough. Marston Clough was born and raised on Martha's Vineyard, and most of the art that he makes has a lot to do with color and atmosphere, and reflects being on the Island year round. View the show during regular library hours, Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturday from 1pm to 5pm.

Express Browsing in Children's Room, no Appointment Needed

Starting Tuesday September 14th, the Children's Room at Vineyard Haven Library will be open for 15-minute "Express Browsing" Tuesday - Saturday, no appointment needed.

• Browsing time is limited to 15 minutes, for one family group at a time (up to six patrons). When the Children's Room is at capacity no one else may enter.
• Access will be through the garden entrance. A staff member will invite you to enter when the room is available.
• Children under age 8 must be accompanied at all times by an adult caregiver.
• Toys, table seating, and computers have been temporarily removed from the Children's Room. Seating is available outdoors in the library garden.
• Remember to bring your library card, or download the CLAMS Library Network App, available for Apple and Android devices.
• Because of limits currently in place, families should not plan on the Library being a standard part of their after school care plan.
  

Browsing time is limited to 15 minutes, so please feel free to call ahead if you are looking for specific items. Don't have time to browse? Not quite sure what you are looking for? Fill out this form and Children's Librarian Emily will curate a personalized book bag for you for scheduled pickup.

Throughout the library all patrons over the age of two are required to wear a face covering, regardless of personal vaccination status. If you or a family member are experiencing symptoms of illness including fever, cough, or shortness or breath, please postpone your visit until you are feeling better.

Delayed opening at 11 AM on Thursday September 2nd

The Vineyard Haven Library and Town Hall will have a delayed opening at 11am on Thursday, September 2nd