North Atlantic Right Whales: A Species on the Brink

In January 2024, a young right whale was found dead on a Martha's Vineyard beach, a significant blow to the right whale population. On Tuesday April 30th at 5:30 pm, Vineyard Haven Library will host an in-person presentation on the status of the North Atlantic right whale, one of the most endangered marine animals on earth. Jesse Mechling, Marine Education Director for the Center for Coastal Studies, will share natural history information about the North Atlantic Right Whale as well as current CCS research including aerial surveillance, and habitat and food resource monitoring. 

Jesse Mechling is the Director of Marine Education at the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown.  The ocean and ocean life are one of his great passions, and he relishes his role exciting a new generation to the wonders of the ocean.  A lifelong visitor to Cape Cod and permanent resident since 2008, he received a masters from the University of Rhode Island in Marine Affairs and was a 2005 John Knauss Marine Policy Fellow in Washington DC working for the National Ocean Service.  He has two decades of experience working in marine policy and education, and has been with the Center since 2009.   

MV Ballroom Musical Sunday Afternoons Continue in April and May!

Come to dance, or just to listen! 

Join your friends and neighbors for an afternoon of off-season dancing and live music, performed by your local favorites! Organized and sponsored by the MV Ballroom group, in collaboration with Pathways Arts, Vineyard Haven Library, and the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha's Vineyard. 

Events are held two Sundays a month from 4 - 5:30 pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Society Stevens Chapel, 238 Main Street.

This series is funded in part by a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

April 7th: Andy Herr Duo

April 21st: Darby & Sam, Rose-Coloured Glasses

May 5th: Smooth B, DJ Sterling Bishop

May 19th: Flying Elbows, Contra Dance with caller Kansas Brew

Schedule subject to change

Free Online Access to Boston Globe & Wall Street Journal with Boston Public Library eCard

 

Library patrons can now use a Boston Public Library eCard for free online access to the Boston Globe and Wall Street Journal. Use the links below to sign up for a free temporary account, that can be renewed as needed:

Boston Globe

• Up-to-the-moment access to Globe.com with no limit on the number of articles viewed.
• Access will be available for the next 3 days (72 hours). A limited number of passes may be issued each day.
• After 3 days, simply come back and click the above link again and register again to regain access.

Wall Street Journal

• Access will be available for the next 3 days (72 hours). A limited number of passes may be issued each day.
• After 3 days, simply come back and click the above link again and login as an existing user with the same username and password you originally created.
• Articles can be accessed back to January 1, 1997, but not market data or stock quotes from charts

You are eligible for a Boston Public Library eCard if you meet one of the following criteria:

• Your primary residence is in Massachusetts.
• You are living in Massachusetts for most of the year while attending school in-state.
• You work for a Massachusetts employer.
• You own a real-estate property in Massachusetts.

Register for an eCard here:

https://www.bpl.org/ecard-registration/

Tales of Now & Zen with Award-Winning Storyteller Motoko

On Sunday April 28th at 2pm, Vineyard Haven Public Library presents "Tales of Now & Zen" with Award-Winning Storyteller Motoko. In this virtual program for adults, Japanese storyteller Motoko offers an afternoon filled with humor, charm, and elegance. She regales with hilarious tales from her old country, as well as poignant personal stories from her childhood in Osaka and her experiences as an immigrant to the US. Motoko is the recipient of the National Storytelling Network’s 2017 Circle of Excellence Award.

Tales of Now & Zen is a travel itinerary to places as strange and exotic as ancient China and the interior of our own heart. Motoko brings us to long ago and far away, then leads us back to ourselves in this moment, as each of her characters reveal their intentions and desires. We learn why a grandmother is strong, why a child is wise, why a warrior is frightened. It is an excursion like no other.

To register for Zoom access visit bit.ly/48uQiMi

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Martha’s Vineyard Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library.

News Literacy Project: Productive Conversations & Avoiding Election Misinformation

This spring, Vineyard Haven Library and other CLAMS libraries have partnered with the News Literacy Project to present two Cape & Islands virtual community discussions on Zoom.

The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society, creating better informed, more engaged and more empowered individuals— and ultimately a stronger democracy.

Productive Conversations Without Confrontation
5:30 PM Thursday Apr 25th on Zoom REGISTER

When was the last time you had a conversation about current events with someone who holds an opposing view? If that experience left you feeling frustrated and shut down, join this virtual Cape & Islands discussion with the News Literacy Project to learn tools for speaking about current events and listening across divides. In today’s divided political climate it can feel impossible to hold civil conversations about current events – especially when misinformation and conspiracy theories abound. However, learning a few news literacy skills can help you keep conversations grounded in fact while maintaining the civility that is essential in a thriving democracy.

Avoiding Election Misinformation with Mindy Todd
5:30 PM  Thursday May 23rd on Zoom REGISTER

Finding high quality, trustworthy information can feel overwhelming in today’s noisy media environment, particularly during election season. Luckily, there are tried and true news literacy techniques that anyone can learn to find credible information about candidates, issues, and electoral processes. Join this virtual discussion with the News Literacy Project and WCAI’s The Point host Mindy Todd to find out how you can stay informed with accurate, reliable information this election season. Learn how to access trustworthy news and avoid election misinformation traps.

Mindy Todd is the host and producer of The Point on WCAI radio, a show that examines critical issues for the Cape, Islands, and South Coast Massachusetts. She brings more than 40 years of experience in radio and television to her role as host and Managing Director of Editorial. As the featured guest of this discussion, she will speak to the importance of high quality local news and robust regional reporting in accessing quality election information.

Love Song for the Vineyard Lawn with Vineyard Conservation Society

On Tuesday, April 9th at 5:30pm, join us at the Vineyard Haven Public Library for a presentation about Vineyard Lawns with Sam Look, Executive Director of the Vineyard Conservation Society. Learn the basics of having a lawn that’s safe for children, pets, and ponds. 

A Vineyard Lawn uses no pesticides, no chemical fertilizers, and only occasional watering if truly necessary. Mixed grass varieties and native plantings are hardier, better adapted to local conditions, and require less time and attention. And a Vineyard Lawn will always be safe for kids, pets, and wildlife – no need to check product labels and Google for the latest news on potential health effects.

In addition to the presentation, come see the Vineyard Conservation Society’s “Vineyard Lawns” display at the library throughout the month of April. This includes a 3-panel display (a blue ribbon winner at the Fair!), educational handouts, and book recommendations. 

Eclipse Viewing and Activities for April 8th Solar Eclipse

 

On April 8th, 2024, a solar eclipse will pass over the northeastern United States. While no location in Massachusetts will experience totality, weather permitting, Martha's Vineyard should see over 90% coverage of the sun, much greater than the 65% obscuration during the 2017 partial solar eclipse. Locally the eclipse will begin at 2:16 pm, with greatest magnitude at 3:29 pm.

While it’s very tempting to look directly at the sun during an eclipse, this is not safe and can cause irreversible eye damage. Most libraries on Martha's Vineyard will be providing certified solar eclipse glasses leading up to the event or on the day of the eclipse. Eclipse glasses are thousands of times darker than regular sunglasses -- regular sunglasses are not safe to view an eclipse.

On Thursday March 28th at 7pm, library patrons are invited to attend a virtual program via Hingham Library with Dr. Tyler Nordgren, a professional astronomer and author of the book, “Sun Moon Earth: The History of Solar Eclipses from Omens of Doom to Einstein and Exoplanets.” 

Thursday April 4th from 3:30-5pm, Kids are invited to get ready for the eclipse by making an eclipse t-shirt. We'll also have a take-and-make craft and STEM handouts leading up to the event.

Monday, April 8th from 2-4 pm the library will host an eclipse viewing for the public, with eclipse viewing glasses and eclipse-themed snacks. We'll also be streaming the path of totality throughout the day on the library TV. Details and location TBA.

If you don't plan to attend the library's viewing event on the day of the eclipse, free eclipse glasses will be available for pickup while supplies last, beginning March 25th. One pair of glasses will be available per person, with a maximum of two pairs of glasses per family. Eclipse glasses have already been provided to the Tisbury School to be distrubuted to students.

Eclips glasses have been provided through a grant from the Space Science Institute's Solar Eclipse Activities for Libraries (SEAL) program.

There are other safe methods of viewing a solar eclipse. For do-it-yourself options including making a pinhole projector and other quick and easy viewing techniques, visit:

American Astronomical Society: How to View Safely:
https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety
The Exploratorium: How To View a Solar Eclipse:
https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how-to-view-eclipse
Guide to Building Solar Eclipse Viewers:
http://clearinghouse.starnetlibraries.org/home/726-guide-to-building-solar-eclipse-viewers.html