Ecuadorian Cultural Celebration at the Library July 28th

Francisco de Orellana, the Spanish conquistador, founded Santiago de Guayaquil, Ecuador (Perla de un pacifico mar) on the 25th of July 1537. Even before the Spanish founded it, it already existed as a native village.

On Wednesday, July 28th beginning at 7pm, the Library will host a celebration of this holiday with the Ecuadorian community of Martha’s Vineyard. We will learn about the culture, traditions and history of Guayaquil, Ecuador; the different cultural manifestations of Guayaquil, the pre-Hispanic life, Spanish conquest, modern life and tourism of this beautiful province. There will be folk music, apparel native to Ecuador and presentation of some of the old fashioned Guayaquilean dances followed by some traditional and delicious snacks.

Alexia Garcia will be presenting this program. She was an intern and is now studying at the Archeology Museum Ecuador Guayaquil Presley Norton. Alexia speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese and will be glad to share the program in all 3 languages.

Register Online for the September 12th 5k Run/Walk and Fun Run

On Sunday, September 12th, the Friends of the Library will host the annual Race for the Library. The 5k Run/Walk starts at the library with runners proceeding to the West Chop lighthouse and back. There will also be a 1/2 Mile Fun Run for Kids (13 & under). There will be prizes for winners in all age groups, and a raffle. 5k starts at 10 am; Fun Run for Kids starts at 9:45 am; Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

To sign up online visit www.needtorace.com. Online registration closes on September 9th.

Art Show and Reception for Haitian Artist Wilfrid Dantis

The Library will present a special exhibition featuring the work of visiting Haitian artist Wilfrid Dantis. His paintings will be on display in the library program room during regular library hours on Friday, July 9th and Saturday, July 10th. The library will host two receptions with the artist from 4pm-7pm on Friday and from 11am-1pm on Saturday.

W.S. Merwin Named Poet Laureate

W.S. Merwin has been chosen to succeed Kay Ryan as the 17th Poet Laureate of the United States. The Poet Laureate is appointed annually by the Librarian of Congress and serves from October to May.

Merwin has received numerous awards for his poetry and translations, including the National Book Award for Poetry in 2005, the Tanning Prize from the Academy of American Poets in 1994, and the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1971 and 2009.

Why Democracy Needs Books: An Afternoon with Stephen L. Carter

On Sunday, July 18th at 2pm, the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Library will host their annual author event in the library garden. This year our guest will be Professor Stephen L. Carter, who will speak on "Why Democracy Needs Books," the subject of his latest work in progress. Light refreshments will follow the talk.

Stephen L. Carter is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale University. In addition to dozens of articles in professional journals and the popular press, Professor Carter is the author of seven non-fiction books, among them The Culture of Disbelief: How American Law and Politics Trivialize Religious Devotion (1993) and Civility: Manners, Morals, and the Etiquette of Democracy (1998). Professor Carter is also a novelist. His debut novel, The Emperor of Ocean Park (2002), has sold more than 600,000 copies. He is currently at work on a book about why democracy needs books.

The event is free to the public and tickets are not required. Please remember that parking around the library is limited and seating will be on a first come basis, so please plan to arrive early. Guests will be seated beginning at 1:30 pm.

Haiti "Peace Quilt" Now On Display At the Library

The Haitian "Peace Quilt" that was given to the library by the Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library is now on display in the program room on the lower level. The quilt bears a Haitian saying that translates to "eat fruit and don't get sick" (equivalent to "an apple a day keeps the doctor away").

The PeaceQuilts Project is enabling Haitian women to earn a living through meaningful, creative work -- improving their lives and those of their families. Women from the community produce one-of-a-kind original art quilts informed by Haitian imagery. They earn a daily wage plus a portion of the sale price when their quilts sell. PeaceQuilts, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, is an outgrowth of the Martha's Vineyard Fish Farm for Haiti Project, helping the poor of Haiti since 1998.

Author Nora Nevin and photographer Harvey Beth have both contributed to a new 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.

Summer Reading Program For Children and Teens

Registration for the Summer Reading Program at the Vineyard Haven Public Library begins June 28th. Visit the Children's Room at the library to sign up, log your books and earn prizes including a T-shirt. Teens ages 12 to 18 can choose to register online at readsinma.org.

The theme for this year's program is "Go Green @ Your Library." A schedule of special programs for children and teens is now available at the library or on the online event calendar. All programs at the library are free.


"Gogreen at your library" is sponsored by your local library, the Massachusetts Regional Library Systems, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. Summer reading at the Vineyard Haven Public Library is supported by the Friends of the Library and donations from community businesses including the Bagel Authority, Bob's Pizza, Bunch of Grapes, Capawock Theatre, EduComp, Island Music, Mocha Motts, Mosher Photo, Murdick's Fudge, MV Heart Boutique, Riley Reads, Vineyard Transit Authority, and Waterside Market.