Martha's Vineyard Libraries

A look at local offerings for Winter 2019

Photo: Aquinnah Library

Aquinnah Public Library
A little history on this gorgeous library: The Aquinnah Public Library is located in the historic Red Schoolhouse building at 1 Church Street in Aquinnah. It was renovated by the town with the assistance of a grant through the Massachusetts Historic Commission.
 
The Gay Head Public Library (renamed the Aquinnah Public Library in 1998) was established in 1901 by an act of the State Legislature in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At the time of its establishment, the legislature also appropriated funds for the purchase of a small collection. Prior to that time, the town school was the sole repository of publicly-owned volumes. From its inception, the new library found itself competing for space with all the other public needs of the town. The schoolhouse was the only public building in existence until the Town Hall was constructed in 1929. Books purchased with that first entitlement and those brought in later years were kept in the schoolhouse, and were later moved across the street to a room next to the stage in the new Town Hall.

Drawing Group (for adults)
Thursdays in February and March 2.30-3.30pm (excluding February 21):
Drawing can be a deeply relaxing activity. Participants will practice enjoying the process and trusting their own vision. We will be exploring and acquiring skills, rather than setting out to make finished pieces of art. This group is led by Elissa Turnbull, an illustrator and kind-hearted teacher. All experience levels welcome. This is a class for adults but it’s open to children 12+ who have a strong interest.
 
Coding Club (ages 8 and up):
Tuesdays in February and March and April 3-4pm
The ability to code computer programs is an important part of modern literacy. Scratch is a programming language that allows the coder to bypass learning obscure syntax and jump right into creating interactive stories, games and animations. A free platform, developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab, Scratch was designed especially for people ages 8 to 16. Playing around in Scratch, kids learn important mathematical and computational concepts, as well as how to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.|
 
Kids Pizza and a Movie:
We will be having our last pizza + movie of the winter on Thursday February 28, which is during the school vacatoin week.
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Meditation group:
Thursdays in February and March 2-3 pm

Photo: Chilmark Free Public Library

Chilmark Free Public Library
Ebba Hierta, Library Director
Greetings from the island's oldest library, founded in 1882 by noted feminist and suffragist Alice Stone Blackwell and her cousin Florence Blackwell Mayhew. Here are a few things we're doing to stay busy over the winter:
 
This year we've started an occasional Saturday afternoon program called Chowder and Chat. It's a casual, drop-in get together with different community leaders. We put on a pot of chowder and invite people to come by, have some lunch and join the conversation. Check with the library for the schedule.
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On Wednesday evenings we are hosting a series of writing workshops. Previously we’ve done a poetry writing workshop, future topics include nature writing and food writing. When we're not talking about writing, we might be talking about arts and crafts. Figure drawing, hand mending and collage are a few of the topics.

Photo: Edgartown Library

Edgartown Public Library
Lisa Sherman, Library Director
What's up at the Edgartown Library this February? Quite a lot -- from music to movies, from celebrations to learning opportunities. 
 
Highlights of January included the first Slow Cooking class of the winter season, and the first of two workshops on Social Media. Both these programs continue in February, together with a busy calendar of films (and Opera Club, of course) as well as programs for young adults and children. And during school vacation, which stretches from the end of February into the beginning of March, we have special activities for kids of all ages every day of the week. We invite you to enjoy all that the library has to offer through the winter month ahead.

Photo: Oak Bluffs Library

Oak Bluffs Public Library
Carolina Cooney, Program Coordinator
When the rest of the island shuts down, the Oak Bluffs Library is still hopping. Our cozy lounge area, complete with coffee, is the perfect place to spend the day, and we have a very impressive board game selection to keep you occupied (not to mention a plethora of fascinating books). 2019 is also OBPL's Year of the Series, and all month long we have programs on cooking, art, science, dance, and more; plus chess, tai chi, french class, tech help, and numerous programs for English Language Learners. Plus our most popular event of the year, Library Mini-Golf, returns this year on March 15-16th. Not only is this a super fun event, but it's a great fundraiser for our future library programs!

Photo: Vineyard Haven Library

Vineyard Haven Public Library
Amy Ryan, Director 
In addition to having an outstanding collection of books and other materials, Vineyard Haven Public Library holds weekly programs for all age groups, from babies to active older adults. Programs for adults include our Tuesday evening Lecture and Film series, monthly Book Club and monthly Adult Crafts programs, and a Public Affairs Discussion Group. Children's programs include 3 weekly story-times, after-school crafts, gaming, and "Build Club" STEAM programming. All library programs are free and open to all.
 
In order to accommodate growing program attendance, The Library Trustees have just engaged Maryann Thompson, Architects, to design an addition to the library in order to build a multipurpose meeting room. This project will be funded through a capital campaign, and more details can be found on the project website, http://vhlibrary.org/Building.shtml

Photo: West Tisbury Free Public Library

West Tisbury Free Public Library
The West Tisbury Free Public Library is as old as the town itself. In 1892, the same year the town was incorporated, the West Tisbury Free Public Library Association purchased the former Dukes County Academy study hall and dormitory on Music Street. The library opened in 1893 and was operated independently until 1968, when the town voted to accept the library as a gift from the private association.
 
Some of their events: 
Music & Make Believe Class
Saturdays from 10:15-10:45am
 
Little Bird’s Laura Jordan presents seasonal songs, movement and dramatic play. Children are encouraged to express themselves in whatever shape or form that feels natural and comfortable. Classes will meet 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, and 3/30. Sign up is required, and please try to attend all six sessions. Recommended for ages 3+.
 
Little Bird Music Class
Saturdays from 10:45-11:15am
 
Little Bird’s Laura Jordan presents seasonal songs and movement. The class is somewhat structured but it’s a free flowing environment, allowing space for magic to happen in the moment. Children of all ages welcome and the more the merrier! No sign up required. Classes will meet 2/9, 2/23, 3/9, 3/16, 3/23, and 3/30.