LIBRARY PROGRAMS

The Vineyard Haven Public library offers a wide variety of regular programs and special events for adults, including lectures, performances, films, demonstrations and discussions about timely and fascinating topics, from the arts and literature to global studies.

Library programs are currently being offered in-person and online through Zoom and other platforms. Visit our online events calendar for details, and subscribe to our email newsletter below.

Library Addition and Capital Campaign
The Vineyard Haven Public Library Board of Library Trustees has engaged an architect to prepare design(s) and budget estimate(s) for the construction of an addition to the library building at 200 Main Street, in order to build a multi-purpose meeting room for classes, lectures, films, entertainers, literary and other cultural programs for all ages. Learn More

Adult Lecture Series
Programs are presented every Tuesday at 7pm and on other dates as scheduled. Information on upcoming events is available on the library’s event calendar and at the circulation desk. Selected programs are available on DVD for checkout, or may be viewed online through our Vimeo Channel.

Library Book Group
This casual discussion group meets at 2 pm on the third Thursday of each month to talk about a fiction or nonfiction book selection. A list of past titles is available from the circulation desk, and online.

Public Affairs Discussion Group
The Foreign Policy Association's "Great Decisions" program is held annually on Thursday evenings (Winter/Spring).

Adult Crafts
Adult craft programs are held monthly. Everyone age 12 and up is welcome and all materials are provided. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Technology Classes
The library presents classes on using library resources such as the CLAMS Catalog and downloadable eBooks and audio books, and one-on-one sessions to introduce the internet and basic computing.

Photography Club
The MV Photography Club is intended to be a place for photographers to find fellowship, knowledge, and resources. Open and welcoming to photographers of all kinds and all levels, the club meets on the first Thursday of each month at 6pm. NOTE: Photo Club is currently on hiaitus.

ONLINE LEARNING

The library's Kanopy streaming video services offers more than 6,000 videos from 'The Great Courses.' The Great Courses are a series of college-level lecturecourses, perfect for anyone who wants to further their education or take a deep dive into a variety of subjects, at your own pace and based on the topics that interest you. Stream unlimited courses on topics from science, history, philosophy, photography, cooking, literature, and more. Films can be streamed from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV, Chromecast or Roku. All you need to access this free service is a Vineyard Haven Public Library card.

Universal Class provides access to lifelong learning courses in over 30 subject areas, many of which offer continuing education units (CEUs). More than 500 courses are available, designed and led by professional instructors to build deeper understanding and mastery of subject matter. Patrons may take multiple classes and learn at their own pace. Universal Class course offerings include Computer Training, Finance, Career Training, Health & Nutrition, Crafts and Hobbies, Basic Writing & Mathematical Skills, plus hundreds more.

Mango Languages is an online language learning resource that prepares learners for realistic conversations and communication in over 70 world languages. Vineyard Haven Library's Mango service now includes Little Pim, 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.

Martha's Vineyard library cardholders now have unlimited free access to Creativebug, our new online crafting resouce! Sign-up with your library card to take hundreds of easy to follow, beautifully produced, creative video classes. The classes are pre-recorded so you can enjoy them any time and at your own pace. Some of the class categories are: Art & Design, Sewing, Knitting, Food & Home, and Kids. There are easy and quick projects as well as more in depth courses. We hope you enjoy this easily navigated and accessible addition.

For additional online learning resources from the library visit our Digital Library page.

GRANT FUNDED PROGRAM SERIES

		Vineyard Haven Library has been awarded a "Revisiting the Founding Era" grant to implement public programming and community conversations that explore America’s founding and its enduring themes. Funded by American Library Association, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Programs will take place in 2020.
		The 2017 "Pushing the Limits" grant program funded a series of discussions on popular books and feature film quality videos featuring authors, scientists and everyday people who thrive on exploring the natural world. Other programs in this series included talks by Jonathan White, author of Tides, Daniel Goleman on his book Altered Traits, and "CRISPR and Genetic Editing: Uncharted Waters," a panel discussion with leading scientists and bioethicists from Harvard, MIT, Stanford and the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. This nationwide program is funded through the National Science Foundation and was created through a collaboration of Dartmouth College, The Califa Library Group, the Association of Rural and Small Libraries, Dawson Media Group, and the Institute for Learning Innovation.
		America's Music was a 2014 series of public programs created by the Tribeca Film Institute™ in partnership with the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and in consultation with the Society for American Music.
		This 2012 program series was made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. Visit the series webpage for more information and reading recommendations.
		The Mass. Memories Road Show is a statewide digital history project that documents people, places, and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories. A Road Show event Martha's Vineyard on October 25th, 2015, and images and video captured that day are archived as part of UMASS Boston's Digital Collection.
		The Vineyard Haven Public Library Conversation Circles Program is currently on hiatus. For more information, help finding and using library resources, or referrals to an ESL program, contact Reference Librarian at (508) 696-4210 x15 or [email protected].

Programs and facilities for lifelong learning are supported by:

The EqualAccess Libraries grant program, funded through the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners with funds from LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), a Federal source of library funding provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The Friends of the Vineyard Haven Public Library, a volunteer organization to encourage public understanding of the Library's vital role in the community, support activities for both adults and children, and provide various other volunteer services.

A generous bequest from the estate of Ruth Redding, retired schoolteacher and amateur archaeologist. This unrestricted gift has been designated by the Board of Library Trustees for the support of the Adult Lecture Series at the Library.

The Stephen C. Luce Charitable Foundation.

FOR OLDER ADULTS

Tisbury Council on Aging
http://www.tisburyma.gov/Pages/TisburyMA_COA
34 Pine Tree Rd, Vineyard Haven
(508) 696-4205

Elder Services of Cape Cod & the Islands
http://www.escci.org
Linton Lane, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
(508)-693-4393

Martha's Vineyard Community Services
http://www.mvcommunityservices.com/
Martha's Vineyard Community Services provides accessible education and health and human services to individuals, families, and the community.

Adult & Community Education of Martha's Vineyard

http://www.acemv.org
ACE MV provides stimulating, and revitalizing educational opportunities by offering a variety of interesting and creative classes for enrichment, practical training, college credit, and life-long learning.

AARP
http://www.aarp.org/
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.

Exploritas (Elderhostel, Inc.)
http://www.exploritas.org/
Exploritas is the name for the programs developed and offered by Elderhostel, Inc., a not-for-profit leader in lifelong learning and educational travel since 1975.

First Stop Martha's Vineyard

http://firststopmv.org/

FirstStop MV is an Island-wide, community driven initiative to support the health and wellness of our community by connecting people to information and critical resources for Island seniors.
(774) 549-0555

Go4Life
http://go4life.niapublications.org/
Go4Life, an exercise and physical activity campaign from the National Institute on Aging at NIH, is designed to help you fit exercise and physical activity into your daily life.

NIH Senior Health
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/
This easy-to-use website features health and wellness information for older adults from the National Institutes of Health.

SeniorNet
http://www.seniornet.org
SeniorNet's mission is to provide older adults education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.