Special Announcement!
Putts & Pints: Mini Golf at the Library Fundraiser!
Friday, March 24th 4:00 - 5:30 Free Teen's Only Mini Golf!
Friday, March 24th 6:00-9:00
Saturday, March 25th 10:00-12:00 Free Family Mini-Golf
Our wildly popular after-hours 21+ mini-golf event is back and it's better than ever! Come play 18 holes of mini-golf throughout the library, bid on special silent auction prizes, enjoy beer and wine, and Goldie's Food Truck will be on site! All proceeds benefit the Oak Bluffs Library programs. Tickets for the Friday night event are $18 admission per person, or 2 for $30 and you'll get a round of golf and a free drink.
Tickets are available in advance for purchase in-person at the Oak Bluffs Library with cash or check, OR online using the Venmo app. To purchase with Venmo, send your payment to Library Friends Oak Bluffs (@libraryfriendsob) with your full name and number of tickets being purchased. Your name will then be added to our registration list.
Tickets will also be available at the door, the night of the event.
Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information.
Artist of the Month!
Learning To Look
Artist Reception: Saturday, March 11th 1:00-2:30
Learning to Look is a special exhibit of island children's photography. It features the works of students from the Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School and Island Autism Group across grades 5 through 11. Learning to Look shows each child's search for a new way of seeing and finding creative ways to deepen and share their gratitude for the world around them. At the same time, training us to look both inwards and outwards, giving attention to our surroundings and the quality of our responses to them.
Join us for their art reception in our meeting room on Saturday, March 11th 1:00-2:30. Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information.
This Month's Programs!
Self Care Kits
During the month of March, while supplies last, the Oak Bluffs Library is giving away free self-care kits to our patrons. Come to the circulation desk to get yours! (Limit one per household).
Salsa Suelta with Christina Montoya
Thursdays at 5:00 (March 2nd & 9th)
Saturdays at 11:30 (March 18th & 25th)
Back by popular demand! Known as Casino dancing in Cuba, this class will explore basic rhythms and movements of this style and related styles, as well as touch on history and culture. No partner necessary. Class size is limited to 15 attendees and registration is required. To register, please email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433.
Fix It Clinic
Saturday, March 4th 1:00 - 3:30
Do you have items in need of repair? A hole in your sock? A toaster that won't pop? Bring it down to our Fix It Clinic, and we'll try to repair it together. Encouraging our community to mend, reuse and recycle our items, bring the broken back to life, and create less waste. Please bring any parts, tools, or materials you already own that might be helpful in repair! No registration required.
Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information.
NAMI Presentation: In Our Own Voices
Tuesday, March 7th 5:30pm
In Our Own Voice (IOOV) is a powerful presentation that aims to change attitudes, assumptions, and stereotypes about people living with mental health conditions. Two trained presenters with lived experience of a mental health condition talk openly about their experiences and how they have found pathways to hope and healing. Three short video segments include the stories of eight additional individuals. Audience members have the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about mental health, and challenge misconceptions.
Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information.
No Book Book Club
Wednesday, March 8th 5:30 - 6:30pm
Book club without the commitment of reading an entire book. Come in to read a short story or essay and then discuss with a group about the piece. We will aim to uncover a piece of history that has been hidden from popular view. Our theme this month is black women that shaped America.
[VIRTUAL EVENT] Family to Family Information Session
Thursday March 9th 5:30pm
Is a mental health condition affecting your family? Join in on this virtual event, to learn about the about the NAMI Family to Family Program. Family to Family is a free, on-island program for family members with loved ones suffering from mental illness. The class covers everything from the chemistry of the brain to how to navigate resources.
For more information on the program, head to https://www.nami.org/Support-Education/Mental-Health-Education/NAMI-Family-to-Family
For the zoom link for this event or more information, contact hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433
Dog Therapy Visit
Friday, March 10th 4:00-5:00
Come enjoy some good dog therapy at the OB library with therapy dog Maeve, and her handler Matt! Maeve will provide affection and unconditional acceptance for a calming and enjoyable experience.
Cooking Class with Brent Turner
Learn, cook, and laugh alongside one of the island's premiere chefs, Brent Turner. Before coming to the island, Brent cooked in restaurants and worked on farms all over the North East before starting his own catering company on the South Shore. He now lives and works here on-island, as the head chef for Rosewater Market in Edgartown. His goal is bringing people closer to their food, and to "cook with your heart, eat with your hands." Each class you will walk away with knowledge, a printed recipe, and the ingredients needed to make a great dinner to make at home!
Tuesday, March 21st 5:00 - 6:00 - Homemade Hummus
Tuesday, March 28th 5:00 - 6:00 - Sweet & Savory Crepes
Registration is required. Email: hburbidge@clamsnet.org or Call: 508-693-9433
Community Climate Discussion
Thursday, March 16th 5:30pm
The Oak Bluffs Climate and Energy Committee is hosting a community climate discussion at the Oak Bluffs Library. This conversation will focus on the importance of getting people from all walks of life talking about climate change to better understand how they are impacted and how their specific interests are aligned to climate action. The committee has prepared a climate questionnaire available at the Oak Bluffs Library for prospective attendees and if possible, to read Katherine Hayhoe's great book, Saving Us prior to the meeting. Reading Saving Us is not a requirement for meeting attendance.
Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information.
Live Well Art Workshop
Saturday, March 18th 1:30pm
Live Well Art Workshop, taught by Melissa Knowles, brings people together through art, photography, and singing! Come explore your creative side with engaging activities that can easily be integrated into your daily lives. We'll make abstract photography and non-representational paintings inspired by artists influenced by nature and those who used their creativity to support healing. We'll experiment with cameras and media, including watercolor, ink, charcoal, and soft pastel, individually, in pairs, and as a group, using singing to encourage flow in our art. You won't need any prior experience – just some enthusiasm to explore how creativity might deepen your sense of well-being and vice versa.
Primarily for seniors and children 10+, but open to all ages. Registration is required, email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433
About the instructor:
Melissa is a photographer and educator who focuses on opening others to a new way of seeing - to make art a modality for healing. Her interdisciplinary approach weaves educational, therapeutic, mythological, and philosophical research to incorporate into our lives insights and practices that encourage an artfulness of being. She has travelled across four continents to work with schoolchildren, teachers, children's rights activists, artists, filmmakers, healthcare professionals, healers, anthropologists, and indigenous communities, as well as individuals with illness, disabilities, and trauma, including women exiting trafficking. For more information: www.melissa-knowles.com
NAMI Presentation: Sharing Our Stories
Tuesday, March 21st 5:30pm
NAMI Mass Sharing Our Stories (SOS) is an impactful presentation delivered by two family members of people living with mental health conditions. Two trained presenters share their experiences as caregivers or supporters and their personal journeys. Audience members will have the chance to ask questions and engage in discussion with the speakers.
Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information.
Cookbook Club
Wednesday, March 22nd 6:00-7:00
Join our group where we cook different recipes from the same cookbook and bring them in to share and discuss. The cookbook of the month will be at the circulation desk -- choose your recipe and we'll make a copy for you.
This month's cookbook is The Little Library Cookbook by Kate Young.
Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information
Women's Work! At The Agricultural Hall
Thursday, March 23rd 5:30-7:00pm
Exploring gender roles in the workplace. Kicking off in Women's History Month: a series of panels about women's experiences in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Female Farmers Panel
When: Thursday, March 23rd 5:30–7:00 PM
Where: The Agricultural Hall
Women in Business Panel
When: Thursday, April 27th 5:30–7 PM
Where: The Oak Bluffs Library
Tradeswomen Panel
When: Thursday, May 25th 5:30–7 PM
Where: The Oak Bluffs Library
AARP Tax Aide Program
Tuesday, March 28st 10:00-11:00
Volunteers, certified and trained under the AARP Tax Aide Program, will again offer FREE income tax preparation assistance for taxpayers, with a special emphasis on taxpayers sixty and older. Interested taxpayers should call the Council on Aging to sign up for the service, and to pick up their information and questionnaire packages.
Taxpayers must complete their questionnaires, bring a copy of last year’s tax return, and provide all relevant tax documents at the time of their appointment. For information and to register (enrollment is limited), call Rose Cogliano 508-693-4509
Kindness Rocks Craft
Wednesday, March 29th 3:30pm
Together we will paint words of affirmation and calming scenes onto rocks. Our intention is to cultivate community and inspire the importance of connection and kindness. Fun for all ages!
No registration required, email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information.
Select Board Candidate Forum
Thursday, March 30th 7:00pm
The League of Women Voters of Martha’s Vineyard will again this year be conducting a candidates forum in Oak Bluffs. The in-person, moderated forum is for Oak Bluffs residents who are running for any public office appearing on the Town ballot. The event is open to the public and is scheduled for Thursday, 30 March at 7:00pm in the Meeting Room at the Oak Bluffs Library.
Recurring Programs!
Adaptive Yoga (in-person & ZOOM)
Tuesdays 10:15-11:15am
The Oak Bluffs Library welcomes Lorrane Menezes for an adaptive-styled yoga. This class aims to improve patron's flexibility, concentration and strength while remaining accessible to all. Lorrane is a certified yoga teacher on the island who has taught classes at Yoga on the Vine, the Y, and private sessions.
No registration required, email hburbidge@clamsnet.org or call 508-693-9433 for more information or the zoom link.
Open ASL Practice Group
Tuesdays 1:00-2:00
Want to learn ASL? Come drop in on a conversational practice group. No experience necessary, but please check out the linked videos as a precursor to joining the practice group.
Learn this First! 10 Things You Need to Know About ASL (7:23 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w1ZDaE-whc
Signing the Alphabet (8:27 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFv_mLwBvHc
Here are a few other helpful videos, if interested:
"The first 150 signs" is broken up into several short videos. Our group has covered most of these 50 signs:
Part 1: Common & Descriptive Signs (9:15 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ll3OtqAzyw&t=92s
Part 2: People & Conversational Signs (7:53 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXtdsO_6RQY
Library Friends of Oak Bluffs (in-person & ZOOM)
First Wednesday of the month - 2:00 - 4:00pm
https://oakbluffs.zoom.us/j/91958592084
The Library Friends of Oak Bluffs provides funding for all library programs. The Steering Committee meets at 2pm on the first Wednesday of each month to plan and carry out LFOB projects. We invite you to drop us a line, give us a call, or stop by one of our meetings (1st Wednesday of the month). Contact "Library Friends of Oak Bluffs" at: LibraryFriendsOB@gmail.com.
Donations can be made anytime at: https://oakbluffslibrary.org/get-involved/friends-of-the-library/donate/
Game Night at the Barn (OFF SITE)
Wednesdays - 7:30 - 10:30pm
Come join us at the Barn Bowl & Bistro (13 Uncas Ave, Oak Bluffs) for a variety of board games and socializing. We meet weekly at 7:30pm on Wednesdays, and newcomers are always welcome.
Magic: The Gathering Gaming Club
1st and 3rd Fridays of the month - 6:00 - 8:00pm
Come play Magic: the Gathering at the Oak Bluffs Public Library! Players of all skill levels are welcome. On the first and third Fridays of the month. Food and drink will not be provided, but feel free to bring your own as long as you clean up after yourself. Children under 14 should be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program. For more information, please contact Marco Daniels at mdaniels@clamsnet.org
Tap Class with Hannah
Saturdays - 10:30 - 11:30pm
Join Hannah on Saturday mornings to discover your inner tap dancer! Class will include a warm-up, instruction to basic tap steps and vocabulary. We will end each class with some fun, light choreography that will keep you tapping until the next class.
No experience is necessary, and a limited number of tap shoes will be provided (size dependent). Although this class is geared towards adults, tap is fun for all ages, and a great way to get in touch with rhythm and musicality.
Registration is encouraged. Email: hburbidge@clamsnet.org or Call: 508-693-9433
All Ages Chess Club
Saturdays - 2:00 – 3:30pm
Come join Chess Club at the Oak Bluffs Library! Chess is more popular now than ever. Are you looking for a partner, a challenge, a new move? Come and play at the library with a dedicated group of chess lovers in this fun and welcoming environment.
