Great news for iPod users!

Our Download Service now offers more free downloads for iPod users! Upgrade to OverDrive Media Console version 3.2 and most titles in our collection will instantly become compatible with iPod and other Apple Devices for users with Windows PCs. OverDrive Media Console version 3.2 is free.

MP3 format is compatible with MAC and most portable devices including iPods.

See the 'Plays on' icons next to each title for compatibility information.

We Want Your Feedback - Take Our Survey Today!

Last spring, the Oak Bluffs Public Library was awarded a grant through the EqualAccess Libraries – Lifelong Access Program. This survey is being used to collect feedback from the community about our efforts relating to the program and to help plan future library programs and services. Thank you for your participation, we value your time and input!
Click Here to take survey

Number Crunchers and Wordsmiths Collide at the Crossword & Sudoku Challenge

This past Saturday a group of word and number aficionados joined us at the library for an all ages crossword & sudoku puzzle challenge.

Prizes were awarded to the highest scoring crossword (a finishing time of 18:15) and sudoku (a finishing time of 13:48) challenge participants courtesy of the Vineyard Gazette. All participants were entered into a door prize - giveaway drawing sponsored by the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs.

If you want to try the puzzles that were used for the contest please visit the library's front desk and ask a staff member for a copy. The contest has been held annually at an Island Library since 2007, so practice your puzzles and prepare for next year's competition!

Thank you to the Vineyard Gazette, Library Friends of Oak Bluffs and our enthusiastic volunteers for making this event possible.

Adult Summer Reading Program Announced!

The library is hosting a series of book discussions this summer based upon popular works of travel, geography and history.

Attend the monthly book discussion meetings to be eligible for monthly prizes, enjoy free refreshments, and to be entered into an end of summer giveaway drawing. The more book discussion meetings that you attend the more chances you have to win the giveaway drawing!

Copies of the books will be available at the library, please read the books and join us for a series of lively discussion meetings:

June's Discussion - "The Man Who Loved China: the Fantastic Story of the Eccentric Scientist Who Unlocked the Mysteries of the Middle Kingdom" by Simon Winchester on Wednesday, June 24 at 10:30am.

July's Discussion - "Out of Africa" by Isak Denisen on Wednesday, July 22 at 10:30am.

August's Discussion - "A Voyage Long and Strange" by Tony Horwitz on Wednesday, August 26 at 10:30am.

Attention Job and Volunteer Seekers!

Thursday, June 4 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm

From Ad to Interview - Finding the Perfect Job or Volunteer Opportunity for You

Elaine Pace, professional author, will facilitate a round table discussion regarding career and volunteer opportunities. Learn how to put your best foot forward when applying for jobs, and how to identify your strengths and skills to find your most fulfilling job or volunteer opportunity. Limited Seating - Please contact the library to sign up

All attendees will be entered into a giveaway drawing to win a gift certificate to Darosa's, where you can purchase resume paper, portfolios, and other essential office supplies!

A former teacher, school administrator, newsletter editor and writing coach, Ms. Pace has interviewed hundreds of job applicants.

New library resources for job, career, and vounteer seekers will also be highlighted at this session.

Illumination for Lifelong Learners

The library is organizing this event as part of the Illumination for Lifelong Learners Series, a series of programs and services for lifelong learners, made possible by grant funding and support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Libraries for the Future.

Librarians Return from MLA Conference

Library Director, Danguole Budris, Assistant Director, Mathew Bose and Childrens Librarian, Jessica Bowers recently attended the Massachusetts Library Association Conference held in Springfield, MA May 6-8.

Danguole and Mat both signed up to blog the conference in order to waive conference fees. You can read the conference blog to learn about the lectures, exhibits, and networking opportunities that they attended.

Please join us in congratulating Childrens Librarian, Jessica Bowers for applying for and receiving the Kay Bader Scholarship. Based on an essay that she submitted, she was 1 of 6 librarians and students chosen from the state of Massachusetts to receive the scholarship to help pay for attending the library conference and becoming a member of the Massachusetts Library Association. Congratulations Jessica!

Spring Newsletter Available - Online or in Print

Stay informed about library events, services and resources by reading the latest issue of our new library newsletter - Books & Beyond!

Print copies are available at the library or you can be green and read it online. Ask a friendly library staff member for a copy today!

Past issues of Books & Beyond can be found at the About the Library webpage of the library's website.

Savor the Moment Photography Contest - Now Accepting Entries

Savor the Moment Photography Contest & Exhibition sponsored by the Oak Bluffs Public Library

Entry deadline: May 29, 2009

The Oak Bluffs Public Library, in conjunction with the annual celebration of DELLA HARDMAN DAY on Saturday, July 25th, is sponsoring a photography contest to select 14 images featuring Martha’s Vineyard that reflect Della Hardman’s legacy theme ~ “savor the moment.”

The winning entries will be published in the Oak Bluffs Public Library Calendar for 2010.

Contest judges are photographers Alison Shaw and Donalexander Goss, and Francine Kelly, Director, Featherstone Center for the Arts. Photographs will be judged based on the artful representation of the “Savor the Moment” theme during all four seasons on the Island.

Fourteen award-winning entries will be selected: twelve to represent each month of the year, one for the cover and one for the back cover.

For more details, please read the contest entry form or speak to a library staff member.

Technology Fair a Crowd Pleaser!

A crowd of 45+ techno-lusting individuals attended the library's first ever technology fair on Saturday, March 21. All of the attendees that signed in were entered to win a free MP3 player. The lucky winner also learned about the library's free download service, her new MP3 player will help her enjoy plenty of free audiobooks and music using this popular library service!

Learn more about the download service by visiting the library's web site or by speaking with a library staff member.

A variety of technologies related to business, entertainment, personal computers and home networks were showcased. The library contributed a “technology sandbox” table where people tried using the new Amazon Kindle 2, Nintendo Wii, an iPod Touch and our free download service. More great gadgets on loan from the Southeastern Massachusetts Library System were also on display.

A special thank you goes out to Valerie Becker - West Tisbury School, Travis Larsen - Information Technology Manager for the Town of Oak Bluffs, Maury de Geofroy - Educomp Representative and Rich Hammond - Hammond and Associates for sharing their time and expertise at the fair.

Please visit our Lifelong Learners web page to find presentation links and more information about computers and technology.

The library organized this event as part of the Illumination for Lifelong Learners Series. A series of programs and services for lifelong learners, made possible by grant funding and support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners and Libraries for the Future.

March Book Discussion Group

In March we read the interesting memoir of Azar Nafisi entitled "Reading Lolita in Tehran." This was an incredibly rich narrative which discussed several literary classics such as "The Great Gatsby" and "Pride and Prejudice" in addition to Nabokov's "Lolita." The story takes place in Iran, and we read of the difficult lives the Iranians led during the 1979 Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War and later.

In April we will be reading "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Please drop by the circulation desk to pick up a copy of the book. Hope to see you at our meeting on Wednesday, April 22nd at 10:30 am.