The fun new website Goodreads was recently mentioned in a Martha's Vineyard Times article by Susan Wilson. Goodreads is a place where people share their reading interests, and help each other find new reading material.
Visit the Oak Bluffs Public Library's Goodreads Account, and search our virtual bookshelves to find new reading material.
We have created shelves for the library's Book Discussion Group, the library staff's reads, Travel and Adventure and there will be more shelves to come!
Post a comment and let us know what library shelves and reading lists you would like to see us create!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
New Art Display at the OBPL!
Amos Group Photography Exhibit at the Oak Bluffs Public Library
Samplings of photographs taken by four students who attend The Rebecca Amos Institute are on display at the Oak Bluffs Public Library during the month of February. Instructor Janice Baer brought her students, Tracy Devine, Vanessa Grant, Hayley Panek, and Amanda Tate to various spots around the Island to inspire their photographic efforts. Please come to the Library during its open hours and enjoy the creative works of these four talented artists!
Click here to see pictures of the exhibit
Samplings of photographs taken by four students who attend The Rebecca Amos Institute are on display at the Oak Bluffs Public Library during the month of February. Instructor Janice Baer brought her students, Tracy Devine, Vanessa Grant, Hayley Panek, and Amanda Tate to various spots around the Island to inspire their photographic efforts. Please come to the Library during its open hours and enjoy the creative works of these four talented artists!
Click here to see pictures of the exhibit
Saturday, January 19, 2008
New Library Resource - Ancestry Library Edition!
Have you been interested in learning more about your family's genealogy?
Come to the Library and use Ancestry Library Edition, a popular tool for online genealogical research.
You can even make an appointment for a 30-minute consultation with a librarian in order to learn how to use this great new genealogical resource at your Library.
Come to the Library and use Ancestry Library Edition, a popular tool for online genealogical research.
You can even make an appointment for a 30-minute consultation with a librarian in order to learn how to use this great new genealogical resource at your Library.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
New Holiday Party Pictures!
Check out the pictures taken at the Library Friend's Holiday Party that took place in December by clicking on the flickr badge on the right hand side of the screen.
There was gingerbread house making, a surprise visit by Santa, tasty food and drink, and plenty of good cheer!
Thank you once again to the Friends, Volunteers, and everyone who attended to help the library celebrate the holiday season!
There was gingerbread house making, a surprise visit by Santa, tasty food and drink, and plenty of good cheer!
Thank you once again to the Friends, Volunteers, and everyone who attended to help the library celebrate the holiday season!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
November Book Club -- The Piano Tuner
Daniel Mason's historical novel, The Piano Tuner, takes place primarily in Burma of the 1880's. Mr. Mason tells the story of a London-based piano tuner who accepts a mission from the British War Office to travel to the jungles of Burma to tune an 1840's Erard piano, which is owned by an eccentric surgeon-major in the Shan Plateau.
Our discussion centered around the lush description of the landscape and life in the colonies of the British Empire during the 19th century. Several participants thought that the title of the book should have been The Piano, rather than The Piano Tuner, because the story really told more about the life and death of the Erard piano than of the piano tuner.
One person said the descriptions of life during the Raj brought back many memories of her life before she came to the States. Another person wanted to hear Burmese music and taste Burmese food to better understand the Burmese people. We discussed the fact that taste and audio are a wonderful addition to reading about different cultures.
All in all, most participants liked the book and were fascinated to hear more detail about the history of music and the art of piano tuning from one of our members. The discussion was lively and interesting!! We all agreed that this tale would make a wonderful movie or TV miniseries!
We will not have a book club meeting in December. The next time we meet will be in January.
Our discussion centered around the lush description of the landscape and life in the colonies of the British Empire during the 19th century. Several participants thought that the title of the book should have been The Piano, rather than The Piano Tuner, because the story really told more about the life and death of the Erard piano than of the piano tuner.
One person said the descriptions of life during the Raj brought back many memories of her life before she came to the States. Another person wanted to hear Burmese music and taste Burmese food to better understand the Burmese people. We discussed the fact that taste and audio are a wonderful addition to reading about different cultures.
All in all, most participants liked the book and were fascinated to hear more detail about the history of music and the art of piano tuning from one of our members. The discussion was lively and interesting!! We all agreed that this tale would make a wonderful movie or TV miniseries!
We will not have a book club meeting in December. The next time we meet will be in January.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Computer Class - Attendees Excited to Learn More!
On Thursday morning, November 29, the Library's Reference Department was full of people excited to learn more about how to use computers.
The class was titled - "Learn Basic Computer Skills" and required no previous computer experience in order to sign-up.
Attendees gained hands-on experience in basic computer skills like turning on the computer, using the mouse, navigating the windows environment, etc...
At the conclusion of the class several people signed up for our Individual Computer Help Sessions to continue their introduction to computers and related topics (searching the web, using Microsoft Word, etc...).
Stay tuned to the library's website and local media, as the library plans to host more computer/technology courses in the future!
The class was titled - "Learn Basic Computer Skills" and required no previous computer experience in order to sign-up.
Attendees gained hands-on experience in basic computer skills like turning on the computer, using the mouse, navigating the windows environment, etc...
At the conclusion of the class several people signed up for our Individual Computer Help Sessions to continue their introduction to computers and related topics (searching the web, using Microsoft Word, etc...).
Stay tuned to the library's website and local media, as the library plans to host more computer/technology courses in the future!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Large Crowd Enjoys Songini Book Signing & Lecture!
Marc Songini, author of "The Lost Fleet: A Yankee Whaler's Struggle Against the Confederate Navy and Arctic Disaster," spoke to a crowd of over 40 people at the Library on Saturday, November 10th!
The focus of Mr. Songini's talk was "Vineyard Heroes: Great Whaling Masters and Mates of the Island."
The focus of Mr. Songini's talk was "Vineyard Heroes: Great Whaling Masters and Mates of the Island."
Mr. Songini discussed the fascinating lives of the many Vineyarders who took part in the once-prolific whaling industry, using many interesting and humorous anecdotes to entertain the audience. Many Island history buffs were in attendance and so there was no shortage of questions or topics for discussion.
After the discussion period, copies of Mr. Songini's book were available for purchase, courtesy of Sun Porch Books. The author signed copies for anyone who asked him.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Trustee Toolkit Workshop
The Oak Bluffs Public library was a host to a workshop for library trustees presented jointly by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) and Southeastern Massachusetts Library System (SEMLS).
Library trustees from all of the Island libraries had an opportunity to learn how the MBLC and SEMLS can assist them in providing service to their community. The speakers were:
Irving Zangwill, Commissioner, MBLC
Robert Maier, Director of the MBLC
Maureen Killoran, Head of Public Library Advisory Unit/Govenrment Liaison
Brian Donoghue, Librarian Research Services
Cindy Roach, SEMLS Regional Administrator
Cheryl Bryan, SEMLS Asst. Admin. for Consulting & Continuing Education.
Before the workshop, guests from MBLC were given a tour of the library and were happy to see it was being well used: a story hour was going on in the Children's program room, a book discussion in the Conference room, and many computer users in the reference area. They especially admired Margot Datz's artwork and her book end-pannels in the Children's room.
October's Book Discussion: "Cod" by Mark Kurlansky
In conjunction with The Sustainable Book Club our Book Discussion Group met recently to talk about Kurlansky's novel "Cod".
Spirited discussions took place at both the evening and morning sessions, with mostly praise expressed for the author's research and writing style.
Topics that received particular attention were fish farming, the fishing industry (techniques, technology, economics, etc..), the historical significance of cod, education in schools concerning sustainability, and the social/cultural influence of this important food source.
As usual people's personal experiences and expertise on relevant subjects greatly contributed to the conversation, and made for a thought provoking group discussion!
Kurlansky has written a number of other books that may also appeal to readers:
Salt: A World History
The Basque History of the World: The Story of a Nation
The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell
Spirited discussions took place at both the evening and morning sessions, with mostly praise expressed for the author's research and writing style.
Topics that received particular attention were fish farming, the fishing industry (techniques, technology, economics, etc..), the historical significance of cod, education in schools concerning sustainability, and the social/cultural influence of this important food source.
As usual people's personal experiences and expertise on relevant subjects greatly contributed to the conversation, and made for a thought provoking group discussion!
Kurlansky has written a number of other books that may also appeal to readers:
Salt: A World History
The Basque History of the World: The Story of a Nation
The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Biographies, MV Hurricanes, Fishing Derby, and more!
Come to the Library and see our latest and greatest Library & Book Displays:
Visit our "Who's Life Is It Anyway?" Book Display and find Library materials concerning the lives of fascinating people!
Or take a look at our "Hurricanes & Martha's Vineyard" exhibit to learn more about some of the powerful storms that have affected the Island's people, towns, and landscape over the years! There is more information in the Reference Department that will help you and your family prepare for future hurricanes and natural disasters.
It is also the season for the annual Fishing Derby, the Library staff has created a display of related materials along with some brief information about the Derby.
Finally, don't forget about Banned Books Week! There are bookmarks and information packets near the Library's Catalog Computers and in the Reference Department. Celebrate your freedom to read today!
Visit our "Who's Life Is It Anyway?" Book Display and find Library materials concerning the lives of fascinating people!
Or take a look at our "Hurricanes & Martha's Vineyard" exhibit to learn more about some of the powerful storms that have affected the Island's people, towns, and landscape over the years! There is more information in the Reference Department that will help you and your family prepare for future hurricanes and natural disasters.
It is also the season for the annual Fishing Derby, the Library staff has created a display of related materials along with some brief information about the Derby.
Finally, don't forget about Banned Books Week! There are bookmarks and information packets near the Library's Catalog Computers and in the Reference Department. Celebrate your freedom to read today!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)