Hello, August!

Learn more about Sankofa

Summer reading isn’t just for littles

Join in our adult summer reading program for July - August  and get delicious rewards for kicking back and enjoying the summer with a good book!

Learn more about Adult Summer Reading here!

Oak Bluffs Library’s Summer Hours

Tuesdays 10:00 - 6:00

Wednesdays 8:00 - 5:00

Thursdays 10:00 - 8:00

Fridays 10:00 - 5:00

Saturdays 10:00 - 4:00

August Programs

Click To See Our Full Program Calendar

Summer Lawn Series
Thursdays in August | 6:00-7:00

Join us on the Library's South Lawn on Thursday evenings for live, local music. Bring your beach chairs, blankets, snacks and lay out on the grass while you listen to tunes. Fun for all ages. This event series is free and open to all.

AUGUST 3RD OPEN MIC NIGHT

Sing, Play, Tell Jokes, Perform! Open Mic Night is open to all. Email [email protected] for more information.

Summer Lawn Series is kindly funded by the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs.

Author Talk: The Doorways of Life by Trevor Singleton

Wednesday 8/2 | 3:30

Join us for an author talk with Trevor Singleton for his book, The Doorways of Life.

Any decision you make in life is a doorway. Whether you can see or hear what's on the other side, you still need to make a choice. The question becomes, what is the doorway in front of you and how do you handle it.

This book is a tool for you to use on your journey of self-improvement and self-discovery—whether in your personal or professional life.

Reiki Healing Workshops
Thursday 8/3 | 1:30
Thursday 8/17 | 5:30

Reiki is a complementary health approach in which practitioners direct energy flow to help facilitate the person's own healing response. Join Reiki Master, Wakenda Johnson for a drop-in class. Whether you are interested in learning about reiki, or looking to hone in on your practiced skills, this class will have something for all. Registration is encouraged, but not required. Email [email protected] or call 508-693-9433.

Summer Tap Class
Saturday, August 5 | 10:30-11:30

Join Hannah for a tap dance class to discover your inner tap dancer! This special class is honoring the famous Nicholas Brothers. Class will include a warm-up, instruction to basic tap steps and vocabulary. We will end class with some fun, light choreography in the style of Nicholas brothers.

No experience is necessary, and a limited number of tap shoes will be provided (size dependent). Registration is encouraged. Email: [email protected] or Call: 508-693-9433

The Summer Night Sky
Saturday, August 5 | 8:30-9:30pm

Travel Among the Cosmos with Mark Alan Lovewell and the Libraries of Martha’s Vineyard.

Join veteran stargazer Mark Alan Lovewell and discover the wonders of the cosmos in our summer night sky. Meet at the Riverhead Field Disc Golf on Barnes Road.

Email [email protected] or call 508-645-3360 for more information. Free. Sponsored by the Libraries of Martha’s Vineyard.

Visible Mending on Denim
Sunday, August 6th | 12:00-2:00

Inspired by the Ralph Lauren Patchwork Jeans collection. Anna Marie D’Addarie will teach slow stitching techniques. Bring your own jeans or use denim provided by Chicken Alley Thrift Shop. Hand sewing and other materials provided. Registration required as space is limited.  Email [email protected] or call 508-693-9433

Bonnie Boswell Film Screening
Friday, August 11th | 3:00-5:00

Join us for the film screenings of Bonnie Boswell, the executive producer of Bonnie Boswell Presents: “Saving Moms,” a feature-length documentary on maternal health in America, and Bonnie Boswell Presents: “A Conversation with Pastor James Lawson and Attorney Bryan Stevenson,”  “The Powerbroker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights,” a film about her uncle that aired on PBS and “Seeds of Peace,” a feature-length documentary that aired on NBC.

Saturday Stitchers: Modern Quilt Guild and more!
Saturday, August 12th | 10:00-1:00

The MV Modern Quilt Guild is open to all levels of quilters and all who are interested in hand sewing. Our Saturday Stitching get togethers are free and open to the public. This month’s craft is a Snap Bag.

For more information email: [email protected].

Author Talk: Washed Ashore by Bill Eville
Saturday, August 12th | 2:00-3:30

The story of a man coming into his own by coming home. Since he was a boy, Bill Eville knew he wanted two things in life: to be a writer and a father. Join us for a talk with local author, Bill Eville on his new book Washed Ashore.

Bottling Up Happy!
Tuesday, August 15th | 10:30-11:30

Many people say that Martha's Vineyard is their "happy place". However, what happens when you leave your "happy place" to go back to the "real world"? Is there a shift in your entire vibe? Some encounter this shift as they're packing their suitcases at the end of their stay, while others encounter it on the ferry ride back to the mainland.

Join presenters Daneette Boone and DeAnna Boyd for a session to share and discuss how to keep your "happy place" vibe alive...once you've left the island and get back to the routine of day-to-day life at home.

For more information email Danette at [email protected]

Front Row Seat To My Life On The Streets
Tuesday, August 15th | 4:00-5:00

Suesan Stovall, a multi dimensional artist, has chronicled the lives of the homeless in Los Angeles in photographs. She will talk about her personal experiences with people living on the streets.

Salsa Suelta with Christina Montoya

Thursday August 17th | 7:00pm
Thursday August 24th | 7:00pm

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 [email protected] or call 508-693-9433

Historic Cemetery Walking Tour with Tom Dresser
Saturday | 9:00

2023 Dates:
August 19th
September 9th

Join local historian Tom Dresser for a fun, informative & not-at-all-scary cemetery tour. We will meet outside at Pacific Avenue entrance (cemetery-facing side) of the Oak Bluffs library. Tour takes about an hour and is about a mile in distance. Weather dependent. No registration is necessary.

Author Talk: My People by Charlayne Hunter-Gault
Saturday, August 19th | 3:00-4:00

Charlayne Hunter-Gault, award winning journalist, will speak about her latest book called My People. It is a collection of 50 years of chronicling the civil rights movement and much more that has transpired since then.

Beach BeFrienders
Saturday, August 26 | 8:00-10:00am

SOUTH BEACH

Beach BeFrienders is a collaboration with Vineyard Conservation Society, Island Libraries, Island DWP's and MV Refuse District, dedicated to tending our beloved Island beaches. Join us every 4th Saturday, from 8-10 am, where we meet to clean up an Island beach!

Ken Gloss Rare & Valuable Book Talk
Thursday, August 31th | 5:00-6:00

Ken Gloss, who is also a frequent guest appraiser on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow, will talk in part about the history of his historic bookshop (www.brattlebookshop.com),  which goes back to circa 1825. He is a second-generation owner.

Ken will talk about and show some of his favorite finds and describe some of the joys of the "hunt," as well as explain what makes a book go up in value. He has many fascinating anecdotes to share as well as guidelines for what to look for when starting a collection.

There is also a Q&A session before the conclusion of his talk. Following the question-and-answer session, he will give free verbal appraisals of books that attendees have brought with them or will do so at his shop in Boston.

Email [email protected] for zoom link.

Cottage City: Through The Stereoscope
Thursday, August 31st | 7:00-8:00

Join Hal Garneau for a trip back in time as he shares more than 120 vintages photos of Oak Bluffs (Cottage City) in full 3D. After a brief history and explanation of stereo photography, Hal will take you on an illustrated history of Oak Bluffs from its Camp Meeting beginnings in 1835 through its emergence and early days as a seaside resort. Thanks to the magic of 3D, you will take part in a "virtual reality" walking tour of Oak Bluffs as it was in the 1870s.

Recurring Programs

All Ages Chess
Saturdays 2:00-3:30

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.

MAGIC: The Gathering
1st and 3rd Fridays 6:00

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 [email protected]

American Sign Language Practice Group
Tuesdays 5:30-6:30

Want to learn ASL? Come drop in on our conversational practice group! No experience necessary, but before joining the practice group please check out the linked videos. For more information

email [email protected] 

How To Sign The Alphabet in ASL

Ten Things To Know About ASL

Walk With Us!
Wednesdays 8:15am

Join us for a walk around East Chop! We'll start at the library's Pacific Avenue entrance at 8:15am. We'll walk up Pacific Avenue, continue to Washington Park (near Our Market), then continue past the beach club and around the Chop. Walk is approximately 4 miles and will take about an hour and a half. Ground is mainly flat, but can be uneven in sections so it is not fully wheelchair accessible. Weather dependent.

All Programs Free and Open To The Public

JULY Highlights

Starting this month the OBPL took to the lawn for the Summer Lawn Series. Families came out to hear live, local music from the Gazebo!

The Oak Bluffs Library welcomed Robert Azzi for his program Ask a Muslim Anything. This program was met with engaging compassionate conversation. It was a truly memorable event.

Folks of all ages joined us for the Sea Glass Sketching Class! We found shapes and made scenes using found sea glass and pasted them into frames.