Learn more about Maritime Month

September Programs

Click To See Our Full Program Calendar

September Artist

in the Oak Bluffs Library Meeting Room

Ksenia Meleshko

Reception: SAT, Sept. 16th 2:00-3:30

The Silenced Voice of

Vincent Van Gogh

“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.”

Magic: The Gathering

1st & 3rd Fridays | 6:00-8:00

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]

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.

Tap Class with Hannah

Saturdays | 10:30

Join Hannah for a tap dance class to discover your inner tap dancer! Class will include a warm-up, instruction to basic tap steps and vocabulary. We will end class with some fun, light choreography to keep you tapping until next time.

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

American Sign Language Practice Group

Tuesdays 5:00-6:00

*please note new time*

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 3.5 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.

On the Water —The Good Ol’ Days

Thursday, September 7th | 4:30

Learn how the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group has been rearing baby bivalves for decades to enhance shellfish resources in Vineyard waters. Reminisce with locals--the Marine Biologists, harvesters and agents who pushed for water conservation in the building boom of the 80s and 90s. Discuss the importance of history and culture when it comes to how we harvest shellfish today in order to continue family traditions and the diverse fishing industry of Martha’s Vineyard. 

No registration required.

MV Shellfish Group Homepage

Author Talk with Sherry Sidoti: A Smoke and a Song

Friday, September 8th | 5:30

A conversation with Sherry Sidoti moderated by Moira Convey Silva asking the questions what is memory and what is “truth”? What do we choose to tell, what do we leave out, and why? How do we weigh the risks with the rewards of telling our stories? 

*Please enter through rear of the building, directly into meeting room as this event begins after hours*

Historic Cemetery Walking Tour with Tom Dresser

Saturday, September 9th | 9:00

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.

An Afternoon with Jennifer Smith Turner

Saturday, September 9th | 1:00

Spend an afternoon with Jennifer Smith Turner, Award Winning Author and Poet, hosted by Martha’s Vineyard Branch of ASALH at the Oak Bluffs Public Library. Light refreshments will be served.

Decoupage Shell Craft

Tuesday, September 12th | 4:30

Join Hannah for a crafting afternoon to create decoupage oysters and scallops. These make wonderful gifts whether just for beauty or functionally as a jewelry holder.

Registration is required. Email [email protected] or call 508-693-9433

Shuck It And Recycle!

Wednesday, September 13th | 4:00

Want to learn how to shuck oysters? Now's your chance to get your hands dirty and give it a go!

Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group welcomes novice, intermediate, and experienced shuckers for a demonstration on best shellfish handling and shucking methods, along with tools, tips and tricks. Knives, gloves, and shellfish will be available for a hands-on experience after the lesson. We will also highlight our free island-wide Shell Recovery Program.

Registration encouraged, email [email protected] or call 508-693-9433

MV Shellfish Group Homepage

Author Talk with Tuni Deignan: Underwater Daughter

Thursday, September 14th | 5:00

Tuni Deignan spent much of her life using a host of coping mechanisms to navigate the trauma of her childhood: a sexually abusive father and a mother who seemed helpless to stop him. But when a bike accident rendered her immobile and dependent on narcotics at age fifty-five, she sat down to unwind and disentangle the circus of her life; a journey that led her to a place of understanding, reconciliation, and love.

Great Ponds Film and Q&A

Tuesday, September 19th | 4:30-5:30

Film Showing of On Our Watch, documentary of Martha’s Vineyard's Great Ponds. Following the showing we will have a Q&A with Circuit Arts Director Ollie Becker and a member of the Vineyard Conservation Society.

Salsa Suelta with Christina Montoya

Thursdays starting 9/21 | 5:30-6:30

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

Beach BeFriender’s Clean Up

Saturday, 9/23 | 8:00-10:00am

Lambert’s Cove Beach, WT

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.

Can't make it to an official Beach BeFriender’s clean up? Head to your local libraries for the official cleanup kits and disposal is FREE at any Island transfer station.

Ballroom & Swing Class

Tuesday, September 26th | 5-6pm

Come and learn some fun and fundamental ballroom dancing moves — a lifetime activity. Taught by Tom and Janet. For all ages. Come with or without a dance partner. Shoes with smooth soles are recommended. No registration required.

Clamming 101

Saturday, September 30th | 8:30-10:00am

Location: First bridge parking lot at Sengekontacket Pond

Learn how to clam with the Oak Bluffs Shellfish Constable, Donovan! Learn about the equipment, the techniques and get to try it out yourself!

All Programs Free and Open To The Public

August Highlights

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Sankofa with us! Our three day festival brought in faces old and new, as well as a variety of programs celebrating African American culture and literature to the Oak Bluffs community.

Have a Program Idea? Contact our Program Coordinator, Hannah Burbidge
Email: [email protected]

Illuminate Your Life at the Oak Bluffs Public Library

Our library programs are generously funded by the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs. Founded in 1988, the Library Friends of Oak Bluffs (LFOB) is an all-volunteer organization of Martha’s Vineyard residents dedicated to helping the Oak Bluffs Public Library remain a vital public resource for residents and visitors. If you are able, please consider a tax-deductible donation to this wonderful resource!

Donate with PayPal

Donate with Venmo