Martha’s Vineyard Community Notes

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CLAMS libraries now have free app

CLAMS (Cape Libraries Automated Materials Sharing) libraries on Martha’s Vineyard now have a free mobile app for smartphones and tablets, including iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.

The app was created by Boopsie Engineering, a company specializing in library apps, and offers a hand-held version of many of the services libraries have come to offer online through their websites, according to a press release.

With the CLAMS app, library patrons can search the entire CLAMS catalog of material including books, magazines, CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs. Users can view a list of the items they have currently checkedout, request items, and renew items on their mobile device — a beneficial feature for patrons who realize a book is due back when they are out of town or the library is closed.

Users can even snap a photo of a barcode to instantly check if a CLAMS library owns the item and if so, request it. Other features of the app include information on library hours and locations, with a Google Mapslink. The new app is also designed to allow users to easily search for and download eBooks and audiobooks directly to their mobile devices.

Currently there are nearly 9,000 eBooks and downloadable audio files available from CLAMS, and more than 100,000 titles have been downloaded by CLAMS patrons so far this year. Using the CLAMS app, access to eBooks will be even easier.

The CLAMS app works on most mobile devices, including iPhones, iPads, Kindle Fire, Blackberry, and devices running the Android and Windows Mobile operating systems. The app is currently available on iTunes and in the Amazon.com and Android marketplaces.

The app is free to download, but for some features, users are required to enter a valid CLAMS library card number. CLAMS cards are availableat no charge to Massachusetts residents.

CLAMS is a nonprofit cooperative association of libraries on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Currently, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven libraries are active members of CLAMS. The Aquinnah, Chilmark and West Tisbury libraries will offer CLAMS online access later this year.

Halloween costume parade fundraiser

There will be a Halloween costume parade for dogs and people 1 pm on Sunday, October 28, at the Oak Bluffs Open Market in Washington Park across from Our Market. Every participant will receive a prize. All ages welcome. A bake sale will raise money for homeless animals, according to a press release.

There will be dog treats donated by Good Dog Goods, human treats from New Moon Magick-Enchanted Chocolates. To volunteer, call 508-560-6046.

Scots to honor Duncan MacDonald

The American-Scottish Foundation will present Duncan MacDonald of Vineyard Haven with the Wallace Award for service and leadership in the Scottish-American community at a gala dinner at the University Club in New York City on November 9.

“Miss MacDonald played a leading role in the establishment by the U.S. Senate of April 6 as National Tartan Day and she is one of the founders of The Scottish Coalition USA, as well as the Scottish Society of Martha’s Vineyard,” according to a press release.

For more information go to americanscottishfoundation.org.