When does a library become more than just a library? The answer is: When it is a Vineyard library, all of which serve as community centers with a wide variety of ongoing, year-round programs. There’s everything from games and dance to sign language and book groups, as well as a tea club and multiple types of yoga classes. With so many options, it can be hard to decide where to begin. So whether you’re revisiting an old passion or trying something new, enjoy connecting with other Islanders in the “other” season.
Aquinnah library
aquinnahlibrary.org, 508-645-2314
The Winter Wellness series will be recurring once monthly
- “Nourish to Flourish: Winter Eating and Mental Well-Being”: Thursday, Jan. 29, 4 pm
- “Mind Matters: Stress Less, Live More”: Thursday, Feb. 26, 4 pm
- “Winter Motion: Stay Active, Stay Strong”: Thursday, March 26, 4 pm
aquinnahlibrary.org, and use the QR code on its website, to sign up for the newsletter.
Chilmark library
chilmarkma.gov/chilmark-library, 508-645-3360
Weekly:
Mah-Jongg (Tuesdays at 2 pm): Join in a friendly game of Mah-Jongg.
Chilmark Coffee and Conversation (Wednesdays at 10:30 am): Staff-facilitated conversation about important town issues and the history of Chilmark, with occasional guest speakers.
Community Knitting Circle (Thursdays at 1 pm): Beginning to experienced knitters meet to share skills.
Monthly:
Brown Bag Book Club (last Tuesday of each month at noon): Participants discuss a selected book focused on community connection and the human condition.
Zoom Tea Club (third Wednesday, through April, at 4 pm): Group meets virtually with Michelle Larsen from Martha’s Vineyard Teas, Herbs, and Apothecary to explore local herbal and black teas with health and medicinal benefits.
Lunch and Learn (first Friday of the month at 11:30 am): A monthly speaker focuses on a specific historical event, introduces a nonprofit program, or shares their work.
Sound Bath (Saturdays, Jan. 10, Feb. 21, and March 21, at 3:30 pm): Chilmark resident Trish Ginter performs a sound bath. Registration required; email chil.programs@gmail.com.
Edgartown library
edgartownlibrary.org, 508-627-4221
Weekly:
Mah-Jongg (Mondays at 1 pm): Come practice your game skills with other players.
Drop-in Knitting Group (Wednesdays at 3 pm): Master knitter Cindy Bonnell works with beginners to experienced knitters looking for support, inspiration, and advice.
Restorative Reset with Jelisa Difo (Wednesday at 5:30 pm): A class with restorative yin postures performed near the ground that promote deep rest and encourage relaxation.
Vinyasa Power Yoga with Colleen Macsuga (Saturdays at 9 am): Vinyasa class designed to promote healing and maintain peak physical fitness through strength-building exercises.
Monthly:
Chef Look Cooks (Thursday at 2 pm; dates vary): Cooking demonstration and an opportunity to sample that month’s featured dish.
International Film Night (Thursday at 6 pm; dates vary): Rotating selection of foreign films.
Virtual Poetry Workshop with Donald Nitchie (Friday at 4:30 pm; dates vary): Poet Donald Nitchie leads a monthly poetry class for all levels, in which participants create their own poem, prompted by a selection of poetry that is read at the beginning of the workshop.
Oak Bluffs library
oakbluffslibrary.org, 508-693-9433
Weekly:
Squad Fitness (Tuesdays at 11 am): Triva Emery leads an energizing fitness class that focuses on improving balance, flexibility, and overall stability.
Drop-In Crafternoons (Tuesdays at 1 pm): Drop in for a crafts circle, welcoming those working on crochet, knitting, needlepoint, drawing, calligraphy, or other pursuits.
American Sign Language Practice Group (Tuesdays at 5 pm): Drop-in conversational practice group for all levels.
Intermediate Tap (Wednesdays at 8:15 am): Professional instruction provided most mornings. Experience recommended.
Adult Board Game Night (Wednesdays at 7:30 pm at the Barn, Bowl and Bistro). Participants may select from the library’s extensive board game collection, including the current favorite, Space Base.
Red Dragon Mah-Jongg (Thursdays at 1 pm): Join in a friendly game of Mah-Jongg.
Beginning Crochet (Saturdays at 10:30 am, beginning Feb. 14): Ever wondered how yarn turns into cozy scarves, hats, and blankets? Come unravel the mystery at our beginning crochet class.
All Ages Chess (Saturdays at 2 pm): Play with a dedicated group of chess lovers in a welcoming environment.
Bimonthly:
Magic: The Gathering Club (first and third Friday at 6 pm): Players of all skill levels are welcome.
Monthly:
Second Saturdays with Strong Martha (second Saturday of the month at 10 am): Explore the world of strength training in this beginner-friendly class geared for women and taught by Strong Martha’s Emily Mizer. (Preregistration is required.)
West Tisbury library
westtisburylibrary.org, 508-693-3366
Weekly:
Zoom Chair Yoga and Meditation Class (Mondays at 7:30 am): All levels and ages are invited to virtual chair yoga and meditation led by Jason Mazar-Kelly (YogiJay).
Zoom Balance Class (Mondays and Fridays at 11:30 am): Kanta Lipsky leads students in exploring ways to strengthen our connection to the earth and improve our bodies’ ability to maintain good balance.
Knitting Group (Tuesdays at 5 pm): Join other knitters and help yourself to supplies provided by the library, or bring your own. Open to adults and teens, and all levels.
Quilting Circle (Wednesdays at 6 pm): Socialize with other quilters while working on your project.
Stitch Society (Thursdays at 5 pm): Drop in and work on your needle-felting, embroidery, or needlework.
Zoom Kripalu Flow (Thursdays at 7:30 am): An all-levels virtual Kripalu Flow Yoga led by Jason Mazar-Kelly (YogiJay) that soothes the nervous system through a combination of movement, breathwork, and meditation.
Adult Community Dance (Saturday at 10:30 am): Jesse Keller Jason makes every(body) feel comfortable in a class that builds strength, stability, and flexibility.
Bimonthly:
Ukulele Jam (alternating Thursdays at 4 pm): All ages come together to make music, sing, and have a great time. Ukuleles can be borrowed (or bring a guitar or banjo).
Monthly:
Writers Read (second Monday of the month at 7 pm): Community members read short original fiction and nonfiction, with an optional critique to follow.
LGBTQI+ Book Club (last Monday of the month at 5:30 pm): Librarian Alexandra Pratt leads a discussion about that month’s book.
Model Railroad Club (first Saturday of the month at 3 pm): Meet with longtime model railroad enthusiast Rick Fischer to share ideas, tips, and projects.
Ballroom Dance (second Saturday of the month at 11:30 am): Get into the swing of things with Tom Carberry from the MV Ballroom Dancers. No experience or partner needed.
Second Sunday Jazz (second Sunday of the month at 2:30 pm): Come listen to a rotating roster of musicians perform.
Vineyard Haven library
vhlibrary.org, 508-696-4211
Monthly:
Martha’s Vineyard Virtual Poetry Reading Group (first Monday of the month at 10 am, through June): Meeting for more than 10 years. Participants share and discuss poetry by favorite poets from around the world.
Open Mic Night (first Tuesday of the month at 6 pm): With the closure of Island Music, its popular Open Mic Night will move to the Katharine Cornell Theatre, co-hosted by the Vineyard Haven Cultural District and the Vineyard Haven library.
Local Music Evenings (third Tuesday of the month at 6 pm): Local music evenings throughout the winter, at the Katharine Cornell Theatre, 54 Spring St, Vineyard Haven. Tuesday, Jan. 20: the Jeremy Berlin–Eric Johnson Duo; Tuesday, March 17: TBA.
Science and Nature Book Club (first Wednesday of the month at 3 pm): For patrons who enjoy reading, thinking, and sharing ideas about science and nature; meets at Grace Church, 36 Woodlawn Avenue, Vineyard Haven.
VHPL Hybrid Book Club (third Thursday of the month at 2 pm): Selections include contemporary fiction, and the occasional memoir or nonfiction. Meets at the EMS Facility at 251 Spring St. in Vineyard Haven. A Zoom option is also available.
Virtual Personal Writing with Caroline Joy Adams (first Thursday of the month at 2 pm): An annual series of personal writing workshops with Caroline Joy Adams. Topics include Writing about Love, Writing a Mini-Memoir, The Mindful Art of Haiku, The Return of Spring, and Travel Writing.
Adult Craft Series (first Sunday of the month, various times) run by the multitalented Jennifer Rapuano, at the Tisbury EMS Facility at 251 Spring St.
“Great Decisions” foreign policy reading and discussion group (dates and time TBD): The Foreign Policy Association program provides patrons the opportunity to learn about some of the most critical global issues facing America today, around topics selected by a panel of foreign policy experts. Virtual or hybrid format; for details, contact the library at 508-696-4211 or vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.
Virtual Literature Seminar series with Professor Philip Weinstein (dates and time TBD): Each year, Professor Weinstein focuses on a different author or theme in literature. For details, contact the library at 508-696-4211 or vhpl_programs@clamsnet.org.