As we go through our daily lives, it’s easy to stay in the circle of people we usually interact with, who are generally close to our own age. But a 2025 article in MedCity News states, “Research has consistently shown that strong intergenerational ties can mitigate stress, enhance psychological well-being, and promote purpose in life.” The West Tisbury library offers many rich opportunities for people of different ages to interact through a diverse array of programs.
Library director Alexander Pratt says, “The multigenerational programs are some of my personal favorites, because you get to see so many different members from the community. It’s a great way to connect people, for families to meet other families, and for older folks to hang out with younger folks. It’s what people want to do, be in a community, regardless of age.”
The children’s library, Hannah Burbidge, and YogiJay developed family yoga classes two years ago for caregivers and their children ages 0 to 5. These happen every Thursday at 11 am. YogiJay explains, “It’s a little person and their big person, whether Mom, Dad, babysitter, or grandparent. [The class] is a container for me to hold space to help people get back to playing and moving their bodies and breathing.” There is no pressure to participate in a particular way, as participating mother Meghan Rosa notes: “At the start of each class, YogiJay typically says something about how there are many different ways a child can show up, and how all those different ways are great. This is a helpful reminder that I often find myself coming back to throughout the week in my parenting.”
YogiJay might start by reading a storybook with a tale that inspires movement, or by bringing out props such as gauzy scarves to toss in the air. “It’s using tactile things, because it’s very hard for little ones to sit in a space with nothing there. With the objects, you pull them in, and in that action, you find presence. It’s also about teaching self-regulation. So, we’ll have moments where we’ll get a little crazy, and then we’ll come down and relax.”
At the end, there is a brief five-minute relaxation. “I might have the big person burrito up the little one on the yoga mat, which is always fun for them. Or they might just cuddle with their big person.”
Emily Goonan adds that the class provided time to create a meaningful connection in her role as an aunt: “I love going to family yoga! I used to bring my niece, and it was a fun way to bond.”
Meghan Rosa says, “During the class, my child does a lot of observation, and when we get home, she talks about things she heard and saw.” Rosa also enjoys the class for her own sake. “I get to stretch my body in a way that feels really nice; especially as a parent to a young child, I can often forget to do that. Since YogiJay is good at making people feel comfortable to be themselves, the adults tend to open in ways they otherwise might not, which results in some good conversation.”
Three generations take part in the “Work from Home from the Library” program. Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School early education program students, under the guidance of trained mentors and supervisors, interact with children. Meanwhile, the children’s usual caregivers are nearby, accessing quiet workspaces in the library with Wi-Fi and all the resources they need to stay productive. The program runs on alternating Tuesdays from 11 am to noon, with the next one on Feb. 3.
Burbidge started the program, explaining, “I watch a lot of caregivers who are playing with their kids and trying to get a little bit of work done. As a working mom myself, this is just a need that is prevalent in our day and age.” Burbidge reached out to Leslie Frizzell, who teaches an early childhood education course on child growth and development at the high school. In addition to academic coursework, students observe and work in child-centered environments. Frizzell says,
“I have seen more awareness and connection to the classroom content through the program. [The students] can easily identify developmental stages in motor, language, and social areas.”
Students Reed Cabot and Ruby Glynn adore working with the children, and seeing what they learn in school come to life. Glynn says, “Watching them grow through different stages in development brings me joy. Being able to see them do things they couldn’t do two weeks ago and now can is so interesting to me.”
Cabot concurs: “Being able to help with the developmental stages is great. When they’re first learning how to build relationships, it’s nice to be part of that.”
The caregivers treasure the program. Casey Blum explains, “I use the time to focus on work that requires sustained attention, such as emails, planning, and administrative tasks. Knowing that my child is nearby, safe, and engaged makes a huge difference in how productive and present I can be.”
Izadora Coutinho agrees: “The benefits for both of us were clear. I was able to concentrate, be productive, and feel less overwhelmed. Charlotte thrived in a safe, enriching environment, surrounded by books, learning, and caring people. She was happy and engaged, and I felt at ease knowing she was well cared for.”
Grace Gothard feels strongly about the vital role the teenagers play: “They were absolutely wonderful with my son and every child there. There is such an age range of children attending (typically an infant to 3 or 4 years old), and each teen gravitates toward a different age range. I think it’s great that they see how each age differs from one another, and that they can get hands-on experience in the real world.”
Blum adds, “The high school students who look after the infants are truly amazing. They are caring, attentive, and genuinely interested in learning about early childhood education. I see my child respond positively to their energy and care. There’s a sense of trust and curiosity that feels really healthy and reassuring. As someone without family living on the Island, and with childcare being both expensive and hard to find, this program makes me feel deeply connected to my community and supported during a particularly challenging chapter of my life.”
High school students also play an essential role in the Book Buddies reading program. On the second and fourth Thursday of the month, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm, they read to “little ears.” The program is the brainchild of Hadley Myers, a junior at the high school who hopes to promote literacy and a love for reading. Myers, who had taken the early childhood class, and her friend Hydee Turner started the club. “It’s fun to talk to young children, and reading books we loved when we were younger brings us back to when we were little, which is also cool.”
Burbidge has likewise organized some onetime programs. On Thursday, Feb. 26, from 9:30 to 10:30 am, there is “Pancakes and Cartoons,” where families gather for breakfast with the option to wear pajamas. In mid-April, there will be a Mario Kart Tournament, for experienced players from the original N-64 days or young pros on the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe circuit. The friendly competition will bring different ages together through the universal language of gaming. (Registration required; email hburbidge@clamsnet.org.)
Pratt notes that the Soup and Bread Lunches, weekdays from 11:30 am to 1 pm during the Feb. 23–27 and April 20–24 school breaks, are another wonderful intergenerational experience. “This is always one of my favorites,” Pratt says. “Everybody is just sitting down and eating together.”
She concludes about all the library’s multigenerational offerings, “I think people want to meet new folks regardless of age, and intergenerational programs are a great way to do that.”
For more information, visit bit.ly/WTPL_ChildrensRoom or email hburbidge@clamsnet.org.