WHAT A NICE LIBRARY!…read more We were visiting the island with 2 kids the weekend before Halloween. It was rainy and I had found the library was having a Halloween party. Not going to lie over the last few years I have been to a few library parties and Oak Bluff took it up a notch! Their decorations were creative! Some purchased, some hand made. They made a tunnel for the kids to crawl through with decorations inside! There was a massive spider web with a word intricately placed inside it over a large window. There were do many hands on things to do... Halloween twister, decorate a bag, coloring, ball toss, the maze, etc... The staff were dressed up, they served cider, popcorn and treat bags for every child. There were stickers, and sticky hands and jeez! What a great party for the kids! On another note, the library is spectacular! Outlets available on every table, super clean, organized, spacious... I wish my library was this nice! Kudos to the staff and thanks for making our kids smile!

A new library…read more The first library in Oak Bluffs was started way back in the 1880's. In fact the town wasn't even called Oak Bluffs back then but was still referred to as Cottage City. As with most small town libraries the books really didn't have a permanent home but were moved around and stored in different buildings throughout the years. Finally in Oct. 2005 the library finally got a new home, the first time the library was ever in a building that was designed and built especially as a library. Obviously someone gave a lot of thought and effort into the the place because it is stunning. Even though it is a new and very modern building it's absolutely beautiful on the outside and in. Roomy, spacious and bright, the perfect place to relax and enjoy reading a book or doing a bit of research. All the facilities of a much larger library are present but it still has cozy little spots and special areas emphasizing it's island heritage. Of course the librarians are friendly, knowledgeable and pleasant and are more than willing to help with any problem you might have. Oak Bluffs Library is a great example of how a new and very modern library doesn't have to be mundane and boring but can still be unique and special.

I love this library! It's beautiful and pristine, and has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Jelisa…read moreis wonderful! She really went above and beyond to help us! So many beautiful details: nice wooden tables, gorgeous art, and lovely chandeliers. You can reserve private rooms to work in, and there are tables and other seating around that doesn't require a reservation. The bathrooms are very nice and even offer feminine products. They have computers, printing options, and spring water to drink. It's a multi level facility and different rooms and spaces. They were showcasing a local photographer in one of the rooms.

A gift from…read moreAndrew By any standards Andrew Carnegie was a very generous man and gave vast sums of money to many different charities and organizations. However when it came to libraries he really opened up his heart and wallet and was responsible for hundreds of libraries being built throughout the world, 85 in New England alone. In 1904 Carnegie and a local resident named Caroline Warren donated money to the town with the stipulation that a library be built. Carnegie didn't want publicity for this altruistic act and although this building is official known as the Carnegie building nowhere do you see his name or picture. Most people simply call this the Edgartown Library and that is the way he wanted it. The library is well used and has a huge number of special events and classes and it is definitely is a lot more than just a place to store books. Even though the building isn't large by many library standards, it manages to cram in roughly 40,000 items and still has cozy little spots to read and relax. The old building has been expanded three times over the years but has reached a point that makes further growth impractical. Fortunately plans and money for a new library are being developed and possible by 2015 a much larger and modern facility will be available. What will happen to the old Carnegie building once the new library is finished is still unknown but I'd like to think that it will continue to serve the Edgartown in some capacity that would make Andrew proud.

History and…read moreconvenience The very first idea for a library in the town of Falmouth was back in 1792. At first the books were stored where ever there was room and eventually ended up in the town hall. The library finally got a permanent home in 1901. As the town grew the need for a larger library also become obvious. So in 1966 an addition was completed. And again in 1978 another addition was added. And finally in 2008 major renovations took place and now the library is a whole lot larger than the original one but still has the charm of the very first building. The library is beautiful, both inside and out and the additions and renovations blend in extremely well with the original concept so it can be difficult to see exactly where the addtions were added. The seal of the town of Falmouth is even embedded on a dome in the ceiling. The library has lots of very comfy place to sit or study as well as a great local history room, kids department and community room. A lovely and very useful library that has grown along with the town.

We went to this library a lot when our kids were little. They loved it and we loved it. We had not…read morebeen back for a while but wanted to see how it had fared in recent years. It's a small town library that's really crowded during summer tourist season and never used to be crowded at all in the off season when we were often in town. It was jam packed on a cool drizzly summer day. It still has a large lower level children's section. And it is still the place to be with wonderful creative updates. The book areas are nicely delineated by age groups and book styles and there are lots of inspiring posters even on office and closet doors. A creative playhouse is at one end. A local garden having a butterfly release on Saturday was nicely featured with all the details of the event and displayed many correlated books. The librarians were very helpful and parents circulated through the areas with their kids. There did seem to be lots of locals socializing with each other but also some obvious tourists enjoying the facility. The building still has lots of historic charm but there are updates to some areas as well as the exterior. There appeared to be an addition since we were last here and we heard maybe yet another in the near future. Parking was a real problem this week but I would guess they can handle the off season/school year just fine.

I really just love the WT library. While it is located right in town and the building and grounds…read moreare really nice, it is the staff that makes it one of the best libraries around. They are friendly and very helpful. They are what makes the WT library the best around. The inventory of books is awesome and they can usually get what I am looking for if another library has it. When our power or wi fi goes out and I need the juice, I head over to the library. Sometimes I need help with Word Press or need something printed or copied, I head over to the library.

Best place to charge on the island it's level 2 charger so charges at 17mi/h and it's free…read more 2outlets for any electric vehicle

The Woods Hole Library is a charming little place with a view of the Martha's Vineyard Ferry…read more Despite its smallness, they have a diverse selection. The cooking section has official Woods Hole cookbooks (yes, seafood predominates) along with diverse selections like Allison Bechdel's Fun Home graphic novel, books about the Shakers in New England, and weighty Joseph Conrad tomes. They also have several DVDs. The children's room is extensive and has a bird feeder. The place is very old school when it comes to checking out books; it has limited parking, along with odd hours. Housed in a historic 1875 building, it has a beautiful view of the Atlantic. A place for opening the mind.

This is the quintessential "small town" library that has a surprisingly diverse range of books…read more They have unique programs year round such as the "All Ages Coloring Club:" (last Tuesday of every month, 4:00 to 5:00 PM) and children's book clubs. Everyone knows that libraries now offer more than books for loan. Of course, most libraries also offer movies on DVD's and books read aloud on CD's, e-books, and museum passes. (The Woods Hole Library offers all of these items as well as passes to seven different museums). What might not be so well known is that some libraries offer all sorts of "other things" on loan. This growing trend has long been in place at the Woods Hole Public Library. For instance, as a result of a gardening workshop series started five years ago, two sets of "soil block makers" have been available for several growing seasons. Every spring there is a waiting list of people eager to use them. The library also loans a Kindle, a Home Detection Kit for energy conservation, a digital projector, and a portable projection screen. This past summer, two sewing machines joined the line-up of items to borrow. They are both easily portable; one is a Singer "Featherweight" beloved by generations of seamstresses. The other is a Singer 457, notable for its zig-zag stitch. Don't miss the book sale in the basement!

A library that…read moreevolves The first library in this area was formed back in 1882 when a whooping total of 33 books was kept in the back of a store. The present Chilmark Library has now has about 34,000 items, quite an evolution and improvement over time. As with many small town libraries the books during the library's early years were moved around from placed to place and didn't really get a permanent home until 1956. In was in that year that the library was moved into a home originally built in 1790 and become the location of the present library. Of course the small old home went through many modifications over the years. In 1963 a huge addition was added and then in 1990 and 2003 other major improvements took place. So many changes that I'm the folks who built the house back in 1790 wouldn't recognize the place today but the basic theme in all the additions has remained the same and the library flows from one area to another gracefully and without notice. The present library is a wonderful place that serves the community as well as the occasional guest. Lots of comfy places to read and relax as well as the usual computers and wi-fi and I enjoyed my brief stay here. I suspect this library is not done evolving and will continue to change to meet the needs of the community.

For a small resort island, I love that they their own public library and it's larger than you'd…read moreexpect. It doubles as a cultural center and a mini museum. Located right in the middle of everything in the downtown district, this is a site not to be missed! Beautiful exterior architecture and a grand staircase. Two floors, with a range of books, a corner for free books for the taking, restrooms in the lower level, and friendly staff. They have events year round including lectures and special exhibits. I wish I had more time to explore!

The Atheneum is a must visit. It's great for kids and adults…read more First, wander around the outside grounds. Check online for any programming, too; we stumbled upon a really great outdoor show for young kids with music and dancing - very memorable and fun. We got our kid's first library card here, even as a non-local. The kid book section is right in front with a great selection. There's also a kid's bathroom. There are extra bathrooms for adults in the basement, but they took forever.

What a charming old library. While it is free to visit, there is a suggested donation of $5. When…read moreyou enter you'll sign in and get a visitor sticker. It seems like there are options to become a member so you can use the space to study and work. While exploring, there were quite a few people working in the space. There is a huge selection of books and I love how it's organized. I really enjoyed the basement section that held the history of the space and some of the very first books that survived the fire that burnt its predecessor. The staff is friendly and kind. There were restrooms downstairs. I loved visiting.

Came here with little to no expectations but it ended up being one of my favorite spots in the…read morearea. $5 suggested donation /person admission Very quiet but cozy library. Feels like an amazing place to study and take a second to read. Highly recommend a visit for anyone coming out of state. Definitely would enjoy coming back for a whole day.

The most magical small town library that there ever was! I cannot stress how beautiful it is inside…read moreand out. I always feel like I'm Belle from beauty and the beast when I go in here! It's charming and romantic and a dreamy local library from the multi level staircases to the stained glass and tile floors. Everyone here is always nice. I often go to use their printers and have also tutored there. They hold local events and collect food for those in need too. I love this library so much. I'm so lucky it is in my town!

This fabulous library was my afternoon office for working and surfing. The library opened to the…read morepublic in 1893 and was funded by Standard Oil Vice President Henry Huttleston Rogers in memory of his daughter Millicent, who passed away at the age of 17. Today it operates as a non-profit with funding from the state and city. It is an amazing structure and it is somehow bigger on the inside with tall stacks of books. So many books. And places to sit and study and work quietly. It's a fantastic resource. [Review 18630 overall - 1210 in Massachusetts - 2152 of 2022.]