Friends

The Friends of the Chilmark Public Library is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization.
Susan Murphy, President

Write in care of Becky Kaplan, Secretary
P.O. Box 434
Chilmark, MA 02535
Gifts to the gift fund are welcome.
Make checks payable to "The Friends of the Chilmark Public Library."

A letter from the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library.

Friends of the Chilmark Public Library, Inc.

P.O. Box 434

Chilmark, Massachusetts 02535-0434

May 2010

Dear Friends,

Chilmark, Massachusetts is a very lucky town, although luck may not have had anything to do with this aspect of Chilmark’s good fortune. The last half of the twentieth century was a time of enormous growth on Martha’s Vineyard. To accommodate that change many island towns expanded their essential services to new, previously undeveloped sections of their communities and in so doing, dissipated their town centers.

This did not happen in Chilmark. Beetlebung Corner is still the center of town, complete with a post office, town hall, two banks, community center, several year round businesses, a seasonal dance theater, a seasonal restaurant, a farm stand, a fire house, police station, elementary school, community church, a seasonal grocery store, and a free public library.

In the summer it is hard to distinguish just what is the most important "hub" of social activity at Beetlebung Corner. The community center is alive with events from morning until night, and the porch of the Chilmark Store is easily the prime location for people watching almost all day long.

But those of us lucky enough to be here in the winter know just where the action is off season. The southwest quadrant of Beetlebung Corner houses the Chilmark Free Public Library, and on any given day when the library is open, the parking lot is filled with the cars of library patrons. It is heartening to live in a town that can boast its library circulation to be among the highest in the state. It is a reflection of the values of the townspeople who place an importance on learning and connecting with the world beyond the boundaries of an island community.

As the recession drags on, people are mindful of their dollars and grateful for Chilmark’s low tax rate. Most libraries across the state receive 85% of their budgets from their municipalities. In Chilmark, the library receives but 74% of its funding from the town’s coffers.

Thanks to the generous support of all who contribute to the Friends of the Chilmark Library, we are able to underwrite many of the programs and needs of the library that would otherwise go unmet. Among this year’s accomplishments was the purchase of computer software that placed the library catalog online, enabling patrons to search the collection, reserve library materials, and renew due dates from home. The Chilmark Deaf Heritage Project has created a digital archive of information about the historic deaf community in Chilmark.

All of the lectures, workshops, author talks, holiday book sales, seasonal celebrations, movie events, youth programs, advertising expenses, book acquisitions and garden maintenance are contributions integral to the smooth operation of the library and made possible by your gifts.

On behalf of all of us lucky enough to call Chilmark home, thank you for making life at Beetlebung Corner so rich.

Susan Murphy, President

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	SEPTEMBER 06, 2010 Friends The Friends of the Chilmark Public Library is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization. Susan Murphy, President Write in care of Becky Kaplan, Secretary P.O. Box 434 Chilmark, MA 02535 Gifts to the gift fund are welcome. Make checks payable to "The Friends of the Chilmark Public Library." A letter from the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library. Friends of the Chilmark Public Library, Inc. P.O. Box 434 Chilmark, Massachusetts 02535-0434 May 2010 Dear Friends, Chilmark, Massachusetts is a very lucky town, although luck may not have had anything to do with this aspect of Chilmark’s good fortune. The last half of the twentieth century was a time of enormous growth on Martha’s Vineyard. To accommodate that change many island towns expanded their essential services to new, previously undeveloped sections of their communities and in so doing, dissipated their town centers. This did not happen in Chilmark. Beetlebung Corner is still the center of town, complete with a post office, town hall, two banks, community center, several year round businesses, a seasonal dance theater, a seasonal restaurant, a farm stand, a fire house, police station, elementary school, community church, a seasonal grocery store, and a free public library. In the summer it is hard to distinguish just what is the most important "hub" of social activity at Beetlebung Corner. The community center is alive with events from morning until night, and the porch of the Chilmark Store is easily the prime location for people watching almost all day long. But those of us lucky enough to be here in the winter know just where the action is off season. The southwest quadrant of Beetlebung Corner houses the Chilmark Free Public Library, and on any given day when the library is open, the parking lot is filled with the cars of library patrons. It is heartening to live in a town that can boast its library circulation to be among the highest in the state. It is a reflection of the values of the townspeople who place an importance on learning and connecting with the world beyond the boundaries of an island community. As the recession drags on, people are mindful of their dollars and grateful for Chilmark’s low tax rate. Most libraries across the state receive 85% of their budgets from their municipalities. In Chilmark, the library receives but 74% of its funding from the town’s coffers. Thanks to the generous support of all who contribute to the Friends of the Chilmark Library, we are able to underwrite many of the programs and needs of the library that would otherwise go unmet. Among this year’s accomplishments was the purchase of computer software that placed the library catalog online, enabling patrons to search the collection, reserve library materials, and renew due dates from home. The Chilmark Deaf Heritage Project has created a digital archive of information about the historic deaf community in Chilmark. All of the lectures, workshops, author talks, holiday book sales, seasonal celebrations, movie events, youth programs, advertising expenses, book acquisitions and garden maintenance are contributions integral to the smooth operation of the library and made possible by your gifts. On behalf of all of us lucky enough to call Chilmark home, thank you for making life at Beetlebung Corner so rich. Susan Murphy, President	SEARCH CHILMARK LIBRARY CATALOG Click to view Chilmark Library Events Book Discussions, News, and More!