Our Library Provides:

• Books, magazines, audio books, and videos (VHS tapes and DVDs) and the resources of the Eastern Shore Public Library System
• Six public-use computers with Internet access and 24/7 wireless Internet (Wi-Fi) access
• Free books and magazines for those who do not have a library card
• Children’s reading programs
• Adult education (in partnership with the Academy for Lifetime Learning) and literacy classes
• Many other informational services for the general public
• The Library Benefit Shop – music, notebooks, used books, and more.

Join The Island Library Book Clubs!

The Island Readers’ Book Club meets at the library on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM. We discuss a variety of books and would love to have you join us!

Nancy’s Book Club (named in memory of one of its founding members, Nancy Roberts) meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. at the library to discuss books on a variety of topics. All are invited to attend!

Then & Now

In the video: Linda Ryan and Harriet Lonergan talk about the Chincoteague Island Library. Grants from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation and the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation helped renovate the library. (Copyright 2011, Hampton Roads Community Foundation)

 

Our Chincoteague Island Library is a small public library serving the residents of Chincoteague, our Eastern Shore neighbors and many visitors. Although free and open to the public, the library is independent and supported by private donations and grants and staffed by over 30 volunteers. We are affiliated with the Eastern Shore Public Library in Accomack, Virginia and share collections. The library contains current and popular books, audio books, CDs, a basic reference collection, magazines, DVDs, videos, and newspapers. There are computers for e-mail, word processing and surfing the net. The Island Library also offers 24-hour wireless internet connection.

The Island Library offers programs for children and adults throughout the year. The children’s programs include a year-round story time/craft hour held on Thursday mornings as well as several special programs throughout the year. Several book clubs also hold monthly discussions during the year.

The library opened its doors on July 4, 1995. Less than 15 years later on Saturday, April 17, 2010, the library dedicated its brand-new wing which tripled the size of the original building. Local architectural designer, Richard Vesely, donated his time and talent to create a design for an addition that preserved the original barbershop building and created a handsome new landmark that blends naturally into its historic waterside location. The Town of Chincoteague donated the land on which to build the addition, the Norfolk Foundation awarded the library a generous grant, and full-time, part-time residents and visitors of the community generously donated their time, talent and funds to help us reach our goal.

Library Programs

For the most up-to-date Library news, and to view our photo albums, you can now follow us on Facebook! Go to “islandlibrary” on Facebook.com or click the button below to take you directly to our page.

Year-Round Preschool “Tales for Tots”: Preschool Stories, Crafts, Songs & Finger Plays

The books, songs, finger plays, and crafts are specifically geared to preschool children from almost 3 years old to 5 years old. Accommodations will be made for quiet study in the front room of the library for older children who are accompanying their preschool siblings. Parents/grandparents and/or guardians must accompany their children. Please note: Story time will be canceled if the Accomack County Schools are closed due to snow or ice. Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page for photos and the latest news.

Tales for Tots Schedule:

Thursdays at 10 AM (Please check our Facebook page for exact dates and topics. Or call the library at 757-336-3460 for more information.)

Special Programs

Special programs for older children are in the planning stages. Check Facebook for details.

Nancy’s Book Club

Nancy’s Book Club meets at the library on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 11:00 am. Nancy’s Book Club is named in memory of one of its founding members, Nancy Roberts.

Island Reader’s Group

The Island Readers Group meets at the library on the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

Our Latest Newsletter

The most recent edition of The Island Library Review is now available for viewing or download in PDF format. Just follow this link to read it.

Volunteers!

We are always in need of volunteers! Interested? Contact Harriet Lonergan at (757) 336-3460.

Chincoteague Island Life History Project

The Chincoteague Island Life History Project is collaborative effort undertaken by the Museum of Chincoteague Island and the Chincoteague Island Library. The aims of this project are to preserve the voices and stories of the people of Chincoteague Island. By asking island residents to share the stories of their lives, the project hopes to create an archive that provides deep insight into the culture, heritage, and history of this fascinating barrier island community.

To learn more, visit our Chincoteague Island Life History Page.

If interested in donating to or assisting with the Project, please contact us at (757) 336-3460

Life History Project

The Chincoteague Island Life History Project is collaborative effort undertaken by the Museum of Chincoteague Island and the Chincoteague Island Library. The aims of this project are to preserve the voices and stories of the people of Chincoteague Island. By asking island residents to share the stories of their lives, the project hopes to create an archive that provides deep insight into the culture, heritage, and history of this fascinating barrier island community.

We hope that future generations of scholars, visitors, and especially Chincoteaguers will benefit from hearing and re-telling the stories contained here. From early “Pony Penning” to hunting in the marshes, from making dumplings to wading for clams on a summer afternoon, the personal tales described here are valuable and—in many cases–entertaining.

The Chincoteague Island Library began this project in 2004 as an oral history initiative, led by the late Margot Hunt. These recordings and some transcripts of the interviews are available on all of the library’s public use computers. The Museum has joined the library in 2014, and together these two organizations are working to film each interview.

If you would like to view the video interviews, follow this link to the Museum of Chincoteague web featuring the interview videos: http://www.chincoteaguemuseum.com/life-history

If you are interested in local island history, would like to be trained to conduct interviews, or if you know of someone who should be interviewed, please contact The Chincoteague Island Library at (757) 336-3460 and leave your name and phone number with the volunteer on duty.

Donations

The Chincoteague Island Library is maintained solely through private donations. We are a non-profit charitable organization designated by IRS 501(c)(3) (Tax ID# 54-1641227).

Your monetary gift will help ensure that we can continue to serve the needs of our Chincoteague residents and visitors as well as our Eastern Shore neighbors.

Any dollar amount is appreciated. Donations of $1,000 or more can be made in memory a person of your choosing and that name will be placed on our “Wall of Honor”.

To donate, complete the Donation Form (Adobe Acrobat required).

A financial statement is available upon written request from the Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs, Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.

Board of Directors

Officers:

President: Paul Miller
Vice President: Lisa Reed
Secretary: David Ingold
Treasurer: Cynthia Wilder

Board Members:

Lou Bender
Nancy Conklin
Nancy Cunningham
Diane Fisher
Harriet Lonergan
Barbara Mason
Kathy Michaelian
Susan Birch Pertsch
Linda Ryan
Bryce VanStavern

Library Volunteers

Our volunteers are the lifeblood of the Library. They work enable us to open our doors 41 hours each week. They work at the circulation desk checking books in and out, shelving books, signing up new patrons, answering your questions both in person and by telephone and assisting with computer signups. Many other volunteers oversee our social media, plan, coordinate and staff children and adult programs and activities, decorate our library windows and bulletin boards, and assist with reading programs, literacy, computer training as well as other projects and events.

Special thanks to the following volunteers:

Jacqueline Albanese Bonnie Armstrong Lou Bender Eileen Brown Nancy Conklin Nancy Cunningham Tom Curtin Mary DiPietro Diane Fisher Jan Garrett David Ingold Harriet Lonergan Barbara Mason

Jean Moyer Paul Miller Iuliia Nahirna Teresa Petroni-Conaway Linda Ryan Joan Selby Irene Smyth Carole Stowell Maureen Teague Owen Teague Bryce VanStavern Carrole Welsh

Eastern Shore Public Library Part-time Staff

Karen Sharp

Amy Walch

The Library Benefit Shop

Tucked into a small room across from the library’s front desk is our little Library Benefit Shop. Here you can find great used books for beach reading, canvas tote bags, “Music to Read By” CDs, Island Library t-shirts, and print and note cards among other items.

In addition to visiting our little shop in person, you can also order a selection of these items below and have them shipped directly to you. All sale proceeds benefit the Chincoteague Island Library.

Order by regular postal mail any of the items shown below!

Simply send your request, along with your name, shipping address, and a check for the total amount to:

Merchandise
c/o Chincoteague Island Library
4077 Main Street
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336

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Chincoteague Island Library Tote Bag

Roomy canvas tote bag with zipper and an image of the Island Library imprinted on the front.

Island Library Tote Bag – $20.00

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Chincoteague Island Library Art Notecard

A beautiful watercolor notecard by Barbara Schmitz, a wonderful local artist who has donated this print as well as her time as a volunteer librarian.

Chincoteague Island Library Watercolor Notecard w/ envelope (Qty 1) – $3.00

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Music To Read By Audio CD

 

“Music To Ready By” CD – $15.00

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Chincoteague Island Library Notecards

A set of 8 notecards with 8 envelopes. All notecards in the set bear the same Island Library art seen in the picture below.

Island Library Notecards – 1 Set (Qty 8) – $5.00
Island Library Notecards – 5 Sets (Qty 40) – $20.00

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The Island Library ONLINE STORE!

We now offer a wide array of new merchandise that can be ordered online and shipped directly to you. We have a huge selection of t-shirts, polo shirts, tanks, and sweatshirts in various colors and styles for men, women and children.

You’ll also find brand new items such as iPad sleeves, mugs, clocks, aprons, duffle bags, and so much more! Remember that all proceeds from every item purchased in our online store go directly to supporting The Island Library. Not only do you get cool stuff, but you do a great thing by helping to keep us in operation

Virtual Tales 4 Tots