Island Musicians Create Music To Read By to Fund Library Expansion
The demand for services from Chincoteague Island Library has grown so much
during the twelve years of its operation that the Board of Directors has
committed to tripling the size of the facility. The half million dollar
expansion project is being funded through donations, grants, efforts of Friends
of the Library, and sales of Music To Read By - an audio CD that presents
performances by a dozen Island musicians.
Music To Read By offers twenty-four tracks of music, totaling more than one hour
and ten minutes. The musical styles of the program include blues and bluegrass,
classical and new age, Celtic and gospel. Performers range in age from 21 to 92
years. They include a locksmith, an auto mechanic, a carpenter, a piano teacher,
a visual artist, a NASA employee, a retired radiologist, a retired college
president and others.
The CD was recorded, mixed and mastered by an Island resident. The cover art was
painted by an Island resident. The graphics layout was designed by an Island
resident. Island donors paid for manufacturing of the CD. The collective art and
energy of Island people means that each CD sold puts $15 directly into the
expansion fund of the Library.
Music To Read By is available in CD format at the Library and in many Island
shops. The entire CD or individual tracks may be downloaded from
www.digstation.com (search on
Chincoteague).
The Chincoteague Island Library is operated by a staff of twenty-six volunteers
and two part-time employees. These volunteers serve library patrons and manage
the collection of 7,267 volumes which has an annual circulation of 8,700. The
expansion project will create a new building that will increase the size of the
library from 750 square feet to 2,100 square feet. Once open the new building
will provide space to expand the collection, add computers with internet access,
offer children’s and community groups’ programs, provide climate-controlled
storage for archives, and a small work area for the staff and volunteers.
Chincoteague Island Library is located on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. The
Library is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt corporation founded by Island residents
in 1995. The privately supported, free library serves residents of Chincoteague
Island and Northern Accomack County and many seasonal visitors. Its mission is
to promote reading, a love of books, literacy, and to preserve the history of
Chincoteague and Assateague Islands.
Submitted by: Chincoteague Island Library