Island chefs, musicians and authors will be the centerpiece of Library After Hours, a celebration at the West Tisbury Free Public Library on Sunday, August 1 from 5 to 7 p.m.

It will be the kickoff of a nonprofit foundation focussed on a capital campaign to raise $1.2 million to expand the library building.

“We’ve been handed a rare opportunity to get state funding for half the cost of construction,” said trustee Dan Waters. “If we meet our fund-raising goal, the state grant will mean an enormous savings to the town.”

The West Tisbury Free Public Library has the largest materials collection of all six Island town libraries. It has the highest direct circulation and is open the most hours per year. Yet with about 5,640 square feet it has the second-smallest facility on the Island, larger only than Aquinnah’s. The need for significant expansion was highlighted in the 2007 Space Needs Committee Report, and has long been a part of the town’s 20-year plan.

Contributing chefs include Jim and Kim O’Connor of Chefworks, Jen DeVivo, Cathy Walthers, Jean Marc Dupon, Sarah Hibler and David Thompson.

Music will be by Al Schackman and band.

Authors scheduled to speak about the importance of libraries in their lives and work are Paul Schneider, Paul Karasik, Jenny Allen, Ward Just, Peter Kramer, John Hough and Mary Beth Norton.

For details, call 508-693-3366.