Tenth generation Vineyarder S. Bailey Norton Jr. will be honored at a public event hosted by the Edgartown library: the Legacy of Learning Summer Brunch, to be held on Sunday, July 12, at noon at the Boathouse Field Club in Katama. The brunch also aims to raise awareness and funds to renovate and expand the library.

Mr. Norton was born into a family of fishermen, whaling and yacht captains. His book, My Long Journey Home, A Life Worth Living, documents the people and scenes of the Edgartown he loves, particularly the waterfront.

A silent auction and a raffle for an all-expense-paid European river cruise for two are also a part of the evening. Tickets are $150 per person and will be available through July 6.

The Edgartown Library building was given to the town in 1904 by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, who helped build more than 1,600 public libraries across the nation a century ago. The North Water street site was given by Caroline F. Warren under the stipulation that if the town ever discontinued use of the library building, the land would revert to her heirs. The proposed capital plan is to update the historic building while adding another 14,000 square feet of new space to include more public computer terminals and room for community programs, such as lectures, films and classes.

Walter Cronkite is honorary chairman of the capital campaign.

The commonwealth of Massachusetts has allocated $4.9 million toward expansion, with the requirement that the new building be suited to meet projected needs for the next 20 years. The town has contributed $3.5 million by purchasing an adjoining property, providing the necessary space for both the new library and expanded public parking behind it. All necessary town and state permits are in place.

The state grant comes with another condition: Edgartown must be ready to proceed with the project by Dec. 31, 2009 or lose the funds. The library foundation has initiated a capital campaign to raise an additional $5 million required for construction, including a $1 million endowment fund. To date, over $1 million has been raised in donations and pledges with several additional, major gifts under discussion.

Contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 1198, Edgartown, MA, 02539. Call the library or call 508-627-7077 or visit edgartownlibrary.org.