Mercer County Library System
This page is updated frequently and new events may be added daily.
Visit your local branch’s webpage for more information about ongoing programs and subscribe to their newsletter to receive monthly emails on events.
Join us for an informal gathering to celebrate writing accomplishments made during National Novel Writing Month. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Barbie (2023, PG-13), with Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, and Issa Rae. Barbie suffers a crisis that leads her to question her world and her existence. Runtime: 104 min.
The Prestige (2006); rated PG-13; 128 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Improve your English speaking skills by chatting in casual conversation. Chip McAuley, TESOL-certified Hickory Corner Branch librarian, will lead the sessions, intended for intermediate-level speakers (those comfortable speaking English in most situations and looking for practice to increase confidence).
Please register.
All are welcome to discuss Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See.
Spades is a card game that involves bidding and trick-taking. The balance of luck (the value of cards dealt to you) and skill (how you bid on and play the cards) makes for an exciting game! Librarian Mary Astarita will teach beginners how to play the game. Once you learn the basics, you'll be sure to come back for more!
Please register.
Relax, refocus, and rejuvenate. Take a moment to regain the peace lost during our busy days. Facilitated by Hightstown Branch staff member, Leena, who is a 14-year practitioner of Rajyoga meditation.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Nothing feeds the soul like singing in community! We will lead patrons of all ages and abilities—from babies to retirees—in singing simple rounds together in harmony. Shakers and scarves will be provided for those too young to sing.
Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Branch.
No registration necessary.
Bring in your gifts to wrap at our holiday wrap station! All supplies will be provided, including wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, tags and more! For adults and teens (14+). Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Join our new club for board and card game enthusiasts. Bring your own games or use one of ours. Drop-ins welcome. Bring a friend!
Registration is preferred.
In the 1950s children could only play with baby dolls. There were no adult dolls. Then Ruth Handler decided to invent a doll with adult features. The doll named Barbie was a “Teen-age Fashion model.” Barbie could be dressed in a variety of fashion outfits and she lived in a “Dreamhouse.” She had a boyfriend named Ken and drove a Corvette convertible. Barbie’s careers included doctor, astronaut, pilot and even a matador. Learn how the world’s most loved doll came to be. Presented by Rick Feingold, lecturer in American Business History at Bergen Community College. He holds an MBA from Penn State University and a degree in History from Rutgers University.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
If you already know some English and want to improve your speaking and comprehension skills, please join librarian Elka Frankel for some practice sharing your thoughts and ideas about all kinds of things with others in the group. We'll also cover vocabulary, idioms and grammar relevant to our discussions. Bring your questions too!
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Join us at the Hopewell Branch for Cribbage & Coffee! Boards, pegs, cards -- and light refreshments -- will be provided.
Registration is requested prior to the event.
Registration is required prior to the event.
Bring a craft that you are working on independently and sit with other crafters and chat while you work. No craft supplies will be provided during this program. Participants will bring their own crafts to work on.
Registration is required prior to the event.
Poetry Circle Poets meet monthly to give constructive feedback on their works in progress. Join us for a special writing session to reflect on the year that has passed and express gratitude through poetry. Your poems can be used to create a holiday greeting card, which is part of a special Holiday Entertaining series at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the MCLS. All are welcome to join.
Registration is required.
Be in the present moment and experience the joy of mindfulness, facilitated by Nila Satpute, a 13-year practitioner of Rajyoga. Sponsored by the Friends of the West Windsor Library.
Librarian Julia will teach patrons to make their own holiday invitation or greeting card. In this special edition of Drawing Party, patrons will learn to hand-letter and draw a holiday design to make a personalized card. Patrons will be provided clipboards, paper and colored pencils for the duration of the program. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own materials. This Drawing Party will be held indoors. This program is part of a special Holiday Entertaining series at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the MCLS.
Registration is required.
Join Ricardo Kairios, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator, to learn easy tips for eating healthy over the holidays. Ricardo will share how to highlight fruits and vegetables as a part of your favorite holiday meals and snacks, tips for avoiding foods high in fats and added sugars, and fun ideas for using leftovers to avoid food waste. Ricardo is an Assistant Professor with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Are you passionate about crafting with yarn and creating cozy, handmade masterpieces? Look no further! Our Knitting and Crochet Club is the perfect place for beginners and experienced crafters alike to come together and share their love for all thing's yarn art. For ages 16 and up.
Join the Brain Injury Alliance of NJ for a fun and interactive workshop designed to educate seniors on ways to stay safe both at home and in the community. This workshop offers an overview of brain injury, along with valuable driving and pedestrian safety tips. Attendees will also receive practical advice on staying safe in the home and preventing falls, and will gain the knowledge and confidence they need to lead safer and more independent lives.
Registration is required prior to the event.
This month we’ll make felted soap bars. These are soap bars wrapped in handmade felt to keep or give as special and unique gifts. Open to any skill level. All materials will be provided. Sponsored by the Hightstown Library Association.
Registration is required prior to the event. If you register and realize you cannot make it, please contact us so someone else can have your spot.
A plucky eleven-year-old named Margaret finds her life on the cusp of change as her family uproots from the heart of the city to a quiet New Jersey suburban neighborhood. Margaret must then navigate the ups and downs of adolescence, including her new friends, new feelings, and, ultimately, a new sense of self. Based on the novel of the same name by Judy Blume. 111 minutes. Rated PG-13.Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
Hickory Corner librarian Mary Astarita will moderate a thoughtful discussion of current events. All adults are welcome. No preparation is necessary; the librarian will offer newspaper headlines for discussion.
Please register.
With assistance, make a craft for yourself or a friend. Led by librarian Shilpa Shanbhag.
Please register.
Relax, refocus, and rejuvenate. Take a moment to regain the peace lost during our busy days. Facilitated by Hightstown Branch staff member, Leena, who is a 13-year practitioner of Rajyoga meditation.
Registration is required prior to the event. If you register and realize you cannot make it, please contact us so someone else can have your spot.
Do you enjoy playing board games, card games and other table top games? Come over to Hollowbrook Library to play some of the games that are provided in the library. All are welcome, and bring a friend! Snacks and drinks will be provided. For ages 16 and up.
Join us to work on your project and enjoy some good conversation. Assistance is available for beginning crocheters.
Please register.
Open for players of all levels with a basic understanding of game play. We will play with the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) 2023 card and rules. Players with mah jongg sets are encouraged to bring them as the library has a limited number to loan.
Registration is requested prior to the event.
With assistance, make a craft for yourself or a friend. Led by librarian Shilpa Shanbhag.
Please register.
The usual line is "Winter is Coming" -- but in the yarn world we say "Sweater Weather is Coming." Bring your current project, be it sweater, blanket, or scarf and join us! All hook and needle crafters are welcome!
The Commuter (2018); rated PG-13; 105 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Come wrap your holiday gifts in peace and quiet. The library will provide wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape. Use our space to ensure you keep your gifts a secret. Stations open while gift wrapping supplies last.
Bring in your gifts to wrap at our holiday wrap station! All supplies will be provided, including wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, tags and more! For adults and teens (14+). Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Relieve stress via meditation, anyone can do it! Sahaja yoga meditation is practiced worldwide. Open to all ages.
Come wrap your holiday gifts in peace and quiet. The library will provide wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape. Use our space to ensure you keep your gifts a secret. Stations open while gift wrapping supplies last.
For adults who just want to spread some musical holiday cheer! Learn about proper vocal technique and build community through a variety of vocal warm-ups and holiday music. No prior singing experience necessary! Presented by Rachel Siegel, owner of Acoustix Music Studio.
Registration is required prior to the event.
Enjoy a mocktail tasting while you learn about the art of making non-alcoholic drinks just in time for the holidays! Refreshing and flavorful mocktails are perfect for holiday entertaining and everyday enjoyment. Learn about the art of making drinks, syrups, infusions, and edible garnishes. We will even explore how to use herbs and spices to approximate the flavors of popular cocktail spirits. Presented by Vanessa Young of The Thirsty Radish.
Registration is required prior to the event.
The Poetry Reading Group (PRG) meets on the second Saturday of each month at 2pm. Come read, share, and discuss the best in classic and contemporary poetry! We look at four pages of poetry by a celebrated poet, then read each poem aloud and discuss it as a group. Poems are provided to everyone who attends.
The goal is to learn about and appreciate poetry in a way that brings great poems to life. We find that we grow in our understanding as we talk about how we connect with each poem. We expand our awareness hearing everyone’s insights, and we leave even more inspired, weaving poetry into everyday life. Heartily welcoming new members! Hope you can join us soon!
No registration necessary.
Inspired by the upcoming release of Kamlesh Patel’s Spiritual Anatomy, this workshop aims to help reduce stress by providing practical techniques to identify and address stress triggers, enabling participants to cultivate a greater sense of calm and balance. We will also introduce participants to the concept of chakras, their relevance in stress management and personal well-being, and explore the role and significance of the chakras in developing new habits and fostering resilience. The workshop will share meditation practices that promote relaxation, clarity of mind, and overall well-being. It is designed to be accessible and inclusive for individuals of all backgrounds and belief systems.
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (2023, PG-13), with Nia Vardalos, John Corbett, and Louis Mandylor. After the death of the family's patriarch, Toula attempts to locate her father's childhood friends in Greece for a family reunion. Runtime: 92 min.
The Brothers Bloom (2008); rated PG-13; 114 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Improve your English speaking skills by chatting in casual conversation. Chip McAuley, TESOL-certified Hickory Corner Branch librarian, will lead the sessions, intended for intermediate-level speakers (those comfortable speaking English in most situations and looking for practice to increase confidence).
Please register.
Spades is a card game that involves bidding and trick-taking. The balance of luck (the value of cards dealt to you) and skill (how you bid on and play the cards) makes for an exciting game! Librarian Mary Astarita will teach beginners how to play the game. Once you learn the basics, you'll be sure to come back for more!
Please register.
Relax, refocus, and rejuvenate. Take a moment to regain the peace lost during our busy days. Facilitated by Hightstown Branch staff member, Leena, who is a 14-year practitioner of Rajyoga meditation.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Nothing feeds the soul like singing in community! We will lead patrons of all ages and abilities—from babies to retirees—in singing simple rounds together in harmony. Shakers and scarves will be provided for those too young to sing. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Branch.
No registration necessary.
Join physical therapist Barbara Kutch, PT, DPT, CSCS for a lecture discussing running shoes. The components of running shoes will be presented. The presentation will discuss common running shoe features. Additionally, the role of the shoe in regards to injury prevention will be presented. This program is offered through the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Program.
Registration is requrired prior to the event.
Crafting is not only about finish project; it’s also about relax after a long day. Come join us at the Hollwobrook Library as we will craft together a snowman rock craft. Snacks and water will be provided. For ages 16 and up.
Registration required.
Come make your own waterless winter-themed snow globe! All materials will be provided.
Registration is required prior to the event.
If you already know some English and want to improve your speaking and comprehension skills, please join librarian Elka Frankel for some practice sharing your thoughts and ideas about all kinds of things with others in the group. We'll also cover vocabulary, idioms and grammar relevant to our discussions. Bring your questions too!
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Do you love all things murder, mayhem, and mystery? If you do, come to Only Murders in the Library! We’ll meet to listen to an episode of a true crime podcast, and share our thoughts and speculate about what’s going to happen next. This week will be episode 3 of the podcast “The Last Ride.” Let the suspense, thrills, and chills begin!
Registration is required prior to the event.
We will build a Mezze platter from our potluck dishes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Registration is required.
With all the holidays coming up, take some time to relax and craft a book centerpiece to make your table bookish and festive! We will be folding pages to create a table-scape any book lover will love to show off. This program is part of a special Holiday Entertaining series at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the MCLS. Sponsored by the Friends of Lawrence Library.
Registration is required and limited to 10 participants.
This is a entry-level ESL is taught by experienced staff member Victor Fernandez. New students are welcome any week & you can drop in after 5:00 pm, if needed.
Registration is recommended in person or by phone at 609-448-1474.
Join us for a talk to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. That pivotal event, taking place Griffin’s Wharf in Boston, was a response to the 1773 Tea Act, the latest of a series of parliamentary directives stretching back to the 1765 Stamp Act. But the Tea Act was never intended to be so provocative. University of Maryland historian Richard Bell explores the 1773 Boston Tea Party from both local and global perspectives. He argues that the Tea Party marks the first major protest in America against corporate greed and the effects of globalization. Sponsored by the Friends of the West Windsor Library.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Drop in for a friendly game of chess. Instruction is available for beginners.
Please register.
Homeland by R. A. Salvatore. Discover the origin story of one of the greatest heroes of the Forgotten Realms: drow ranger Drizzt Do’Urden.
As the third son of Mother Malice and weaponmaster Zaknafein, Drizzt Do’Urden must be sacrificed to Lolth, the evil Spider Queen, per the traditions of their matriarchal drow society. But with the unexpected death of his older brother, young Drizzt is spared—though still at the mercy of his abusive sisters. As Drizzt grows older, and proves himself to be a formidable warrior at Melee-Magthere Academy, he realizes his idea of good and evil does not match up with those of his fellow drow, who show only cruelty to the other races of the Underdark . . . Can Drizzt stay true to himself in a such an unforgiving, unprincipled world?
Drizzt Do’Urden, first introduced in The Icewind Dale Trilogy, quickly became one of the fantasy genre’s standout characters. With Homeland, Salvatore pulls back the curtain to reveal the fascinating tale of how this hero came to be—how this one lone drow walked out of the shadowy depths of the Underdark to leave behind an evil society and a family that wanted him dead. Homeland is the first book in the Dark Elf Trilogy and the Legend of Drizzt series.
Winter is dark - so join us in making little luminaria with tissue paper, doilies etc. This is only a little messy, so we are back in the Big Room. All craft supplies are provided. For ages 18 and up. Sponsored by the Friends of the West Windsor Library.
Registration is required, space is limited. If a registered participant fails to show up, that space will be filled with walk-ins – so feel free to stop by just before 10 am to see if there is room.
Hickory Corner librarian Chip McAuley leads discussion of popular fiction titles. This month’s selection is Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng.
Please register.
Are you passionate about crafting with yarn and creating cozy, handmade masterpieces? Look no further! Our Knitting and Crochet Club is the perfect place for beginners and experienced crafters alike to come together and share their love for all thing's yarn art. For ages 16 and up.
This drawing class is designed to help you relax and unwind. It’s a perfect way to relieve stress and anxiety while exploring your creative side. The class is structured to provide a no-pressure environment. You’ll be encouraged to express yourself through art, without worrying about the end result. No prior drawing experience necessary. This month we'll be playing with perspective and 3D!
Registration is required prior to the event.
Join us in reading and discussing works of fiction or non-fiction having to do with gardening, plants, nature, or the land. All are welcome to discuss this month's book, Old Herbaceous by Reginald Arkell.
Do you like to knit and/or crochet? Or do you want to learn? Join Meeta Jairam, local Robbinsville resident, to talk patterns and projects and share tips and tricks! Bring your current project and materials, or if you are new to knitting/crocheting, your materials and a willingness to learn! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to experts.
Registration is required for the event.
Hickory Corner librarian Mary Astarita will moderate a thoughtful discussion of current events. All adults are welcome. No preparation is necessary; the librarian will offer newspaper headlines for discussion.
Please register.
This is a fun and non-judgmental conversation circle for anyone who wants to practice their English language skills. We’ll talk about our lives, our interests and anything else we feel like saying in this safe and relaxed group. No materials are required. Librarian Andrew Punk will facilitate this non-structured class.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
If you are interested in becoming a US citizen, we can help! Join our free preparation class to study & practice for your citizenship exam.
Registration is required prior to the event. Please call the branch. If you register and realize you cannot make it, please contact us so someone else can have your spot.
Please join Kim Myers, a Community Outreach Specialist from the Brain Injury Alliance, in this workshop promoting awareness and providing essential knowledge about concussions, their impact on young athletes, and strategies to prevent and manage them effectively. Causes, symptoms, identification strategies, and long-term effects will also be discussed.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Join published author Judy Salcewicz, for a workshop entitled Sharing Your Words. She will share her stories, writing experience, and discuss the logistics of writing and submitting work for publication. Participants will work on their manuscripts and brainstorm ideas for their own submissions.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
Relax, refocus, and rejuvenate. Take a moment to regain the peace lost during our busy days. Facilitated by Hightstown Branch staff member, Leena, who is a 13-year practitioner of Rajyoga meditation.
Registration is required prior to the event. If you register and realize you cannot make it, please contact us so someone else can have your spot.
Come and make your own candle holders using wine glasses, fall foliage, burlap, fake pumpkins, & votive candles. All materials will be provided. Presented by Reference Librarian Jamie Clay.
Registration is required prior to the event.
Do you enjoy playing board games, card games and other table top games? Come over to Hollowbrook Library to play some of the games that are provided in the library. All are welcome, and bring a friend! Snacks and drinks will be provided. For ages 16 and up.
Grief is an enduring journey, often perpetuated by our desire to maintain continued bonds with those who have passed away. The holiday season frequently amplifies the pain of our loss. This Holiday Grief Workshop will delve into how grief affects our brain, utilize mindfulness strategies to ground our strong emotions, and understand how incorporating a new ritual alongside traditional holiday festivities can help with navigating grief during these times. Presented by TJ Marchitelli, author of What NOT To Do When Your Husband Dies: Neuroscience & Mindfulness As Tools To Work With Grief.
Registration is preferred.
Join us to work on your project and enjoy some good conversation. Assistance is available for beginning crocheters.
Please register.
Rabbi Benjamin Adler has been the spiritual leader of Adath Israel Congregation in Lawrenceville since 2014. He is a graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City, where he earned a master’s degree in Jewish Philosophy, and also studied at the Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. All are welcome to join Rabbi Adler to celebrate Hanukkah, which is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Seleucid Empire in the second century BCE. Jews all over the world kindle the menorah each evening and bring light to the darkness. Crafts will be provided especially for children by Librarian Molly.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
Do you love games? If you do, the Twin Rivers Library has Bingo! Come and take a chance at winning a small prize.
Registration is required prior to the event.
Join us for a book club with a sports twist. Each month, we discuss a book revolving around a sport, an athlete, a team, or a league. If the book is related to sports, it's fair game! All are welcome to discuss this month's book, The Mosquito Bowl: A Game of Life and Death in World War II, by Buzz Bissinger.
Open for players of all levels with a basic understanding of game play. We will play with the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) 2023 card and rules. Players with mah jongg sets are encouraged to bring them as the library has a limited number to loan.
Registration is requested prior to the event.
The usual line is "Winter is Coming" -- but in the yarn world we say "Sweater Weather is Coming." Bring your current project, be it sweater, blanket, or scarf and join us! All hook and needle crafters are welcome!
The Da Vinci Code (2006); rated PG-13; 149 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Join our in-person drum circle led by popular long-time facilitator Ange Chianese. Drummers of all levels of experience are invited to participate. Bring your own drums or use one of ours. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
Relieve stress via meditation, anyone can do it! Sahaja yoga meditation is practiced worldwide. Open to all ages.
Oppenheimer (2023, R), with Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Matt Damon. The story of American scientist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, and his role in the development of the atomic bomb. Runtime 180 min.
The Equalizer 3 (2023, R) with Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, and Eugenio Mastrandrea. Robert McCall finds himself at home in Southern Italy but he discovers his friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends' protector by taking on the mafia. Runtime: 109 min.
Golden Door (2006); rated PG-13; 113 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Improve your English speaking skills by chatting in casual conversation. Chip McAuley, TESOL-certified Hickory Corner Branch librarian, will lead the sessions, intended for intermediate-level speakers (those comfortable speaking English in most situations and looking for practice to increase confidence).
Please register.
Help us put a pause on blood shortages. Donate blood today and you can save up to three lives. New York Blood Center (NYBC) is one of the largest community-based, non-profit blood collection and distribution organizations in the United States.
Call 609-448-0957 to register.
Spades is a card game that involves bidding and trick-taking. The balance of luck (the value of cards dealt to you) and skill (how you bid on and play the cards) makes for an exciting game! Librarian Mary Astarita will teach beginners how to play the game. Once you learn the basics, you'll be sure to come back for more!
Please register.
Relax, refocus, and rejuvenate. Take a moment to regain the peace lost during our busy days. Facilitated by Hightstown Branch staff member, Leena, who is a 14-year practitioner of Rajyoga meditation.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Nothing feeds the soul like singing in community! We will lead patrons of all ages and abilities—from babies to retirees—in singing simple rounds together in harmony. Shakers and scarves will be provided for those too young to sing. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Branch.
No registration necessary.
Bring in your gifts to wrap at our holiday wrap station! All supplies will be provided, including wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, tags and more! For adults and teens (14+). Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
If you already know some English and want to improve your speaking and comprehension skills, please join librarian Elka Frankel for some practice sharing your thoughts and ideas about all kinds of things with others in the group. We'll also cover vocabulary, idioms and grammar relevant to our discussions. Bring your questions too!
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Join us at the Hopewell Branch for Cribbage & Coffee! Boards, pegs, cards -- and light refreshments -- will be provided.
Registration is requested prior to the event.
Use recycled Oui jars to make pretty seasonal votive candle holders. Hot glue guns will be used for this craft.
Registration is required prior to the event.
We will learn how to make barrel knots. Then we will combine the knots with beads and tassel to make a supercute gift topper. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Registration is required.
This is a entry-level ESL is taught by experienced staff member Victor Fernandez. New students are welcome any week & you can drop in after 5:00 pm, if needed.
Registration is recommended in person or by phone at 609-448-1474.
Join us on MCLS’ Facebook page for an hour of family-friendly trivia. Questions are geared toward adults, but kids, 10 and over, are welcome to participate, too! Play alone or form a team (of up to five members). Visit MCLS's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mclsnj) at 7pm to participate.
What have you been reading? No book is assigned for December, but be prepared to tell us about your favorite book you read in 2023. It can't be a Book Club book - and that's the only limit!
Join us to make a no-sew sock snowman. All materials will be provided.
Registration is required prior to the event.
Are you passionate about crafting with yarn and creating cozy, handmade masterpieces? Look no further! Our Knitting and Crochet Club is the perfect place for beginners and experienced crafters alike to come together and share their love for all thing's yarn art. For ages 16 and up.
The short story -- short in length, but full of content! Join our discussion group, which focuses on the short story. This month we'll read Joy Williams's stories, "The Girls," "Taking Care," and “Winter Chemistry.” Copies available at the Hopewell Branch Reference Desk.
Hickory Corner librarian Mary Astarita will moderate a thoughtful discussion of current events. All adults are welcome. No preparation is necessary; the librarian will offer newspaper headlines for discussion.
Please register.
Join our new club for board and card game enthusiasts. Bring your own games or use one of ours. Drop-ins welcome. Bring a friend!
Registration is preferred.
If you are interested in becoming a US citizen, we can help! Join our free preparation class to study & practice for your citizenship exam.
Registration is required prior to the event. Please call the branch. If you register and realize you cannot make it, please contact us so someone else can have your spot.
On Christmas Eve, NYC cop John McClane fights terrorists in an L.A. high-rise in a bid to rescue his estranged wife, who happens to be one of the hostages. Meanwhile, the terrorists attempt to steal $600 million from a high-tech safe. 132 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
Join award-winning cookie decorator, Food Network competitor, and owner of Four Peas and a Dog, Leslie Marchio, as she shows us how to turn delicious treats into beautiful works of art. You will be guided in a fun, spirited exploration of icing techniques that will amaze your friends and family. This program is part of a special Holiday Entertaining series at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch of the MCLS.Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.
Registration is required and limited to 20 participants.
With assistance, make a craft for yourself or a friend. Led by librarian Shilpa Shanbhag.
Please register.
Relax, refocus, and rejuvenate. Take a moment to regain the peace lost during our busy days. Facilitated by Hightstown Branch staff member, Leena, who is a 13-year practitioner of Rajyoga meditation.
Registration is required prior to the event. If you register and realize you cannot make it, please contact us so someone else can have your spot.
Come and make your own waterless snow globes using glass jars, artificial snow, mini trees, mini snowmen, glitter, and glue! All materials will be provided. Presented by Reference Librarian Jamie Clay.
Registration is required prior to the event.
Do you enjoy playing board games, card games and other table top games? Come over to Hollowbrook Library to play some of the games that are provided in the library. All are welcome, and bring a friend! Snacks and drinks will be provided. For ages 16 and up.
Join us to work on your project and enjoy some good conversation. Assistance is available for beginning crocheters.
Please register.
Contact us from December 1, through December 18, to pick up a packet of spice, recipes, and information about the history of that spice to try in the convenience of your own kitchen. On December 21, we’ll meet to discuss our thoughts and experiences with that week’s spice offering. Each Spice Club event focuses on a different spice.
Registration is required prior to the event.
With assistance, make a craft for yourself or a friend. Led by librarian Shilpa Shanbhag.
Please register.
The usual line is "Winter is Coming" -- but in the yarn world we say "Sweater Weather is Coming." Bring your current project, be it sweater, blanket, or scarf and join us! All hook and needle crafters are welcome!
The Fire Next Time, by James Baldwin. Led by librarian Mary Astarita.
Please register.
Come wrap your holiday gifts in peace and quiet. The library will provide wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape. Use our space to ensure you keep your gifts a secret. Stations open while gift wrapping supplies last.
Bring in your gifts to wrap at our holiday wrap station! All supplies will be provided, including wrapping paper, bows, ribbons, tags and more! For adults and teens (14+). Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
Come wrap your holiday gifts in peace and quiet. The library will provide wrapping paper, ribbons, and tape. Use our space to ensure you keep your gifts a secret. Stations open while gift wrapping supplies last.
Special Screening: Elf. Join us for a screening of Elf (PG, 2003), with Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel, and James Caan. Hot chocolate and holiday treats will be provided! For adults ages 18 and up.
Registration required.
“You are about to enter another dimension. A dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind. A journey into the wondrous land of imagination. Next stop—The Twilight Zone!” View and discuss an episode of the classic Twilight Zone with Hickory Corner Branch librarian—and Twilight Zone resident—Chip McAuley. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Do you love all things murder, mayhem, and mystery? If you do, come to Only Murders in the Library! We’ll meet to listen to an episode of a true crime podcast, and share our thoughts and speculate about what’s going to happen next. This week will be episode 4 of the podcast “The Last Ride.” Let the suspense, thrills, and chills begin!
Registration is required prior to the event.
Needle crafters of all kinds--knitters, crocheters, and others – who already know the basics of their craft are invited to drop in to socialize and work on their projects. Librarian Kimberley will facilitate the program and assist patrons with learning about crafting from the library’s collection of resources.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
This is a entry-level ESL is taught by experienced staff member Victor Fernandez. New students are welcome any week & you can drop in after 5:00 pm, if needed.
Registration is recommended in person or by phone at 609-448-1474.
Drop in for a friendly game of chess. Instruction is available for beginners.
Please register.
Are you passionate about crafting with yarn and creating cozy, handmade masterpieces? Look no further! Our Knitting and Crochet Club is the perfect place for beginners and experienced crafters alike to come together and share their love for all thing's yarn art. For ages 16 and up.
Hickory Corner librarian Mary Astarita will moderate a thoughtful discussion of current events. All adults are welcome. No preparation is necessary; the librarian will offer newspaper headlines for discussion.
Please register.
If you are interested in becoming a US citizen, we can help! Join our free preparation class to study & practice for your citizenship exam.
Registration is required prior to the event. Please call the branch. If you register and realize you cannot make it, please contact us so someone else can have your spot.
Our book club selection for November will be The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood. "At almost six-foot, with a redhead's temper and a shattered hip, Zee has a long list of worries: never-ending bills, her beautiful, gullible sister, her five-year-old nephew, her housebound mother, and her drug-dealing boss. Zee may not be a princess, but Gentry is an actual knight, complete with sword, armor, and a code of honor. Two years ago, the voices he hears called him to be Zee's champion. He's barely spoken to her since, but he has kept watch, ready to come to her aid. When an abduction tears Zee's family apart, she turns to the last person she ever imagined--Gentry--and sets in motion a chain of events that will not only change both of their lives, but bind them to one another forever."
Registration is required prior to the event.
Do you enjoy playing board games, card games and other table top games? Come over to Hollowbrook Library to play some of the games that are provided in the library. All are welcome, and bring a friend! Snacks and drinks will be provided. For ages 16 and up.
In this adaptation of the biblical tale, Mary and Joseph prepare for the birth of Jesus as they trek from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Based on the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, this was the first feature film to premiere at the Vatican. Rated PG, 101 minutes. Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass, Shaun Toub, Shohreh Aghdashloo. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.
Advanced registration is appreciated.
Featured this month is Everdell. But don't forget - you can bring your own game, invite your friends, and enjoy game night at the library!
The usual line is "Winter is Coming" -- but in the yarn world we say "Sweater Weather is Coming." Bring your current project, be it sweater, blanket, or scarf and join us! All hook and needle crafters are welcome!
Blast from The Past (1999); rated PG-13; 106 minutes. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library.
Please register.
Join Ricardo Kairios, Family and Community Health Sciences Educator, to hear ways you can be physically active throughout the week. Ricardo will explain the basics of physical activity and why it’s important for your health, give examples of types of activity you can do to be active, and share how you can set S.M.A.R.T. goals for getting more movement into your routine. Ricardo is an Assistant Professor with Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
In the summer of 1955, fourteen-year-old Emmett Till was murdered by Roy Bryant and J.W. Milam because they suspected that Till had whistled at Bryant’s wife. Unable to enjoy a carefree childhood in the United States, Black children like Till became important actors in the Black freedom struggle. Using the Brown v. Board decision (1954) and the death of Emmett Till, this talk will examine the contributions of Black children to the early years of the civil rights movement.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
During this workshop we will discuss the 10 things that organized kitchens all have in common. A little bit of decluttering, organizing and labeling can truly transform your kitchen space. There are so many different inexpensive ideas to try! Presented by Olga St. Pierre, a licensed real estate agent.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Emanuel Mahand, investment and financial advisor, discusses an array of financial situations and talks about key tools, such as budgeting and debt management. He will also share strategies for attendees to use to protect their assets, prepare for retirement and create a financial legacy for their loved ones.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Join us for a Functional Foods for Life program focused on the most popular drink in the world, tea! A functional food is one that has a "potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed on a regular basis and at certain levels.” Research on tea from the Camellia sinensis plant has included the study of a variety of polyphenol compounds including epigallocatechin 3- gallate (EGCG), theaflavins and thearubigins as well as other compounds found in tea. Population studies have indicated possible protective effects from tea consumption in specific chronic diseases. Join us to learn about the history, culture and these potential health benefits of tea. Presented by Sherri Cirignano, MS, RDN, LDN, FCHS Educator and Associate Professor, Warren County, NJ.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
This program is canceled; we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Have you been feeling overwhelmed and overloaded? Take time out for this creative and rejuvenating practice. Kristina Baktis, ATR-BC, ATCS, board-certified art therapist and senior allied clinical therapist at Princeton House Behavioral Health, will help you develop new strategies to deal with life’s challenges in a creative, fun, and supportive environment. Materials and guidance will be provided, so no previous art experience is necessary. This program is offered through the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Program.
Registration is requrired prior to the event.
Most Americans are unaware of the long history of Muslims in the United States. This presentation covers that history beginning with the substantial and documented presence of Muslims among enslaved Africans in the Americas. It then describes the rediscovery of Islam among African Americans in the 20th century as well as among Latinos and Whites. It also highlights Muslim influences on American culture including in music, cuisine, and architecture, and the successive waves of immigration that brought Muslims to our country beginning in the late nineteenth century. The presentation concludes by highlighting notable Muslim Americans today. Presented by Islamic Network Group of New Jersey.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Today the name Hershey is synonymous with quality milk chocolate. But that wasn't always the case. Milton S. Hershey worked hard and failed often before his chocolate was finally successful, and when did become a household name and earned a vast fortune, Milton and his wife, Catherine, decided to give it all away. Because of their generosity, tens of thousands of orphans have been saved, protected, and educated. Find out more about this American success story and the philanthropy engendered in this illustrated biographical lecture. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hopewell Library.
About the presenter: Laura Keyes graduated from UW-Madison with a master's degree in Library Studies and has been presenting on historic topics for over ten years. She enjoys researching literary symbolism and is contracted to write a book on that subject. She is currently the Director of Dunlap Public Library District in Dunlap, IL.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Get to know three contemporary artists who are making waves in the art community, a photographer, a sculptor, and a painter. Samuel Fosso is a Cameroonian-born Nigerian photographer who has worked for most of his career in the Central African Republic. Nick Cave, a Black American artist best known for his wearable mixed-media constructions known as Soundsuits. Kehinda Wiley is an American portrait painter based in NYC, who is known for his highly naturalistic paintings of Black people, frequently referencing the work of old master paintings. Presented by Jeanne Johnson, docent at the Princeton University Art Museum as well as Morven Museum and Gardens.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
Have you tried to lose weight, but you were unsuccessful or had a hard time keeping the weight off? Join Christopher Aseervatham, as he focuses on healthy diet practices that optimize insulin sensitivity and blood pressure control (DASH/Mediterranean Diet) but also discusses the current ongoing fad diets (Paleo/Keto/Atkins) and the positive/negatives and misconceptions associated with them. Aseervatham also shares how/which exercises helps improve insulin sensitivity and HDL. This program is offered through the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Program.
Registration with an email is required, so we can send you a link to connect through GoToMeeting. You will receive the link approximately 24 hours before the program.
