Clark Library July 2022
Our annual elementary children’s Summer Reading Challenge: Oceans of Possibilities has begun!
Each hour of reading/listening earns a small prize (up to 10 hours) and every hour earns a raffle ticket for larger prizes, including a $100 gift card to Amazon (up to 50 hours!) Sign up and keep track of your child’s time spent reading/listening at clarklibrary.beanstack.org or use the free Beanstack Tracker app! Join us for fun, free, ocean-themed activities June 28-August 12 to earn extra raffle tickets, but keep reading all summer long for chances to win prizes!
Little Listeners is for babies through Pre-K.
They count the number of books read to them and earn a raffle ticket for every ten books (up to 400) and small prizes for every ten up to the first 50 books. They can also get extra raffle tickets for attending events!
Teen Summer Reading Challenge: Oceans of Possibilities has begun!
Join us for a fun summer of reading, programs, and prizes. Sign up at clarklibrary.beanstack.org or use the free Beanstack Tracker app. Log each book you read and you’ll be awarded raffle tickets to enter into several drawings.
Adult Summer Reading Challenge: Oceans of Possibilities has begun! Why should kids have all the fun & prizes? Sign up for Adult Summer Reading at clarklibrary.beanstack.org or use the free Beanstack Tracker app on your smartphone. Log books you read/listen to, as well as activities, attended, to be awarded raffle tickets to enter into prize drawings. Special incentives for borrowing Museum Passes! Chances are you could be a lucky gift card winner!
Please register for any programs by emailing reference@clarklibrary.org and state which program you would like to attend or through the online calendar on our website at clarklibrary.org.
[Adult & Teens] The Crafty Folks:
Friday June 24 @ 2:00-4:00pm.
Paint a design on a 3D printed nautilus shell to house an air plant of your choice. Please register as space is limited to 12 participants.
[Teens] 3D Printed Seahorse Pendant Necklace
Monday, June 27 at 2 pm.
See our 3D printer in action and make a 3D printed seahorse pendant necklace. Open to teens in Grades 6-12
Children’s Summer Reading Kick-Off: Penguin Pointers
Tuesday, June 28 at 7:00 pm
Watch a live penguin from Jenkinson’s Aquarium waddle around and learn about its care, feeding, and conservation. **This event is for children registered for our Summer Reading Challenge, Oceans of Possibilities. Registration for the reading challenge may be done online at clarklibrary.beanstack.org or through the free Beanstack Tracker app. You must register for the penguin event with a staff member and pick up your tickets before June 28. Priority registration will be given to Clark residents with library cards. Children and adults must register for the penguin program.
Krafty Kids
Wednesdays, June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 at 3:00 pm
Join us as we make some fun and creative artwork. Using a few art supplies we will make a new craft each session! Don’t forget to bring your
imagination and creativity! Please register for each session individually. Ages 5-11.
Candy Sushi
June 29
Puffy Paint Sandcastles
July 6
Dolphin Diver
July 13
Ocean in a Bottle
July 20
CD fish
July 27
The Declaration of Independence with historian Joel Farkas
Wednesday, June 29 at 7 pm.
This program will take place at the Cranford Community Center. Celebrate Independence Day with historian and lecturer Joel Farkas. The discussion will cover America’s birth certificate, The Declaration of Independence, from the Magna Carta through the Revolutionary War to current-day7:00 pm celebrations. This program is part of our “Better Together” program series with the Cranford Public Library.
[Teen & Adult] Summer Reading Kickoff: The Strange World of Reptiles
Thursday, June 30 @ 7:00 pm.
Presented by Snakes-N-Scales. Hear stories of exotic snake, lizard, and turtle rescues, while meeting the critters! The grand finale of the program is a 6-foot, boa constrictor, named Rocky Balboa-Constrictor! This program is for Tweens (ages 10-12), Teens & Adults. It is not appropriate for children under 10.
Duplo Bingo
Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 am
Duplo Animal Bingo is a new twist on a fun, classic game. Preschoolers pick a building card enabling them to construct their animal by collecting the corresponding bricks as they are drawn. As they build colorful and simple models, they engage in shape and color recognition and matching. Preschoolers will explore collaborative play as they communicate and work with other children, follow game rules and take turns.
Stories & More
Fridays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 at 10:00 am
Stories, movement, and songs followed by a simple craft for active listeners ages 3 -5 years old in person or via Zoom. Registration is required for craft supplies and the Zoom link if attending virtually.
Friday Family Flicks
Fridays, July 1 through August 5 at 2:00 pm
Join us for popcorn and a movie this summer to beat the heat! We will show a different ocean-themed family-friendly movie each week, including some Disney favorites! Please visit our online calendar to see which movie will be shown each Friday.
Thursday Afternoon Movies
July 2, 9, 16, and 23 at 1:00 pm
Movies are back at the library! No registration is required.
Baby Bookworms
Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19, and 26 at 10:00 am
Babies and toddlers are invited to listen to some books and learn some songs, rhymes, lap bounces, and fingerplays in person or via Zoom. 30 minutes of open play follows. Please register.
Teen Gaming: Nintendo Switch
Tuesday, July 5 at 2:00 pm
Stop by and play some Nintendo Switch games on our big screen with other teens. Snacks will be served! Open to teens in Grades 6-12.
Cook with a Book-Healthy Snack
Thursday, July 7 at 3:00 pm
Join us as we advance literacy through cooking and guide learning around food and nutrition. We will focus on engineering by building an edible structure and making Green Garden Dip. We will read Building a House by Byron Barton. The food used is nut-free, but please be aware of other food allergens that may be present. This program is intended for children 5 and up. Please register.
Totally New Tuesdays
July 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 6:30 pm.
Movies are back at the library! No registration is required.
Oceans of Megalodons
Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 pm
Join our friends from Pearl Observatory to learn about megalodons! The megalodon shark was a top predator that lived millions of years ago. Help recreate a scale model of this creature! Please register.
Tales for Tots
Mondays, July 11, 18, and 25 at 10:00 am
Stories and songs for active listeners. Geared toward ages 2-3 with a caregiver. Older children are welcome!. 30 minutes of open play follows. Registration is required.
Union County Aging Services Kiosk
Monday, July 11 from 10 am-12 pm
Do you have questions about services available in Union County for seniors or their caregivers? Come visit the Union County Aging Services Kiosk, speak to our specialist, and get answers to your questions.
Summertime Monday Afternoon Movies
1:00-3:00 pm
In keeping with our Summer Reading theme, Oceans of Possibilities, we are showing the following movies:
July 11: South Pacific, remake with Glenn Close and Harry Connick, Jr.
July 18: The Perfect Storm, with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg
July 25: Splash, with Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah
Aug 1: The Shape of Water, a haunting romantic fantasy
Aug 8: South Pacific, the classic original with Mitzi Gaynor
Whale, Hello There
Monday, July 11 at 4:00 pm
Local Whale Scientist, Sara Tennant, will share interesting facts about whales and how they communicate followed by a whale craft! We will even hear actual whale sounds! Please register.
The Magic of Sharks
Monday, July 11 at 7 pm
A family magic show with a boatload of fun shark facts & jokes. The entire audience will join in to play a magical game of Hide and Seek with a Shark and help save Dan the Scuba Man. Please register.
Summer Health Series: Stress Management
Tuesday, July 12 at 11 am
Participants will learn the definition of stress, identify 3 different types of stress, understand the consequences of stress, and learn the negative signs and symptoms of stress and effective coping strategies for dealing with stress.
Barks & Books
Tuesday, July 12 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm, Saturday, July 16 from 10 am-11 am, and Tuesday, July 26 from 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
If you have a young, reluctant, or struggling reader, we want you to meet our therapy dogs! Therapy dogs are non-judgmental listeners and furry friends listeners to read to that won’t laugh if a child makes a mistake or stumbles over a word. Children learn to associate reading with being with the dog and begin to view reading in a positive way. Over time, the child’s reading ability and confidence can improve because they are practicing their skills. Children will each get approximately 15 minutes of reading time with Bubble, Magnolia, or Sophie. Please register for a 15-minute time slot.
Ocean Kahoot for Kids
Tuesday, July 12 at 3:00 pm
Join us in person or virtually for a Kahoot game with an ocean theme! A device is needed to participate. A limited amount will be on hand for those attending in person. Chromebooks and iPads are available to borrow for Clark residents over 18 years of age. Prizes must be picked up in person.
Little Scientist
Thursdays, July 14 at 4 pm
Learn how to build and create with our Science Experiments! Each session will be a different experiment that will touch upon a different STEM skill. For ages 6-12.
Teen Program: DIY Cricut Tote Bags
Monday, July 18 at 2 pm.
Now that plastic bags are banned in New Jersey, design your own unique tote bag with a Cricut iron-on design. See our Cricut machine in action and learn how to use the Design Space app. Open to teens in Grades 6-12.
Maker Monday
Monday, July 18 at 3 pm
Join us as we use hands-on STEAM learning to create an object with the materials given. Registration is required. Masks are optional for programs. For ages 9-12.
Evening Book Club
Monday, July 18 at 7 pm
Join us for our next evening book club meeting. We will be discussing “From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home” by Tembi Locke. Please email reference@clarklibrary.org or speak with a librarian if you need a copy of the book.
[Adult and Teens] Stories of the Wild West
Tuesday, July 19 @ 6:30 pm
The Wild West was unlike any other time in American history, but what made it so wild? Join us in person for a screening of a Wild West documentary created by local storyteller Judy England-McCarthy. Judy will be on hand to answer questions after the film. This program is made possible through a Union County HEART (History, Education, Art Reaching Thousands) Grant.
Teen Book Club
Wednesday, July 20 at 2 pm
Do you love talking about books! There is no assigned reading or one book to read. Just bring a book you’ve read that you want to share with the group.
Tinker Tots
Thursday, July 21 at 10:00 am
Come join us for a morning of fun science activities perfect for little ones in a station-based format. For children ages 2 through pre-k. Please register.
Cook with a Book-Healthy Dessert
Thursday, July 21 at 6:30 pm
Join us as we advance literacy through cooking and guide learning around food and nutrition. We will focus on science by comparing seeds. We will read The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli, compare seeds from different fruits, and make Bright Pink Fruit Dip. The food used is nut-free, but please be aware of other food allergens that may be present. This program is intended for children 5 and up. Please register.
[Teen] Pour Painting
Monday, July 25 at 2 pm
We’ll provide the paint, canvas, and basic technique. Leave your art overnight to dry at the library, and come back for a completely unique piece of art ready to hang on your walls! Open to teens in Grades 6-12.
Pirates: Lost at Sea
Monday, July 25 at 7:00 pm
Set sail with us on a thrilling action-packed adventure about a crew of quirky pirates marooned on a desert island. Throughout the story, explore the incredible science behind clouds, physical and chemical changes, air pressure, and more! Presented by Talewise, formerly named Sciencetellers.
LEGO® Club
Tuesday, July 26 from 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
Join us for the LEGO® Club at the Clark Public Library! Create your own LEGO® structures. LEGO® are provided by the library. Creations are displayed in the Children’s Area. For children in grades K – 5.
Ocean Bingo
Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 pm
Join us on Zoom or In-Person for Family Game Night! This month we will be playing Ocean BINGO! Children, Parents, and Your Child’s Grandparents are invited to play along! Prizes for winners and runners-up. *Must be willing to pick up prizes in person, they will not be mailed.
We will play at least 3 rounds of different themed boards that have to do with the Ocean and its habitats. Please register to get the Zoom link and link for BINGO cards. Please note whether you’ll be attending in person or on zoom.
[Family] The Seeing Eye Presents
Saturday, July 30 @ 10 am-12 pm
Love puppies? Love dogs? Get engaged in the work of The Seeing Eye organization: what’s it all about? A volunteer presenter with a Seeing Eye guide dog will be on hand to explain what it takes to raise and train a dog suitable for helping a blind person safely navigate walking sidewalks, streets, stores, airplanes, and more! The Seeing Eye depends upon donations so guide dogs can be offered free to their forever owner. Your ticket for entry to this program is a donation of dog food, biscuits, Nylabone, or toys. See our list of items that are suitable, and look for the Drop Box at the library! Thank you!
Boredom Buster for Kids
Each month we have a new take-home craft for kids to pick up and make at their leisure. While supplies last, no registration. Available beginning July 1.
Boredom Buster for Adults and Teens
Each month we have a new take-home craft for adults and teens to pick up and make at their leisure. While supplies last, no registration.
