Cranford Public Library July 2024
July Programs for Children
Young readers are invited to hone their skills by reading to certified therapy dogs at our monthly “Paws for Reading” program on Tuesday, July 16 at 6:30 p.m. Dogs are a perfect, non-judgmental audience for children learning to read independently! No registration is required, but space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
Join us for “Ms. Erin’s Magic of Make-Believe: Summer in our Town” on Friday, July 12 at 9:30 a.m. This class, for children ages 3-6, fosters teamwork, connection, active listening, and emotional intelligence. Watch your little one shine! Parents/guardians are expected to attend. This is free, drop-in program is being held outdoors at Hanson Park; no registration is required. The rain date for this event is Friday, July 19 at 9:30 a.m.
Children ages 3+ are invited to learn the basics of karate with Master C of USA Karate and Fitness! This program meets on Monday, July 22 at 2:00 p.m. No registration is required, just drop in.
Children ages 3-5 are invited to join us for “Early Literacy Sounds in Motion” on Thursday evenings from 5:00-6:00 p.m. from July 18 through August 29. There will be no class on Thursday, August 15. Because each class builds on the last, we ask registrants to attend all sessions. The goal of this course is to acquire pre-literacy skills such as phonemic awareness, phonological awareness, sound to letter correspondence, blending, and segmenting of words. Registration is required.
Children ages 9+ are invited to a book club! We’ll be discussing the book The Last Mapmaker, a fantasy adventure novel by Christina Soontornvat and completing a series of fun activities based on the novel. Participants are expected to read the book before we meet. Registration is appreciated.
The library is hosting a series of Wednesday night programs in July. These family friendly events are best suited to elementary-aged children. All programs are free thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library:
Magic Adventure Show, Wednesday, July 3 at 7:00 p.m.: Set off for adventure with magician Steve Woyce! This fun-filled program will get children and families excited about reading and visiting the library through magic, comedy, and tons of audience participation. Volunteers will help make lightning bugs appear, meet Presto the Super Worm, and even join in a magical game of hide and seek with Bigfoot!
StoryFaces — Adventure Tales! Become Your Own Hero, Wednesday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m.: A world of adventures come to life on the faces of the audience in this innovative performance, an inspiring fusion of theatre and visual arts. StoryFaces is an exciting and unusual storytelling show in which volunteers are brought on stage and face painted to illustrate stories as Christopher tells them, captivating the audience with folktales and his uniquely animated original stories — ranging from the comic adventure of The 2 Lizards on 4 Faces to the heroic tale of When Man First Met Crocodile.
What’s out there? Planetarium Experience, Wednesday, July 17 at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m.: The Starlab Portable Planetarium System is bringing the universe to the library! Participants will observe the stars, planets, the moon and other celestial objects as they appear in the evening sky. Tickets will be given out at the Children’s Desk beginning at 6:30 on the day of the performance.
Zoophoria, Wednesday, July 24 at 7:00 p.m.: Learn all about, and get hands-on, with real animals! Spanish words for the animals will be taught and we will highlight some challenges caused by humans that the animals face in their natural habitats. We’ll be joined by 6-8 animals as well as Tripod the Sulcata Tortoise!
Science Heroes: Adventure of the Lost Treasure, Wednesday, July 31 at 7:00 p.m.: Join us on a treasure-hunting adventure deep within the jungle! The audience helps the performer act out the tale, as we use the events in the story to explore several exciting science concepts.
Cranford Library Adult July Programs
Poetry in Motion Book Club–Wednesday, July 17, at 7pm
If you’re interested in poetry of any kind and from any era, this is the club for you! The first half of the meeting will be a brief, informal class highlighting the history of poetry along with some of its major types and techniques. The second half will be in the style of a book club, with poems that we will discuss and interpret together as a group. Please visit our website or contact the library to register.
Tosho-con–Saturday, July 20, from 10am-4pm
Join us at the Cranford Community Center for our 2nd annual, all-ages, free anime, comic and pop culture convention! Join us for a day of panels with industry professionals, crafts, dance parties, artists and more! Drop in for certain programs or stay all day! Sponsored by the Cranford Public Library and the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. Contact the Library or visit our Facebook page for more information about our Tosho-con programming schedule.
Rhonda Denet and the Silver Fox Trio: Sounds of Summer Concert–Tuesday, July 23, at 7pm
Songs from the 30s thru the 70s — Experience the music that evokes all the feelings the summer season brings like longer days and warmer nights, relaxing in the sun with tropical beverages at your side, and time off with loved ones. The song list for this showcase includes “Summertime” (Billie Holiday from Porgy & Bess), “Summer Wind” (Frank Sinatra), “Under The Boardwalk” (The Drifters), “Hot Fun In The Summer Time” (Sly & The Family Stone), and many more.
Sponsored and paid for by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. No registration needed
Trivia Night–Wednesday, July 24, at 7pm
Join us for another fun evening of trivia! This free event is hosted by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library! Join us in the Community Room on the first floor of the Community Center! Feel free to bring your own snacks and (non-alcoholic) drinks. Prizes awarded to the winning team. Please visit our website or contact the library to register.
Darkroom Drop-in–Wednesdays from 5:30pm-8:30pm
Photographers of all levels are invited to connect, share their work, talk shop, and work in the darkroom. The Darkroom is located in the Arts & Crafts Room on the second floor of the Community Center, the space is wheelchair-accessible. Made possible by funds from the Union County Office of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
