Cranford Public Library September 2022
Children’s Programs
The Cranford Public Library has a full calendar for Fall 2022! The following are the upcoming children’s programs.
Pajama Storytime
Thursday, September 8, 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
Dragons! OH MY! Friends in grades K-2, it’s time to wear our pajamas and relax as we listen to a story and make fun crafts! Join us in the library. This is an in-person program with a maximum of 10 participants. Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/pajama-story-time-dragons-oh-my-tickets-387572107607
Baby and Toddler Storytime at Hanson Park
Tuesday mornings at 9:30 a.m.
September 13 through October 18.
This storytime, designed for our youngest library users, is a perfect way for babies and caregivers to bond while encouraging essential early literacy practices. We’ll be sharing songs and a short book or two. The program is best suited to children from birth to age two, but all are welcome. Please bring something to sit on.
Back to School Bingo
Tuesday, September 13 at 4:00 p.m.
Join us for an hour of picture bingo in the Cranford Community Center! This program is for children of all ages with a caregiver. Registration is not required, but participants will be asked to sign in upon arrival.
“Paws” for Reading
Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Young readers are invited to hone their skills by reading to certified therapy dogs. Dogs are a perfect, non-judgmental audience for children learning to read independently! Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/paws-for-reading-tickets-399044752597 Additional dates: October 11 (eventbrite.com/e/paws-for-reading-tickets-399052265067) and November 8 (eventbrite.com/e/paws-for-reading-tickets-399054150707)
Preschool Storytime at Hanson Park
Thursday, September 15 at 9:30 a.m. and runs through October 20
This enriching storytime was created especially for our preschool-aged friends. This program is best suited to children ages 3-5, but all are welcome. Please bring something to sit on.
We Dream of Space Book Club
September 15
Join us as we dream of space, play fun games, and earn prizes too! Friends in grades 3-5 are invited to join us to discuss We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly! This is an in-person program with a maximum of 8 participants. The first 8 readers to register will receive a free copy of the book. Sign up at eventbrite.com/e/we-dream-of-space-book-club-tickets-386081669667
Library Open House
Tuesday, September 20, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Community members of all ages are invited to learn more about the library. Catch up on our new services, tour secret areas of the building, enter a raffle drawing, and make some library swag to bring home! No registration required, stop in whenever you’re able.
Storytime with Rosanne Kurstedt
Saturday, October 1 at 10:15 a.m.
Author Rosanne Kurstedt will be sharing her newest book, And I Think About You and leading a craft. And I Think About You poignantly captures the love and connection shared by a working mama bear and her cub. Copies of the book will be available for sale. Registration is appreciated and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/storytime-with-roseanne-kurstedt-tickets-399061883837
Pajama Storytime
Thursday, October 6th, 6:00 to 6:45 p.m.
Fun with Flamingos: Friends in grades K-2, it’s time to wear our pajamas and relax as we listen to a story and make fun crafts! Join us in the library on This is an in-person program with a maximum of 10 participants. Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/pajama-story-time-tickets-395177104357
Geronimo Stilton Book Club
October 13, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m
Friends in grades 2-4 are invited to dress-up in a Hawaiian outfit for a silly Geronimo Stilton book club! We will be talking about The Hawaiian Heist and playing fun games. This is an in-person program with a maximum of 10 participants. Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/387601244757
Taiko Drum Concert
Saturday, October 15 at 2:00 p.m.
Join OMNY Taiko for an interactive Taiko performance. Taiko (太鼓, literally “big drum”) is a type of Japanese percussion that has been played for well over 1,000 years. This program is for all-ages! Sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. Please register here: eventbrite.com/e/omny-taiko-concert-tickets-381348432427
Halloween Costume Swap
any time between October 17 and October 21
Millions of Halloween Costumes are thrown away in the U.S. each year, so instead of purchasing new costumes that will likely end up in a landfill, the Cranford Library will be hosting a big Halloween costume swap! Parents are invited to bring their children’s old Halloween costumes to the Children’s Desk at the library. On October 22 from 10-12 p.m., children are invited to come to the community center to shop for a pre-loved costume to use for Halloween this year and/or future years! Don’t need a costume? You’re welcome to donate without an obligation to exchange. Donated costumes should be clean and gently used. Leftover costumes will be donated.
Writing Workshop with Brigit Young
Monday evenings from October 17th through December 12, off on October 31
Author Brigit Young will be leading an eight-week writing workshop for children ages 9-12. Classes will be held from 4:00-5:30 p.m. in the Raddin Room of the Cranford Public Library. Students interested in participating in the workshop should fill out a brief application: https://forms.gle/GNMRCnJMA14DMb287
Author Visit
Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m.
Harry Harvey. Middle-grade author Harry Harvey will be joining us to share stories about his writing journey and answer questions. His book, The Summer My Grandmother’s Yard Tried to Kill Me, blends horror, fantasy and humor. Registration is appreciated and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/author-visit-harry-harvey-tickets-399067951987
Tuesday Travels
Tuesday, October 25, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The Philippines: We’ll read a book, listen to music, do crafts, and sample some food from the Philippines! This program is best suited for children ages 6-12. Registration is required and space is limited, reserve a spot online: eventbrite.com/e/tuesday-travels-the-philippines-tickets-399035053587
Drop-in Halloween Art
Wednesday, October 26, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Drop in to create some Halloween-inspired art on This program is best suited to children ages 5+, but all are welcome. No registration is required.
Early Reader Book Club
Wednesday, November 2, 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Children in grades 2-3 are invited to join us for a book club! We’ll be reading a book together and completing fun activities related to it. Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/early-readers-book-club-tickets-399071402307
Look and Find @ the Library
Thursday, November 3, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Students in grades K-2 are invited to learn about the library, listen to a story, and join in on a “look and find” hunt. In-person program. This program has a maximum of 10 participants. Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/look-find-the-library-tickets-391837445347
Tuesday Travels: Morocco
Tuesday, November 29, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
We’ll read a book, listen to music, do crafts, and sample some food from Morocco! This program is for children ages 6-12. Registration is required and space is limited, reserve a spot online: eventbrite.com/e/tuesday-travels-morocco-tickets-399101592607
Adult Programs
Carrie Jackson Jazz History
Thursday, September 8 at 7 p.m.
Carrie Jackson is a metropolitan area based vocal stylist who rekindles thoughts of America’s great jazz history. Join us at the Cranford Community Center. Carrie credits her mentors, the great ladies of jazz, Sarah “Sassy” Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Carmen McRae, Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, and others as a primary musical influence for her style, which indelibly helped shape vocal jazz for every generation. Carrie is a vocalist stylist performer and honed her skills in her hometown, Newark, NJ in the cultural jazz mecca of performing arts. While performing throughout the USA, and abroad, she shares her joy and well-honed expertise on the stage. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. Registration is required and can be done here: eventbrite.com/e/carrie-jackson-concert-tickets-381281732927
Literary Café
Saturday, September 10 at 10:15 a.m.
Book chat program.
The format is simple: Bring a few of your recent favorite books and tell the other members of the group what you like about them. If you don’t have a copy of the book you want to talk about, that’s okay, too. The books can be new or old, fiction or non-fiction, classic or contemporary. There is no required reading, and you will have the opportunity to learn about books recommended by other group members. Attend as many sessions as you’d like. Admission is free and all are welcome. Patrons are welcome to join us at the Cranford Community Center or online. No registration is required. Please visit our website or contact the library for the Zoom link if you wish
to attend virtually.
International Film Screening
Monday, September 12, 2 p.m. or 7 p.m.
Join us at the Cranford Community Center on for this month’s International Film Screening. Please contact the library for this month’s film title. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. No registration is required for our film series.
Strategies for Seed Saving
Wednesday, September 14 at 7 p.m.
Learn the basics of harvesting and germinating seeds! Join us at the Cranford Community Center. Jessica Miller, the founder of the Flagship Native Seed Library, will be sharing strategies for seed saving. Our hope is that workshop participants will use their new seed-saving skills to assist us in keeping the Native Seed Library stocked! Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/330739590017
The History of Blues in America
Monday, September 19 at 7 p.m.
In the spirit of Ken Burns’ breakout PBS documentary series on American country music, acclaimed guitarist and music historian Joey Leone presents “The History of Blues in America” a one-hour program covering the history, influence, and social impact of American blues music through songs, stories and historical facts. Joey highlights the influence of blues on virtually all styles of contemporary music over the past 7 decades, playing a variety of songs on multiple guitars from his personal collection. Join us for this special one-night-only event while Joey is in town at the Cranford Community Center. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. Registration is required and can be done here: eventbrite.com/e/joey-leone-the-history-of-blues-in-america-tickets-376681914747
Deni Bonet
Wednesday, September 21 at 7 p.m.
Deni Bonet is a pop/rock singer/songwriter and classically trained violinist who has recorded and performed with R.E.M., Sarah McLachlan, Cyndi Lauper, Scissor Sisters, and Warren Zevon among many others. Join us at the Cranford Community Center. Sponsored by the Friends of the Cranford Public Library. Registration is required and can be done here: eventbrite.com/e/deni-bonet-concert-tickets-379794675097
Propagating Native Plants
Wednesday, September 28 at 7 p.m.
Learn the basics of propagating native plants. Michele Bakacs will be sharing techniques for collecting seeds and answering audience questions at the Cranford Community Center Center. Depending on the availability of plants and the number of people enrolled, participants may receive a plant or seeds. This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Registration is required and can be done online: eventbrite.com/e/343384390957
