SCLSNJ August Events 2023
Virtual Programs
Exciting Discoveries in Art History –
Presented by Mallory Mortillaro
Wednesday, August 02: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Explore From Home – Virtual AS 1
This lecture explores the stories of ten different important and valuable works of art that had been rediscovered in unexpected places.
Business Etiquette for Jobseekers – First Impressions Count – Presented by Greater Raritan One-Stop Career Center
Thursday, August 03: 10:00am – 12:00pm
Make a memorable first impression. Do you know all the rules and protocols for proper and polite job-hunting behavior? Presented by Jan Goodman, Community Outreach Specialist.
The Arctic Meltdown: Why it Matters to All of Us – Presented by Dr. Jennifer Francis
Thursday, August 03: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Explore From Home – Virtual AS 1
The Arctic seems very far away, but the momentous changes occurring there affect us all. Join Dr. Jennifer Francis of Woodwell Climate Research Center as she discusses recent research in this topic.
Newest Tools on the iPhone and iPad –
Presented by Mike Skara.
Monday, August 07: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
The Apple software engineers keep creating new tools for your iPhone and iPad.
Emperors, Gods, and Gladiators: – Emperor Worship in the Colosseum
Tuesday, August 08: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Dr. Elkins tells the story of the Colosseum’s construction under Vespasian, its dedication under Titus, and further enhancements added under Domitian.
The Erie Canal – An Engineering Marvel
Wednesday, August 09: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
The Erie Canal in upstate New York runs east-west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, it was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes.
Virtual Author Talk: Robert Jones, Jr.
Tuesday, August 15: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
All are welcome and encouraged to join us for an engaging hour online with New York Times bestselling author Robert Jones, Jr., as he discusses his debut and award-winning novel, “The Prophets”.
Flying High: Betty the Pan Am Stewardess – Portrayed by Leslie Goddard, Ph.D.
Wednesday, August 16: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Fasten your uniform buttons and get ready to travel back to the golden age of air travel.
Miniatures: A Pop Culture Phenomenon –
Presented by Darren Scala
Thursday, August 17: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Darren will share his passion for miniatures and talk about its history from ancient times through to the modern era.
Calming Your Mind with Drawing –
Presented by Valerie Synder
Monday, August 21: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
This program is based on Valerie’s book “One-Minute Gifts of Art Mindfulness”. Learn exercises that Valerie created, to give quick anxiety relief.
Unique Sights of Japan: – Kyoto, Kobe, Shimizu, Yokohama and Osaka
Tuesday, August 22: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Japan is an island country lying off the east coast of Asia. It consists of a string of islands that stretch for approximately one thousand and five hundred miles.
Virtual Author Talk: Cassandra Clare –
Bestselling Author of “The Mortal Instruments” Series
Wednesday, August 23: 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Join us for an exciting evening online as we chat with mega-bestselling author, Cassandra Clare, about her newest and final book in “The Last Hours” series, “Chain of Thorns”.
19th Century New Jersey Photographers: Princeton – Presented by Gary Saretzky
Thursday, August 24: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Of the approximately three thousand photographers active in New Jersey before 1900, more than two hundred and fifty lived or worked in Mercer County.
Packing a Nutritious Lunch – Presented by Rutgers Cooperative Extension
Monday, August 28: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Wondering what to pack yourself for lunch? There are plenty of easy, affordable, and nutritious foods you can prepare at home to bring with you to work or wherever you may be going.
Virtual Author Talk: Jeff Selingo
Wednesday, August 30: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Author, Jeff Selingo immersed himself in the world of admissions for a year to answer the question on the minds of teenagers and their parents: how do colleges select their freshman class?
A Photographic Tour of Scotland – Presenters Becky and Phil Witt
Wednesday, August 30: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a ninety six mile border with England.
Watchung borough branch
Baby/Toddler Storytime – Tiny Tots
(ages birth – 3 years with caregiver)
Tuesday, August 01: 10:30am – 11:00am
Introduce your child to the beginnings of storytime in this interactive program featuring rhymes, movement, songs, and stories.
Baby Storytime
(ages birth – 18 months with caregiver)
Tuesday, August 01: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Paint and Snack – Watercolors
(entering grades K-5)
Discover how to paint step-by-step using watercolors. Pre-packaged snacks and drinks will be served.
Paint and Snack – Watercolors
(entering grades 6-12)
Tuesday, August 01: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Discover how to paint step-by-step using watercolors. Pre-packaged snacks and drinks will be served.
Family Storytime – Twilight Tales (families with children)
Wednesday, August 02: 6:30pm – 7:00pm
Get cozy at this family storytime featuring relaxing songs and stories. Pajamas are optional!
Preschool Storytime – Miss June’s Room
(ages 3-5 years with caregiver)
Thursday, August 03: 4:00pm – 4:30pm
An interactive program that fosters early literacy skills through books, songs, and activities.
Bingo with Miss June – (ages 4 and up)
Friday, August 04: 4:00pm – 4:30pm
Share your love of Bingo with other players as you compete to win prizes.
SOARING Storytime – Playing
(ages 4-5 years with caregivers)
Monday, August 07: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Six-week series that helps to grow school readiness skills in children the year before Kindergarten and provides caregivers activities that can reinforce these skills during and after the series.
LEGO® Club – (entering grades K-5)
Tuesday, August 08: 4:30pm – 5:15pm
Join the fun if you like building with LEGO® bricks. Bring your creativity and prepare for a challenge.
Teen Volunteer Night – Advisory Board
(entering grades 6-12)
Tuesday, August 08: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Give suggestions on how to make the library better for teens and tweens.
Book Discussion –
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King
Thursday, August 10: 6:30pm – 7:45pm
“Dolores Claiborne” by Stephen King moderated by Elaine Stringer
SOARING Storytime – Self-Help and Motor Skills (ages 4-5 years with caregivers)
Monday, August 14: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Registration opens July 24 at 9:00am
Six-week series that helps to grow school readiness skills in children the year before Kindergarten and provides caregivers activities that can reinforce these skills during and after the series.
Read to a Therapy Dog – (entering grades K-4)
Tuesday, August 15: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Practice your reading skills by reading a story to a certified therapy dog. Registration is required by visiting the Youth Services desk or calling 908-458-8455. Registration begins July 25.
Family Storytime – Move and Groove (families with children)
Thursday, August 17: 10:30am – 11:00am
Registration opens July 27 at 9:00am
Discover songs, stories, and movement in this active storytime.
STEAM – Magnets (entering grades K-5)
Tuesday, August 22: 4:30pm – 5:15pm
Registration opens on August 1 at 9:00am
Explore the science behind magnets and build with magnetic tiles.
Escape the Room – Haunted Library
(entering grades 5-8)
Tuesday, August 29: 5:30pm – 6:15pm
Registration opens on August 8 at 9:00am
Escape the haunted library by finding clues and solving puzzles.
Escape the Room – Haunted Library
(entering grades 9-12)
Tuesday, August 29: 6:45pm – 7:30pm
Registration opens on August 8 at 9:00am
Escape the haunted library by finding clues and solving puzzles.
Warren township branch
Wine Cork Succulent Magnets – Presented by Taylor Edgington
Tuesday, August 01: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Taylor will help you choose your succulents and teach you how to plant and care for them. Then, learn how to design the magnets by combining wine corks that are accented with the succulents you chose.
Toddler Storytime – (ages 18 months – 3 years with caregiver)
Wednesday, August 02: 10:30am – 10:50am
Introduce your toddler to the beginnings of storytime through songs, activities, and listening to short stories.
Preschool Storytime – (ages 3-5 years with caregiver)
Wednesday, August 02: 11:00am – 11:30am
An interactive program that fosters early literacy skills through books, songs, and activities.
Family Storytime: Storytime & Craft – (families with children)
Wednesday, August 02: 6:00pm – 6:30pm
A storytime for the whole family to share! Let’s explore family-friendly books, songs, and play, then make a specially-themed craft together.
Crafty Kiddos – (ages 3-5 years with caregiver)
Thursday, August 03: 10:30am – 11:00am
Explore your creativity as you make a unique craft just for you! Dress for a mess.
Tween Volunteers – (entering grades 4-6)
Thursday, August 03: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Connect with other tweens and earn community service by making the library a better place! Share your ideas for books, movies, video games, and programs you would like at the library.
Animal Enrichment – (families)
Friday, August 04: 11:00am – 11:45am
Meet a few ambassador animals from the Turtle Back Zoo and examine the needs of animals from feeding to cleaning, to providing mentally and physically stimulating environments.
Let’s Cook! – Kitchen Science: Baked Alaska (entering grades 3-5)
Monday, August 07: 4:30pm – 5:15pm
Discover what happens when you insulate ice cream with meringue and pop it in the oven for four minutes.
CricutⓇ Workshop Series:
Faux Leather Journals
Monday, August 07: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Learn how to assemble and decorate f–aux leather journals. This workshop will be led by Adult Services Librarian Genevieve Girvan.
Baby Storytime – (ages birth – 18 months with caregiver)
Tuesday, August 08: 10:30am – 11:00am
This interactive program is filled with brain-building rhymes, movement, songs, and stories.
Tween DIY: Sign Art! – (entering grades 4-6)
Tuesday, August 08: 2:00pm – 2:45pm
Explore your creative side with this fun and artistic program. Customize a wooden pallet plaque to decorate your room. All materials provided.
Toddler Storytime – (ages 18 months – 3 years with caregiver)
Wednesday, August 09: 10:30am – 10:50am
Introduce your toddler to the beginnings of storytime through songs, activities, and listening to short stories.
Preschool Storytime – (ages 3-5 years with caregiver)
Wednesday, August 09: 11:00am – 11:30am
An interactive program that fosters early literacy skills through books, songs, and activities.
Hybrid Book Discussion – “Last Summer at the Golden Hotel” by Elyssa Friedland
Wednesday, August 09: 2:00pm – 3:30pm
“Last Summer at the Golden Hotel” by Elyssa Friedland. This hybrid book discussion will be moderated by Warren Twp. Librarian Jennifer Konopacki.
Family Storytime: Storytime & Craft – (families with children)
Wednesday, August 09: 6:00pm – 6:30pm
Registration opens on July 19 at 9:00am
A storytime for the whole family to share! Let’s explore family-friendly books, songs, and play, then make a specially themed craft together.
Creation Station – (all ages)
Thursday, August 10: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
All are welcome to learn about abstract painting techniques; paint on paper or decorate a picture frame in this multi-generational program. Dress for a mess.
Teen Volunteer Night – (entering grades 6-12)
Thursday, August 10: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Registration opens on July 20 at 9:00am
Connect with other teens and earn community service hours by helping with tasks in the Youth Service Department.
Saturday Family Social –
(ages 2-6 with caregiver)
Saturday, August 12: 11:00am – 2:00pm
We’re opening up our program room for self-guided play and social time for families. Preschool-appropriate toys, books, and activities will be available from 11am-2pm.
Read to a Therapy Dog – (entering grades K-4)
Monday, August 14: 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Registration begins July 24
Practice your reading skills by reading a story to a certified therapy dog. Registration is required by visiting the Youth Services desk or calling 908-458-8450.
Middle School Book Club – (entering grades 6-8)
Wednesday, August 16: 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Registration opens on July 19 at 9:00am
Connect with other middle schoolers for a lively discussion in this monthly book club. Bring a book of your choice to discuss.
Puzzle Night
Wednesday, August 16: 5:00pm – 7:30pm
Love puzzles? Work to complete jigsaw puzzles while socializing with your neighbors at the library. Puzzles will be provided.
Teen Summer Reading Book Discussion – (entering grades 9-12)
Thursday, August 17: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Connect with other students and discuss your summer reading assignments. Snacks will be provided!
Craft Social Saturdays
Saturday, August 19: 11:00am – 2:00pm
Explore new creative outlets at the Warren Twp. Branch.
LEGO® Club – (entering grades K-5)
Saturday, August 26: 11:00am – 12:00pm
Registration opens on August 5 at 9:00am
Join the fun if you like building with LEGO® bricks. Bring your creativity and prepare for a challenge.
