English for Beginners

~ Cycle 1 classes are now full. ~

Cycle 2 will begin in June: Info Sessions will be held Saturday, May 19 at 1 p.m. and Monday, May 21, at 7 p.m.

This class is specifically for those new to the English language. Participants must be age 18 or older. The class is free, with all materials provided.

Please fill out a registration form (available at the library or here) and return it to the library before attending the class. Email Jessica Hunsdon at nbenglishforbeginners@gmail.com or call/text 732-659-4359 with questions. You may send or leave a message in English or Spanish.

This program is funded by an American Dream Literacy Initiative grant. The American Dream Literacy Initiative, a grant offering of the American Library Association, is made possible by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.

ESL Conversation Groups

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library provides recurring ESL Conversation Groups on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The goals of this adult ESL program are: To provide English language instruction, to help adults gain motivational skills and knowledge to pursue further education and training, and to enhance the parenting skills of adult participants. Adult learners can improve their English language skills through an integrated literacy curriculum and the use of "real-life materials." Students must be over the age of 18 and be able to speak some English.

One group meets on Tuesdays and one group meets on Thursdays. You can attend one or both of these groups.

To join an ESL Conversation Group, please complete a registration form and return it to the library.

English Conversation Café

Wednesday mornings, February 7 – April 18, 2018 (with no meeting March 14) from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wednesday evenings, February 21 – April 18, 2018 (with no meeting March 14) from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Fridays, February 16 – April 20, 2018 (with no meeting March 16 or 30) from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

~ Please check back for summer dates!

The Conversation Café is an informal conversation group for adult language learners. Participants engage in one-on-one or small-group conversations with Conversation Facilitators discussing a variety of topics. Conversation Facilitators are prepared to facilitate intercultural conversations through academic courses and professional development offered by the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

To join a Conversation Café, please fill out a registration form and return it to the library.

This program is made possible through a partnership of the New Brunswick Free Public Library and The Conversation Tree: Community-Based Language Partnerships, a program created by Rutgers Graduate School of Education and The Collaborative Center for Community-Based Research and Service.

JFS ESL/Citizenship Classes

Mondays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

February 26 - May 21, 2018 and June 11 - September 10, 2018 (with no class on 9/3).

Do you need help preparing for your Naturalization interview? Learn what you need to know in order to pass your exam. The Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County offers Citizenship Classes at the library! These classes provide opportunities to learn about U.S. government and U.S. history and to improve English language skills, while preparing for the Citizenship Exam. Immigration and Citizenship application assistance provided as well.

Please call the JFS office at 732-777–1940 with any questions and to register.

Teen English Conversation Café

Saturdays, January 27, 2018 to April 21* from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
(*Please note new end date.)

Teens in grades 7-12 can join this English Conversation Café for free! English-speakers of any level are welcome. Receive a Certificate of Attendance if you attend at least 10 sessions.

To join, please complete a registration form at the library or download one here. For more information, please contact Teen Librarian Trevor Hotalen at thotalen@lmxac.org or call 732-745-5108 ext. 20. This program is possible thanks to a partnership with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

"In Search of Earth's Secrets" Exhibit & Programs

Exhibit open April 25 - May 21.

Please visit the In Search of Earth's Secrets page to find out about this exciting traveling exhibit and related events! Children’s author Kevin Kurtz -- who has spent time on the ship JOIDES Resolution, on which the exhibit is based -- will be giving presentations on Saturday May 12, and the inflatable ship will be in the library parking lot on this day! There are other events, so be sure to visit the exhibit page for more details.

Tales with Tails

Monday, April 30, at 4:30 p.m.

Meet some of the wonderful therapy dogs of Bright and Beautiful right here at the library! Stop by to read them a story, and learn more about how therapy dogs can help us. This is a great way to improve your reading or get to know dogs a little better. Dogs are great listeners and love people, and will enjoy meeting all interested attendees!

For children up to age 12.

Kids' Community Council

Tuesdays, through June 26 (with no meeting on April 10), at 4:00 p.m.

Are you in grade 5, 6, 7, or 8? Are you a resident of New Brunswick, and interested in making your community a better place? Are you free on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. to attend meetings? If you answered yes to all of these, come join the Kids' Community Council! We are New Brunswick kids who meet once a week to discuss issues important to us and help take care of the library. Snacks provided!

Please fill out the registration form at this link, or pick up a copy in the Children's Room. Any questions, ask Ms. Chelsea.

Read and Play

Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Parents and other caregivers: bring your little ones for storytime and play at the library!

Open to ages 0-4

More Play Time

Wednesdays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

~ This program will not meet on Wednesday, March 21, due to weather.

Join Ms. Luz from The Children's Center of Middlesex County for some additional play time immediately after the library's Read & Play Story Time. (Come to either or both!)

Open to ages 0-4

~ Check out other tabs on this page to see what else the library has to offer, such as Annual Events, Movie Nights, and Makerspace programs!

Speak Up, Speak Out!

Workshops on Thursdays, February 8, March 1, and March 29; Community Showcase on April 25; all from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.

Join The New Jersey Orators as they host a series of workshops to help young adults with public speaking at the library! (Registration/Orientation date was January 25, but you can still register at the February 8 workshop.) Open to those in middle and high school.

"In Search of Earth's Secrets" Exhibit & Programs

Exhibit open April 25 - May 21.

Please visit the In Search of Earth's Secrets page to find out about this exciting traveling exhibit and related events!

Kids' Community Council

Tuesdays, through June 26 (with no meeting on April 10), at 4:00 p.m.

Are you in grade 5, 6, 7, or 8? Are you a resident of New Brunswick, and interested in making your community a better place? Are you free on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. to attend meetings? If you answered yes to all of these, come join the Kids' Community Council! We are New Brunswick kids who meet once a week to discuss issues important to us and help take care of the library. Snacks provided!

Please fill out the registration form at this link, or pick up a copy in the library. Any questions, ask Ms. Chelsea.

Afternoon Game Time

Most Wednesdays* at 3:30 - 5 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room

Come test your mettle and challenge your friends with one of the library's video games.

Open to tweens and teens. *Please check the Google calendar for the most updated dates.

Hour of Code

Thursdays between 2:30 & 6 p.m. in the Teen Room

Learn how to create your own website using HTML or your very own computer game through MIT's Scratch. Just come to the Teen Room during its open hours on Thursdays and sign in with the librarian there to start your Hour of Code!

Open to students in grades 7 - 12.

~ Check out other tabs on this page to see what else the library has to offer, such as Annual Events, Movie Nights, and Makerspace programs!

National Poetry Month Celebration

Poetry Reading: Monday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

To commemorate National Poetry Month, the New Brunswick Free Public Library will publish its 20th annual Poetry Month Celebration Anthology in April 2018. Poets who submitted to the anthology will read their published poems at the Reading. Find out more by visiting our Poetry page.

Photography Workshops and Contest

Workshop 1: Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m.;
Workshop 2: Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m.;
Workshop 3: Thursday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m., all in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Contest submission deadline: Friday, May 4, 2018.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library presents its 11th Annual Photo Contest along with three Photography Workshops this Spring. The first workshop will be "The Road to Better Black and White" led by Jim LaSala. The second workshop will be "Tips for Taking Better Pictures of People, Pets, and Wild Animals" led by Andrew Darlow. The third workshop will be "Photography as Fine Art" led by Walter Choroszewski. Please visit the photo contest page for full details.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant provided by New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State.

In Search of Earth's Secrets exhibit programs

Tuesdays, May 8 & 15, at 7:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Please visit the In Search of Earth's Secrets page to find out about this exciting traveling exhibit! On May 8, take a Journey to the Deep Sea with Dr. Ramaydalis Keddis, Teaching Instructor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at Rutgers University. On May 15, join Dave Shapiro, president of Friends of Mineralogy, NJ Chapter, for a presentation on local geology.

Job Search Workshop: Acing the Job Interview

Thursday, May 24, at 5:30 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Learn how to prepare for interviews, handle interview questions, and follow up after the interview.

This workshop is possible thanks to New Jersey Career Connections.

Career Assistance

Mondays & Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.;

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;

Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. (when the library is open).

~ Please call ahead to check availability. Unfortunately there will be no Career Connections staff person available April 17 through April 21.

Stop by our Reference Room and get assistance from our career counselors. They offer help with resume writing, career searching, and referral services. This program is possible thanks to New Jersey Career Connections.

Open to everyone. No registration is required.

Computer Skills Tutoring

By appointment only during Rutgers semesters, October - May.

Looking for help with learning to use a computer? We have volunteers who offer one-on-one tutoring sessions to go over skills such as keyboarding and mouse fundamentals, basic word processing, and Internet and email essentials. Stop by or call the Reference Desk to schedule a tutoring session.

Volunteer tutors are sponsored by the Rutgers Give Where You Live Program.

Knitting/Crocheting Club

2nd Thursday of each month

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Do you like to knit and/or crochet? Or do you want to learn? Join the club! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to old pros. Just bring your current project, or if you are new to knitting/crocheting, a willingness to learn! Participants exchange knitting/crocheting ideas while enjoying pleasant conversation. (This is an informal, self-run group and not a strictly instructional class.)

For more information, please contact Librarian Joye Crowe-Logan at joye@lmxac.org

~ Check out other tabs on this page to see what else the library has to offer, such as Annual All Ages, Movie Nights, Makerspace programs, and events presented by the Friends of the Library!

National Poetry Month Celebration

Poetry Reading: Monday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

To commemorate National Poetry Month, the New Brunswick Free Public Library will publish its 20th annual Poetry Month Celebration Anthology in April 2018.

The Poetry Anthology is open to all poets – from novice to previously published, and from New Jersey or across the globe. The deadline for submissions was March 23. All poets who submitted to the anthology are invited to read their published poems at the Poetry Reading at the New Brunswick Free Public Library on Monday, April 30.

For details on submitting poems, a Poetry Submission Form is available at the Library’s Reference Desk or it can be downloaded here. Interested persons can contact Librarian Jackie Oshman at nbpoetry@gmail.com or call the library at 732-745-5108, ext. 20, for more information.

Photography Workshops and Contest

Workshop 1: Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m.;
Workshop 2: Thursday, April 26, at 6:30 p.m.;
Workshop 3: Thursday, May 3, at 6:30 p.m., all in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Contest submission deadline: Friday, May 4, 2018.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library presents its 11th Annual Photo Contest along with three Photography Workshops this Spring. The contest theme this year is "Express Your Emotions." The first workshop will be "The Road to Better Black and White" led by Jim LaSala. The second workshop will be "Tips for Taking Better Pictures of People, Pets, and Wild Animals" led by Andrew Darlow. The third workshop will be "Photography as Fine Art" led by Walter Choroszewski. Please visit the photo contest page for full details.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant provided by New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State.

Cinco de Mayo Extravaganza

Sunday, May 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the library;
Parade from the library to Monument Square Park at 12:30 p.m.;
12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Monument Square Park until 6:00 p.m.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library, in collaboration with Lazos America Unida, New Brunswick Cultural Center, and Rutgers Center for Latino Arts & Culture, presents their annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. The library will have a movie showing, art exhibition, story-time by Benito Juarez, face painting, arts and crafts, and a piñata provided by Professional Latino Firefighters of Central New Jersey: New Brunswick Chapter. A parade will begin at 12:30 p.m. from the library to Monument Square Park, where festivities will continue with music and dance performances as well as food vendors. Everyone, of all ages, is invited to come celebrate with us! Download a flyer here o en español aquí.

Funding provided in part by Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

Jewelry Craft

Wednesday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m.

Come make an Ombré Tassel Necklace with embroidery thread. This can be a great, handmade gift - just in time for Mother's Day!

All ages welcome. Please arrive on time to participate.

Sewing Night: Travel Tissue Cover

Wednesday, May 30, at 6:30 p.m.

(Rescheduled from March 21.)

Stitch something special with local volunteer sewing expert Pam Brooks. On this evening, make an attractive cover/case for tissues that you can easily take with you on the go!

Minimum age to attend is 8 years old. Please arrive on time to participate. Registration is suggested.

Knitting/Crocheting Club

2nd Thursday of each month

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Do you like to knit and/or crochet? Or do you want to learn? Join the club! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to old pros. Just bring your current project, or if you are new to knitting/crocheting, a willingness to learn! Participants exchange knitting/crocheting ideas while enjoying pleasant conversation. (This is an informal, self-run group and not a strictly instructional class.)

For more information, please contact Librarian Joye Crowe-Logan at joye@lmxac.org

Saturday Noontime Program

Saturday, May 5, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Come learn about New Brunswick's Sister Cities in Japan: Tsuruoka and Fukui.

The Friends' Book Club

The book club usually meets on the fourth Monday of the month (with some exceptions) at 1:30 p.m. next door in the Henry Guest House. (Occasionally the meetings will be in the library's Community Room instead; please check at the Reference Desk if you have questions.) The only requirements are to have read the book and be willing to discuss it.

Download a copy of the Friends' Book Club Schedule for 2017-2018 here.

• Sept. 25 - Becoming Wise by Krista Tippett:
  Conversations with people whose insights kindle a sense of wonder and courage.
• Oct. 23 - Moonglow (A Novel) by Michael Chabon: 
  A memoir of the author's grandfather.
• Nov. 27 - Have A Little Faith by Mitch Albom:
  Based on two separate conversations between the author and two clergy, a New Jersey rabbi and a Detroit minister.
• Dec. 18 - When Will There Be Good News? by Kate Atkinson:
  A crime novel that explores how the past can affect the future and how choices have lasting implications.
• Jan. 22, 2018 - The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead:
  A novel that explores the foundational sins of America.
• Feb. 26 - Are We Smart Enough To Know How Smart Animals Are? by Frans de Waal:
  The author, a Dutch-American primatologist, shows there is no clear behavioral division between animals and ourselves.
• Mar. 26 - Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life by Amy E. Herman:
  A guide to seeing what others do not.
• Apr. 23 - The Sellout by Paul Beatty:
  A satirical novel about a narrator who tries to reintroduce slavery and segregation in his Los Angeles neighborhood.
• May 21 - Lost In The City by Edward P. Jones:
  A collection of 14 short stories about African Americans in Washington D.C. in the 20th century.
• June 11 - All Aunt Hagar’s Children by Edward P. Jones:
  A continuation of the lives described in Lost In The City.