English for Beginners

Registration is required. Attend an Information Session to learn about the Fall 2018 cycle: Saturday, October 13 at 11:00 a.m.; Monday, October 15 at 11:00 a.m.; or Thursday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m.

This class is specifically for those new to the English language and is free, with all materials provided. Pre-registration is required and participants must be age 18 or older. Those interested in attending this class should fill out a registration form and return it to the library before attending the class. Email nbenglishforbeginners@gmail.com or call/text 732-659-4359 with questions. You may send or leave a message in English or Spanish.

Volunteer Opportunity

The English for Beginners program offers regular opportunities for community volunteers to be trained as small group leaders in various English Language Programs. Please email Jessica at Jessica.nbfpl@gmail.com or Akisha at akisha.nbfpl@gmail.com or call/text 732-659-4359 with questions.

English Conversation Groups

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

The New Brunswick Free Public Library provides recurring English Conversation Groups on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. The goal of this program is to provide English language conversation practice to support further education and workplace training. 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 have at least an intermediate understanding of and ability to speak English.

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

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

English Conversation Café

Fall 2018 dates and times:

Tuesdays *for Novice English Speakers*, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. October 9 - December 4, with no meeting on November 20.

Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. September 26 - December 5, with no meeting on November 21.

Fridays, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. October 12 - December 7, with no meeting on November 23.

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. You may also e-mail conversationcafes@gmail.com or call/send a text to 732-659-0590.

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.

Teen English Conversation Café

Saturdays September 22 – December 8 (with no session on November 24) from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room

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 8 sessions.

To join, please complete a registration form at the library. (You may also download an application 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.

JFS ESL/Citizenship Classes

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

Oct. 4, 2018 – Jan. 17, 2019 (with no class on 12/27 & 1/3); Feb. 7 – May 9, 2019; May 30 – Aug. 29, 2019.

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.

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.

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.

Kids' Community Council

Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m., September 11 - December 18 (with no meetings on 10/16, 10/30, or 11/20).

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, available in the Children's Room. Any questions, ask Ms. Chelsea.

A. S. K. Club

Mondays at 4:00 p.m., October 1 - November 19 (with no meeting on October 8)

The A.S.K. (After School Kids') Club explores science and math concepts in fun ways!

For grades 4 and up. Parents are also welcome: see your student build the critical thinking skills they need, and have some fun yourself!

Cuentos y Canciones Story Time

Wednesdays, October 10, 17, & 24, at 7:00 p.m.

Acompañanos los miércoles por la noche para ¡Cuentos y Canciones!, un nuevo programa de cuentos en español para niños/niñas de 2-4 años y sus padres. ¡Registrate ahora llamando al 732-745-5108 x16 o visita el Salón de Niños!

Join us on Wednesday nights at 7pm for ¡Cuentos y Canciones!, an all-new story time in Spanish for ages 2-4 and their caregivers. Register now by calling 732-745-5108 x16 or visiting the Children's room!

Puppy Pals Meet & Greet

Saturday, October 13 at 2:00 p.m.

Come meet the Seeing Eye puppies-in-training at this fun event! Meet the volunteers of the Puppy PALS Seeing Eye Club of Middlesex County who raise these pups to one day assist those who live with visual impairments.

For children & families!

Young Athletes

Thursdays, October 18 through November 15, at 4:00 p.m.

This free, inclusive program sponsored by the Special Olympics helps children to: improve gross motor skills, celebrate what your child CAN do, improve social and language skills, learn to play with a purpose, and develop skills for future preparation in sports.

For children ages 5-7. Registration required; use the link here to register online.

Lego Club

Friday, October 26 at 3:30 p.m.

This month's challenge for the Lego Club is: Build a Lego car that draws!

For children in grades K-6.

Spooky Story Fest

Tuesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Celebrate the spooky season with eerie tales, ghostly snacks, and creepy crafts! Wear your costume and join us in our “Haunted House” (located in the Henry Guest House, next to the library)!

For children in grades K-4. Registration required; sign up at the Children’s Circulation Desk (or call 732-745-5108 ext. 16).

~ 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!

Teen English Conversation Café

Saturdays September 22 – December 8 (with no session on November 24) from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room

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 8 sessions.

To join, please complete a registration form at the library. (You may also download an application 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.

Afternoon Game Time

Wednesdays at 3:30 to 4:30 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. We'll have “Dropmix” available on July 11th and 18th.

Open to tweens and teens.

Hour of Code

Thursdays in the Teen Room during Teen Room hours

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.

Kids' Community Council

Tuesdays at 4:00 p.m., September 11 - December 18 (with no meetings on 10/16, 10/30, or 11/20).

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, available in the Teen and Children's Rooms. Any questions, ask Ms. Chelsea.

~ 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!

Visual Arts Contest and Exhibit

Contest Submission Deadline: *extended to* October 17.

Opening Reception: November 9, at 6:30 p.m.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library proudly presents its first visual arts contest and exhibition, accompanied by free visual art workshops. The library invites participants to submit photos, drawings, and paintings that correlate with the following themes: civil rights, culture, homelessness/food scarcity, environmental justice, immigration/worker rights, and youth development. Please visit this page for more details.

Career Connections Workshop: Top Notch Resumes

Tuesday, October 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Come to this free workshop to learn how to maximize the effectiveness of your resumes to land that job! Free and open to the public.

This workshop is possible thanks to New Jersey Career Connections, brought to you by the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

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).

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.

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

Computer Skills Tutoring

By appointment only during Rutgers semesters, October - April.

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.

~ 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!

*New!* Visual Arts Contest and Exhibit

Contest Submission Deadline: *extended to* October 17, 2018.

Opening Reception: November 9, at 6:30 p.m.

(Workshops were held September 20 and 27, at 6:30 p.m.)

The New Brunswick Free Public Library proudly presents its first visual arts contest and exhibition, accompanied by free visual art workshops. The library invites participants to submit photos, drawings, and paintings that correlate with the following themes: civil rights, culture, homelessness/food scarcity, environmental justice, immigration/worker rights, and youth development. Please visit this page for more details.

(Please note that, since this is the first year the library is offering this program, it may or may not be an annual event.)

Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos

Saturday, November 3, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Enjoy story time with “Miguel” from the Disney movie Coco as well as a showing of the movie, with popcorn included! Take part in the creation of a collective Day of the Dead altar: Bring fruit, chocolate, bread, or flowers for the ofrenda; write the name of someone you want to remember and honor on a colorful piece of paper; you may also bring photos or draw a picture of a deceased relative to take a place at the altar. The celebration will continue with music and Aztec dance performances by the Calpulli Huehuetlatolli dance troupe, a Sugar Skull workshop, face painting, and a piñata! The festivities will also include a sampling of tamales (Mexican appetizers) and champurrado (a chocolate-based Mexican drink). This program is free and open to all ages!

This program is made possible in part by funds from the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders through a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.

Please call Kavita Pandey at 732-745-5108 x20 or e-mail kavita@lmxac.org with any questions or to schedule school visits.

Sewing 101

Stitch something special with local volunteer sewing expert Pam Brooks.

Wednesday, September 26, at 6:30 p.m. - Make a pouch to carry your earbuds.

Wednesday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. - Make a fabric pumpkin.

Wednesday, November 28, at 6:30 p.m. - Make a cute tote bag.

Wednesday, December 19, at 6:30 p.m. - Make a fleece hat.

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

Domestic Violence and Homelessness: How Town Clock CDC is Trying to End the Cycle,
a presentation by Rev. Susan Kramer-Mills, Executive Director, Town Clock Community Development Corp.
Saturday, October 6, 2018, at 12:00 p.m.

Dina's Dwelling is an affordable housing option for female survivors of domestic violence and their children. Learn about what domestic violence is, why affordable housing projects such as this one are so pertinent, and how Town Clock CDC is trying to end the cycle of homelessness for the abused. Help us to bring the challenges experienced by survivors of domestic violence into the daylight. Let us become better advocates for the human race by educating ourselves.

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. (Please ask inside the library if you have questions about the location.) The only requirements are to have read the book and be willing to discuss it. The library will often have copies of the Book Club book set aside for the upcoming discussion: just ask at the front desk.

Download a copy of the Friends' Book Club Schedule for 2018-2019 here.

• Sept. 24 - A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman:
  A heartwarming story of what happens when a couple with two young children moves next door to a cranky old man.
• Oct. 22 - The Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto:
  A New York Times notable book for 2004, it is a history of the Dutch founding of Manhattan.
• Nov. 26 - Pachinko by Min Jin Lee:
  The story of a Korean family, first in Japanese occupied Korea and then in Japan from before WWII to the late 80s.
• Dec. 10 - Soul of America by Jon Meacham:
  A perspective on American history when we have chosen kindness over paranoia and rancor.
• Jan. 28, 2019 - Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout:
  A collection of short stories.
• Feb. 25 - Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders:
  The Man Booker 2017 winning novel about Lincoln's grief at the death of his son Willie.
• Mar. 25 - Grant by Ron Chernow:
  Even those who think they are familiar with Ulysses S. Grant's career will learn something from this.
• Apr. 22 - The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by The Dalai Lama & Archbishop Desmond Tutu:
  In 2015, Archbishop Tutu traveled to the Dalai Lama's home in India. They explore the nature of joy, obstacles to joy, and their daily joy practice.
• May 20 - Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday:
  A comedy of manners set in Manhattan as well as a tragedy about an Iraqi-American family which poses deep questions about free will, fate and freedom, the all-powerful accident of one's birth and how life is alchemized into fiction.
• June 10 - The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran:
  A set of philosophical essays expressing a deep humanity.