Event Details

  • Adult Events


    Computer Classes

    Appointment slots: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

    Call or visit the library to register.

    Patrons can schedule a one-on-one session to learn about specific computer-related topics. Subjects include computer and internet basics, Microsoft Office, and Windows operating system. Appointments are required: Call the library at 732-745-5108 x22 to register for an appointment.

    The curriculum for these appointments has been provided by Northstar Digital Literacy.


    Spanish Conversation Circle

    Wednesdays, February 21 to April 24, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. via Zoom.
    Register here.

    Are you interested in practicing Spanish and meeting new people? Join our Spanish Conversation Circle! You must be over 18 to participate. Once you register for the online Spanish Conversation Circle, a Zoom link will be provided to you. Feel free to contact kavita@nbfpl.org for more information.

    This program has been made possible through a collaboration with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Rutgers New Brunswick.


    Knitting/Crocheting Club

    Thursdays, March 28, April 11 & 25 (etc.*), at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.

    Register here.

    Do you like to knit and/or crochet? Or do you want to learn and already have your own supplies? Join the club -- via Zoom on your own device! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to old pros. Work on your current project, or start a new one with tips from other attendees. Participants exchange knitting/crocheting ideas while enjoying pleasant conversation. (This is an informal group and not an instructional class.) Register at tinyurl.com/KnitCrochetNB; once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link.

    *The Knitting/Crocheting Club regularly meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, with some exceptions (dates are listed on our calendar and in the Zoom registration). Meetings will be virtual until further notice. For more information, please contact Librarian Kym Kirkley at kirkleyk@nbfpl.org or 732-745-5108 x20.


    Sewing 101

    Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.
    Register here.

    Stitch something special with local sewing expert Pam Brooks. This is a recurring program, usually on the first Wednesday of each month in 2024, and we'll have a different project each month. Minimum age to attend is 10 years old. Please arrive on time to participate.

    Registration is required: register at https://forms.gle/rd1vgjfomSvhKx4N8 or call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up. (Registration is only available one program date at a time; the registration form will be reset after each month's program ends.) Please contact Librarian Hsien-min Chen at htang@nbfpl.org with any questions.


    Spring Renewal Through Meditation

    Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
    Register here.

    Markus Schramm has been meditating for many years and will demonstrate how meditation can grant you the peace you seek. Enjoy the Spring by learning a simple technique that can enrich your life, personally, professionally, and spiritually. There will be a chance to try this technique out during this virtual workshop. Register at tinyurl.com/MeditationApril2024 to get the Zoom link.


    ~ Visit the Explore LMxAC Calendar for information about events at other libraries in our consortium!

  • English Language Programs

    Our library is proud to offer many opportunities for adult emerging bilinguals who are interested in improving their English language skills. Find more information about these programs on our English Language Programs page.


    Virtual English Conversation Groups

    6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, January 9 through May 21, 2024, via Zoom.
    6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays, January 11 through May 23, 2024, via Zoom.
    Register here / Regístrese aquí.

    These conversation groups are for adult language learners (over age 18) who are able to speak some English. Each week the group will discuss a topic in English to help improve their conversational skills. Advance registration is required to get the Zoom link for these virtual programs.


    English Conversation Cafés

    In person: Mondays, February 26 - April 22, 2024 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. (no session on March 11),
          and Fridays, March 1 - April 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (no session on March 15 nor March 29)
    Register here / Regístrese aquí.
    Virtual: Tuesdays, February 27 - April 23 at 6:30-8:00 p.m. (no session on March 12)
    Register here for virtual only.

    Are you interested in practicing English and meeting new people? Join one or more of our English Conversation Cafés! This program is recommended for people who can hold a simple conversation in English, and want to practice more. Participants engage in one-on-one or small-group conversations with Conversation Facilitators discussing a variety of topics. Advance registration is required to get the Zoom link for the virtual program; participants may register in person on the first day they attend an in-person Café. Download a calendar listing all our cafés here.

    The English Conversation Cafés are made possible through a partnership with 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.



    The New Brunswick Free Public Library has again partnered with The Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County to offer in-person Citizenship Classes.

    Citizenship Classes

    5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Planned session dates for 2024 are as follows:
    January 4 - March 21; April 4 - June 20; July 11 - September 26; October 3 - December 19 (excluding November 28).

    Do you need to improve your English and pass the Citizenship Test? Do you need help with your Naturalization Application? This free Citizenship class is available for beginner and intermediate English learners who are legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders). During the class, you will work with certified teachers and dedicated tutors to improve your English. The teachers are Board Certified to represent you with your citizenship case.

    To register, please call John Tello at 732-777-1940 (se habla Español). The class will take place in the library's community room or, on some dates, in the Henry Guest House next to the library. Feel free to call librarian Kavita Pandey at 732-745-5108 x29 or email at kavita@nbfpl.org with questions.

  • Kids Events


    ¡Cuentos y Canciones!

    Most Mondays / Lunes a las 11:00 a.m.
    Regístrese.

    Join Ms. Linda Stork for an all-Spanish story time with books, songs, and other activities for children ages 0-4 and their caregivers. /
    Únase a la Sra. Linda Stork para disfrutar de cuentos en español con libros, canciones y otras actividades para niños de 0 a 4 años y sus cuidadores. Regístrese en tinyurl.com/NBcuentos.


    Read and Play

    Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. at the library.
    Register.

    Children ages 0-4 and their caregivers are invited to listen to stories, sing songs, and have fun during this bilingual program. Registration suggested here. Contact Karen Stuppi at kstuppi@nbfpl.org or call 732-745-5108 x31 with any questions.


    Reading Buddies

    Wednesdays, February 14* - April 24, 2024 (excluding 3/13, 4/3 & 4/10), at 4:00 p.m.
    *The February 7 session was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

    Reading Buddies is an after-school mentorship program run by the Rutgers University Youth Empowerment Club. Rutgers students guide K-5 children in reading, arts and crafts, games, and other activities. Contact youthempowermentclubru@gmail.com for more information.


    Makers Day

    Friday, March 15, 2024, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

    Join the library, 4-H Expressive Arts, and Zimmerli Art Museum for a creative afternoon! Crafts for children, teens, and adults will be available. Register at tinyurl.com/MakersDayNB or just stop on by!


    Celebrate Women's History

    Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
    Register.

    K-6 children are invited to play a game of Jeopardy and make crafts in celebration of Women's History Month. Register at tinyurl.com/WomenNBFPL.


    Solar Science @ the Library

    Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
    Register.

    Join us for a special outdoor solar science program as we prepare for the upcoming eclipse. Local astronomer Zachary Lichtmann of AmazingAstroverse.com will show you the sun as you have never seen it before! You will also have the opportunity to use a Sunspotter, make a constellation pinhole projector, create eclipse chalk art, and more. Activities are for all ages, but children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. Register at tinyurl.com/SolarSci.


    Lego Club

    Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
    Register.

    K-6 children are invited to create with a variety of Lego materials. Their creations will then be displayed in the library for a month. The Lego Club will meet once a month, usually on the first Tuesday of the month (with some exceptions), from October 2023 through April 2024. Register at tinyurl.com/ClubLego.


  • Teen Events


    Homework Help

    Tuesdays - Thursdays, between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.

    The library, through a partnership with Rutgers' Office of Pre-College Initiatives & College Success, offers tutoring for any students in grades Pre-K through 12 who need help with their homework assignments. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome when time allows. To schedule an appointment or for any questions, please call the Reference Desk at 732-745-5108 x20 or the Teen Room at 732-745-5108 x22, or email nbfpl.tutor@gmail.com. For more details, visit our Tutoring Page.


  • All-Ages Events


    Calling All Poets!

    Submission Deadline: was March 21, now March 28, 2024.

    To commemorate National Poetry Month, the New Brunswick Free Public Library will compile its 24th Annual Poetry Month Celebration Anthology in April 2024. 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 has been extended to Thursday, March 28, 2024. You may download a Poetry Submission Form here. Visit our Poetry page for more details.


    Holi Festival

    POSTPONED from Saturday, March 23, 2024; NEW DATE: April 13, 2024. 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
    Register.

    The library's annual Holi Festival has its own web page; please visit that for details. Registration is required due to space limitations. Register at tinyurl.com/HoliNB2024.


    Solar Science @ the Library

    Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 12 noon - 1:30 p.m.
    Register.

    Join us for a special outdoor solar science program as we prepare for the upcoming eclipse. Local astronomer Zachary Lichtmann of AmazingAstroverse.com will show you the sun as you have never seen it before! You will also have the opportunity to use a Sunspotter, make a constellation pinhole projector, create eclipse chalk art, and more. Activities are for all ages, but children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. Register at tinyurl.com/SolarSci.


    Free Vision Screening

    By appointment, in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

    These free eye clinics are offered in partnership with Puerto Rican Association for Human Development (PRAHD) and Project Better Eye-Health Services and Treatment (BEST), and is for people with no insurance or limited vision insurance. Trained medical professionals will be in the Community Room providing free vision screening. Glasses can be prescribed on site if needed.

    Registration is required, and there is a waiting list for appointments. Please call 732-745-5108 x28 and leave a voicemail with your full name and phone number, stating what you are calling about. Someone will call you back when we have an opening (which may take some time*) to ask you some screening questions before scheduling your appointment. (*We have experienced very high demand for this program and appreciate your patience.)


    Check back for details on upcoming events! You can view photos from past events on our Flickr page.

  • Makerspace Events

    Makerspace

    The New Brunswick Free Public Library's very own makerspace provides workshops and craft nights. The library's community room will function as the maker-space during event dates, unless otherwise noted.

    This makerspace logo was designed, handcrafted, and generously donated by Candyce Valor.


    Knitting/Crocheting Club

    Second and fourth Thursday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

    Register here.

    Do you like to knit and/or crochet? Or do you want to learn and already have your own supplies? Join the club -- via Zoom! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to old pros. Work on your current project, or start a new one with tips from other attendees. Participants exchange knitting/crocheting ideas while enjoying pleasant conversation. (This is an informal group and not an instructional class.) Register at tinyurl.com/KnitCrochetNB; once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link.

    The Knitting/Crocheting Club regularly meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, with some exceptions (check the Zoom registration link or our calendar for exact dates). Meetings will be virtual until further notice. For more information, please contact Librarian Kym Kirkley at kirkleyk@nbfpl.org or 732-745-5108 x20.


    Sewing 101

    The first Wednesday of each month starting 1/3/2024 (except for April when it's on 4/10), at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
    Register here.

    Stitch something special with local sewing expert Pam Brooks. We'll have a different project each month. Registration is required: register at https://forms.gle/rd1vgjfomSvhKx4N8 or call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up. (Registration is only available one program date at a time; the registration form will be reset after each month's program ends.)

    Minimum age to attend is 10 years old. Please arrive on time to participate; we reserve the right to deny participation to anyone arriving after 6:30. Please contact Librarian Hsien-min Chen at htang@nbfpl.org with any questions.

  • Friends of the Library Events

    Learn more about the Friends of the New Brunswick Free Public Library here.


    Book Sale

    Friday, April 5, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.* &
    Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

    The Friends sell a wide array of items at incredibly low prices at their Book Sale, in order to raise money to benefit the library.

    *The Book Sale takes place in the Community Room; please note that the library closes at 5 p.m. on Friday and only the Community Room will be open until 7:00 that evening.


  • Past Programs


    Photography Contest

    Visit our Photo Contest page for information about this popular annual program. The page includes links to current and previous years' Photography Contest presentations, starting with 2018.


    Genealogy Workshops

    During the summer of 2023, the library presented three genealogy workshops, cosponsored by the New Jersey Library Association History and Preservation Section.
        An Introduction to Starting your Genealogy Research was held on June 6th; it covered tips of how to start a new genealogy project, including how to use popular websites such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.com. Download the presentation slides here.
        An Introduction to Starting your African American Genealogy Research was held on July 11th, and covered an introduction to African American Genealogy records. Download the presentation slides here.
        The final workshop was held on August 1st, and went over genealogy resources in and out of the library. The presentation slides for this workshop are available to download here; please note that the file is too large to preview, as it contains a lot of photos.


    Multicultural Festival

    The New Brunswick Free Public Library and the New Brunswick Cultural Center Inc. presented their latest Multicultural Festival on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the library. The celebration featured various crafts, displays, music, dance, and food from different cultures. View professional photographs by Events Now USA at this link, and/or view the library's Flickr album here. This project is supported in part by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.


    Poetry Month Celebration

    Visit our Poetry page for information about our annual anthology and reading to commemorate National Poetry Month (April). The most recent anthology is embedded in the page, and there are links to view the recording of the most recent reading, as well as to view past years' anthologies and readings.


    Holi Festival

    Visit our Holi page for information about our annual Holi festival. The page includes links to photos and videos from previous Holi celebrations.


    Visual Arts Contest

    Visit the Visual Arts page to see information about, as well as photos and the presentation from, the New Brunswick Free Public Library's 2019 Visual Arts Contest.


    "On Demand"


    Multicultural Festival: New Year Celebrations Around the World

    Available to watch on YouTube here.
    Originally held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 2:00 to 4 p.m.
    In-person in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room and Virtual via Zoom

    All were welcome to join us -- either in person or online -- for a vibrant, fun-filled hybrid Multicultural Festival, presented in collaboration with New Brunswick Cultural Center Inc. The festivities included cultural displays, music and dance performances, crafts, and international food. We showcased cultural celebrations from several countries such as Mexico, Hungary, India, China, Caribbean, and many more.

    This program was free and open to all ages. Grant Funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of Department of State. Our additional program sponsors included Events Now USA, Holy Family Parish, Navrang Dance Academy, and American Hungarian Foundation.


    Virtual Holi Festival

    Available to watch on YouTube here.
    Originally streamed on Saturday, April 3, 2021 from 3:00 to 5 p.m.

    The Library celebrated its 12th annual and 1st virtual Indian Holi Festival in partnership with New Brunswick Cultural Center and Rutgers Indian Graduate Student Association. This celebration of the Indian Festival of colors was offered virtually via YouTube/Facebook, for free and open to all ages. There are several music and dance performances, a painting tutorial, and a delicious Indian food demonstration by Majwani restaurant! All supplies for the painting tutorial as well as dry Holi colors were provided by registration and appointment. For more information, visit this page or contact librarian Kavita Pandey at kavita@lmxac.org or 732-745-5108 x20. You can also watch our promo video here!

    This project was funded with support from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, with support from the Folklife Program for New Jersey at the Arts Institute of Middlesex County, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Our additional program sponsors were South Asian Total Health Initiative, Navrang Dance Academy, Sowparnika Dance Academy, Taalim School of Indian Music, Mejwani Indian Restaurant, and WRSU 88.7 FM Rutgers Radio.


    You can also view photos from past events on our Flickr page.