Food Insecurity Painting Workshop

Thursday, February 6, at 6:30 p.m.

In this interactive painting workshop, we'll paint bottles that can be repurposed as a vase or serve as a centerpiece at your dinner table. All supplies will be provided. The program is free and open to all ages. Registration is suggested due to limited space; please ask at the Reference Desk or call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up.

This program is part of the Windows of Understanding City-Wide Public Art Project, and will be led by Above Art Studios. Refreshments will be provided by Mollaga Indian Grill.

SkillUp Middlesex Workshop

Friday, February 7, at 3:00 p.m.

Trying to improve your job skills? Attend our informational workshop on how to use free online courses to learn new skills like AutoCAD and MS Office, as well as take engineering, healthcare, IT, and accounting classes.

Free and open to all.

New Brunswick African American Heritage Committee Program:
James P. Johnson – The Quiet Man Who Made the Twenties Roar

Saturday, February 8, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

James P. Johnson, born in New Brunswick, was the composer and pianist who invented Stride Piano, the bridge between Ragtime and Jazz. He is best known for the Charleston, the theme song of the Roaring Twenties.

Scott Brown, the definitive biographer of James P. Johnson, has lectured widely on Johnson. Currently he is using the recently acquired collection at the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies to do a second volume. He will lecture on Johnson’s early life in New Brunswick and his substantial impact on modern music. His talk will be followed by a reception with refreshments.

This program is presented by the New Brunswick African American Heritage Committee, Inc., with support from the Friends of the New Brunswick Free Public Library. It is free and open to all.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Sunday, February 9, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library will ring in the Year of the Rat with an afternoon of crafts and performances in the library's Carl T. Valenti Community Room. Sponsored by the Confucius Institution of Rutgers University, this festive program will feature Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, Chinese paper crafts, folk dancing, Kung Fu, and delicious food.

Bring the whole family to learn about Chinese culture and celebrate the new year with us!

RESET Presentation

Tuesday, February 25, 2020, from noon to 3:00 p.m.

Anyone who is suffering directly or indirectly from opioid addiction is invited to this RESET (Recovery Employment Solutions – Education & Training) presentation on: • Finding support • Finding treatment • Training opportunities • Employment

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.

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!

English for Beginners

Winter/Spring 2020 cycle: February 20 - May 2. Registration required. Attend an Information Session to find out more!
Info Sessions: Saturday, February 1, at 12 noon; Monday, February 3, at 11:00 a.m.; Monday, February 3, at 6:30 p.m. (Pick one to attend.)

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 visit this page for current opportunities, or email Jessica at Jessica.nbfpl@gmail.com or Akisha at akisha.nbfpl@gmail.com or call/text 732-659-4359 with questions.

English Conversation Group

Ongoing: Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library provides a recurring English Conversation Group on Tuesday 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." Participants must be age 18 or older and have at least an intermediate understanding of and ability to speak English.

To join the English Conversation Group, please complete a registration form and bring it with you on the evening you would like to attend.

English Conversation Café

Winter/Spring 2020: Monday evenings (6:30 - 7:30 p.m.), Feb. 24 - Apr. 20; Wednesday mornings (11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.), Feb. 19 - Apr. 22; and Friday mornings (11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.), Feb. 21 - Apr. 24.

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. Participants must be age 18 or older. All levels welcome.

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. For a schedule of all three Winter/Spring 2020 Conversation Cafés held at the library, download this PDF.

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 Conversation Café

Saturdays from February 15 to April 4 (no sessions on March 14 or 21), at 3:00 p.m.

Teens in grades 8-12 can join this English Conversation Café for free! English-speakers of any level are welcome. To join, please complete a registration form at the library. 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

January 6 – March 23, 2020; April 6 – June 22, 2020, & July 6 – September 28, 2020.
Mondays* at 5:30 p.m. (*Some Mondays during these date ranges are holidays for which the library is closed; no meeting will take place on those dates.)

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, January 21 - March 3 *except February 11*, 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.

This winter we will explore a Dungeons and Dragons campaign together. Snacks provided!

Young Athletes

Thursdays, January 9 - 30 and February 6, at 4:00 p.m. for ages 2-5 (registration full as of 12/30/19!).

Thursdays, February 13 - March 12, at 4:00 p.m. for ages 6-7.

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. All children must participate with a parent or adult guardian. All participants must wear athletic shoes.

Registration is required; please visit this site to register. For more information, please email kstuppi@lmxac.org.

¡Cuentos y Canciones!

Wednesdays, January 29 and February 5 & 26, at 6:30 p.m.

Acompañanos para una 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 for this story time in Spanish for children ages 2-4 and their caregivers. Register now by calling 732-745-5108 x16 or visiting the Children's room!

Lego Club

Friday, January 31, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Build a Lego catapult! After building your catapult, see how far it will toss a ping pong ball!

This program is for children in grades K-6 and will be held in the library's community room.

ASK Club

Monday, February 3 & 24, at 4:00 p.m.

A.S.K. Club returns for Winter 2020! 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!

Reading Buddies

Mondays, February 5 - March 25, sessions available 3:30, 4:30, and 5:30 p.m.

Students in grades K-5 can practice weekly reading with a “Big Buddy” this winter!

Registration required. Call 732-745-5108 x16 or visit the Children's room to register.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Sunday, February 9, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library will ring in the Year of the Rat with an afternoon of crafts and performances in the library's Carl T. Valenti Community Room. Sponsored by the Confucius Institution of Rutgers University, this festive program will feature Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, Chinese paper crafts, folk dancing, Kung Fu, and delicious food.

Bring the whole family to learn about Chinese culture and celebrate the new year with us!

Kids Coding

Monday, February 10, at 4:00 p.m.

Play games and use robots to learn the basics of computer coding!

For children in grades K-3.

~ 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!

Kids’ Community Council

Tuesdays, January 21 - March 3 *except February 11*, 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.

This winter we will explore a Dungeons and Dragons campaign together. Snacks provided!

Afternoon Game Time

Wednesdays, January 15 & 29 and February 26, from 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, or have some fun with another type of game.

Open to tweens and teens.

Hour of Code

Thursdays in the Teen Room during Teen Room hours.

With this self-directed program, you can learn how to create your own website using HTML or your very own computer game through MIT's Scratch. Or explore other possibilities! 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 through 12.

Friday Afternoon Magic

Fridays, January 3, 10, 17, & 31, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Young adults in grades 6 through college interested in playing Magic the Gathering are invited to meet up in the Teen Room and play a few games.

Manga Club

Monday, February 3, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Children and teens in grades 4 through 12 are invited to join us in the Teen Room to talk about their favorite manga titles and what makes these books so great. On special occasions we will watch anime episodes through the Library’s Crunchyroll account.

ASK Club

Monday, February 3 & 24, at 4:00 p.m.

A.S.K. Club returns for Winter 2020! 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!

Teen Conversation Café

Saturdays from February 15 to April 4 (no sessions on March 14 or 21), at 3:00 p.m.

Teens in grades 8-12 can join this English Conversation Café for free! English-speakers of any level are welcome. To join, please complete a registration form at the library. 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.

~ 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!

Black History Month Exhibit

On display from February 1 to 23, 2020.

During the month of February, the library will present an exhibit entitled Native Son: James P. Johnson, Father of Stride Piano, curated by Lucretia Lipper. This exhibit will be in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room; please call 732-745-5108 x20 to arrange access.

To find out more about James P. Johnson, see below for details about the event on February 8.

Food Insecurity Painting Workshop

Thursday, February 6, 2020, at 6:30 p.m.

In this interactive painting workshop, we'll paint bottles that can be repurposed as a vase or serve as a centerpiece at your dinner table. All supplies will be provided. The program is free and open to all ages. Registration is suggested due to limited space; please ask at the Reference Desk or call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up.

This program is part of the Windows of Understanding City-Wide Public Art Project, and will be led by Above Art Studios. Refreshments will be provided by Mollaga Indian Grill.

New Brunswick African American Heritage Committee Program:
James P. Johnson – The Quiet Man Who Made the Twenties Roar

Saturday, February 8, 2020, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

James P. Johnson, born in New Brunswick, was the composer and pianist who invented Stride Piano, the bridge between Ragtime and Jazz. He is best known for the Charleston, the theme song of the Roaring Twenties.

Scott Brown, the definitive biographer of James P. Johnson, has lectured widely on Johnson. Currently he is using the recently acquired collection at the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies to do a second volume. He will lecture on Johnson’s early life in New Brunswick and his substantial impact on modern music. His talk will be followed by a reception with refreshments.

This program is presented by the New Brunswick African American Heritage Committee, Inc., with support from the Friends of the New Brunswick Free Public Library.

Chinese New Year Celebration

Sunday, February 9, 2020, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library will ring in the Year of the Rat with an afternoon of crafts and performances in the library's Carl T. Valenti Community Room. Sponsored by the Confucius Institution of Rutgers University, this festive program will feature Chinese calligraphy, Chinese painting, Chinese paper crafts, folk dancing, Kung Fu, and delicious food. Bring the whole family to learn about Chinese culture and celebrate the new year with us!

The Confucius Institute of Rutgers University (CIRU) was formed in partnership with Jilin University in China and with support from the Office of Chinese Language Council International (Hanban)/Confucius Institute Headquarters. CIRU aims to broaden Chinese language instruction, promote Chinese culture, spur the development of Chinese Studies, and advance a wide range of cultural exchanges of the U.S. and China.

Holi Festival

Save the Date: Saturday, March 28, 2020, from 12 noon to 3:00 p.m.

The library will hold its 11th annual Indian Holi Festival in cooperation with Rutgers Indian Graduate Student Association and New Brunswick Cultural Center. Please join us for a vibrant, fun-filled celebration of the Indian Festival of colors! This program is free and open to all ages. The festivities begin with Mehndi (Indian henna tattoo), a display of regional dresses, and crafts for children. There will then be music and dance performances, delicious Indian food, and a free raffle! Join us on the library’s front lawn (weather permitting) after the performances if you wish to participate in the Holi Color Festivity (dry colors). Please make sure to wear old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, and please understand that you will not be allowed back in the building after color play.

For more information, please contact librarian Kavita Pandey at kavita@lmxac.org or 732-745-5108 x20.

Funding provided in part by Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, The Folklife Program for New Jersey, New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Dept. of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional program sponsors include South Asian Total Health Initiative, Taalim School of Indian Music, Music Souls, Utsav International, TV ASIA, and WRSU 88.7 FM Rutgers Radio.

Visual Arts Contest and Exhibit

The New Brunswick Free Public Library proudly presented its 2019 Visual Arts Contest (with a submission deadline of October 18) and Exhibition, accompanied by free visual art workshops (which took place in September). Please visit the Visual Arts page for more details.

The Opening Reception for the Exhibit was Friday, November 15, and the artwork will be on display in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room until December 3, 2019. Please call 732-745-5108 x20 or visit the Reference Desk with any questions or to arrange to view the exhibit (as the Community Room is not open to the public unless there is a meeting or event in it).

Funding for this program is generously provided by Johnson & Johnson, Inc. with the goal of fostering and expanding the dynamic local arts scene. The Middlesex County Office of Arts & History (MCOAH) facilitates the funding process.

Photography Contest and Exhibit

The New Brunswick Free Public Library presented its 12th Annual Photography Contest and Exhibit, with the theme "Love and Unity," in the Spring-Summer of 2019. For more details, please visit the Photo Contest page here.

Sewing 101

Stitch something special with local volunteer sewing expert Pam Brooks.

Wednesday, February 19, at 6:30 p.m. - Come make an infinity scarf on this evening!

Wednesday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m. - This evening's project is to be determined.

Registration is suggested: please call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up. Minimum age to attend is 8 years old. Please arrive on time to participate.

Pop-Up Greeting Card Making

Saturday, February 22, at 3 p.m.

Come make a pop-up flower greeting card for a special occasion, or just because! All supplies will be provided. For ages 11 and up; children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration is suggested: please call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up. Please arrive on time to participate. Space is limited.

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

James P. Johnson – The Quiet Man Who Made the Twenties Roar

Saturday, February 8, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

James P. Johnson, born in New Brunswick, was the composer and pianist who invented Stride Piano, the bridge between Ragtime and Jazz. He is best known for the Charleston, the theme song of the Roaring Twenties.

Scott Brown, the definitive biographer of James P. Johnson, has lectured widely on Johnson. Currently he is using the recently acquired collection at the Rutgers Institute of Jazz Studies to do a second volume. He will lecture on Johnson’s early life in New Brunswick and his substantial impact on modern music. His talk will be followed by a reception with refreshments.

This program is presented by the New Brunswick African American Heritage Committee, Inc., with support from the Friends of the New Brunswick Free Public Library. It is free and open to all.

Book Club

The book club meets one Monday per month (except during the summer) at 1:30 p.m. in the Henry Guest House, next to the library. (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.

Please download a copy of the Friends' Book Club Schedule for 2019-2020 here.

Book Sale

The Friends sell a wide array of items at incredibly low prices; books of all kinds, for all ages, as well as DVDs, CDs, and more! Proceeds benefit the library. Only cash and checks are accepted.

Tentative dates for the next Book Sale are as follows:
Friday, April 17, 2020 | 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. &
Saturday, April 18, 2020 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.