Summer Reading: A Universe of Stories

June 22 - August 16

Summer reading isn't just for kids! Get Summer Reading bookmarks when you check out books, and use them to "report" your reading AND as raffle tickets for our weekly gift basket drawings! Attend events to get raffle tickets for our gift card drawings, too! Visit our Adult Summer Reading page for more information!

Moon Rock Painting

Friday, July 26, at 3:00 p.m.

Paint the moon or galaxy onto your rocks. Instructions, rocks, and paints will be provided. Free and open to all ages.

Presented as part of our Adult Summer Reading program -- earn a raffle ticket for attending this event!

SkillUp Middlesex Workshop

Friday, August 2, at 3:00 p.m.

A free workshop on how to use this free database to learn new skills like AutoCAD and MS Office, as well as take engineering, healthcare, IT, and accounting classes.

Presented as part of our Adult Summer Reading program -- earn a raffle ticket for attending this event!

Career Assistance

Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stop by our Reference Room and get assistance from our career counselor. They offer help with resumes and cover letters, interviewing techniques, online job applications, academic advice, career path plans, and more. The counselor is also bi-lingual (habla español). Open to everyone. No registration is required.

This service is supported by the New Brunswick Library Foundation.

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!

English for Beginners

Summer 2019 cycles: July 8 - 25 and August 5 - 22*.

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. *The summer cycles are intensive 3-week sessions; priority will be given to participants who have attended a previous English for Beginners cycle in 2019.

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 Groups

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

(January 15 - May 23, and June 4 - December 19, 2019.)

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." Participants must be age 18 or older 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 bring it with you on the evening you would like to attend.

English Conversation Café

Summer 2019: May 29 - July 17 and May 31 - July 19

Wednesdays 7:00 - 8:30 p.m.; Fridays 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

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 the Summer 2019 Conversation Cafés (including the Spanish Café, which is not 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.

Volunteer Opportunity

New Brunswick Free Public Library in collaboration with The Conversation Tree is providing a Professional Development (PD) opportunity for volunteers interested in learning how to support adult learners of English in the Conversation Café. Please visit this page for more information, or download a PDF here for a detailed summary of the Professional Development program.

JFS ESL/Citizenship Classes

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

Currently scheduled dates: February 7 – May 9, 2019; May 30 – August 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.

MASST (Math And Science Story Time)

Tuesdays, June 25 - August 13, at 6:00 p.m. (English session)

Wednesdays, June 26 - August 14, at 6:00 p.m. (Spanish session)

Math And Science Story Times are back for the 8th year in a row! This summer, join Ms. Linda Stork and the Children's department for free bilingual story-times featuring stories, songs, and activities designed to introduce children ages 2-5 to important math and science concepts! Parental attendance is required. English speakers should plan to attend Tuesday evening sessions, and Spanish speakers should plan to attend Wednesday evening sessions.

Registration required. For more information, visit or call the children’s circulation desk at 732-745-5108 ext. 16.

Garden Club

Mondays, July 1 – August 12, at 10:30 a.m.

Listen to garden-related stories, learn about different plants, follow recipes, do crafts & help the library garden grow!

This program is for kids entering grades K-6. Registration not required, but encouraged; to register, call 732-745-5108 x16.

KCC Star Fleet

Tuesdays, July 2 – August 13 at 4:00 p.m.

Boldly go where the Kids’ Community Council has never gone before this summer in KCC Star Fleet! We will explore the Universe of Stories using activities, games, and media to learn about "strange new worlds" and new-to-us cultures and experiences, just like the members of Star Trek's famous "Starfleet."

This program is for students entering grades 5-8 in September 2019. Registration not required, but encouraged; to register, call 732-745-5108 x16. For questions, please contact Ms. Chelsea, tween librarian, at 732-745-5108 x13 or chelsea@lmxac.org.

Take Me To Your Reader Sci-Fi Culture Club

Mondays, July 8, 22, and August 5, at 3:30 p.m.

There's so much to learn about sci-fi! Students entering grades 5-8 in September 2019 can read, watch, and make their own science fiction this summer in this Sci-Fi Culture Club!

Registration not required, but encouraged; to register, call 732-745-5108 x16. For questions, please contact Ms. Chelsea, tween librarian, at 732-745-5108 x13 or chelsea@lmxac.org.

Franklin Institute Traveling Science Show

Thursday, July 11, at 2:00 p.m.

Let’s take a trip to the Moon! We will explore the challenges of getting to space, living and working in orbit, and safely returning to Earth.

For kids entering grades K-6. Registration not required, but encouraged; to register, call 732-745-5108 x16.

Reading Buddies

Thursdays, July 11 – August 15; sessions at 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00 p.m.

Students entering grades K-5 can practice weekly reading with a teen volunteer “Big Buddy” this summer!

Big Buddies will help Little Buddies discover the joy of reading this summer in our all-new Reading Buddies program, using books, games, and activities. Students going into grades K-5 in September 2019 can sign up for a weekly time slot with a Big Buddy every Thursday.

Registration REQUIRED; to register for a recurring weekly time slot, call 732-745-5108 x16. For questions, please contact 732-745-5108 x13.

Garden Club: Home Depot Edition

Monday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m.

The folks from Home Depot will join us for this session of Garden Club. They will bring kits for each child to build a planter. We will then add soil & seeds to our new planters!

For kids entering grades K-6. Registration encouraged; call 732-745-5108 x16.

Lost In Space

Thursdays, July 18 & 25, and August 1 & 8, at 4:00 p.m.

How big is the sun compared to the Earth? How does a rocket work? How can stars help you if you get lost? What twin brothers from New Jersey became astronauts? Find the answers to these questions with crafts, experiments & other activities!

For kids entering grades K-6. Registration encouraged; call 732-745-5108 x16.

Fly Me to the Moon!

Saturday, July 20, at 2:00 p.m.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, join us for a variety of moon-related activities, crafts, videos & snacks. Fun and fascinating for the whole family!

Sparkling Smiles

Thursday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m.

Listen to stories, learn about taking care of your teeth, do a craft, and receive a goody bag!

For kids entering grades K-6.

Animals Are Out Of This World

Monday, July 29, at 3:00 p.m.

Did you know that many of our animal friends went to space before humans did?! Find out how animals have helped us learn about space, and get to meet some animals, too!

For all ages.

~ 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!

Summer Reading: A Universe of Stories

June 22 through August 16.

Teens, come sign up for the library's Summer Reading program in the Teen Room during Teen Room hours* to get your log and additional details about how to win prizes for reading this summer!

*Beginning July 1, the Teen Room will be open 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Mondays - Thursdays, and 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays for the summer.

Manga Club

Mondays, July 1 & 22; August 5 & 26, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Teen Room.

Come talk about your favorite manga titles and what makes these books so great! On special occasions we will watch anime episodes through the Library’s Crunchyroll account.

Open to children and teens grades 4 through 12.

Great Stories Club

Tuesdays, July 2 - September 17 at 2 p.m. (start time for September meetings may be different) in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

You can still join the "Great Stories Club - Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation" book club even if you missed the kick-off on June 22! This is for teens in grades 9-12.

We will read Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew, Dreaming in Indian edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, and Always Running, La Vida Loca: Gang Days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodriguez. Visit this page for more information.

The Great Stories Club is generously funded by a grant from the American Library Association and the WW Kellogg Foundation.

Afternoon Game Time

Wednesdays, July 3, 17, & 31; August 14 & 28, 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.

In July, come play the library’s new Nintendo Switch system and the multiplayer, spacefaring game “Lovers in a Dangerous Space-time” (rated “E” for Everyone). In August, you and your friends will be piloting your own ship in the multiplayer, spacefaring game “Spaceteam” on the library’s iPads. (Rated “E” for Everyone.)

Open to tweens and teens.

Teen Zone

Wednesdays, July 10 & 24; August 7 & 21, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

During the summer, come make Bleach Art shirts, create your own movie soundtrack and design CD cases, use Light Painting, and more!

Open to teens entering grades 7 - 12.

Hour of Code

Thursdays in the Teen Room during Teen Room hours (between 2:30 and 6 p.m. during the school year, between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the summer).

With this passive 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!

During the summer, in addition to our usual programming, participants will have a chance to code a Finch Robot to overcome this month’s obstacle course – these courses will be different in July and August.

Open to students in grades 7 through 12.

Friday Afternoon Magic

Most Fridays* from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the Teen Room.

This is a time for anyone interested in playing Magic the Gathering to meet up and play a few games.

This program is open to young adults in grades 6 through college, of all levels of experience. (*Check with Mr. Trevor or the librarian at the Teen Room Desk.)

~ 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!

Summer Reading: A Universe of Stories

June 22 - August 16

Summer reading isn't just for kids! Adults, visit our Adult Summer Reading page for details. Teens, visit the Teen Room for information. A summary for the children's program can be found on this Kids' Page.

Photography Contest and Exhibit

Photographs on display at the library June 14 - July 14.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library presents its 12th Annual Photography Contest and Exhibit! The theme this year (2019) is "Love and Unity."

Photographs entered in the contest will be displayed in a joint exhibition at the New Brunswick Free Public Library and Above Art Studios. Winners were announced at the Reception on Friday, June 14th. For more details, please visit the Photo Contest page here.

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.

Visual Arts Contest

View the submissions to our first Visual Arts Contest, held in 2018, in this PowerPoint presentation.

Sewing 101

Stitch something special with local volunteer sewing expert Pam Brooks.

Wednesday, June 26, at 6:30 p.m. - On this evening, we'll be making the drawstring backpacks originally scheduled for the May Maker Night which was canceled due to bad weather.

Wednesday, July 31, at 6:30 p.m. - Come make luggage tags for your summer (or space) travel!

Wednesday, August 14, at 6:30 p.m. - We will be exploring space appliqué on this evening, as our "Universe of Stories" Summer Reading program comes to a close. Bring a t-shirt or pillowcase to add the appliqué to!

Registration is required for all 3 "Summer Sewing" programs listed here: please call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up. Minimum age to attend is 8 years old. Please arrive on time to participate.

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

Annual Meeting

Saturday, June 8, 2019, at 12 noon in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

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. 17* - Soul of America by Jon Meacham:
  A perspective on American history when we have chosen kindness over paranoia and rancor. (*Date changed from Dec. 10.)
• 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.
• The May meeting is postponed/canceled - 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 17 (date changed from June 10) - The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran:
  A set of philosophical essays expressing a deep humanity. (Discussion title may have changed as well.)

Book Sale

The library's Book Sale is an annual event, usually held in mid-April. The Friends sell a wide array of items at incredibly low prices: There are always thousands of books as well as DVDs, CDs, and more!!
Only cash and checks are accepted.

This year's Book Sale was held on the following dates/times:
Friday, April 12, 2019 | 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. &
Saturday, April 13, 2019 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.