Bookmark the Library: Summer Program Specials

It's been an action-packed summer at the Bernards Township Library. For anyone who has ventured through the doors or checked out the schedule on-line, you will know that summer at the library is more than just books.

Not that books aren't a major focus. The Summer Reading Program encourages all ages to expand their literary horizons. The teen program,  for example, is offering a creative writing workshop on July 20 (7:00pm – 8:30pm). Writing instructor Steve Andriolo will work with interested teens on poems and stories; either works in progress or transforming and idea into a piece.

The teen program also rewards members for reading and reviewing books; for every hour of reading and for every book review one completes, readers can be entered into weekly drawings for gift cards.  At the end of the summer they are eligible for a grand prize. 

The Summer Reading Program for each of the age groups, children, teen and adult, offers reading suggestions, accompanied with reviews. These can be seen on the different program website pages.

The breadth and depth of the library program offerings is substantial. There are movies, interactive entertainment, crafts and workshops. The programs span all age groups from three years old to senior citizens. Ginny Bartsch, Program Director, highlighted some of upcoming events for the remainder of July. "We have Bubble Trouble on the calendar for July 22 at 7 p.m." she explained. "The performer, Jeff Boyer, will put an entire child in a bubble."

Another popular program will be presented by Piccirillo Sciencetelling on Monday, July 26 at 7 p.m. Andrew Piccirillo will tell the story of Hendricks, the pirate with the mutating hand, using action and science experiments.  "These programs are well attended," Bartsch said, "We often have over 100 people. At the summer opening program, we had 180 people."

For planning purposes the library does request registration or tickets for certain programs. Admission to all the events, however, is free. The Friends of the Library provide the funding that make all the programming possible. In addition to the program sponsorship, The Friends of the Library purchases movie, books and other needed items for the library.

"We couldn't offer what we do to the community without the support of The Friends," Bartsch said.

Those interested in staying up to date on library programs can bookmark the library calendar on their browsers.