Ocean County Library Jackson Branch Closed for HVAC Repairs

TOMS RIVER – Ocean County Library’s Jackson Branch will be temporarily closed due to failure of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system. The Library anticipates reopening to the public within the next two weeks. There will be updates about the status of the branch available on our website and via social media.

Items awaiting pickup at the Jackson Branch will be transferred as of July 9 to the OCL Manchester Branch, 21 Colonial Drive, (732) 657-7600, or at any branch that a patron wishes to request due to the closure. All items on hold for customers will be extended through Monday, July 22. Jackson Branch patrons may return borrowed items to on-site drop boxes, or to any OCL branch.Patrons who wish to send their holds to an alternate location or who have general questions may call the Library’s main number, (732) 349-6200.

Patrons of the Jackson branch are welcome to visit our other Library locations to check out books and materials or attend programs. An Ocean County Library card may be used at all OCL locations.Patrons may also access the Library’s online resources, databases, eBooks, eMagazines, video and audio streams and digital classes, available continuously at https://theoceancountylibrary.org.

Keep up with Library programs and events at https://theoceancountylibrary.org and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Kick Off Yer Shoes! Fish and Whistle Band at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch

TOMS RIVER – Ready for an evening of acoustic string wizardry by one of the Jersey Shore’s busiest groups? The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch is pleased to present a concert by the Fish and Whistle Band, 6:30 PM Wednesday, July 31.

Freehold-based Fish and Whistle stages stunning live shows throughout the Garden State with high-energy unplugged bluegrass, acoustic rock and more on guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass. Ranging in age from 20 to 65, they specialize in music that bridges generations and brings them together.

The band has built a following on Facebook and at venues including Waretown’s Wells Mills County Park and Albert Music Hall, the Princeton Porchfest and the Bluegrass and Oldtime Music Association in Little Silver

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclTRFW for this free program in Mancini Hall. For more information, stop by the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, call (732) 349-6200 or visit https://theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Ocean County Library Jackson Branch to Host Karaoke for Adults with Special Challenges

JACKSON TOWNSHIP – Love to lift your voice in song? Enjoy meeting new friends? Want a morning of fun? Join us for “Karaoke for Adults with Special Challenges,” 10 AM Tuesday, July 23.

Bring out your inner rock star or diva. The mic is yours as you sing along to your favorite tunes in pop, rock, or any musical genre you enjoy in our wide collection. The lyrics will be projected on the screen in our meeting room. Everyone is welcome. Light refreshments will be provided.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclJacksonKaraoke for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, call (732) 928-4400 or visit https://theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Meet a Faraway Feathered Friend: ‘Penguin Pointers for Teens’ at the Ocean County Library

TOMS RIVER – We share our planet with about 9,000 species of birds, and perhaps none capture our imaginations as vividly as penguins do. Meet one during “Penguin Pointers for Teens” at the Ocean County Library. The program will be given at two OCL branches, both starting at 3 PM.

• Lakewood Branch – Wednesday, July 31, 301 Lexington Avenue, (732) 363-1435. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclLakewoodPenguins.
• Toms River Branch – Tuesday, August 6, 101 Washington Avenue, (732) 349-6200. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclTrPenguins.

Take a close look at one of these famous feathered friends supplied by Jenkinson’s Aquarium in Point Pleasant Beach while Aquarium staffers describe their lives and habits and the lives of their wild cousins.

“Penguin Pointers” is one of 12 informative outreach programs offered by Jenkinson’s Aquarium. You can see the birds in their Jersey Shore habitat through Jenkinson’s Penguin Cam. 

This free program for teens will appeal especially to students in STEM and STEAM curricula. For more details, stop by or call either OCL branch, or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Hundreds Flock to Summer Reading Kickoff at Ocean County Library Upper Shores Branch

LAVALLETTE – Kids, moms and dads who awoke to a balmy, sunny morning here on Friday, June 28 brought their happy feelings to the Ocean County Library Upper Shores Branch, where family warmth and community spirit marked its first-ever Summer Reading Kickoff.

The event that coincided with the onset of OCL’s 2024 Summer Reading Challenge drew an estimated 330 people, according to Branch Manager Sloane Boyce. The parking lot was filled with laughter, craft activities and borough first responders who familiarized visitors with their vehicles and gear.

“There were tons of families,” Sloane said. “The weather was perfect. We couldn’t have asked for anything better.”

Youngsters clambered around a Lavallette Fire Department truck and water rescue vehicle, Lavallette PD patrol car, an ambulance from Lavallette First Aid, and a rescue boat courtesy of the Lavallette Beach Patrol.

Kids received stickers for each vehicle they visited, then had turns to win prizes at the OCL Spin Wheel. They also created First Responder hats and wrote thank-you notes to police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and lifeguards.

The Summer Reading Challenge through September 13 rewards readers of all ages who log and even review the items they’ve read, seen or listened to in OCL’s Beanstack app. Each branch will provide prizes for the busiest readers who log the most titles.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Are You Sun Safe? Find Out at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch

SURF CITY – Summer sun and fun at the Jersey Shore is great, but the sun’s ultraviolet rays can create damage for a lifetime. See if you’re adequately protected during “Sun Safety and Skincare Prevention” at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch, 1 PM Thursday, July 18.

July is UV Safety Month. The Long Beach Island Health Department joins organizations nationwide in the fight against skin cancer by spreading awareness of the importance of skin and eye protection from UV light.

LBI Health Department staffers will discuss ways to identify UV-related skin damage and ways to prevent it. Check out the new sun safety demo to see if you’ve developed skin damage and let a UV camera help you decide whether your sunscreen is effective.

A Nurse Practitioner from Connolly Dermatology, with six Ocean County sites among its 24 South Jersey locations, will be on hand to perform skin checks.
 
Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclLbiUV for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Long Beach Island Branch, 217 South Central Avenue, Surf City, call (609) 494-2480 or visit https://theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Take It to Heart: Screenings & Information at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – Your heart has a finite number of beats and there’s no way to know which one is the last. But by taking good care of it, your life expectancy can increase. Take part in “Wellness Screenings, All About Your Heart and All About Your Heart Medications” at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch, 10 AM Wednesday, July 24.

Come for the screenings and feel free to stay for the informative lectures in this innovative two-hour, three-part program in partnership with Hackensack Meridian Health. Learn how to keep your heart its healthiest, discover heart disease risk factors and warning signs, and more.

Wellness screenings begin at 10 AM for blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol and glucose levels, body mass index, and stroke risk. All screenings will be performed by certified health care professionals including nurses, licensed practical nurses and registered vascular technicians.

The presentations include:

• “All About Your Heart” with Debra Shar, RN, BSN, 10:30 AM
• “All About Your Heart Medications” with Lucrecia Campisi, Supervisor for HMH Population Health Network and Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency Coordinator and Sandy Khalia, Clinicap Pharmacist Population Health, Corporae Care Management, 11 AM
• Questions and answers – 11:30 AM

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclHMHHeart for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Stafford Branch, 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin, call (609) 597-3381 or visit the Library’s online Calendar of Events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Ocean County Library to Feature Kevin Kelley & Friends At Point Pleasant Beach Band Shell

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Have a rockin’ good time with live music under the midsummer stars. The Ocean County Library Point Pleasant Beach Branch is pleased to present Kevin Kelley and Friends at the borough Band Shell, Arnold Avenue near Baltimore Avenue, 7 PM Monday, July 29.

The Ocean County-based guitarist and his band will deliver a memorable mix hot rock, cool jazz, bright pop and deep blues in a performance for all ages, sponsored by the Friends of the Point Pleasant Beach Branch.

Registration at https://tinyurl.com/OclPtBeachKelley is not required for the free concert, but it is recommended in order to receive notification if weather conditions move the event indoors to the OCL Point Pleasant Beach Branch.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through fundraising, programs and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Applications are available at all OCL branches and reading centers and at https://theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

For more information, stop by the OCL Point Pleasant Beach Branch, 710 McLean Avenue, call (732) 892-4575, or visit the Library’s online Calendar of Events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Portal to Self-Discovery: Friends’ Psychic Fair at the Ocean County Library Upper Shores Branch

LAVALLETTE – Looking for a window into the unknown, guidance for things to come, or personal insight? Registration begins July 1 for the Friends’ Psychic Fair at the Ocean County Library Upper Shores Branch, 1 PM to 4 PM and 5 PM to 8 PM Tuesday, July 30.

Tarot readers and a medium will be available for 15-minute sessions. This program is for entertainment purposes only. Proceeds from each $30 donation per session will benefit the Friends of the Upper Shores Branch.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through fundraising, programs, and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Applications can be obtained at any OCL branch or reading center and at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

To reserve a session, please call (732) 793-3996 or stop by the OCL Upper Shores Branch, 112 Jersey City Avenue, Lavallette.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Ocean County Library Stafford Branch to Present ‘Jessica Carroll Sings Americana’

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – It’s America’s birthday month! Experience a red-white-and-blue celebration in song when “Jessica Carroll Sings Americana” at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch, 2:30 PM Wednesday, July 24.

Returning to the Branch on a wave of rave reviews from her previous appearance, Jessica will regale you with patriotic hymns and Americana folk songs, complete with stories about their origins and creation. If the spirit moves you, join right in! Jessica welcomes audience participation.
 
"I got my start singing about 15 years ago, performing for local senior centers and retirement homes,” the Riverside, NJ resident recalled. “I worked as a nanny and helped to raise many children, which led me to start entertaining and sharing my songs and stories with various libraries.”
 
Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclStaffordJessica for this free program, sponsored by the Friends of the Stafford Library.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through programs, fundraising and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Application forms are available at all OCL branches and reading centers and at https://theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

For more information, stop by the OCL Stafford Branch, 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin, call (609) 597-3381, or visit the Library’s online Calendar of Events.

Keep up with Library programs and events at www.theoceancountylibrary.org, and on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.