Ocean County Library Lacey Branch to Host Literacy & Movement for Special Needs Adults

LACEY TOWNSHIP – Adults with special needs and caregivers are invited to enjoy a relaxing session of chair yoga with a bonus of literacy enhancement. The Ocean County Library Lacey Branch will offer “Literacy and Movement for Adults with Special Challenges” on two dates:

• Tuesday, July 2, 10 AM. Please register: https://tinyurl.com/OclLaceyMove1.
• Tuesday, July 2, 11 AM. Please register: https://tinyurl.com/OclLaceyMove2.
• Tuesday, August 13, 10 AM. Please register: https://tinyurl.com/OclLaceyMove3.
• Tuesday, August 13, 11 AM. Please register: https://tinyurl.com/OclLaceyMove4.

Become inspired as you learn easy movements from certified yoga instructor Kim Manganelli while listening to uplifting literary quotes. Participants are required to sign waiver forms, which will be available before the program begins.

Kim, a Monmouth University alumna with 20 years of experience in teaching, yoga instruction and reading specialist, is the author of the gentle children’s books Yoga Beach Adventure and The Gift of Mittens, available at the Ocean County Library.

This free program is made possible by a grant from the Kearny Bank Foundation. For more information, stop by the OCL Lacey Branch, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, call (609) 693-8566 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.

Celebrate America’s Musical Heritage at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch

LACEY TOWNSHIP – Since America’s inception, its music has conveyed an image to the world of a robust, continually evolving nation. Curious about the way music defines history? Find out during “What America Sounds Like: 250 Years of American Music” at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch, 2:30 PM Tuesday, July 9.

Melissa Ziobro, M.A., Curator of the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University, will present an interactive multi-media program highlighting iconic music that helps us to understand our shared history as we mark the anniversary of American independence.

Special emphasis will be given to significant New Jersey contributors including Thomas Edison, Paul Robeson, James P. Johnson, Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Queen Latifah, Jon Bon Jovi and many others.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclLaceyAmerica for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Lacey Branch, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, call (609) 693-8566 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.

Eyes of the Wild’s Animal Ambassadors Coming to Ocean County Library Brick Branch

BRICK TOWNSHIP – Take a fun, fascinating and fulfilling look at amazing creatures that populate our planet. Eyes of the Wild will introduce them to you in a live presentation at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 6:30 PM Thursday, July 11.

This engaging and educational program for adults and seniors will feature exotic animals that Eyes of the Wild staffers have rescued from neglect and nurtured back to health on their 21-acre Hunterdon County farm.

Symbolized by the acronym L.E.A.P. (Learn. Enjoy. Advocate. Protect.), the nonprofit group has overseen the rescue of more than 175 unwanted or confiscated animals representing 60 often-exotic creatures such as coatimundi, scorpion, macaw, porcupine, African bullfrog and wallaby.

Its funding comes completely from sharing stories of their “animal ambassadors” to inspire a love of nature.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclBrickLEAP for this free program. Registrants should be aware of the presence of potential allergens.

For more information, stop by the OCL Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, call (732) 477-4513, 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 Jackson Branch to Offer Summer Family Life Skills Series

JACKSON TOWNSHIP – The Ocean County Library Jackson Branch, in partnership with NJ4S Compass Preferred Behavioral Health Group, will offer socio-emotional skills classes for parents and young children during July and August.

Registration is under way for programs for children ages 3 to 5, in grades K through 2 and in grades 3 through 5. Please be mindful of grade level requirements when registering.

“Grow with Me!” – Parents and children learn about skills to help youngsters confidently navigate their emotions and daily lives in school, sports and family, and to help parents provide meaningful support.

“Grow with Me!” Grades K-2: 6 PM Mondays, July 1, 15, 29 and August 12. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclGrowK2.

“Grow with Me!” Grades 3-5: 6 PM Mondays, July 8, 22, August 5 and August 19. Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclGrow35.

“The Happy Habits Club” – Designed to help children ages 3 to 5 develop habits that will integrate mental wellness principles through storytelling and engaging activities.

“The Happy Habits Club,” 10:30 AM Fridays, July 5, 12, 19, 26 and August 2, 9, 16, 23. Please register at  https://tinyurl.com/OclHappyHabits.

Compass serves Ocean and Monmouth Counties through New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services (NJ4S), a New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) initiative to provide free access to prevention and mental health screening services by prevention consultants and licensed clinicians to public and charter students and families.

For more information, stop by the OCL Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, call (732) 928-4400, 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.

Racism in Education: Tiffany Jewell’s Topic in Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk

TOMS RIVER – Racial barriers that Tiffany Jewell met during her education led her to probe systemic neglect for Black and Brown students, which resulted in Everything I Learned about Racism I Learned in School. She’ll discuss lessons learned and motivation gained in her Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk, 2 PM Thursday, June 20.

Everything I Learned about Racism I Learned in School, available at the Ocean County Library, is designed to empower young students to navigate their educational systems by understanding the big picture of learning in America.

Tiffany discloses her experiences from elementary school through college and reveals biases that she contends are common to school systems throughout the United States. Personal observations by a wide array of writers lend support to her findings.

The Montessori teacher and anti-bias antiracist (ABAR) educator also wrote This Book is Anti-Racist and The Antiracist Kid: A Book about Identity, Justice and Activism, available at OCL. She co-founded ABARatSchool to empower educators and caregivers on their antiracist journeys and served as President of the nonprofit Montessori for Social Justice.

Please register at https://libraryc.org/theoceancountylibrary to attend this free program, to view the upcoming schedule, and to view previous talks. Registrants will receive links to the program by email and may submit questions for the author when signing up.

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

Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch to Present ‘John and Abigail Adams: An American Love Story’

BARNEGAT – Step back into our nation’s earliest days to meet one of its most extraordinary couples. The Ocean County Library Barnegat Branch will present the American Historical Theatre’s Peyton Dixon and Kim Hanley in “John and Abigail Adams: An American Love Story,” 11 AM Saturday, June 29.

John Adams, our second President, aimed to do what he saw as right, whether defending British soldiers after the Boston Massacre or traveling abroad to find financial aid for the Revolutionary War effort. Abigail Adams was John’s wife, best friend and strongest supporter. She was educated, respected, and just as outspoken as her husband.

Together, they sacrificed and strove for the ideal of the United States as a democracy, equal for all regardless of gender or race, values they instilled in their six children including John Quincy Adams, who followed in his father’s Presidential footsteps.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/OclBgtAdams for this free program, sponsored by the Ocean County Library Foundation.

The Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to enhancing services and opportunities offered to all Library users by writing activities and raising funds for non-traditional OCL programs.

For more information, stop by the OCL Barnegat Branch, 112 Burr Street, call (609) 698-3331 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.

Experience the Thrill of Viking Life at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch

LACEY TOWNSHIP – What were daily living experiences like in the days of the seafaring Vikings? Clan of the Raven will take you back in time to “Life in the Viking Age: Facts, Not Fantasy” at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch, 10 AM ‘til 4 PM Saturday, June 29.

Drop in for displays and talks about this incredible epoch and see how its spirit lives on. The OCL Lacey Branch will be an “encampment” as authentically clad Clan of the Raven members kindle your imagination with tales and displays of weaving, drop spindle, replicas, maps and games.

The non-profit historical educational group is dedicated to enriching modern life by preserving the spirit of the Viking Age through writings and archaeological evidence.

No registration is required for this free, all-ages program sponsored by the Friends of the Lacey Library.

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

For more information, stop by the OCL Lacey Branch, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, call (609) 693-8566, 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.

New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus in Pride Month Concert at Ocean County Library Toms River Branch

TOMS RIVER – In celebration of Pride Month, the New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus (NJGMC) will perform a live concert at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 2 PM Saturday, June 29.

The chorus will perform a selection of well-known tunes, classic favorites and new songs.

Princeton-based NJGMC is an inclusive 501 (c) (3) volunteer aggregation from communities in New Jersey and surrounding areas now entering its third decade. The organization has partnered with choruses from various parts of America and has issued two compact disc compilations, Prayers for Bobby and To Everything There Is a Season.

The group demonstrates commitment to equality, acceptance, involvement and outreach with annual concert weekends, community recitals and benefit appearances statewide. NJGMC belongs to the 170-member International Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, appearing at GALA festivals in Canada, Florida and Colorado.

Registration at https://tinyurl.com/NJGMC is requested for this free program sponsored by Friends of the Ocean County Library – Toms River.

The Friends are volunteers who support the Library as a community resource through fundraising, programs and advocacy. New members are always welcome. Membership forms are available at all branches, or at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

For more information, stop by the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, call (732) 349-6200 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.

Celebrate Adventure! Summer Reading Kickoff, Ocean County Library Upper Shores Branch

LAVALLETTE – Dive into summer with the Ocean County Library and jump into fun activities during the family-friendly Summer Reading Kickoff at the OCL Upper Shores Branch, 10 AM until 2 PM Friday, June 28.

This all-ages outdoor event will be a genuine community bonding experience. Bring the children for the big Touch-a-Truck featuring Lavallette police, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and beach patrollers.

The Kickoff’s first hour will be siren-free and horn-free. There will be crafting for children and chances for all attendees to win great prizes.

Adults, teens and children can win prizes during the Library’s Summer Reading competition through September 13. Track your progress through OCL’s Beanstack portal, earn digital “badges” for your accomplishments, find out about branch events, and even write reviews.

Please register at https://tinyurl.com/UPOclSummer for this free event. For more information, stop by the OCL Upper Shores Branch, 112 Jersey City Avenue, Lavallette, call (732) 793-3996, or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

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

Familiar Spots, New Views: Nick DiGiacomo Photos at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch

TOMS RIVER – Take a unique look at places in and around Ocean County as depicted in the photographs of Nick DiGiacomo, on display at the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch throughout the months of June and July.

The exhibit in the Branch’s Second Floor Gallery reflects the Toms River native’s skill in digital and film photography and reflects the thrill of new discoveries in familiar surroundings. Hundreds of his works have attracted avid followers on Instagram and Flickr.

“I’ve always felt an inspired connection with the storytelling and visuals created in movies, songs, and books,” Nick said. “To go out and make new experiences, through aimless discovery or directed intention, with a full tank of gas or a few friends, serves such a fulfilling joy that I will always chase. These photos are from some of these moments throughout a few years of practicing this desire.”

Nick DiGiacomo’s photography exhibit is free and open to the public during normal Branch operating hours. No registration is required. 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.