Help Children in Need during Ocean County Library’s Sparks B.F.F. Reading Club Toiletries Drive

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Library seeks your help during the Sparks B.F.F. Reading Club Toiletries Drive, Friday, March 1 through Sunday, March 31. The items will be distributed to children and teens in need throughout Ocean County.

Four OCL branches will serve as collection centers:

• Toms River Branch – 101 Washington Street, (732) 349-6200
• Lacey Branch – 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, (609) 693-8566
• Little Egg Harbor Branch – 290 Mathistown Road, (609) 294-1197
• Stafford Branch – 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin, (609) 597-3381

The most-needed items include toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer, soap, liquid and dry shampoo, hair conditioner, hair brushes, hair combs, socks, and feminine hygiene products.

Please donate new, packaged items only. No donation is too small, and each will make a big difference in a child’s life.

For more information, stop by or call any participating Ocean County Library branch or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

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Make a Difference: American Red Cross Blood Drive, Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch

SURF CITY – The need for blood doesn’t slow in winter for people needing urgent care. The Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch invites you to help keep the shelves stocked during its American Red Cross blood donation drive, 2 PM until 7 PM Tuesday, April 2.
 
If you’re at least 17 years of age, weigh 110 pounds or more, and in good health, you are eligible to donate a pint of blood. In New Jersey, 16-year-olds with parental permission are eligible to donate. Potential donors younger than age 18 are subject to height and weight requirements.
 
Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Remember to bring photo identification. Set an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org, or by phone at 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
 
For more information, visit the OCL Long Beach Island Branch, 217 South Central Avenue, Surf City, or call (609) 494-2480.

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Safeguard Against Human Trafficking At the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch

TOMS RIVER – Human trafficking is a global crime. One unguarded moment can victimize anyone, of any age, anywhere. Learn its effects and how to guard against it during “Human Trafficking 101” in the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 6:30 PM Thursday, March 28.

Susan Flynn of the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking will describe how it became one of the world’s largest criminal enterprises locally and internationally, who is impacted, how to recognize it, and what people can do to raise awareness.

Data compiled by the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking indicates that it entraps an estimated 25 million people worldwide, that 75 percent of victims are women and children, and that it generates about $150 billion in illegal profits each year.

The National Human Trafficking Hotline has fielded 5,544 reports from New Jersey since 2007. Of the 567 reports received in 2021, 151 were verified and involved 466 victims.

Please register at https://bit.ly/OclTrTrafficking to attend this free program. It is strongly recommended that elementary- and junior high school-age students be accompanied by adults.

For more information, stop by the Ocean County Library Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, call (732) 349-6200, or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

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Explore New Jersey Textile & Weaving History at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

BRICK TOWNSHIP –  For centuries, people in New Jersey have turned out a stunning array of textiles and woven goods. Please join us as an educator from the Museum of Early Trades & Crafts (METC) presents “Narrative Threads: New Jersey Quilts & Textiles” at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 6:30 PM Monday, March 18.

The discussion will feature 18th- and 19th-Century tools and artifacts from the Madison museum’s robust collection that tell the tales of people who crafted goods as decorative as they were functional, whose techniques continued through succeeding generations.

Take an up-close look at historic quilts, woven goods, and lace pieces. Handle and explore complex textile materials and tools from METC’s extensive collection.

Please register at http://tinyurl.com/OclBrickMETC for this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, call (732) 477-4513, or visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events.

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Meet Your ‘Book Besties’ at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch

SURF CITY – Looking for fun-filled flipping through the pages of unique books? You’ll find it as one of our “Book Besties,” the new genre-focused reading club coming to the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch beginning 6 PM Wednesday, March 20.

“Book Besties” concentrates on genres such as romance, fantasy, science fiction, and mystery. Dragons? Love? Outer space? Crime solving? Check, check, check and check. And that’s only scratching the surface.

All three novels of the spring session are available in multiple formats at the Ocean County Library:

• March: Do Your Worst, by Rosie Danan – Sparks fly when an expert on the occult and a disgraced archaeologist probing an infamously mysterious Scottish castle become “rivals with benefits.”
• April: When Women Were Dragons, by Kelly Barnhill – Alex Green and her parents are much like any other American family of the 1950s, until the Mass Dragoning of 1955, when her aunt was among the women who sprouted wings, talons and scales and unleashed nationwide destruction.
• May: Station Eternity, by Mur Lafferty – Amateur detective Mallory Viridian’s gift for murder-solving leaves her so isolated that she leaves Earth and fines tranquility in an alien space station. All is fine until humans begin to arrive, and Earthlings and aliens begin mysteriously dying. Can Mallory find the truth and stop the tragedies?

Please register at http://tinyurl.com/OclLbiBesties to join “Book Besties”. For more information, stop by the OCL Long Beach Island Branch, 217 South Central Avenue, Surf City, visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events, or call (609) 494-2480.

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Ride the Dragon with YA Master Christopher Paolini in Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk

TOMS RIVER – Ever since the publication of his first fantasy novel at age 19, Christopher Paolini has developed legions of YA fans with compelling tales of universes that spin from his mind. Take a glimpse at Paolini’s two decades of storytelling mastery and the gripping Murtagh in his Ocean County Library Virtual Author Talk, 4 PM Thursday, March 14.

Murtagh and more than a dozen other Paolini works are in multiple formats and Spanish versions at the Ocean County Library. The 2023 novel marks his return to the world of Dragon Rider Eragon that launched him to Young Adult stardom in 2005. His adult science fiction tales are 2020’s To Sleep in a Sea of Stars and 2023’s Fractal Noise.

Dragon Rider Murtagh rose to prominence in Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle. He and his dragon Thorn are now social pariahs for their reluctant roles in the rule of a now-toppled evil king. But gnawing dread in Alagaësia foretells forces of unspeakable evil about to run rampant. Murtagh must use every weapon he can summon to defend the land that abandoned him. Then he must discover if he has a place in it.

Among other distinctions, the Montana-based author is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest author of a best-selling series. More than 40 million copies of the four-volume Inheritance Cycle have been purchased worldwide.

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, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.

Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch to Feature Pieceful Shores Quilt Display and Demonstration

SURF CITY – Celebrate Women’s History Month and National Quilting Day at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch. Quilts by members of the Pieceful Shores Quilt Guild will be on display throughout the month of March. The group will present a live quilting demonstration in the Branch, 10 AM until 2 PM Saturday, March 16.

Quilts and the artisans who create them occupy a prominent spot in American life and lore. Members of Manahawkin-based Pieceful Shores will explain time-honored and evolving traditions, discuss the meanings of patterns, colors and styles, and answer questions about the quilts displayed in the Branch’s lobby display showcase.

The quilting exhibit and demonstration are free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. For more information, stop by the OCL Long Beach Island Branch, 217 South Central Avenue, Surf City, visit www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events, or call (609) 494-2480.

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Learn How Seeing Eye® Empowers the Blind at Ocean County Library Stafford Branch

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP – The interaction of a young sightless American and a woman in Switzerland training dogs to assist blinded war veterans nearly 100 years ago led to the creation of The Seeing Eye®. Learn about the New Jersey organization and meet trainers and dogs at the Ocean County Library Stafford Branch, 6 PM Thursday, March 28.

Based in Morris Township, The Seeing Eye® is the world’s oldest existing organization specializing in breeding and training dogs to guide people who are blind. The group is instrumental in forming public policy for accommodating people with service animals.

Trainers at the one-hour program will illustrate how puppies are bred, selected and raised to perform their services and how recipients are trained to handle and care for the dogs that bear the mission of bringing independence to people without sight.

Please register at http://tinyurl.com/OclStaffordSeeingeye to attend this free program. For more information, stop by the OCL Stafford Branch, 129 North Main Street, Manahawkin or call (609) 597-3381.

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Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to Present Jazz Performance by Brian Betz and Behn Gillece

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch is pleased to present the jazz virtuosity of guitarist Brian Betz and vibraphonist Behn Gillece in Mancini Hall, 7 PM Wednesday, March 27. They will play American standards and original compositions and will answer questions after the performance. 

Toms River-raised Brian Betz is a guitarist, composer and educator who has performed throughout the United States in venues including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the Cape May Jazz Festival. The two-time Betty Carter International Jazz Competition winner has released six compact discs on the Dreambox Media label.

Brian holds two degrees from Rowan University, where he is a faculty member. He also teaches in the Paulsboro Public School system. The New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) and Philadelphia’s FOX 29 placed him among their 10 "Top Teachers" of New Jersey in 2018.

New Jersey native Behn Gillece owns a well-earned reputation as an instrumentalist, composer, sideman, bandleader and recording artist. He has performed around the world, including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and Smalls Jazz Club in New York City, Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, and music festivals. Behn has issued six compact discs on the Posi-Tone label.

He is a faculty member at Rowan University, teaching vibraphone, jazz ensemble, music theory, and online courses. He conducts workshops at colleges and universities worldwide and has more than 700 online lessons on the Vibes Workshop website.

The concert is sponsored by the Friends of the Ocean County Library – Toms River. The Friends are volunteers who support the Library through advocacy, fundraising, and programs. New members are always welcome. Applications can be found at all OCL branches and at https://www.theoceancountylibrary.org/oclfriends.

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

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Become Food-Smart and Nutrition-Wise at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch

LACEY TOWNSHIP – Healthful diets are as valuable for adults and seniors as they are for growing youngsters. In honor of Nutrition Awareness Month, learn how nourishing food choices can be part of your daily diet during a program at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch, 2 PM Tuesday, March 19.

In this enlightening program for adults and seniors, “Nutrition: Making Healthy Choices,” Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Meg McCarthy-Klein and Matthew Holland of the Ocean County Health Department will outline key features of foods that contribute to good health, and describe ways to incorporate them into your dietary regimen.

Please register at https://bit.ly/OclLaceyHealthyfood to attend this free program. 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, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, and Pinterest.