Ocean County Library Extends Lease with JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up at Toms River Branch through January 2026 to Support Students at Toms River High School South Business Academy

TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Library Commission at their meeting on August 12 extended the JBJ Soul Kitchen lease with the co-op with Toms River Regional School South until the end of the second marking period to coincide with the completion of their courses which will be on or about January 29, 2026.

Students at Toms River High School South Business Academy will satisfy their community service or internship requirements by working with the JBJ Soul Kitchen at their Toms River locations which includes the pop-up location in the library café at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library.

JBJ Soul Kitchen Pop-Up operating hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00AM – 2:00PM. They are closed on Sunday and Monday.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and https://theoceancountylibrary.org.

Rock Back in Time: ‘The 1950’s Experience’ at the Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch

SURF CITY – See what audiences far and wide are raving about as you’re transported to a golden period in American culture. The Ocean County Library Long Beach Island Branch is pleased to present singer-musician Kevin Grace’s powerful, musical one-man show “The 1950’s Experience,” 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 26.

The acclaimed baritone’s visual presentation, stylistically spot-on vocals and amazing musical skills will place you in the middle of the unforgettable era of Doo-Wop harmonies and Rock ‘n Roll hits, accompanied by background vocals and instrumentation that he meticulously performed and recorded.

Kevin’s tour de force performance is the current chapter of an impressive career that spans opera, musical theater and oratorio in dozens of major venues throughout the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and the Annenberg Center. He connects with fans and followers through his website and social media including Facebook and YouTube.

This program is part of OCL’s system-wide 100th Anniversary Celebration sponsored by the Ocean County Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization founded in 2001 to enhance services and opportunities offered to all Library users. Members undertake a variety of fundraising and grant-writing efforts in support of OCL services, programs and facilities. 

The Friends of the Island Library, volunteers who support the Library through programs, fundraisers and advocacy, generously sponsor this program. New members are always welcome. Application forms are available at all Library branches and reading centers and the OCL website.

Please register at tinyurl.com/OclLbi50s to attend this free program. For more information, visit or call the OCL Long Beach Island Branch, 217 South Central Avenue, Surf City (609) 494-2480. See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Returning to Romance through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction with Casey McQuiston Virtual Author Talk

TOMS RIVER – Bring an appetite for sizzling drama as New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston discusses her upcoming book The Pairing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20.

The Pairing follows Theo and Kit, two bisexual exes who, when they accidentally book the same European food and wine tour, challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they’re over each other – except they’re definitely not. However, sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can’t have.

Casey McQuiston is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies, including One Last Stop, Red, White and Royal Blue, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, and The Pairing. Red, White and Royal Blue was adapted into a movie in 2023 and released on Amazon Prime. McQuiston was recently named on the 2022 Time100 Next List. Their writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bon Appetit. Born and raised in southern Louisiana, Casey now lives in New York City with a poodle mix named Pepper.

Registration is required for this free program. To register, visit tinyurl.com/OCLMcQuiston, or call 732-349-6200.

Ocean County Library cardholders can borrow The Pairing in various formats for free. Visit tinyurl.com/PairingOCL to request a copy.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

How to Thrive in a World of Chaos with Organizational Psychologist Dr. Tasha Eurich

TOMS RIVER – Learn how to master the daily grind and become shatterproof in a tumultuous world with key insights by Dr. Tasha Eurich as she talks about her newest book, Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And why resilience alone isn’t enough). This free, virtual talk will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday, August 28.

Whether you are grappling with work stress, personal challenges, or the chaos of everyday life, Shatterproof offers an urgent alternative to stoic endurance as the only strategy for survival. Combining cutting-edge research, practical tools, and insights from her own struggle with a life-defining health crisis, Dr. Eurich will overturn your beliefs about what it takes to thrive through adversity, offering a scientifically supported system to help you feel better, do better, and live better than before.

During this talk, you will discover how to:

• Reclaim your best self when stress turns you into someone you barely recognize
• Uncover the unmet needs that keep you stuck in self-limiting patters
• Turn stress into strength, exhaustion into energy, and confusion into confidence
• Find peace in the present and be prepared for what the future holds, and much more!

Dr. Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, researcher, and New York Times bestselling author on a mission to help people and organizations thrive in an ever-changing world. Her work has been featured in outlets like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, NPR, CNN, NBC, and Fast Company.

Registration is required for this free program. To register, visit tinyurl.com/EurichOCL, or call 732-349-6200.

Ocean County Library cardholders can borrow Shatterproof for free. Visit tinyurl.com/ShatterproofOCL to request a copy.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Cartooning Workshop Wows Youngsters at the Barnegat Library

BARNEGAT – On July 22, the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library hosted Mike Dawson, professional cartoonist and author of The Fifth Quarter for a cartooning workshop for children.

Kids learned about cartooning and worked on activities in this hour-long workshop. Participants had the opportunity to draw their own cartoons as they worked through a workbook.

Participants were excited to share and discuss their cartoons with Dawson. At the end of the session, participants were able to get books signed and pose for photos with the author. 

This program was generously sponsored by the Friends of the Barnegat Library.

Visit tinyurl.com/BarnegatPrograms for more program offerings at the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Trip to the Tropics with NJ Snake Man at the Ocean County Library

PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP – Meet creatures that slither and hiss along the ground and squawk and soar in the skies. Join us for “NJ Snake Man Presents: Tropical Birds and Snakes,” Tuesday, August 19 at two Ocean County Library branches:

• Plumsted Branch – 2 PM, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, (609) 758-7888
• Lakewood Branch – 6:30 PM, 301 Lexington Avenue, (732) 363-1435

During this program for kids age 5 to 12, the NJ Snake Man will introduce fascinating reptiles and avian creatures from all over the world, including docile ones that you will have a chance to hold.

New Jerseyan Steve Lengen, the NJ Snake Man, has raised snakes since age 4, deepening his knowledge and affection through years in the great outdoors. He volunteered for the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife for three years before starting his family operation in 2008.

Steve’s mission statement is “…to inspire the next generation through unforgettable experiences” in many varied venues, from libraries and schools to living rooms and back yards. He and presenters Haylie, Nick, Cinthia, Tina, Cammy and Yvonne connect with fans through their website, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

This program is part of the Ocean County Library’s system-wide 100th Anniversary Celebration, generously sponsored by the Ocean County Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization approaching its 25th year of enhancing services and opportunities to all Library users. Members raise funds and seek grants to support non-traditional Library programs and services.

Please register at tinyurl.com/OCLAugSnake to attend this free program at the participating branch of your choice. For more information, visit or call the OCL Plumsted or Lakewood branch or call (732) 349-6200. See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Experience “Colorful Magic” for Children and Families at Brick Library

BRICK – Children and families are invited to join magician Mike Rose for impossible magic tricks and off-the-wall comedy during his “Colorful Magic” show at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 at the Brick Branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road.

Mike Rose is a seasoned professional comedian, magician, magic historian, and author. Rose has performed in 25 states, presenting hundreds of shows annually for thousands of people.

This free program, generously sponsored by the Ocean County Library Foundation, will celebrate the Ocean County Library’s 100th anniversary and the Brick Branch’s 60th anniversary.

Registration is required for this program. To register, or for more information, go to tinyurl.com/OCLBrickMagic, call the branch at 732-477-4513, or visit your local Ocean County Library branch.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Meet Lacey Mayor Peter Curatolo at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch

LACEY TOWNSHIP – Whether Lacey Township is where you live, work, or both, you might be curious to know more about what the community offers. Have an informal chat with Lacey Mayor Peter Curatolo in the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch, 6 PM Tuesday, August 12.

Bring your questions and concerns straight to the Mayor during his monthly hour-long sit-down at 6 PM on the second Tuesday of every month except November.

The drop-in session is open to the public. No registration is required. For more information, stop by the OCL Lacey Branch, 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, or call (609) 693-8566.  See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Celebrate Jersey Innovations with Linda J. Barth at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

BRICK TOWNSHIP – Band-Aids™. Barcodes. Motion pictures. The modern submarine. What do these life-changing inventions have in common? They, and many more, originated in New Jersey. Author Linda J. Barth will reveal our state’s productive history in “The Garden State: Where Ideas Grow” at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch, 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 19.

Feel free to let out your “Wow!” impulse as Linda describes items in use around the world that mark New Jersey as a land of innovation, such as Bubble Wrap™, flexible film, and transistors – plus the plethora of patents issued to Thomas Alva Edison.

The New Jersey writer, teacher and tour guide has authored nine thoughtfully researched, vividly written works that bring depth to New Jersey’s remarkable history, innovations and people.

Hidden New Jersey, A History of Inventing in New Jersey: From Thomas Edison to the Ice Cream Cone, The Millstone Valley through Time, and New Jersey Originals: Technological Marvels, Odd Inventions, Trailblazing Characters & More are available at the Ocean County Library along with the anthology to which she contributed, New Jersey Fan Club: Artists and Writers Celebrate the Garden State. 

Please register at tinyurl.com/OclBNJ to attend this free program. For more information, visit the OCL Brick Branch, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, or call 732-477-4513. See the full schedule of Library programs in the online Calendar of Events.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.

Ocean County Library Toms River Branch to Present ‘WREP – When Radio Entertained People’

TOMS RIVER – Return to the era when families gathered around the wireless set for “theater of the imagination.” The Ocean County Library Toms River Branch is pleased to host a live presentation by WREP – When Radio Entertained People, 7 p.m. Wednesday, August 6.

Take a seat and enjoy musical entertainment, then test your memory in the trivia contest, all before episodes of My Friend Irma, Our Miss Brooks and Flywheel, Shyster and Flywheel, complete with sound effects.

WREP consists of 8 talented performers who re-enact scripts from radio’s “Golden Age” of the 1940s and 1950s. Michael Glenn Miller, who has entertained local audiences since 1972, leads the cast of professionals with backgrounds in television, film, and live theater.

The troupe has performed regularly at the Ocean County Library since its inception in 2008. Fans follow WREP on Facebook.

Please register at tinyurl.com/WREPOcl for this free program, generously sponsored by the 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. Applications are available at all OCL branches and reading centers and on the OCL website.

For more information, visit the OCL Toms River Branch, 101 Washington Street, or call 732-349-6200. See the full schedule of library programs in the online Calendar of Events.

OCL turns 100 this year and you’re why we’re celebrating! See details on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, Spotify, Pinterest and www.theoceancountylibrary.org.