Librarian Lynn Sacs and other staff members have set up a beach reading display near the entrance to the Central Library. Check it out before your next trip to the shore!

Send comments to: OBPL

August Book Discussions

The Central Library will be hosting the following book discussions in August, feel free to come to one or all!

Tuesday, August 12 at 1:30 p.m. Daytime Book Discussion Group: The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. “Hood lost her own young daughter to a rare form of strep, and in this semi autobiographical novel, she reveals the searing pain, the upheaval, and the loss of self that accompany such a heartbreaking event.” — Bookmarks Magazine

Thursday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. Original Book Discussion Group: Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. “Rice explores Jesus' youth, and tells of his family's journey from Egypt to Judea and of the requisite strife they encounter along the way. The novel follows the young Jesus as he starts to learn about his divine heritage and experiments with his mysterious healing powers.” — Publishers Weekly (Copies of this book are available at the Circulation Desk.)

Thursday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. Science Fiction Book Discussion: The short story The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick, found in The Philip K. Dick Reader and other collections. “The Minority Report” was first published in Fantastic Universe in January 1956, about a future society where murders are prevented through the efforts of three mutants who can see the future. It was made into a popular film in 2002.” —Wikipedia (Books containing this story are available at the Circulation Desk.)

Send comments to: OBPL

The Middletown, NJ based pop group The Wag will perform live at the Central Library this Saturday, August 2, from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. An upbeat four piece based in Middletown, New Jersey, The Wag feature vocal harmonies at the forefront of their sound. Their unique style varies from blues to pop to rock. With three alternating lead singers, there is a different feel to every song.

Send comments to: OBPL

Author Thomas Fox came to the Library to read from and discuss his novel Drummer Boy Willie McGee.

Send comments to: OBPL

Upcoming events at the Library:

Monday, Jul. 21, 7:00 p.m. Computer Class: Microsoft Word 2007 Advanced at the Central Branch Register here online or call the Adult Services Department, at: 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.

Monday, Jul. 21, 7:30 p.m. Crusin’: How to Make Your Dream Come True at the Central Branch Expert Walter Rapka of Rapka Travel will guide first time cruise-goers in planning their dream vacation.

Wednesday, Jul. 23, 2:00 p.m. Computer Class: Microsoft Word 2007 Basics at the Central Branch Register here online or call the Adult Services Department, at: 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.

Wednesday, Jul. 23, 7:00 p.m. ESL Conversation Group Leader Training at the Central Branch Learn to Lead Conversation Groups here in our Library. Help in Assisting Residents Speak Better English. Register here online or call: 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.

Thursday, Jul. 24, 7:00 p.m. Teen Financial Aid 101 at the Central Branch Get an introduction to the financial aid process and go over the basics of applying for financial aid, how financial aid is determined, and the difference between various award types.

Friday, Jul. 25, 2:00 p.m. Computer Class: Email Basics at the Central Branch Register here online or call the Adult Services Department, at: 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.

Friday, Jul. 25, 1:30 p.m. Senior Fridays: Freedom from Financial Fear at the Central Branch Bob Santos from Sun National Bank will be offer financial information for seniors who want to secure their future against money worries.

Saturday, Jul. 26, 2:00 p.m. Computer Class: Microsoft Powerpoint 2007 at the Central Branch Register here online or call the Adult Services Department, at: 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.

Saturday, Jul. 26, 1:30 p.m. Author Visit: Thomas Fox at the Central Branch Thomas Fox, author of "Drummer Boy Willie McGee, Civil War Hero and Fraud," will read from his new book and discuss his research into New Jersey’s history in the Civil War.

Send comments to: OBPL

Upcoming Book Discussions - August 2008

Tuesday, August 12 at 1:30 p.m. Daytime Book Discussion Group: The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood. “Hood lost her own young daughter to a rare form of strep, and in this semi-autobiographical novel, she reveals the searing pain, the upheaval, and the loss of self that accompany such a heartbreaking event.” — Bookmarks Magazine

Thursday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. Original Book Discussion Group: Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice. “Rice explores Jesus' youth, and tells of his family's journey from Egypt to Judea and of the requisite strife they encounter along the way. The novel follows the young Jesus as he starts to learn about his divine heritage and experiments with his mysterious healing powers.” — Publishers Weekly

Thursday, August 28 at 7:00 p.m. Science Fiction Book Discussion: The short story The Minority Report by Philip K. Dick, found in The Philip K. Dick Reader. “The Minority Report” was first published in Fantastic Universe in January 1956, about a future society where murders are prevented through the efforts of three mutants who can see the future. It was made into a popular film in 2002.” —Wikipedia

Send comments to: OBPL

Get your skills in shape with the Computer Bootcamp @ the Laurence Harbor Branch starting Thursday, Jul. 17, 1:30 p.m. This 5-week program is designed for those with little or no computer experience. Students will be instructed in computer basics, keyboard, internet, basic internet searching and E-mail. By the end of the course, students will feel comfortable using a computer and be ready to take other computer classes offered by the Library. Register here online or call the Laurence Harbor Branch, at: 732-566-2227.

Send comments to: OBPL

Upcoming Programs at the Central Library

The Jews of Cochin, India Tuesday, Jul. 15, 7:30 p.m. Gila Rosenblatt (formerly Pallivathukal) will speak about her life growing up as a Jewish-Indian in a small town near the city of Cochin, India. Enjoy a sample of Gila’s fine cooking as she tells us about Jewish-Indian traditions in everyday life, holidays and food. Copies of a few of her recipes will be distributed.

Fitness Over 35 Wednesday, Jul. 16, 7:00 p.m. Presented by the staff of Bayshore Fitness, this presentation discusses the benefits of exercise, why diet and exercise go hand-in-hand, and how to tailor an exercise program to meet your personal needs.

Yoga Saturday, Jul. 19, 1:30 p.m. Allen Sykes of the New York Sports Club is a certified yoga instructor who has been teaching for over seven years. This non-stressful yoga program can be performed in a chair, or you can bring your own mat.

Send comments to: OBPL

Upcoming Senior events at the Old Bridge Library:

Movie: Yankee Doodle Dandy at the Central Branch on Friday, July 11th at 1:30pm

Living with Early-Stage Dementia at the Central Branch on Saturday, Jul. 12, 10:30am-1:30pm This workshop is being presented by the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association on Saturday, July 12th from 10am-1:30pm. There is no fee for the workshop, however registration is required. Please call the Alzheimer’s Association to register at: 1-800-883-1180.

Send comments to: OBPL

New Jersey Ghosts! @ Laurence Harbor Library Saturday, Jul. 12, 1pm L’Aura Hladik Founder & Director of the New Jersey Ghost Hunters Society will be the featured speaker!

Send comments to: OBPL

Upcoming Program

Saturday, Jul. 5, 1pm: Movie at the Laurence Harbor Branch: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Kaze no tani no Naushika).

In the far future, man has destroyed the Earth in the "Seven Days of Fire". Now, there are small pockets of humanity that survive. One pocket is the Valley of Wind where a princess named Nausicaa tries to understand, rather than destroy the Toxic Jungle.

Send comments to: OBPL

Upcoming Program

The Jews of Cochin, India at the Central Branch on Tuesday, Jul. 15, 7:30pm. Gila Rosenblatt (formerly Pallivathukal) will speak about her life growing up as a Jewish-Indian in a small town near the city of Cochin, India. Enjoy a sample of Gila’s fine cooking as she tells us about Jewish-Indian traditions in everyday life, holidays and food. Copies of a few of her recipes will be distributed. Questions on this program? Contact Dena, (732) 721-5600 ext. 5039.

The Old Bridge Central Library and the Laurence Harbor Branch will be closed Friday, July 4 for Independence Day. Both Libraries will also be closed on Sundays through Labor Day. Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Send comments to: OBPL