Passport Services will be closed this evening, Dec. 29. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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Game on! Teens enjoy Video Game Night at the Library. For more information on Teen programs, e-mail Mary.

The Old Bridge Public Library has announced that the spring session of ESL (English-as-a-Second Language) Conversation Group program will be held at the Central library on Tuesdays at 7pm, beginning February 16.

This 12-week program enables participants to learn about life in the United States, increase their vocabulary, and even make new friends, while providing a comfortable, welcoming environment in which to learn.

Participants can expect to practice their English conversation skills in a group setting with trained volunteers. The focus of these conversations is on everyday topics, such as finding the right job, local news and other aspects of community life.

The ESL Conversation Group program is FREE, but due to limited space is open only to Old Bridge residents over the age of 18. In-person registration is REQUIRED and begins on Monday, January 25. Please register, showing proof of Old Bridge residency, at the Adult & Information Services desk. No phone registration will be accepted.

The Old Bridge Public Library is located in the Municipal Center at the corner of Route 516 and Cottrell Road.

For further information about this and other library programs, call the Adult & Information Services Department, at: 732-721-5600, ext. 5033.

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By popular demand, the Library has a new photocopy machine. This one is located in the rear of the Library between the Passport Office and the Periodicals Section. Copies are 15 cents per page and black & white only.

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Library Holiday Hours: The Central Library will be closing at 1:00 p.m. on December 24 and 31, and will be closed December 25 and January 1. The Laurence Harbor Branch will be closed all of the above dates.

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On Friday, December 18th @ 1:30PM the Central Library will present a free screening of Julie & Julia. Starring: Meryl Streep, Amy Adams & Stanley Tucci. A woman verging on thirty and frustrated in a temp secretary job takes on a yearlong culinary quest: cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” She chronicles her trials and tribulations in a blog that catches on with the food crowd. This film follows both women who, while separated by time and space, discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible. 123 minutes. Rated PG-13.

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Math Tutoring will be canceled on the 23rd and 26th of December.

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Need a break from work and family? Join the Girls Night Out Book Group. The organizational meeting will be held on January 11 at 7:00 p.m. and then the group will meet February 8 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Faith Club Ranya Idliby et. al.

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Librarian Lynn reads during a Family Storytime at the Library.

The Central Library has a new display of holiday themed material.

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• The Old Bridge Public Library's Craft Club meets in the Senior Spaces area of the Library every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Crafters of all abilities and interests are welcome.
• On Thursday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m., the Library's Original Book Discussion Group will meet to review Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris.
• On Thursday, January 21 at 7:00 p.m., the Library's Original Book Discussion Group will meet to review Stoner by John Edward Williams.
• On Thursday, January 28 at 7:00 p.m., the Library's Original Book Discussion Group will meet to review True Names by Vernor Vinge.

Meetings are open to all and no registration is necessary. All meetings take place at the Central Library located at 1 Old Bridge Plaza at the intersection of Route 516 and Cottrell Road. For more information, please call (732) 721-5600 ext. 5033 or visit: www.oldbridgelibrary.org.

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Staff Picks 2009: Librarian Tim's Favorite Books:

1. Blood's a Rover by James Ellroy
2. The Coldest Mile by Tom Piccrilli
3. The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville
4. Rain Gods by James Ellroy
5. Haiku by Andrew Vachss
6. My Dead Body by Charlie Huston
7. Sanctuary by Ken Bruen
8. Pygmy by Chuck Palahniuk
9. Another Life by Andrew Vachss
10. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

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Staff Picks 2009: Pat B. from the Tech Services department recommends The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

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A panel from the Garden State Horror Writers spoke to a group of aspiring writers at the Library.

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The soulful sounds of The Christopher Dean Band filled the Library during a First Friday performance.

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Don't miss the new display of circus memorabilia on display in the Central Library's Reading Room.

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On Wednesday, December 2, Passport services at the Central Library will only be available from 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

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This week's featured programs

Thursday, Dec. 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Garden State Horror Writers A Workshop for aspiring writers of all genres. Meet published authors Brian Pedersen, Gary Frank, Bill Mingin and Pat Lundrigan (2008 L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future award winner) and learn how the publishing process works

Friday, Dec. 4th at 6:30 p.m. First Friday with the The Christopher Dean Band Christopher Dean and his band will play soulful blues during this evening of live entertainment.

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Photos from teen craft programs at the Library. For more information on programs for teenagers, send questions to Mary.

The Library will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday Nov. 25 and will be closed on Thursday Nov. 26 for the Thanksgiving. Have a safe and peaceful holiday.

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On Sunday, November 22, Anna Wong and Dr. Lu Ping spoke about the 7,000 year old style of writing called Chinese Calligraphy and the ancient Taoist culture and philosophy.

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Video from the successful Teen Lock-In held at the Central Branch over the weekend.

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The teen program Financial Aid 101 has had to be canceled this evening (November 16.) We are hoping to reschedule it for December. For more information, please call (732) 721-5600 ext. 5028.

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The Central Library will have the landscape oil paintings of Joan Weiss on display in the Reading Room through the end of the month of November.

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Tonight's Meeting of the Library Board of Trustees has been postponed until Monday, November 16 at 7:00 p.m.

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The Old Bridge Public Library will host a program on Year End Tax Tips, Tues. Dec. 15th at 7:30 p.m. It’s not too late to cut your 2009 taxes!Learn simple last-minute tips to help YOU save money.

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On Tuesday, December 8 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. The Old Bridge Central Library will host a New Citizenship Test Workshop. Are you trying to become a U.S. citizen or do you need immigration help? Learn how to achieve that goal at our free workshop!

Send questions to Dena.

Peter Biedermann performs live during First Friday at the Old Bridge Public Library.

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Upcoming Library Programs

Chinese Calligraphy, Sunday, November 22nd at 1:30 p.m. Anna Wong and Dr. Lu Ping will speak about the 7,000 year old style of writing called Chinese Calligraphy and the ancient Taoist culture and philosophy.

Local Filmmaker Showcase Saturday, November 28 at 1:30 p.m. Local filmmakers will present and discuss their creations in a special showcase at the Library. Presenters will include Marla Cukor presenting the mystery thriller "The Masquerade," Jamal Hall presenting "Strivin’" in which an inner city kid dreams to overcome some life changing obstacles in his own home. Brian Jude will present "The Last Days of Frank Whyte," a film about the perils of life on the street. This event is free and open to the public and snacks will be provided.

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Calling all aspiring writers! Join us on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 7 pm as the Garden State Horror Writers present an informative workshop aimed at helping you achieve success with your publishing ambitions. This program is for aspiring writers of all genres of literature, not just horror. Moderated by author Neil Morris, the workshop will present information on how to get published and how the publishing process works. Authors Bill Mingin, Gary Frank, Brian Pedersen and Pat Lundrigan (2008 L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future award winner) will take questions from attendees. An editor will provide practical tips and techniques on getting noticed by publishers. For more information, please contact Nancy.

Bringing Charlie Huston's wonderful series of supernatural pulp to a conclusion with a rollicking finish, this book was a joy to read. Joe Pitt is a Vampyre (infected by the AIDS like Vyrus in the bathroom at the punk haven CBGB's) and after the events of the previous books he has been driven (literally) underground, living amongst the hobos and the castoffs in the New York City sewer system. Contacted by a former acquaintance to which Pitt feels a debt, he surfaces once again in order to find the man's missing daughter. Pregnant with a half-human, half-vampyre child, she is on the run as the various Vampyre factions slide toward total war, and wish to use her as a symbol of their struggle. If there is one thing the various factions of the Vampyre underground agree on, it is a dislike of Mr. Pitt. So with few allies and a lot of enemies, he sets off in search of the mother to be. It's a struggle every step of the way as Joe finds a brutal reception filled with monsters, torture and the enmity of past transgressions. Despite being brutally violent, the book maintains a sense of humor (albeit an appropriately pitch black one) and the cracking story builds to an unstoppable conclusion. If you've had you're fill of touchy-feely vampires by the likes of Stephenie Meyer and Charlaine Harris, give Joe Pitt a try. It's best to start at the beginning of the series, Already Dead, to get the complete Joe Pitt experience. He is one of the most interesting characters in genre fiction and he will be sorely missed.

Send comments to: Tim

Celebrate National Novel Writing Month and an upcoming appearance by the Garden State Horror Writers, with our new display located at the front of the Library. The Library has lost of material to help aspiring writers of all levels, please see the information desk for more info.

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Saturday, November 7th @ 1:30 p.m.Hauptmann’s Handwriting Accused Lindbergh Kidnapper Forensic Document Examiner, Michael Krakowski will present evidence and discuss handwriting specimens of Hauptmann’s autobiography and compare them with the Lindbergh ransom notes.

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The Matt Teitelman performs live at the Library during a free concert.

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The Library's Craft Club proudly displays it's latest creations. The club meets every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. and everybody is welcome to join.

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The November calendar of computer classes is available. Descriptions of the classes are available here. At this time classes are limited to Old Bridge Public Library card holders and are free of charge. For more information, please call (732) 721-5600 ext. 5045 or e-mail Maggie.

The Old Bridge Public Library has started a trial of Playaways:

Playaway is the simplest way to listen to audio on the go. Each Playaway comes with the digital content already pre-loaded on it. Simply plug in earbuds and enjoy.

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All together now... Head of Youth Services Darren Miguez leads a staff 'n' friends group in a stirring rendition of "Twist and Shout" during a video games celebration featuring Beatles Rock Band.

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Upcoming Concerts at the Library

Sunday, November 1 at 1:30 p.m. Matt Teitelman Jazz Trio Formed in 2006 from jazz students of Mason Gross School of the Arts, the MTT began playing together at informal jam sessions as a means of developing their ideas and their sound. Consisting of Matt Teitelman on Drums, Justin Gaynor on Guitar and Jeff Dingler on Bass, the uses performances to explore the sounds of bebop and beyond.

Friday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m. Peter Biedermann A New Jersey based guitarist, Biedermann will focus on original acoustic fingerstyle pieces in unique tunings on 6 and 12 string guitars.

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The Ring of Fire Band performs live at the Library as part of the First Friday celebration.

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Is there a librarian in Old Bridge who deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond? Nominate that person for the New York Times 2009 I Love My Librarian Award. Nominations are being accepted through October 9, 2009.

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Saturday, October 24 at 1:30 p.m. Beatles Rock Band It’s time to twist and shout! Play the hottest video game on the market, Beatles Rock Band, and you will be singing and playing along as an actual band member! The game allows up to four players at a time to sing and play along with Beatles songs by using controllers modeled after actual musical instruments.

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October: when the leaves turn a fiery shade and all of the ghosts and goblins come out to play! It’s also a perfect time to get re-acquainted with one of America’s greatest story tellers, Edgar Allan Poe. The Library’s Original and Science Fiction Book Discussion Groups will be celebrating Poe during the month of October, so come out and join the fun!

October 15 at 7:00 p.m. Original Book Discussion Group: Stories by Edgar Allan Poe: Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Gold Bug, The Purloined Letter 25, The Masque of the Red Death, Hop-Frog, A Predicament, The Philosophy of Composition.

October 22 at 7:00 p.m. Science Fiction Book Discussion Group: Stories by Edgar Allan Poe: The Pit and the Pendulum, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Black Cat, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Masque of the Red Death, Hop-Frog.

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Librarian Dena presents a virtual tour of the Library during an outreach program at a local hospital.

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Looking to play a nice relaxing game and relax? The Youth Services Department has a wide selection of board and card games that can be borrowed for in Library use. For more information and a list of titles, call (732) 721-5600 ext. 5028 or e-mail Mary.

Registration for the Library's ESL Conversation Group has officially closed, thank you to everyone who has expressed an interest. Send comments or questions to Dena.

Teens having fun during video game night at the Library. For more information about programs for teens, please contact Mary.

The Old Bridge Library would like to congratulate the winners of the Summer Scrapbooking Competition!

Adult Category: Arlene James "To Hawaii"
Teen Category: Jackie Olwell "Magic Kingdom"
Children's Category: Morgan Marek "Born to be Wild"

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Database distributor EBSCO has made a free web site detailing evidence based information about the flu. Check it out here.

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Jump Start Your Next Career Move: 7:00 p.m. on Monday September 21st (repeated 10:30am on Saturday September 26th.) This seminar includes advice on effective cover letters, interviewing and negotiating an offer. For more information, please call the Information desk, (732) 721-5600 ext. 5033 or e-mail Dena.

Teen Event Update

The Pi Eaters Math Tutoring Group will begin on the 9th of September this year, since school is starting later. Sessions will be held Wednesdays 3:30-5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Breakdancing will be held once a week in September, on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:30pm. We're looking into a second session in October.

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On Saturday, September 26 @ 1:30 p.m. Manny Luftglass, avid fisherman and author of seventeen books, will share stories about great fishing spots in New Jersey and elsewhere.

Send comments to: Anita