The Old Bridge Library is proud to announce the acquisition of the Biography Resource Center database. The database supports the study of notable individuals in the arts, business, government, history, popular culture, sports, and more, making it the ideal resource for biographical research across curriculum areas and at all academic levels. Please note that a Library card ID number is required when accessing this database from outside the Library.

Send comments to: OBPL

The Cat in the Hat (Head of Youth Services Darren Miguez) poses with co-conspirators Thing 1 and Thing 2.

Send comments to: OBPL

Staff member Anita hangs out with Honest Abe while celebrating Lincoln's Birthday at the Library.

Send comments to: OBPL

Friday, Mar. 27, 6:30 p.m. Free Teen Movie at the Central Branch - Twilight is rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality.

Bella doesn't expect much when she moves to the small town of Forks, Washington, until she meets the mysterious and handsome Edward a boy who's hiding a dark secret: he's a vampire. As their worlds and hearts collide, Edward must battle the bloodlust raging inside him as well as a coterie of undead that would make Bella their prey. Based on the #1 New York Times best-selling sensation by Stephenie Meyer, Twilight adds a dangerous twist to the classic story of star-crossed lovers.

Send comments to: OBPL

The New York Times has had some very interesting articles and blog posts about how public Libraries are your most economic choice for entertainment and job hunting information.

The Library has a number of resources that can assist you in looking for a new job or dealing with the current recession, give the Information Desk a call at (732) 721-5600 ext. 5033 or e-mail us.

Is your child looking for information about a particular kind of animal for a school project? The Library offers the EBSCO Animals online database, which provides thousands of easy-to-read entries about mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. Each entry begins with a simple category breakdown of the animal including Kingdom, Class, Order, Genus & Species, and Geographical Locale as well as a detailed description. Many entries include colorful images. This website would be useful to children and teenagers who are looking for information about animals for projects or pictures for collages. Photographs of animals are either on color or black and white. You can access this database by going to the Library's Online Databases, and clicking on EBSCO Animals. From the following screen, click on EBSCOHost WEB, and finally choose EBSCO Animals from this list provided.

Send comments to: OBPL

The Library's April Computer Class schedule is available. The Library offers a range of computer training for the novice and intermediate user:

Microsoft Excel 2007 Basics & Advanced Excel 2007
Pre-requisite: Microsoft Word Basics or some computer experience. Excel is a spreadsheet program. In Excel Basics, topics include: inserting text, editing (copy, move, delete, insert), using functions to calculate averages & totals, and displaying cell formulas. Advanced Excel covers: changing column width & row height, and giving your worksheet visual punch by inserting graphs, charts and pictures.

Power Point 2007 Basics
Pre-requisite: Computer Basics for PC’s or some computer experience. PowerPoint is a presentation program. Presentations consist of a series of slides that may contain text, clipart, and WordArt. With PowerPoint, your presentation will have a consistent professional look because of its overall design and color scheme. The class includes: creating & saving a presentation, inserting text, editing (copy, move, delete, insert), different ways of viewing a presentation, choosing a design template, inserting pictures, adding transition effects and printing.

Computer Basics
Pre-requisite: None This class discusses the basic computer parts you need to know to use the computer effectively. You will also learn about the desktop, starting a program, printing, saving and retrieving files, and switching from one window to another. Hands-on training includes learning how to use the mouse and inserting and removing floppy disks and CD-ROMs.

E-Mail Basics
Pre-requisite: Internet Basics, or some Internet experience. Learn the basics of creating an email account, writing a message, including attachments, sending, and receiving messages.

Internet Basics
Pre-requisite: Computer Basics for PC’s and Introduction to Windows or some computer experience. This class provides an overview of the Internet and the World Wide Web. It discusses the use of Web browsers and provides hands-on training using the browser’s navigational tools, URLs, hyperlinks, bookmarks, and search engines.

Microsoft Word 2007 Basics & Advanced Word 2007
Pre-requisite: Computer Basics for PC’s, or some computer experience. Microsoft Word is a computer program used for word processing. This program is very easy to use and it provides more capabilities than a simple text editor. It may be used to create business letters, reports, and other documents. The basics class includes creating, saving & retrieving documents, inserting text, editing (copy, move, delete, insert), spell check and thesaurus features, changing font type, size, and color, table use and previewing & printing. Advanced Word shows you how to give documents visual punch by inserting pictures, creating bulleted lists, adding watermarks and WordArt, setting document margins, and other very useful tips.

Send comments to: OBPL

There's a busy week ahead at the Library, check out what's on tap:

Tuesday March, 24
11:00am Email Basics (Adults, registration requited)
3:30pm: Breakdancing (Teens)
7:00pm: ESL (Adults, registration requited)

Wednesday March, 25
3:30am: Pi-Eaters Math Club (Teens)
7:00pm: What does your PSAT Score Mean? (Teens, registration requited)

Thursday March, 26
1:30pm: MS Word Basics (LH) (Adults, registration requited)
6:30pm: Make It Take It Puppets (Teens)
7:30pm: Board Games (Teens)

Friday March, 27
1:30pm: Senior Friday (Adults)
6:30pm: Teen Movie “Twilight” (Teens)

Saturday March. 28
10:00am: Pi-Eaters Math Club (Teens)
10:00am: ACT Practice Exam (Teens, registration requited)

Sunday March, 29
2:00pm: Family Funday Sunday w/ Disney Trivia! (All Ages)

Send comments to: OBPL

The Old Bridge Library is proud to present a very special concert with The String Trio of New York on Friday, April 3 at 6:30 p.m. This American jazz chamber ensemble—made up of bassist John Lindberg, violinist Rob Thomas, and guitarist James Emery will be presenting a selection of music, including pieces from their first Opus, First Light at the Old Bridge Public Library. This concert is Free and Open to the Public!

First Light was commissioned as part of a national series of works from Meet The Composer's Commissioning Music/USA program, which is made possible by generous support from The Ford Foundation, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Francis Goulet Trust, the Helen F. Whitaker Fund, Target, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, and Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Send comments to: OBPL

Travel requirements are changing! Are you ready? The Old Bridge Library's Passport Office is participating in Passport Day in the USA on Saturday, March 28 from 10:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. Starting June 1, 2009, U.S. citizens must present a passport book, passport card, or other travel documents approved by the U.S. government to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Want to learn more about these changes or need a new passport? Join us!

Send comments to: OBPL Passport Office

Tax Time!

It's that time of year again - Spring Training has begin, the NCAA basketball brackets have been chosen, and you need to do your taxes...

The Library has a selection of the most commonly used state and federal tax forms for you to take, and forms are also available through the NJ Department of Taxation and the Internal Revenue Service.

Send comments to: OBPL

Singer-songwriter Michael Brett performs during a live concert at the Old Bridge Library Saturday.

Send comments to: OBPL

Richard G. Price, CPA, presented a program on strategies to maximize tax deductions for this year and next.

Send comments to: OBPL

Old Bridge Library Presents Victory Gardening For the 21st Century!

Always wanted to grow your own delicious vegetables and herbs but didn’t know where to start? Do you think you can’t garden because you don’t have enough space? Let Dr. F.F. Primich, celebrated container gardener and Rutgers Cooperative Master Gardener, help you achieve your gardening dreams! Container gardening is particularly well-suited for patios and apartments but terrific for everyone. Dr. Primich will speak on basic plant needs, plant propagation, harvesting and storage. He will take questions from program attendees. Valuable fact sheets from the Rutgers Cooperative Extension will also be available! Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. for this exciting program at the Central Branch of the Old Bridge Public Library. This program is FREE and open to the public.

Send comments to: OBPL

Street Fighting Men! Teens line up to take part in the Street Fighter IV video game tournament at the Library.

Send comments to: OBPL

Librarian Tim Recommends

The Coldest Mile by Tom Piccirilli

Picking up where The Cold Spot left off, Chase has left the debacle of the Newark disaster behind him, and has taken a job driving for a mob family looking to make a score and then go after his arch-thief grandfather and the young child he may have with him. It's grifts, scams and violence galore as Chase mixes it up with small time hoods, mob hitmen and then finally the man who raised him and introduced him into "the bent life." This was a great and absolutely cracking story, filled with action and barreling through to a cliffhanger conclusion. Piccirilli has a great gift for dialogue and characterization and uses that ability to his fullest in creating a great story that is highly recommended to all fans of crime fiction.

The Renegades by T. Jefferson Parker

Parker's second novel to feature Los Angeles Sheriffs Deputy Charlie Hood is a well done thriller and police procedural which makes good on the potential of its inconsistent predecessor, L.A. Outlaws. In this story, Hood has transferred to the outskirts of the city, content to patrol the vast deserts and canyons while coming to grips with what happened in the previous story. Hood is partnered with Terry Laws, aka Mr. Wonderful, a cop with seemingly everything going for him. When Laws is gunned d...more Parker's second novel to feature Los Angeles Sheriffs Deputy Charlie Hood is a well done thriller and police procedural which makes good on the potential of its inconsistent predecessor, L.A. Outlaws. In this story, Hood has transferred to the outskirts of the city, content to patrol the vast deserts and canyons while coming to grips with what happened in the previous story. Hood is partnered with Terry Laws, aka Mr. Wonderful, a cop with seemingly everything going for him. When Laws is gunned down in front of him, Hood must track down the killer and find out why Mr. Wonderful didn't always live up to his nickname. When Parker is on, as he is with this story, he writes wonderfully flowing dialogue that allows the narrative to shift between well drawn characters seamlessly and creating an interesting and coherent story. This is a solid thriller sure to entertain anyone who loves police procedurals.

What are you reading? e-mail: OBPL

Anne Redlus, President of the NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs made an exciting presentation about the opportunities for leadership training and community service at the Library Monday evening.

Send comments to: OBPL

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the Library's First Friday's performance by the bluegrass group String Fever, there was an overflow audience and a good time was had by all.

Music fans, don't miss our next free concert, featuring local musical sensation Michael Brett, this Saturday at a special time: 3:00 p.m.

Send comments to: OBPL

Staff Book Reviews

Librarian Lynn reviews Testimony by Anita Shreve

This is an intense story of families put in crisis by one single act of sexual abandon. Set in a private prep school for wealthy kids in Vermont, the story is unraveled as different characters relay their parts like testimony at a trial. After a night of drinking, three boys are enticed by a fourteen year old girl who participates in sex with them. To make matters worse, a fourth student tapes the event which is later seen by others on the internet. The original tape gets into the hands of the headmaster of the school who is so shocked and stunned that he mishandles the situation. Police are involved and reporters arrive and the entire town is never the same. The boys are expelled losing basketball scholarships to college and their families are split apart literally with three divorces. The lives of those involved are forever changed and for one family, life is ruined. A single reckless act brings heartbreaking consequences. The book is also available in audio and can be listened to while you take your daily walk; however, you won’t want to stop listening.

Librarian Chrissie reviews 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jenson receives a package with no return address containing cassette tapes. As he begins listening to the tapes, he comes to recognize the voice as his classmate, Hannah Baker, who recently committed suicide. He spends the night traveling around town listening to her tapes and visiting all the places she speaks of. The tapes convey Hannah’s thoughts and actions that led to her suicide. Overall, she comes off as trying to teach those who receive her tapes a lesson in how they treat others. This is a great read that alternates between Hannah and Clay’s voices. The audiobook alternates between male and female voices, also making it a great, listen.

Librarian Tim reviews Beat the Reaper by John Bazell

Medical thrillers usually aren't my thing, but this was one with a critical difference. Peter Brown is an internist at Manhattan Catholic Hospital, saving patients by day and trying to keep a low key. He's in the witness protection program after a career as a mob hit man turned informant, before cutting a deal with the feds and attending medical school. When one one of his patients recognizes him as the infamous mobster Bearclaw, the race is on to see if he can stay alive with everything crumbling around him. This was an original and interesting story, and Dr. Brown is a great character, torn between self preservation and helping his patients. Some of the behind the scenes goings on at the fictitious hospital is clearly based on the author's experience as a doctor. This story was funny, scary and thoughtful and is recommended to those who like mob stories or medical thrillers.

Send comments to: OBPL

March is Youth Art Month, and the Library is hosting a display of artwork from the Old Bridge Schools.

Send comments to: OBPL

Due to an overwhelming response, the Library is no longer able to accept applications for the Spring English as a Second Language conversation group. For further information about when applications will begin again, please contact Dena at the Library, (732) 721-5600 ext. 5039.

Librarian Tim recommends: King of Swords by Nick Stone (F Stone)

This vast, multi-layered crime novel never wavered in intensity and insight over the course of 550+ pages, and is an early front runner in the Best Book of 2009 Sweepstakes. It's 1980 in Miami and cocaine is flooding the city from Haiti and Columbia. The police are trapped in political conflicts and fighting a losing battle against the escalating violence. Max and Joe are old-school cops, and when they are called to the scene of a brutal homicide, they blow the lid off a massive conspiracy of drugs, crime and voodoo. Like masters of the dark crime novel Andrew Vachss and James Elroy, Stone does not attempt to reinvent the wheel, but rather works within the standard crime/police drama, but he revels in the cliches, expanding them with an incredible and deep story and thoughtful, believable and multi-layered characters. This is a long book that never flags, remaining intense and compelling and is an absolute must-read for fans of crime fiction.

Send comments to: OBPL

It's bubble time with Miss Juley!

Send comments to: OBPL

On Friday, March 6th at 6:30 p.m. Don't miss this month's First Friday performance by String Fever, Bluegrass From the Garden State! Relax and enjoy local musicians performing Bluegrass flavored with Jazz,Country Folk and Blues... Free and Open to the Public.

Send comments to: OBPL