Explore the Library's Idea Farm Classes this week

This is a great week to check out the Library's Idea Farm makerspace, a place for the community to come together, create and share knowledge. On Mon. Oct. 19th there will be an Intro to 3D Printing class; on Wed. Oct. 21st an Intro to Arduino Microcomputers class and on Thurs. Oct. 21st an Advanced 3D Printing class. All classes begin at 7pm and registration is necessary by calling 732-721-5600 x5033 or going online at www.oldbridgelibrary.org. All are welcome, but children under age 9 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

War of the Worlds Reenactment This Saturday

The Library is very excited to present a special reenactment of the famous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast this Saturday, Oct.17th at 2:30pm. In honor of the 77th anniversary of the program, the Garden State Speculative Fiction Writers Group (GSSW) will perform using the original radio script, incorporating live sound effects and wearing period costuming. The original "War of the Worlds" was an episode of the American radio drama anthology series The Mercury Theatre on the Air, and was performed on Oct. 30th, 1938. Narrated and directed by Orson Welles, the episode was an adaptation of H.G. Wells' novel, and became famous for allegedly causing mass panic, although the extent of this mass panic is uncertain, as the program had relatively few listeners. Come join us for a taste of the excitement and fear experienced by listeners long ago.

Free Jersey Sound Concert this Saturday!

Head down to the Library this Saturday, Oct. 10th at 2:30pm for a great Oldies Concert featuring one of the tri-state area's premier bands -- Jersey Sound. Known for their versatility and outstanding musicianship, the group will perform an eclectic blend of doo-wop, classic oldies, Motown, R&B, British Invasion and pop selections.  The seven-member band features an outstanding rhythm section and exceptional vocals and performs regularly at numerous venues locally and throughout NJ, NY and CT. The free event is funded by the Old Bridge Cultural Arts Committee and is the latest in the Library's "Second Saturday" concert series. So come spend a great afternoon listening to songs made popular by Louis Prima, Dion, The Four Seasons, The Duprees, The Four Tops and Huey Lewis and the News. All are welcome!

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In anticipation of coastal flooding and heavy rains with Hurricane Joaquin, the Laurence Harbor branch of the Old Bridge Public Library will be closed on Saturday, October 3.  The Laurence Harbor branch is always closed on Friday and Sunday.  We will keep you posted if there are further closures or delays.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this closure.

Come support the community and help save a life by donating blood here at the Library on Wed. Sep. 30 between 2:15pm and 6:45pm.  Sponsored by NJ Blood Services, donors can simply walk-in or make an appointment by calling 800-933-2566 or logging onto http://tinyurl.com/oblibrarydrive. To donate, people must be between 17-76 years old and weigh at least 110 lbs; 16-year olds can donate with parental consent and those over 76 can give with a doctor's note. Donors are encouraged to eat before coming and must bring ID. In addition, the Library is offering "fine amnesty" where donors will have up to $10 in fines forgiven. Simply bring your donor certificate to the circulation desk to credit your account.

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On Friday, September 25, 2015, the regularly scheduled Passport Office hours of 10 am to 12 pm have been cancelled.  The Passport Office will be open Friday afternoon from 1 pm to 4:30 pm and Friday evening 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm.  We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this cancellation.

Thursday, Sep 24th will be a busy day at the Library.  In addition to an "Internet Basics" class at 2:30pm, and an "Open Craft" session for kids in grades K-3 at 4:15pm, there will be four different events starting at 7pm. For those with some knowledge of 3D Printing, we will offer an "Advanced 3D Printing" class, allowing participants to explore more complicated functions of our Makerbot fifth generation printer and scanner. In addition, amateur photographers should attend our class entitled, “Photo Tips for Better Pics,” lead by New Jersey photographer, author and lecturer Walter Choroszewski.  The session will provide an informative presentation on lighting, composition, depth of field, shutter speed and more. We will also have a General Book Discussion on the "Science Fiction Hall of Fame, Vol. 2A", focusing on the Marching Morons, Baby is Three and The Ballad of  Lost C'Mell stories. And finally, for kids in grades 4-12, we will have a Pokémon Game Night, featuring video games and trivia. See you at the Library!  

The recent inspirational film, "Where Hope Grows," will be featured this Friday, September 18 at 1:30pm as part of our popular Friday Film series. The movie centers around the story of a former professional baseball player whose career was cut short due to personal problems and is suddenly  invigorated and awakened by a local man he meets with Down syndrome.

On Saturday, the Library will offer a teen/adult sewing class at 10:30am, focusing on repairing and altering your fall and winter wardrobe (registration required). At 3pm, there will be a Crochet and More class for adults and kids in grades 4 and up. In addition, we will host a Sensory Storytime at 2pm for children ages 3-7 whose special needs may make it difficult for them to attend our other storytimes. Registration is required by calling 732-721-5600 x5033 or via our website.

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Please be advised that the Old Bridge Public Library will be doing technology upgrades on Sunday, September 13.  Some sporadic outages might occur among the Library's public computers.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you. We are working to make the Library better.  Thank you.

Head to the Library this Saturday, Sept. 12th for a variety of interesting events. Our popular free Second Saturday concert series continues with local singer/songwriter and acoustic guitarist John Padovano performing a solo show at 2:30pm. Known as the "Ironbound Crooner," Padovano's poetic music is strongly influenced by his childhood in Newark and his Italian heritage. He has recorded 18 albums and regularly performs at coffee houses, libraries and other intimate venues. Additionally, local author/journalist Carlotta Holton will speak at noon about her career, the writing process and marketing tips she's gleaned from best-selling authors as part of our Garden State Speculative Fiction Writers program. Lastly, the Library will host an Anime Kurabu at 2pm where fans can read, watch and discuss all things anime and manga and play a Death Note version of the game, Werewolves/Mafia.  Send comments to: OBPL

As we head into fall, the Library has several interesting programs lined up for this week. There will be a "Medicare 101" session this Wed. (Sept. 9th) at 7pm, hosted by a certified Medicare agent. Attendees will learn about the various parts of Medicare, how and when to enroll, Part D prescription drug plans and more. Then, on Thursday evening, our Bookenders Book group will discuss "The Center of Everything" by Laura Moriarty at 6:30pm. In addition, our Idea Farm will present an "Intro to 3D Printing" class at 7pm. Come join us for some informative sessions!
 

The critically-acclaimed 1999 film, "The Straight Story" will be shown Friday at 1:30pm as part of our ongoing Friday Flicks programming. Join us for this heartwarming story which chronicles the true story of 73-year old Alvin Straight, who drove from Iowa to Wisconsin on a riding mower to mend his relationship with his ill, estranged brother.  Directed by David Lynch, the film stars Richard Farnsworth (in an Academy Award nominated performance) and Sissy Spacek and is rated "G." 

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Our Friday Flicks continue this week with the 1:30pm presentation of "5 Flights Up," the recent film starring Diane Keaton and Morgan Freeman. The story centers around a long-married couple who have spent the last 40 years together in the same New York City apartment and become overwhelmed by personal and real estate- related issues when they plan to move away. The film, which is rated PG-13, is based on the popular 2009 novel by Jill Ciment, Heroic Measures.

Registration for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes is now underway at the Library. Classes will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30pm at the Central Branch and are available to Old Bridge residents only. The sessions will run from September 15 - December 15th, 2015, with classes for returning students beginning on September 22nd. Interested students must register in-person at the Adult & Information Services desk at the Central Branch of the Library. Classes are free to the public and are taught in small groups by trained volunteers. In the past, these classes have been very popular, so patrons are encouraged to register as soon as possible.  Send comments to: OBPL

The Library is pleased to offer two interesting health-related programs this week. First, on Tuesday, Aug. 18th at 7pm, there will be a hands-on workshop on "Super-Food Smoothies." Participants will learn how to create delicious, healthy smoothies using several ingredients currently growing in our makerspace "Idea Farm" garden and will receive recipes to take home. The program is open to people ages nine and over and pre-registration is required; please call 732-721-5600 x5033 or log onto www.oldbridgelibrary.org to reserve your spot.  Then, on Wednesday, Aug. 19th at 7pm, we will present an interactive session on the "10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease" which will discuss the importance of early detection and diagnosis. Attendees will also learn about the commonly-held fears about the disease and how to separate myth from reality. The hour-long session will be hosted by Rose Berger, MSW, of the Greater NJ Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

Comic Con is coming! Come join fellow fans this Saturday, August 15th to celebrate comics, graphic novels, anime, manga and video games. The festivities run from 11-4pm and will feature meet and greets, a Dr. Who celebration, make-up demonstrations, crafts, trivia, a fan panel and Cosplay. Special guests include artists Anthony Schiavino (Sergeant Zero), Neil Vokes (Spider-Man, Superman Adventures) and Tom Smith (Marvel, DC). The event coincides with the Library's summer reading theme of "Every Hero Has A Story." Complete details and schedules can be found at http://obplcc.tumblr.com. Spread the word and hope to see you there! OBPL

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Our popular Second Saturday Concert Series continues this Saturday with Monmouth Beach-based group 5 Factor. A classic rock band that also plays some original songs, the three-member group focuses on humanitarian efforts and has performed at local events benefiting area food banks, St. Ambrose Church in Old Bridge and the Wounded Warriors Project. The concert begins at 2:30pm. Please come enjoy an afternoon of live music and bring a donation of a non-perishable food item or personal care product to be distributed by the Old Bridge Food Pantry.

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Looking for a new job? Come to the Library this Wednesday, August 5th at 10am for an informative "Job Hunting Success" program.  Lead by Garret Gega of the Office of Workforce Development of Middlesex Country, the workshop will focus on job searching, resume writing and interviewing tips.



Then, on Thursday, August 6th, we'll be hosting another type of hunt -- our library scavenger hunt for teens at 6:30pm. Participants will be given a list of things they'll need to find and photograph around the Library and the first person (or team) back to the starting point wins a prize. Players will also enjoy ice cream at the end of the scavenger hunt while they're looking at all the photos. The program is open to kids in grades 6-12, and at least one person per team must pre-register at www.oldbridgelibrary.org. or by calling 732-721-5600 x5033. Players must also have their own camera or phone to take the photographs.

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The Banjo Rascals are coming! The popular five-piece group will present a free concert this Saturday, August 1st at 2pm at the Central branch. The Banjo Rascals have been delighting audiences of all ages for many years with a variety of distinctive toe-tapping music. Their repertoire ranges from 1890s Ragtime to 1950s, 60s and 70s rock-n-roll, and they often perform Scott Joplin favorites including The Entertainer and Maple Leaf Rag. The lively group encourages sing-alongs with crowd-pleasers such as Carolina in the Morning, Four Leaf Clover and Down By the Old Mill Stream, and will heat things up with hot Dixieland standards like Tiger Rag, That's a Plenty, Riverboat Shuffle and When the Saints Go Marching In. Don't miss this great summer concert at the Library, sponsored in cooperation with the Old Bridge Cultural Arts Committee.

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Love the Old Bridge Public Library? Now's the time to let everyone know. Please support the Library by casting your vote for the "Best Public Library" in the Home News Tribune's annual "Best of the Best" Reader's Choice Contest. Simply click the "Reader's Choice" logo on the upper left corner of our website home page to vote. Online voting continues until August 14th. Ballots can also be found in printed editions of the paper on Sundays and Wednesdays until August 12th. Results will be announced in October. Thanks for your support! 

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Looking to stay cool this weekend? If so, head to the Library (Central branch) for lots of interesting activities. On Friday, the 24th, at 1:30pm we'll be showing the film, "Unbroken" based on the best-selling book. On Saturday, the Bayshore Search and Rescue will give a presentation on wilderness rescue at 2pm. Also at 2pm, we will offer our Sensory Storytime for special needs children ages 3-7, and at 3pm, we will offer a Crochet and More class. On Sunday, we will offer our Raspberry Pi computer class at 2pm, and then cap off the weekend activities with a concert of Bollywood music from popular singer Varsha Joshi at 2:30pm. Remember, we've extended our summer hours -- the Central branch is now open from 10-5pm on Saturdays and 12-5pm on Sundays. Hope to see you this weekend!

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Come hear local author Larry Roth discuss his compelling new book, "The Nazi Account," tonight at 7:30pm at the Central branch. This work of historical fiction is based on the true incident of the German government's hiring of a prominent PR firm in 1933 to promote a positive image of Nazi Germany. Roth will examine the deep roots of anti-Semitism in the US during that time, and will discuss the power and influence of PR firms. Book signings will follow the discussion. Send comments to: OBPL

The Old Bridge Library is excited to announce the expansion of our popular Museum Pass Program. Patrons can now reserve passes for the Garden State Discovery Museum, located in Cherry Hill, NJ, as well as the Academy of Natural Sciences, located on the Drexel University campus in Philadelphia.  Passes continue to be available for the Intrepid complex in NYC, and for the Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton. Patrons are encouraged to call the library at 732-721-5600 x5010 to reserve the passes as far in advance as possible. Send comments to: OBPL 

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Please note that the program featuring Michael Deleon and his documentary Kids Are Dying, will be taking place tonight at 7pm rather than tomorrow evening.  Our apologies for the incorrect day of the week in our calendar.

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The Old Bridge Public Library will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.  Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend!

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The Old Bridge Public Library will be closed on Sunday, April 5, 2015.  We will reopen on Monday, April 6 at 10 am. 

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The central Library will open at 11:30 am today, Friday, March 6, 2015.  Our Laurence Harbor branch is not open on Fridays.  Please drive cautiously and get to your destinations safely!

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OLD BRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY CLOSING AT 12 PM TODAY, THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2015.

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The Library will be closing tonight, March 3, at 7pm due to icy weather conditions.  Please drive carefully and stay safe.

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THE LIBRARY WILL OPEN AT 11:30 AM, MONDAY, MARCH 2 due to after effects of inclement weather.  We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

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The Old Bridge Public Library will open at 11:30 am today, February 17, due to inclement weather.

Library Storm-Related Changes in Hours

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The Old Bridge Public Library will be closing at 4 pm today, January 26.  We will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27 due to expected severe weather conditions. 

Please be advised that the Governor has declared a State of Emergency effective January 26, 2015.

The order shall remain in effect until such time as it is determined that an emergency no longer exists.

Delayed Opening at Old Bridge Public Library, Central Branch

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Good morning everyone.  Due to the overnight snowfall and rain, the Old Bridge Public Library will be opening its Central Branch at 11:30am today, Saturday, January 24.  Watch your step getting in and out of your car, drive safely and see you later!

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The Laurence Harbor Branch Library is back up and running! Stop in and grab a book, movie, or CD!

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We apologize for the inconvenience but the Laurence Harbor Branch Library will be closed from now through the weekend. The Central Branch will be open to those in need of library services. We hope to see the Laurence Harbor Branch open next week. Again we apologize for the inconvenience.
- The Old Bridge Public Library