Events Calendar

Computer Classes

Appointment slots: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Call or visit the library to register.

Patrons can schedule a one-on-one session to learn about specific computer-related topics. Subjects include computer and internet basics, Microsoft Office, and Windows operating system. Appointments are required: Call the library at 732-745-5108 x22 to register for an appointment.

The curriculum for these appointments has been provided by Northstar Digital Literacy.

Knitting/Crocheting Club

Thursdays, May 9 & 23 (etc.*), at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom.

Register here.

Do you like to knit and/or crochet? Or do you want to learn and already have your own supplies? Join the club -- via Zoom on your own device! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to old pros. Work on your current project, or start a new one with tips from other attendees. Participants exchange knitting/crocheting ideas while enjoying pleasant conversation. (This is an informal group and not an instructional class.) Register at tinyurl.com/KnitCrochetNB; once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link.

*The Knitting/Crocheting Club regularly meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, with some exceptions (dates are listed on our calendar and in the Zoom registration). Meetings will be virtual until further notice. For more information, please contact Librarian Kym Kirkley at kirkleyk@nbfpl.org or 732-745-5108 x20.

Sewing 101

Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.
Register here.

Stitch something special with local sewing expert Pam Brooks. This is a recurring program, usually on the first Wednesday of each month in 2024, and we'll have a different project each month. June's project will be making a ribbon flower pin. Minimum age to attend is 10 years old. Please arrive on time to participate.

Registration is required: register at https://forms.gle/rd1vgjfomSvhKx4N8 or call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up. (Registration is only available one program date at a time; the registration form will be reset after each month's program ends.) Please contact Librarian Hsien-min Chen at htang@nbfpl.org with any questions.

~ Visit the Explore LMxAC Calendar for information about events at other libraries in our consortium!

Virtual English Conversation Groups

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, January 9 through May 21, 2024, via Zoom.
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays, January 11 through May 23, 2024, via Zoom.
Register here / Regístrese aquí.

These conversation groups are for adult language learners (over age 18) who are able to speak some English. Each week the group will discuss a topic in English to help improve their conversational skills. Advance registration is required to get the Zoom link for these virtual programs.

Citizenship Classes

5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Planned session dates for 2024 are as follows:
January 4 - March 21; April 4 - June 20; July 11 - September 26; October 3 - December 19 (excluding November 28).

Do you need to improve your English and pass the Citizenship Test? Do you need help with your Naturalization Application? This free Citizenship class is available for beginner and intermediate English learners who are legal Permanent Residents (Green Card holders). During the class, you will work with certified teachers and dedicated tutors to improve your English. The teachers are Board Certified to represent you with your citizenship case.

To register, please call John Tello at 732-777-1940 (se habla Español). The class will take place in the library's community room or, on some dates, in the Henry Guest House next to the library. Feel free to call librarian Kavita Pandey at 732-745-5108 x29 or email at kavita@nbfpl.org with questions.

Read and Play

Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. at the library.
Register.

Children ages 0-4 and their caregivers are invited to listen to stories, sing songs, and have fun during this bilingual program. Registration suggested here. Contact Karen Stuppi at kstuppi@nbfpl.org or call 732-745-5108 x31 with any questions.

STEM Tales

Every Tuesday in May, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Register.

Families of children ages 4-8 are invited to this 4-part series that introduces basic STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) concepts. Each Tuesday we will view a video that includes a book being read by a STEM professional and we will then do a hands-on activity. Families will also receive a take-home kit to continue the learning at home. Register at tinyurl.com/STEMTales. Call 732-745-5108 x31 if you have any questions.

Garden Club

Thursdays, May 16 and 23, 2024, at 4:00 p.m.
Register.

K-6 children are invited to help us get the library garden started! Learn about a variety of topics related to gardening and participate in hands-on gardening activities. Register at tinyurl.com/GardenNBFPL.

Good Citizen Detective Club

Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.
Register.

Presented by the League of Women Voters of the Greater New Brunswick Area, this program invites K-2 children and their caregivers to solve civics mysteries together. This bilingual program includes games, crafts, and snacks. Register at: tinyurl.com/CivicsNBFPL.

Homework Help

Tuesdays - Thursdays, between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.

The library, through a partnership with Rutgers' Office of Pre-College Initiatives & College Success, offers tutoring for any students in grades Pre-K through 12 who need help with their homework assignments. Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome when time allows. To schedule an appointment or for any questions, please call the Reference Desk at 732-745-5108 x20 or the Teen Room at 732-745-5108 x22, or email nbfpl.tutor@gmail.com. For more details, visit our Tutoring Page.

Free Vision Screening

By appointment, in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

These free eye clinics are offered in partnership with Puerto Rican Association for Human Development (PRAHD) and Project Better Eye-Health Services and Treatment (BEST), and is for people with no insurance or limited vision insurance. Trained medical professionals will be in the Community Room providing free vision screening. Glasses can be prescribed on site if needed.

Registration is required, and there is a waiting list for appointments. Please call 732-745-5108 x28 and leave a voicemail with your full name and phone number, stating what you are calling about and a good time to call you back. Someone will call you back when we have an opening (which may take some time*) to ask you some screening questions before scheduling your appointment. (*We have experienced very high demand for this program and appreciate your patience.)

Summer Kick-Off

Saturday, June 22, 2024.
Register.

"Adventure Begins at Your Library!" Learn about reading challenges, programs, and prizes for all ages: babies, children, teens, and adults! Enjoy snacks and give-aways -- even enter a raffle for Rutgers Football tickets! -- while you're here. Register at: tinyurl.com/NBKickOff, or just stop by!

Knitting/Crocheting Club

Second and fourth Thursday of the month (unless otherwise noted) at 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Register here.

Do you like to knit and/or crochet? Or do you want to learn and already have your own supplies? Join the club -- via Zoom! Everyone is welcome, from beginners to old pros. Work on your current project, or start a new one with tips from other attendees. Participants exchange knitting/crocheting ideas while enjoying pleasant conversation. (This is an informal group and not an instructional class.) Register at tinyurl.com/KnitCrochetNB; once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link.

The Knitting/Crocheting Club regularly meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, with some exceptions (check the Zoom registration link or our calendar for exact dates). Meetings will be virtual until further notice. For more information, please contact Librarian Kym Kirkley at kirkleyk@nbfpl.org or 732-745-5108 x20.

Sewing 101

The first Wednesday of each month starting 1/3/2024 (except for April when it's on 4/10), at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Register here.

Stitch something special with local sewing expert Pam Brooks. We'll have a different project each month. Registration is required: register at https://forms.gle/rd1vgjfomSvhKx4N8 or call 732-745-5108 x20 to sign up. (Registration is only available one program date at a time; the registration form will be reset after each month's program ends.)

Minimum age to attend is 10 years old. Please arrive on time to participate; we reserve the right to deny participation to anyone arriving after 6:30. Please contact Librarian Hsien-min Chen at htang@nbfpl.org with any questions.

Book Sale

Friday, April 5, 2024 | 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.* &
Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

The Friends sell a wide array of items at incredibly low prices at their Book Sale, in order to raise money to benefit the library.

*The Book Sale takes place in the Community Room; please note that the library closes at 5 p.m. on Friday and only the Community Room will be open until 7:00 that evening.

Photography Contest

Visit our Photo Contest page for information about this popular annual program. The page includes links to current and previous years' Photography Contest presentations, starting with 2018.

Genealogy Workshops

During the summer of 2023, the library presented three genealogy workshops, cosponsored by the New Jersey Library Association History and Preservation Section.
    An Introduction to Starting your Genealogy Research was held on June 6th; it covered tips of how to start a new genealogy project, including how to use popular websites such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.com. Download the presentation slides here.
    An Introduction to Starting your African American Genealogy Research was held on July 11th, and covered an introduction to African American Genealogy records. Download the presentation slides here.
    The final workshop was held on August 1st, and went over genealogy resources in and out of the library. The presentation slides for this workshop are available to download here; please note that the file is too large to preview, as it contains a lot of photos.

Multicultural Festival

The New Brunswick Free Public Library and the New Brunswick Cultural Center Inc. presented their latest Multicultural Festival on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the library. The celebration featured various crafts, displays, music, dance, and food from different cultures. View professional photographs by Events Now USA at this link, and/or view the library's Flickr album here. This project is supported in part by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Poetry Month Celebration

Visit our Poetry page for information about our annual anthology and reading to commemorate National Poetry Month (April). The most recent anthology is embedded in the page, and there are links to view the recording of the most recent reading, as well as to view past years' anthologies and readings.

Holi Festival

Visit our Holi page for information about our annual Holi festival. The page includes links to photos and videos from previous Holi celebrations.

Visual Arts Contest

Visit the Visual Arts page to see information about, as well as photos and the presentation from, the New Brunswick Free Public Library's 2019 Visual Arts Contest.

Multicultural Festival: New Year Celebrations Around the World

Available to watch on YouTube here.
Originally held on Saturday, December 4, 2021, from 2:00 to 4 p.m.
In-person in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room and Virtual via Zoom

All were welcome to join us -- either in person or online -- for a vibrant, fun-filled hybrid Multicultural Festival, presented in collaboration with New Brunswick Cultural Center Inc. The festivities included cultural displays, music and dance performances, crafts, and international food. We showcased cultural celebrations from several countries such as Mexico, Hungary, India, China, Caribbean, and many more.

This program was free and open to all ages. Grant Funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a division of Department of State. Our additional program sponsors included Events Now USA, Holy Family Parish, Navrang Dance Academy, and American Hungarian Foundation.

Virtual Holi Festival

Available to watch on YouTube here.
Originally streamed on Saturday, April 3, 2021 from 3:00 to 5 p.m.

The Library celebrated its 12th annual and 1st virtual Indian Holi Festival in partnership with New Brunswick Cultural Center and Rutgers Indian Graduate Student Association. This celebration of the Indian Festival of colors was offered virtually via YouTube/Facebook, for free and open to all ages. There are several music and dance performances, a painting tutorial, and a delicious Indian food demonstration by Majwani restaurant! All supplies for the painting tutorial as well as dry Holi colors were provided by registration and appointment. For more information, visit this page or contact librarian Kavita Pandey at kavita@lmxac.org or 732-745-5108 x20. You can also watch our promo video here!

This project was funded with support from the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, with support from the Folklife Program for New Jersey at the Arts Institute of Middlesex County, and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Our additional program sponsors were South Asian Total Health Initiative, Navrang Dance Academy, Sowparnika Dance Academy, Taalim School of Indian Music, Mejwani Indian Restaurant, and WRSU 88.7 FM Rutgers Radio.

You can also view photos from past events on our Flickr page.