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.

Spanish Conversation Circle

Wednesdays, February 26 - April 30 (excluding March 19), at 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., via Zoom.

Register here.

Do you want to have fun while speaking Spanish and meeting new people? Join us in this virtual Spanish Conversation Circle, made possible through a collaboration with the Language Engagement Project at Rutgers University New Brunswick. Register at tinyurl.com/Spanishconvo2025; once registered, you will be sent the Zoom link.

In-person Spanish Language Workshop

Mondays, April 14 & 28, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. in the Henry Guest House.
Register here.

Do you want to have fun while learning Spanish and meeting new people? The library has partnered with the Department of Spanish and Portuguese at Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences to offer two Spanish language workshops this month, with more likely to follow. All levels are welcome! Participants must be 18 years of age or older, and registration is required: tinyurl.com/Nblearnspanish.

Topics Covered:

• Greetings & Introductions – Saying hello, introducing yourself, and using common polite phrases.
• Numbers & Counting – Telling time, dates, prices, and phone numbers.
• Common Phrases & Expressions – Everyday conversation starters and essential survival phrases.
• Pronunciation & Accent Tips – How to sound more natural and avoid common mistakes.

First Aid for Dogs with Oradell Animal Hospital

Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Maggie Monza, Clinical Educator at Oradell Animal Hospital, will give a short presentation then demonstrate some basic hands-on First Aid techniques. She will bring well behaved dogs to assist. There will also be some OAH swag to give away.
While this program is geared towards adults with dogs, attendees may not bring their own personal pets to this program.

Sewing 101

Wednesday, May 7, 2025, 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, and we’ll have a different project each month. (Dates fall on the first Wednesday of every month except January and April in 2025.) 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 for 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.

Knitting/Crocheting Club

Thursdays, May 8 & 22, 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 (such as November and December. 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.

Virtual English Conversation Groups

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Tuesdays, January 21 through May 13, 2025, via Zoom.
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (ET) on Thursdays, January 23 through May 15, 2025, 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. These programs are supported by a grant from the Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health.

On Thursdays from February 13 through March 13, this program will be run as a Learning English Through Storytelling virtual program, as part of Rutgers’ Bilingual/Bicultural Education course. Download a flyer here.

English Conversation Cafés

The Winter-Spring 2025 dates are now over. Please stay tuned for future details!

English in the Workplace for Beginners

Through funding by the Employment and Training Administration Community Project Grant, the library has added English in the Workplace for Beginners to its English Language Programs as of April 1, 2024. This program is designed specifically for those new to the English language. Registration for this program is at capacity, but community members interested in participating may contact Kavita Pandey at kavita@nbfpl.org or call the library at 732-745-5108 x20.

Citizenship Classes

5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays in 2025.
Register with John Tello of The Jewish Family Services of Middlesex County at 732-777-1940.

Do you need to improve your English and pass the Citizenship Test? Do you need help with your Naturalization Application? This 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 library-related questions.

Cuentos y Canciones

Mondays at 11:00 a.m.
Register.

This all-Spanish story time is for children ages 0-4 and their caregivers. Register at tinyurl.com/NBcuentos.

Read and Play

Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m.
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 at tinyurl.com/LeeYJuega.

Lego Club

Last Wednesday of each of the first 5 months of 2025 (January 29, February 26, March 26, April 30, & May 28) at 4:00 p.m.
Register.

K-6 children are invited to create using a variety of Lego bricks. They can either choose a Lego challenge or build whatever they want. Parents are welcome to build, too! Register at tinyurl.com/ClubLego.

Reading Buddies

Wednesdays, February 5 - April 30, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Register.

Reading Buddies is an after-school mentorship program run by the Rutgers University Youth Empowerment Club. Rutgers students guide K-6 children in reading, arts and crafts, games, and other activities. Register at tinyurl.com/RUBuds2025. Contact youthempowermentclubru@gmail.com for more information.

Making Mooo-lah!

Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Register.

Play a game, make your own piggy bank, and take home free books! Recommended ages: 5-12+. Register at tinyurl.com/TM4Kids.

Solar Science Thursdays

Thursdays, May 1 - 22, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Register.

On all but the last Thursday of May, K-6 children are invited to learn about the power of the sun with a variety of activities and special solar science tools. Use a sunspotter, bake with a solar oven, create a solar print, and more! Register at tinyurl.com/SolarSci.

Celebrate Bees

Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Register.

Children in grades K-6 are invited to celebrate World Bee Day. Local beekeeper Udi Shorr will share fascinating facts and stories about bees. Register at tinyurl.com/BeesNB.

Pre-College Support Sessions

Navigating Financial Aid: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.
Resume Building & Interview Skills: Tuesday, March 4, 2025, from 6:00 to 8 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.
How to Obtain a Municipal ID: Wednesday, April 2, 2025 from 6:00 to 8 p.m. in the Teen Room (registration required).
Supporting Your Graduating Senior in Their Next Steps: Tuesday, May 6, 2025, from 6:00 to 8 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

The goal of these sessions is to provide both emotional and social support to juniors and seniors within the New Brunswick School District as they embark on their college journey, while also offering practical resources along the way. These sessions are open to both youth and parents who would like to participate. Registration is encouraged but not required for all except the 3rd session on April 2, when it is required: bit.ly/NBFPLteen.

Homework Help

One-hour appointments at 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Full details for this Homework Help program can be found on our Tutoring Page. The current schedule runs from January 28 through May 1, 2025. Please call the Teen Room at 732-745-5108 x22 or the Reference Desk at 732-745-5108 x20 to schedule an appointment.

National Poetry Month Celebration

Anthology Reading: April 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Register here.

To commemorate National Poetry Month, the New Brunswick Free Public Library will compile its Annual Poetry Month Celebration Anthology in April 2025. The Poetry Anthology is open to all poets – from novice to previously published, and from New Jersey or across the globe. The deadline for submissions was Friday, March 28, 2025. Please visit our Poetry web page here for more information.

Photography Contest

Submission Deadline: Friday, May 2, 2025.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library proudly presents its 18th annual Photography Contest. The contest and related events are free and open to the public of all ages! Visit our Photo Contest page for more information.

Free Vision Screening

By appointment only on designated days, 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.)

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

Usually on the first Wednesday of each month (except for January & April of 2025, when it will be on the second Wednesday), at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Register here.

Stitch something special with local sewing expert Pam Brooks. We'll (usually) 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 for 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.

2-Day Book Sale

Friday, April 4, 2025 | 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.* &
Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Tons of books as well as DVDs, CDs, puzzles, and more will be available to purchase at low, low prices! Profits from this sale go to help fund library programs, etc.

*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.

Holi Festival

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

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.

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.

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.