Events Calendar

Computer Classes

Call or visit the library to make an appointment.

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 732-745-5175 to register for an appointment.

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

Knitting/Crocheting Club

Thursday, June 11 & 25*, 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 are virtual, not in person, until further notice. For more information, please contact Librarian Kym Kirkley at kirkleyk@nbfpl.org.

World Cup Watch Parties

Thursday, June 11, at 3:00 and Tuesday, June 16, at 3:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Come celebrate World Cup fever at the library by viewing some of the group play games on the big screen! Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water as we are trying to be more sustainable by cutting down on the number of plastic water bottles we purchase. All ages are welcome. No registration needed.

Photography Contest Reception: Proud of New Jersey

Friday, June 12, at 6:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library presented its 19th Annual Photography Contest this spring, with a theme of "Proud of New Jersey." Participants were invited to capture the people, places, and stories that define the Garden State - past and present. The deadline to submit photos was May 22, 2026. After the deadline, the photographs will be judged by professional photographers and the best ones will be celebrated at our opening reception on June 12, 2026, which begins at 6:00 p.m. (Please note that the library closes at 5:00 p.m. on Fridays; only the Community Room will be open for this reception.) The contest and related events are free and open to the public of all ages! Find out more at nbfpl.org/photocontest.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.

Summer Kick-Off

Saturday, June 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

All ages, from babies to adults, are invited to kick off the summer at the library with crafts, refreshments, and giveaways. It will also be the start of the library's summer challenges that will run through August 21. Children, teens, and adults can participate to earn prizes. Register at: tinyurl.com/NBKickOff.

Sewing 101

Wednesday, July 1, 2026, 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 in 2026.) Minimum age to attend is 10 years old. Please arrive on time to participate.

Registration is required for each workshop, and will open 2 weeks before the date of the workshop. Visit our new event series page* at tinyurl.com/NBFPLsewing or call 732-745-5175 to register for a workshop. (*Registration is called "booking" in this new system. From the series page, click on the event name next to the date for which you want to sign up; this will bring you to the booking page for that specific event.) Please contact Librarian Hsien-min Chen at htang@nbfpl.org with any questions.

Eyes of the Wild

Tuesday, July 14, at 4:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Get up close with live animals! Children, teens, and adults are all welcome to meet these fascinating creatures and learn from the animal experts at Eyes of the Wild. Register at tinyurl.com/AnimalesVivos to ensure your spot!

World Cup Semi-Final Watch Party

Wednesday, July 15, at 3:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Come celebrate World Cup fever at the library by viewing one of the semi final games on the big screen! Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water as we are trying to be more sustainable by cutting down on the number of plastic water bottles we purchase. All ages are welcome. No registration needed.

Past Times: Henry Box Brown Shadow Puppet Program

~Part of the NJ 250 Speaker Series~
Saturday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Helene von Rossum and Davie-Lyn Evans will bring to life Henry ‘Box’ Brown, who mailed himself in a box to escape enslavement. This will be an Indonesian shadow puppet show. The children will help fold Henry up to fit in the box, then help him get out and sing. Each child will make their own puppet! Adults are welcomed to attend!

Download this list to find out more about our NJ 250 Speaker Series.

Painting Workshop: Water Color Layered Flowers Painting

Saturday, August 1, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Register here

Participants will combine fluid watercolor techniques with bold graphic ink lines to create vibrant floral illustrations in this relaxing mixed-media art class. The instructor will provide step-by-step guidance, including foundational watercolor and sketching techniques. All supplies will be provided. Please arrive on time to participate. Registration is required at tinyurl.com/NBpainting. Please contact Librarian Hsien-min Chen at htang@nbfpl.org or call 732-745-5175 with any questions.

Past Times: Paul Robeson Shadow Puppet Program

~Part of the NJ 250 Speaker Series~
Saturday, August 8, at 2:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Helene von Rossum will once again use Indonesian shadow puppets to tell us the story of Paul Robeson. The children will make puppets of themselves so that they can be the public while Robeson is performing. They will also march with him past the screen. Adults are welcomed to attend!

Download this list to find out more about our NJ 250 Speaker Series.

Virtual English Conversation Groups

(Will return in the Fall.)

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. Download a flyer here.

These programs are supported by a grant from the Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health.

English for Beginners

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Mondays from June 1 through July 20, 2026.

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays from June 3 through July 22, 2026.

Register here

The New Brunswick Free Public Library will hold an 8-week English for Beginners class. This program is for adult English-learners who know little to no English. This registration form is available in English and Spanish. If you have any questions please email: kavita@nbfpl.org

Summer English Conversation Café

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, July 14 through August 11, 2026.

Register here

Are you interested in practicing English and meeting new people? Join our English Conversation Café! This program is an informal conversation practice group for adult language learners who can hold a simple conversation in English. Participants engage in one-on-one or small-group conversations with Conversation Facilitators discussing a variety of topics. You must be over the age of 18 to participate. Registration is required. Register at tinyurl.com/Convocafesummer2026. Download a flyer here.

The English Conversation Cafés are made possible through a partnership with The Conversation Tree: Community-Based Language Partnerships, a program created by Rutgers Graduate School of Education and The Collaborative Center for Community-Based Research and Service. Please feel free to email conversationcafes@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Citizenship Classes

5:30 - 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays (dates subject to change, please check with the JFS when registering.)
Cycle 4: August 4 - September 22, 2026; Cycle 5: October 20 - December 8, 2026.
Register with John Tello of 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 x2732 or email at kavita@nbfpl.org with library-related questions.

Cuentos y Canciones

Mondays at 11:00 a.m. through June 22, in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

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

Read and Play

Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

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.

World Cup Watch Parties

Thursday, June 11, at 3:00 and Tuesday, June 16, at 3:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Come celebrate World Cup fever at the library by viewing some of the group play games on the big screen! Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water as we are trying to be more sustainable by cutting down on the number of plastic water bottles we purchase. All ages are welcome. No registration needed.

Summer Kick-Off

Saturday, June 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

All ages, from babies to adults, are invited to kick off the summer at the library with crafts, refreshments, and giveaways. It will also be the start of the library's summer challenges that will run through August 21. Children, teens, and adults can participate to earn prizes. Register at: tinyurl.com/NBKickOff.

Math and Science Story Time

Mondays, June 29 - August 17, at 11:00 a.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

This is an 8-session Spanish-language story time introducing math and science concepts, for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers. Register at tinyurl.com/MathSciNB.

Make a Family Tree

Tuesday, June 30, at 4:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

K-6 children are invited to create a paper family tree and a three-dimensional family tree. Register at tinyurl.com/TreeNB.

World Cup Watch Parties

Thursday, June 11, at 3:00 and Tuesday, June 16, at 3:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Come celebrate World Cup fever at the library by viewing some of the group play games on the big screen! Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water as we are trying to be more sustainable by cutting down on the number of plastic water bottles we purchase. All ages are welcome. No registration needed.

Teen Volunteer Orientations

Saturday, June 13 at 3:30 p.m. & Thursday, June 25 at 11:30 a.m.

Teens interested in volunteering for the summer must come to one of these orientation sessions. For more information, please contact thotalen@nbfpl.org.

Summer Kick-Off

Saturday, June 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

All ages, from babies to adults, are invited to kick off the summer at the library with crafts, refreshments, and giveaways. It will also be the start of the library's summer challenges that will run through August 21. Children, teens, and adults can participate to earn prizes. Register at: tinyurl.com/NBKickOff.

Afternoon Game Time

Mondays, June 29, July 13 & 27, August 10 & 24, at 3:30 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Teens and tweens in grades 6-12 are invited to come play with some of the library's various games.

Teen Craft

Tuesdays, June 30, July 14 & 28, August 11, at 3:00 p.m., in the Teen Room.

Teens are invited to create in their own space of the library.

Teen Summer Book Club

Mondays, July 6 & 20, August 3 & 17, at 3:30 p.m., in the Teen Room.

Love to read and talk about books? Join our Book Club in the Teen Room for fun, relaxed discussions about great reads! Each month features a new topic—ranging from popular YA fiction to graphic novels and more. Whether you read cover-to-cover or just a few chapters, everyone is welcome. Share your thoughts, hear different perspectives, and connect with fellow teen readers in a casual, friendly space.

Teen Tech Time

Tuesdays, July 7 & 21, August 4 & 18, at 3:00 p.m., in the Teen Room.

Teens are invited to learn about coding and other tech.

World Cup Watch Parties

Thursday, June 11, at 3:00 and Tuesday, June 16, at 3:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Come celebrate World Cup fever at the library by viewing some of the group play games on the big screen! Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water as we are trying to be more sustainable by cutting down on the number of plastic water bottles we purchase. All ages are welcome. No registration needed.

Photography Contest Reception: Proud of New Jersey

Friday, June 12, at 6:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

The New Brunswick Free Public Library presented its 19th Annual Photography Contest this spring, with a theme of "Proud of New Jersey." Participants were invited to capture the people, places, and stories that define the Garden State - past and present. The deadline to submit photos was May 22, 2026. After the deadline, the photographs will be judged by professional photographers and the best ones will be celebrated at our opening reception on June 12, 2026, which begins at 6:00 p.m. (Please note that the library closes at 5:00 p.m. on Fridays; only the Community Room will be open for this reception.) The contest and related events are free and open to the public of all ages! Find out more at nbfpl.org/photocontest.

Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund.

Summer Kick-Off

Saturday, June 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

All ages, from babies to adults, are invited to kick off the summer at the library with crafts, refreshments, and giveaways. It will also be the start of the library's summer challenges that will run through August 21. Children, teens, and adults can participate to earn prizes. Register at: tinyurl.com/NBKickOff.

Eyes of the Wild

Tuesday, July 14, at 4:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Get up close with live animals! Children, teens, and adults are all welcome to meet these fascinating creatures and learn from the animal experts at Eyes of the Wild. Register at tinyurl.com/AnimalesVivos to ensure your spot!

World Cup Semi-Final Watch Party

Wednesday, July 15, at 3:00 p.m., in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Come celebrate World Cup fever at the library by viewing one of the semi final games on the big screen! Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water as we are trying to be more sustainable by cutting down on the number of plastic water bottles we purchase. All ages are welcome. No registration needed.

Past Times: Henry Box Brown Shadow Puppet Program

~Part of the NJ 250 Speaker Series~
Saturday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Helene von Rossum and Davie-Lyn Evans will bring to life Henry ‘Box’ Brown, who mailed himself in a box to escape enslavement. This will be an Indonesian shadow puppet show. The children will help fold Henry up to fit in the box, then help him get out and sing. Each child will make their own puppet! Adults are welcomed to attend!

Download this list to find out more about our NJ 250 Speaker Series.

Past Times: Paul Robeson Shadow Puppet Program

~Part of the NJ 250 Speaker Series~
Saturday, August 8, at 2:00 p.m. in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Helene von Rossum will once again use Indonesian shadow puppets to tell us the story of Paul Robeson. The children will make puppets of themselves so that they can be the public while Robeson is performing. They will also march with him past the screen. Adults are welcomed to attend!

Download this list to find out more about our NJ 250 Speaker Series.

Revolution 250 Exhibit

In the Carl T. Valenti Community Room through December 2026.

As part of New Jersey’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the New Brunswick Free Public Library presents an exhibit entitled Revolution 250: Historical New Brunswick and the Declaration of Independence. Being home to the third-ever reading of the Declaration of Independence, New Brunswick has a special relationship with the document. The exhibit showcases the events and people that have made up the history of New Brunswick. Highlights include a look into the lives of New Brunswick’s earliest inhabitants, the murder case that changed media forever, and a forgotten jazz legend. The exhibition aims to examine historical events in New Brunswick and inspire viewers to think about whether the community is on a path to fulfilling the goals of the Revolution.

This exhibit was created by Karlene Collins, Rutgers Library Student, and Zachariah Brackett, Assistant Archival Librarian, with E. K. Adams, Archival Librarian, supervising. The exhibit will run until December 31, 2026; it is available during the library's usual hours of operation. The exhibit is located in the library's Community Room; please ask a librarian for entry when the room is not open. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.

Free Vision Screening

By appointment only on designated days, in the Carl T. Valenti Community Room.

Trained medical professionals will provide free vision screening by appointment. These free eye clinics are offered in partnership with Project Better Eye-Health Services and Treatment (BEST). Please call to check if you are eligible for a free vision screening.

Registration in advance is required, and there is a waiting list for appointments. Please call 732-745-5108 x2729 to join the waiting list. (If no one answers, please leave a clear voicemail message stating that you are calling about the vision screening, your name, phone number, and the best time to call you back.)

Sewing 101

The first Wednesday of each month, at 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., in the library's Carl T. Valenti Community Room.
Register here.

Stitch something special with local sewing expert Pam Brooks. We'll (usually) have a different project each month! Registration is required for each workshop, and will open 2 weeks before the date of the workshop: register at tinyurl.com/NBFPLsewing or call 732-745-5108 x2720 to sign up.

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.

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.

SAVE THE DATES: 2-Day Book Sale

Friday, April 10, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.* &
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 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. 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.