Combat Paper at SCLS

After active duty military personnel return from the battlefield, many face a challenging transition to civilian life.  Combat Paper NJ, a project of the Branchburg-based Printmaking Center of New Jersey, uses art as a conversation starter between veterans so that they can begin to recover from their conflict experiences.  David Keefe, an artist who coordinates the project and is a former Marine with six years of military experience, spoke about the project and its impact on May 28 during a reception at the Bridgewater Library, a part of the Somerset County Library System (SCLS).

The project encourages veterans to meet for a once weekly session where uniforms are cut up and put through a process to create paper.  Once the paper is dried, it is then used to artistically depict each veteran’s story using printmaking techniques.  Examples of the art created during the Sunday afternoon sessions were also on display in the library, during the month of May.

The project continues to grow as a powerful tool allowing veterans to work, discuss and then create artistic expressions about their military experiences.  Through sharing their experiences with peers and ultimately with the public via exhibitions and speaking forums, veterans are moving through and past the isolation and emotions and forging ahead into their civilian lives.

Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908) 526-4016 or visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Shakespeare Comes to Somerville!

The Somerville Public Library, a branch of the Somerset County Library System, will be hosting the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Next Stage Touring Ensemble as they present William Shakespeare’s Henry V, on Thursday, July 11th at 7 P.M. This play is one of Shakespeare’s historical plays.  The play is sponsored by The Friends of the Somerville Public Library. The Downtown Somerville Alliance was very helpful in making this event occur on Division Street.

The performance will be presented on Division Street located in Somerville, N.J. Seating will be limited so please bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the performance. Prior to the play there will be a concert featuring Little Jimmy and the Starlights. Come enjoy a dinner, the concert and Shakespeare all in one evening in Downtown Somerville!

In the event of rain, the play will be hosted at The Senior Citizens’ Housing across the road from the library.

This play is recommended for ages twelve and up and admission is free of charge, but registration is required. Please register by going online at www.sclsnj.org, select “Events” and “Somerville.”

Somerset County Library System Recognizes Volunteers

Volunteers from all ten branches of the Somerset County Library System (SCLS) were recently feted during a luncheon at the Hillsborough Library on Thursday, May 23.

"Volunteers don't get a paycheck, not because they're worthless, but because they're worth more than we could afford to pay!" said SCLS coordinator of volunteer programs, Lawrence Sapienza in his thank you speech to the volunteers attending the luncheon.

Volunteers assist with a wide variety of tasks at the branches.  One assists in supervising teens during a video game night at the Somerville Public Library.  Others staff and run the reading stations in Neshanic Station and Martinsville.  Another volunteer created instructional videos that are on the library’s website, www.sclsnj.org.  Still others help to reshelve borrowed materials.

There are over 180 regularly scheduled volunteers throughout SCLS.  Another 200 participate in the Adopt a Shelf program, helping to keep “their” area of a branch orderly.

“Clearly, SCLS would not be the outstanding institution today without the many hours and variety of skills that are brought to each of our branches by volunteers,” commented SCLS executive director Brian Auger.

Volunteers received a special “gold” library card along with a thank you card and sweet treat – put together by student volunteers from Bridgewater-Raritan High School - as a small token of appreciation for all their hard work.

Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908) 526-4016 or visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

"Digging" Summer Reading at SCLS

The Summer Reading Program officially kicks off on June 17th at the Somerset County Library System (SCLS).  With a special focus on literacy skills, anyone of any age can register either in person or on-line for one of the reading programs. 

All participants will be given a reading log upon registration and the opportunity to participate in various raffles and contests as they progress through the summer. 

In the build up to Summer Reading, themed for children “Dig into Reading,” the Build-a-Bear Workshop® Foundation kindly donated 11 stuffed animals to SCLS, allowing the library to award one to a lucky child in each branch.  In addition, there will be various prizes and contests for children throughout the summer, concluding on September 4 with the end of the reading program.  Prizes this year will include a stuffed dragon and microscope for children, and a computer tablet for teens.  Children’s summer reading at SCLS is divided up into three levels:

• Read with Me Club – for preschool children to be read to;
• Summer Reading Club – for children entering grades kindergarten – 5; and
• Teen Summer Reading Club – for children entering grades 6 - 12.

 Adults will also be able to join their own Summer Reading program at each of the 10 SCLS branches, or through the on-line virtual program.  Somerville Public Library patrons may participate in the program and register at the Bridgewater Library while the Somerville branch undergoes renovations throughout the entire summer.  Adults will receive a book bag, with this year’s theme “Groundbreaking Reads” printed on the front.  Prizes, such as gift cards to popular area retailers, will be awarded to registered adult readers throughout the summer.  All participating adults will be entered into a drawing for a grand prize awarded at each branch at the conclusion of the program, during the week of September 8. 

“We keep exploring options all the time to make reading and literacy skills more exciting, especially for the kids,” noted Rebecca Crawford, Youth Services Department Head.  “Strong reading and comprehension skills are critical for children to acquire in order to help them become successful life-long learners.”

Patrons with further questions can call SCLS at (908)526-4016 or visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

RVCC Information Session

Wednesday, June 26, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Bound Brook Library
402 E. High St.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 356-0043
Directions: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/boundbrook.htm

A representative from Raritan Valley Community College will be at the library to distribute information and answer your questions about the college.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. Call (732) 356-0043 or click on http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=jbp&lmx=326334&v=3 to sign up.

Patrons with further questions can call the Bound Brook Library at (732) 356-0043 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Murder, Mystery & the FBI with author Andrea Kane @ Warren Library

Thursday, June 27 at 7 pm

Please join us for what will be a lively event, when Andrea Kane, a New York Times bestselling author, discusses her work with the FBI and visits to Quantico.

Andrea's psychological thriller, 'The Girl who Disappeared Twice' became an instant New York Times bestseller, continuing her long string of smash hits. It debuted Forensic Instincts, an eclectic team of maverick investigators, each with different talents and personalities, all with one common bond-a blatant disregard for authority. 'The Line Between Here and Gone' is the encore novel in the Forensic Instincts series. Armed with skills and talents honed by years in the FBI, Special Forces, and training in behavioral and forensic psychology, the Forensic Instincts team solves seemingly impossible cases while walking a fine line between assisting and enraging law enforcement. Her latest novel, 'The Line between Here and Gone' was published in the summer of 2012.

With a worldwide following and novels translated into more than twenty languages, Kane is also the author of eight additional psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romances. She lives in New Jersey with her family, where she is conspiring with Forensic Instincts on new ways to disrupt the status quo.

Pre-registration is required to attend this program. To register online please click on this link http://bit.ly/13VVeVX  or call 908-754-5554 ext 64 for more information or assistance with registration.

Patrons with further questions may visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Warren Twp Library is located at 42 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, NJ 07059.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Have Blog? Want Readers! @ Warren Library

Tuesday, June 18th at 7 pm

Blogging is an excellent way to increase traffic to your website, and bring recognition to your personal and/or business brand.  If you are already writing a blog or thinking about starting one, this fun, interactive presentation by author and blogger Jon Gibbs, is the one for you.  Jon will take you through the who; why; what; where; when and how of blogging. From the easy bit, starting one up, to the hardest part, getting people to actually read it, Jon will share some of the proven techniques he used to develop his own blog, An Englishman in New Jersey (http://www.jongibbs.livejournal.com/), which is now read in over thirty countries.

Born in England, Jon Gibbs now lives in New Jersey, where he gives writing presentations and workshops in schools and libraries around the Garden State. He is the founder of The New Jersey Authors’ Network and FindAWritingGroup.com.

Pre-registration is required to attend this program. To register online please click on this link bit.ly/14zfKg2 or call 908-754-5554 ext 64 for more information or assistance with registration. Patrons with further questions may visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Warren Twp Library is located at 42 Mountain Boulevard, Warren, NJ 07059.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

June 21st 'BOBO Friday' Supports Curbing Hunger Month

Donate to ‘BOBO Friday’ on June 21 & Support Curbing Hunger Month

The next “Buy One, Bring One” (BOBO) collection of food for Somerset County families in need will be held Friday, June 21, as part of the 19th annual Curbing Hunger Month.

“During Curbing Hunger Month, we ask residents to put canned food donations in plastic bags at the curb on their recycling days in June,” said Freeholder Patricia Walsh, who spearheaded the BOBO Fridays program.  “Employees and visitors to various county, municipal and library locations also can donate by dropping off non-perishables in any of the blue BOBO Fridays bins.”

Canned or boxed food items are accepted.  For ideas about healthy foods to donate, go to http://bit.ly/FoodPantryDonations.

Look for the blue BOBO Fridays bins at these county locations: Somerset County Administration Building, 20 Grove St., Somerville; Park Commission Headquarters, 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater; Lord Stirling Stable, 256 S. Maple Ave., Basking Ridge; and Environmental Education Center, 190 Lord Stirling Road, Basking Ridge.

Local libraries hosting the bins include the Bernardsville Library, Bound Brook Memorial Library, Bridgewater Library, Manville Library, Mary Jacobs Memorial Library (Rocky Hill), North Plainfield Library, Peapack-Gladstone Library, Somerville Public Library, Warren Township Library and Watchung Library.

Towns that have BOBO Fridays bins in their municipal buildings are Bedminster, Bound Brook, Franklin, Green Brook, North Plainfield and Raritan.

Although the targeted collection schedule is the third Friday of every month, the bins are available every day, so donations may be dropped off at any time during regular business hours at all locations.

The Glorious Nature of the Northeast

Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 pm
Bound Brook Library
402 E. High St.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 356-0043
Directions: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/boundbrook.htm

Join photographer Brien Szabo as he takes us on a photographic journey from the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, to the mountaintops of the Adirondacks, and to the rocky shores of Maine. Witness the wonderful diversity of our corner of the country through pictures and stories of our magnificent region.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. Call (732) 356-0043 to sign up or click on http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=jbp&lmx=305328&v=3 to register online.

Patrons with further questions can call the Bound Brook Library at (732) 356-0043 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Self Defense for Women

Saturday, June 15 at 10:00 am
 Bound Brook Library
402 E. High St.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 356-0043
 Directions: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/boundbrook.htm

Presented by Walter Miller, Black Belt Instructor

This class is designed for women of all ages and girls 12 years and older who wish to learn techniques for personal self-defense against all assaults.  Moms and daughters are welcome.  The class will begin with a warm-up and joint and balance exercises.  Then participants will learn escapes and counter attacks to choke, wrist grabs, bear hugs, knife attacks, muggings and other street attacks.

Participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
 
This program is free and open to the public.  Advance registration is required.  Space is limited.  Call (732) 356-0043 or click on http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=jbp&lmx=307995&v=3 to register online.
 
Patrons with further questions can call the Bound Brook Library at (732) 356-0043 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org.  The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Lighthouses of New Jersey

Monday, June 17 at 7:00 pm
Bound Brook Library
402 E. High St.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 356-0043
Directions: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/boundbrook.htm

Trish Chambers, author of “Lighthouses of the New Jersey Lighthouse Challenge”, will discuss interesting and historical facts about lighthouses in New Jersey.

Attendees will be treated to stories and folklore surrounding each lighthouse, along with the family histories of the keepers of the lights.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. Call (732) 356-0043 to sign up or click on http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=jbp&lmx=288491&v=3 to register online.

Patrons with further questions can call the Bound Brook Library at (732) 356-0043 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Joy of Dancing at the Bridgewater Library

Learn Joy of Dancing at the Bridgewater Library on Saturday, June 22 at 2:00 pm. Robert Chukralla of Joy2Dance in Hillsborough will teach the basics and have lots of fun! You don’t need a partner to participate and you must register to attend this event.

Patrons with further questions or to sign up can call the Bridgewater Library at (908) 526-4016 ext.105 or visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The library is located at 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater.

The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Bill Levy returns to the Bridgewater Library

The Bridgewater Library presents John Ford’s Stock Company on Tuesday, June 18th at 10:00 am. Bill Levy returns to talk about his book Lest We Forget: The John Ford Stock Company.

This book is a single volume devoted to his stock company of actors and actresses who worked for him from his silent westerns to his final films of the 1960’s. Bill’s personally signed copies of the book will be available for purchase. You must sign up to attend this program.

Patrons with further questions or to sign up can call the Bridgewater Library at (908) 526-4016 ext.105 or visit the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The library is located at 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater.

The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Job Search for the Age 40+ Job Seeker

Wednesday, June 12 at 7:00 pm
Bound Brook Library
402 E. High St.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 356-0043
 Directions: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/boundbrook.htm

This highly interactive training focuses on:
-resume preparation
-interviewing
-networking
-career assessment

This class includes tips on recognizing the changes to the career change/job search process. Special attention is paid to the recent changes in social networking including LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Presented by Nancy Anderson of Blackbird Training Associates LLC, a local training consulting organization. Nancy has over 25 years experience working in the training and human resources departments of Fortune 100 Companies.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. Call (732) 356-0043 to sign up or click on http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=jbp&lmx=326812&v=3 to register online.

Patrons with further questions can call the Bound Brook Library at (732) 356-0043 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

The Glorious Nature of the Northeast

Thursday, June 13 at 7:00 pm
Bound Brook Library
402 E. High St.
Bound Brook, NJ 08805
(732) 356-0043
Directions: http://www.somerset.lib.nj.us/boundbrook.htm

Join photographer Brien Szabo as he takes us on a photographic journey from the Pine Barrens of New Jersey, to the mountaintops of the Adirondacks, and to the rocky shores of Maine. Witness the wonderful diversity of our corner of the country through pictures and stories of our magnificent region.

This program is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. Call (732) 356-0043 to sign up or click on http://www.libraryinsight.net/eventdetails.asp?jx=jbp&lmx=305328&v=3 to register online.

Patrons with further questions can call the Bound Brook Library at (732) 356-0043 or enter the website at http://www.sclsnj.org. The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.