Tuesday, May 5, 6:30 – 7:30 pmCASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a network of volunteers assigned by a NJ Family Court Judge to provide advocacy services for children in the foster care system. CASA volunteers work with the child's caregivers (e.g., foster parents, school, state case worker, etc.) to ensure these children are receiving all the services they require and nothing is falling through the cracks. The purpose of this Information Session is to explain the role of a CASA volunteer, and to recruit additional volunteers for unassigned children in the foster care system.
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Saturday, May 9, 2:00 – 3:00 pmThis seminar will discuss understanding emotion regulation and skills to help better manage emotions, provides an introduction to Social Emotional Learning and ways in which it can be utilized to bring greater awareness and functioning to daily life, the loneliness impact on aging physical and mental health, and more.
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Thursday, May 14, 5:30 – 8:00 pmTake a break from screens and enjoy an evening of games at the library. We will have a variety of games to pick from, but feel free to bring your own card or board games. Have a fun time with friends, family, and other game-enthusiasts. For ages 18 and older.
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Featured Youth Services Programs
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Monday, May 4, 4:45 or 6:15 pm Tuesday, May 5, 4:45 or 6:15 pm Join us for Jedi Training and other fun activities and crafts in the children's department in celebration of the Star Wars universe. For ages 6-12. Sponsored by the Friends of the West Windsor Library. Registration is required. |
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Friday, May 22, 10:30 amGet ready to sing, move, and learn as we belt out our favorite tunes and dance with children’s performer, Tim Hoh. For ages 0-5 years with a caregiver. Sponsored by the Friends of the West Windsor Library. No registration required.
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Friday, May 15, 3:30 pmTeens can learn the guiding design principles of a Japanese artform, and then use real flowers and natural materials to create a “wabi-sabi” bouquet that embraces the beauty of asymmetry and imperfections. For ages 11-18. Sponsored by the Friends of the West Windsor Library. No registration required.
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Featured Virtual Programs
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Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art
Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 pm Presented by Larry Mock, docent at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, CA. The Timeline of Lawrence History: 300 Years in 60 Images
Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 pm Presented by Dennis Waters, former Lawrence Township historian and current member of the Mercer County Library Commission.  Emergency Preparedness for Individuals with Access and Functional Needs Thursday, May 14, 6:00 pm Presented by Reed Thomas, Program Coordinator for the Personal Assistance Services Program (PASP). Offered as part of the Colorful Dreams Care Program Series. The American Revolution and the Fate of the World Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 pm Presented by Dr. Richard Bell, history professor at the University of Maryland. Sponsored by the Friends of the West Windsor Library. The Borscht Belt: The Comic Legacy of the Catskills Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 pm Presented by entertainment historian John Kenrick. |
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Hold Lockers are now available!Hold lockers give you the flexibility to pick up your library materials 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even when the branch is closed. Our new hold lockers are currently available at our Lawrence Headquarters and West Windsor Branches. Visit our website to learn more!
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Museum PassesMCLS patrons may reserve and checkout various museum passes through the library -- all for free using your library card! Many of the passes are now available digitally (with a few exceptions) so checking them out is easy. Visit our website to learn more or to reserve a pass today!
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Branch NewsTeen summer volunteer applications are due back by May 20th. Interested teens ages 14 and up can visit the Children’s Desk for more info on how they can earn volunteer hours. The Department has a summer intern joining us again this year: Hannah Feldman. This is her second summer with us, and we’re thrilled she’s able to return. Say “hi!” if you see her at the Children’s Desk! In addition to the programs mentioned above, we will be celebrating May holidays with a taste test challenge for Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and other crafts and activities for Mother’s Day, Star Wars Day, and Memorial Day. Finally, an update on our animals: The Children’s Area hosts a variety of small animals in the spring and summer to allow patrons of all ages to watch the fascinating process of maturing from birth to adulthood. To date, the 6 chicks we hatched in March (Emma, Egglet, Luke Skywalker, Chicken Alfredo, PJ, and Viraj) have headed back to their farm to continue maturing and start laying eggs. We may well see their offspring next year, since the eggs they lay will be used for the hatching program! Harper, our virtually-adopted calf, has officially joined the adult herd, and we wish her the best. Excitingly, she may soon have a sibling, since her mom is again pregnant. Our current critters – tadpoles – are happily eating, swimming, and growing at the Children’s Desk. They will begin to grow legs and become froglets around early June, and we plan to follow them up with caterpillars/butterflies for the summer. Stop by the Children’s Area to see them!
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Friends of the Library
Our Friends of the Library groups generously support our programs all year long. Consider joining or donating to your branch's Friends group. Ask for more information in the branch or visit our website. |
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These are just this month's highlights, dozens of programs for adults and youth take place at our branch every month. View our full calendar for a complete list. |
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Featured Titles for Mystery Month |
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Library Speakers Consortium - Virtual Author Talks |
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Radhi Devlukia-Shetty JoyFull: Daily Rituals to Eat Freely and Live Radiantly Tuesday, May 5, 2:00 pm Marjan Kamali On Courage, Turmoil, and the Transformative Power of Love Thursday, May 7, 7:00 pm Dr. Vivienne Ming How to Robot-Proof Your Kids (and Yourself) Tuesday, May 12, 2:00 pm Dr. Patrick K. Porter & Ruchika Sikri Ancient Wisdom and Modern Technologies for Peak Brain Performance Thursday, May 14, 2:00 pm Nir Eyal Reshape Your Beliefs and Unlock Your True Potential Tuesday, May 19, 2:00 pm |
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