Hopewell Branch Programs
April 2026
Featured Adult Programs
Learn American Mah Jongg
Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21 & 28, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Learn to play the fun, social tile game of American Mah Jongg in this interactive class designed especially for beginners. Over four consecutive sessions, you’ll learn the basics of gameplay—and will be ready to play on your own by the final class. Participants are expected to attend all four sessions. All materials will be provided. Space is limited to the first twelve registrants to ensure plenty of hands-on instruction and practice time. Registration is required at events.mcl.org.
Unearthing History, One Page at a Time: James Garfield
Monday, April 20, 6:30 – 8:00 pm
Though his presidency was cut short by an assassin’s bullet, James A. Garfield left behind a remarkable collection of correspondence. Join us to help digitize these fascinating historical documents. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop; a limited number are available on site. Unearthing History, One Page at a Time is a collaborative transcription series where volunteers convert historical documents into searchable digital text, supporting researchers, genealogists, and the preservation of history for future generations. Registration is requested at events.mcl.org.
How to Create a Pollinator Garden for Beginners
Saturday, April 25, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Join the Hopewell Valley Community Wildlife Habitat Program for a fun and informative session on starting your very own pollinator garden.  Learn all about the importance of pollinators and how you can attract them to your garden. Expert speakers will guide you through the process step by step.  You will learn how to start a garden of any size (even if you are new to gardening), why now is the time to start your garden and how to create a low maintenance garden that you’ll love.  Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while beautifying your outdoor space. Registration is requested at events.mcl.org.
Featured Youth Services Programs 
Egg Hunt
Wednesday, April 1, 11:30 am
Alert! Eggs are hidden at the library. Please help us find them. Children will hunt for eggs and turn them in for a goody bag. We will have crafts and a scavenger hunt. Adult supervision required. Recommended for children ages 10 and under. Registration is required at events.mcl.org.
Boardgame Bonanza 
Wednesday, April 1, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Drop by the library while schools are closed for an afternoon of board games. We've got games for all ages! This drop-in program is for children and teens of all ages. Registration is not required. 
Pokémon Club
Thursday, April 2, 2:00 pm 
Learn to play the Pokémon Trading Game with fun activities. We will discuss trading cards, books, games, and all things Pokémon. Bring your trading cards, handheld devices and anything else you would like to share and discuss. Recommended for ages 5-11. Registration is required at events.mcl.org. 
Featured Virtual Programs
To see full program descriptions and additional virtual program offerings, please visit this month's MCLS Virtual Programs Newsletter.

The Declaration of Independence:
America's Birth Certificate from Conception to Celebration
Monday, April 6, 7:00 pm
Presented by Joel Farkas, docent at Washington's Headquarters, Morristown, NJ. Sponsored by the Friends of the Hickory Corner Library
 
Renoir: His Friends and Models
Monday, April 13, 7:00 pm
Presented by Jeanne Johnson, docent at the Princeton University Art Museum and Morven Museum & Gardens.
 
The Gambler, the Writer, and Zelda:
The History Behind The Girl in the Green Dress
Monday, April 20, 6:30 pm
Presented by author Mariah Fredericks.
 
Introduction to the Art of Arabic Calligraphy
Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 pm
Presented by calligrapher Elinor A. Holland.
Featured Technology Instruction
All classes take place at the Lawrence Headquarters Branch. Registration is required. To learn more or to register for a computer class, click here. 
Questions? Email techclass@mcl.org.
Spring Spreadsheet Series
Intro to Excel
Wednesday, April 1, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Excel Essentials
Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Google Sheets
Monday, April 13, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Excel: Charts and Graphs
Wednesday, April 15, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Excel: Pivot Tables
Wednesday, April 22, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Excel: Formulas and Functions
Wednesday, April 29, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Learn how to use two popular spreadsheet programs to organize data, set up tables and charts, and apply formulas. 
 
Open Labs
Friday, April 17, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Monday, April 27, 11:00 – 12:30 pm
Bring your questions about your personal technology devices or work on a project with the trainers there to help.
News
Calling All Poets!
Attention Mercer County Poets! We’re looking for poets to submit and share their own work or a favorite published poem for our "A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read" event, which takes place virtually on Wednesday, April 29 at 7:00 pm. Please submit your poem of choice, citing the author, to hopeprogs@mcl.org by April 22nd. Visit https://mcl.org/call-for-poems/ for more information.
Upcoming Holiday Hours
Friday, April 3 - Good Friday &
Sunday, April 5 - Easter
All branches are closed.
Book on Spring Background
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.
 
 
 
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.
 
 
Featured Titles for Poetry Month
Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered by Judith Viorst
Making the Best of What's Left: When We're Too Old to Get the Chairs Reupholstered
Truth Is: A Novel in Verse by Hannah V. Sawyerr
Truth Is: A Novel in Verse
What Remains: The Collected Poems of Hannah Arendt by Hannah Arendt
What Remains: The Collected Poems of Hannah Arendt
My Weird School Special: I'm a Poet and I Know It! by Dan Gutman
My Weird School Special: I'm a Poet and I Know It!
A Century of Poetry in the New Yorker: 1925-2025 by New Yorker Magazine Inc
A Century of Poetry in the New Yorker: 1925-2025
Love and Need: The Life of Robert Frost's Poetry by Adam Plunkett
Love and Need: The Life of Robert Frost's Poetry
Library Speakers Consortium - Virtual Author Talks
Smithsonian Curator Emerita Valerie Neal
On a Mission: The History of US Women Astronauts
Thursday, April 2, 2PM
 
Brad Taylor
On Writing Action-Packed and Suspenseful Spycraft
Tuesday, April 14, 7PM
 
Alex Hutchinson
How Exploration, Uncertainty, and Risk Help Us Find Meaning 
Thursday, April 16, 2PM
 
Miranda Cowley Heller
Lush Lyricism and Intimate Confessions 
Wednesday, April 22, 2PM
 
Thalia Ho
Bittersweet: Exploring the Five Tastes of Dessert 
Thursday, April 23, 7PM
 
See More and Register Here!

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Hopewell Branch
245 Pennington-Titusville Road
Pennington, New Jersey 08534
609-737-2610

https://mcl.org/branches/hopewell