Thursday, April 9, 6:30 – 8:00 pmCelebrate National Poetry Month with the Mercer County Library System (MCLS) at a lively Poetry Reading and Haiku Prize Ceremony! Hear the winners and finalists read their award-winning haikus, meet the judges, connect with poets and poetry lovers, and enjoy a warm, literary night filled with inspiration and community. A 15-minute open mic session will follow—come early to sign up, share your own work, and cheer on fellow poets. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library and Friends of the Hopewell Library. Registration is appreciated.
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Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 – 8:00 pmThe Mercer County Library System is hosting its 17th Annual TrashedArt Contest. The contest celebrates Earth Day by encouraging patrons to turn ordinary trash into extraordinary art. Entries will be judged by MCLS staff and local professional artists. Library patrons will also have a chance to vote for People’s Choice award winners at each of the branches and on the MCLS website. Grand prize winners will be awarded for first, second and third places. The reception is open to the public and will be a great opportunity for library patrons to ask the artists about their work. Light refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lawrence Library. Registration is appreciated.
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Lawrence HQ Branch Blood Drive
Saturday, April 25, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
We’re partnering with the American Red Cross and the Boozy Book Babes Book Club to host a community blood drive. Donating blood is a simple way to make a lifesaving difference, and your contribution helps support patients in urgent need. Appointments are required.
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Featured Youth Services Programs
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Thursday, April 2, 10:00 amBingo is visiting our Lawrence Branch! Come pose for a photo with Bingo and then stay for themed crafts and activities. For kids of all ages, with a caregiver. Registration is required at www.mcl.org beginning 24 hours before program start time.
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Saturday, April 11, 11:00 amCheck out a potato battery demonstration involving simple electricity principles! Presented by a Lawrence High student. For ages 4 years old and up, with a caregiver. Registration is required at www.mcl.org beginning 24 hours before program start time.
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Saturday, April 18, 11:00 amCelebrate Earth Day with this special storytime presented by the Lawrence Junior Historians! Listen to nature stories and songs, followed by a craft. For ages 2-5 years old, with a caregiver. Registration is required at www.mcl.org beginning 24 hours before program start time.
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Featured Virtual Programs
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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. |
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Featured Technology Instruction
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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. |
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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.
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Upcoming Holiday Hours
Friday, April 3 - Good Friday & Sunday, April 5 - Easter All branches are closed. |
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Short Stories Now in Adult Fiction
The Short Stories collection is now part of the general Adult Fiction section. Please see the Lawrence Headquarters Branch Reference Desk if you have any questions. |
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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 Poetry Month |
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Library Speakers Consortium - Virtual Author Talks |
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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 |
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