Details The Cranbury Public Library Foundation cordially invites you to step back in time and experience Princeton area history via a Revolutionary War lecture by the renowned author and Associate Professor of History at Princeton University,Michael Blaakman.
Patriots will have a chance to indulge their senses in 1700’s food and drink, and Election Cake will be served…curious? Come and find out what enticed early Americans to the ballot box!
Mr. Blaakman’s lecture, and meet and greet, includes a suggested donation of $20 per person, collected at the door. All donations go to support the Cranbury Public Library Foundation. ___ Lecture “Nursery of Rebellion”: Princeton in the American Revolution
Join historian Michael Blaakman for an evening talk about how Princeton residents and students experienced the tumultuous upheavals of the revolutionary era and contributed to the United States’ struggle for independence. Ranging far beyond the battlefield, the talk will explore how fresh archival discoveries and current approaches to early American history are deepening our understanding of the local history of the Revolution. ___ Bio Michael A. Blaakman is an associate professor in the Department of History at Princeton University, where he teaches courses on the era of the American Revolution. He is the author of Speculation Nation: Land Mania in the Revolutionary American Republic (2023), which won the Frederick Jackson Turner Award for best first book in American history and was a finalist for the George Washington Prize. He is currently co-curating a fall 2026 exhibition at the Princeton University Library, which will commemorate the 250th anniversaries of U.S. independence and the Battle of Princeton by investigating diverse experiences of the Revolution on campus and in the surrounding community. Educated at William & Mary and Yale, Blaakman lives with his wife and daughter in Lawrenceville.
Join Ms. Laura for stories, songs, and fun for everyone in the Children's room!
Thursday CRAFTernoon: Fall Leaf Bowls
Thursdays, November 7th, 14th, and 21st
Come by the Maker Space Thursdays in November at 3:30pm to create your own Fall Leaf Bowls! Registration is *required* to participate. Recommended for ages 8-13. Register for additional dates on our website.
Calling all crafty toddlers! Join us in the Maker Space for a special seasonal craft perfect for busy little hands. Recommended for ages 2 to 5. Registration required, as supplies may be limited. This month's craft: Fall Wreaths!
Embark on a science-based adventure with us every month at our newest afternoon program: STEMBARK!
Starting on September 26th, join Cranbury teen Beth for an hour of STEM activities on the 4th** Thursday every month. Junior patrons ages 8-12 are invited to take part in activities such as making a kaleidoscope, observing water "fireworks", witnessing the wonders of centripetal force, and more!
This program will take place in Meeting Rooms 1 & 2. Proper safety protocol will be followed.
**During certain months, this program will take place on the 3rd Thursday. Please verify the date/s you register for.
Registration is required and space is limited to only 8 participants. Registrants must be between the ages of 8-12.
All safety standards will be practiced.As a precautionary measure, children should not wear baggy clothes and long hair should be tied back.
The Dutch Golden Age: Baroque and Romanticism (1600's-1800)
Friday, November 1st 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Join New Jersey artist, Jennifer Santa Maria, in this 6-part art history series sponsored by the Cranbury Public Library Foundation. Each month, participants will embark on a journey through art history, exploring diverse movements to understand how different cultures perceive beauty over time. Sessions will consist of a one hour lecture, followed by an engaging one-hour hands-on guided activity. Join us as we unravel the rich tapestry of human expression through the ages!
Each session is suitable as a standalone course and separate registration is required for each individual session. The Art History Series will take place on the 1st Fridays of the month September through February. Registration open to Cranbury Public Library Cardholders only. Space is limited.
The Dutch Golden Age: Baroque and Romanticism (1600's-1800) Through this short course and accompanying art-making activity, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how the concept of ideal beauty has evolved across different cultures and historical periods. By examining artistic expressions from the Baroque and Romanticist movement, participants will explore the diverse interpretations of beauty and the cultural values that shaped them. Embracing the essence of Rembrandt's artistic style, the hands-on art lesson will delve into the techniques of drawing from still life, employing charcoal and kneaded eraser on newsprint.
Sponsored by the Cranbury Public Library Foundation. Open to Cranbury Public Library Cardholders. Registration Required. Space is limited. Meeting Rooms 1&2. Ages 18+, as some images with nudity will be shown, always shown in good taste.
Cranbury Public Library Cards can be obtained by visiting the Cranbury Public Library and presenting ID with proof of Cranbury residency. Non resident library cards are also available for a fee.
Friday, November 1st 7:00 PM The Cranbury Public Library Foundation cordially invites you to step back in time and experience Princeton area history via a Revolutionary War lecture by the renowned author and Associate Professor of History at Princeton University,Michael Blaakman.
Patriots will have a chance to indulge their senses in 1700’s food and drink, and Election Cake will be served…curious? Come and find out what enticed early Americans to the ballot box!
Mr. Blaakman’s lecture, and meet and greet, includes a suggested donation of $20 per person, collected at the door. All donations go to support the Cranbury Public Library Foundation. ___ Lecture “Nursery of Rebellion”: Princeton in the American Revolution
Join historian Michael Blaakman for an evening talk about how Princeton residents and students experienced the tumultuous upheavals of the revolutionary era and contributed to the United States’ struggle for independence. Ranging far beyond the battlefield, the talk will explore how fresh archival discoveries and current approaches to early American history are deepening our understanding of the local history of the Revolution. ___ Bio Michael A. Blaakman is an associate professor in the Department of History at Princeton University, where he teaches courses on the era of the American Revolution. He is the author of Speculation Nation: Land Mania in the Revolutionary American Republic (2023), which won the Frederick Jackson Turner Award for best first book in American history and was a finalist for the George Washington Prize. He is currently co-curating a fall 2026 exhibition at the Princeton University Library, which will commemorate the 250th anniversaries of U.S. independence and the Battle of Princeton by investigating diverse experiences of the Revolution on campus and in the surrounding community. Educated at William & Mary and Yale, Blaakman lives with his wife and daughter in Lawrenceville.
Gourds make excellent homes for birds and in this workshop, participants will learn how they can use this abundant autumn vegetable to shelter and support birds in their own backyard this season. Attendees will make their own beautiful and artistic birdhouse out of a dried gourd. Taught by New Jersey artist, Margaret Falconetti.
*Adult Workshop
Space is limited. Registration required. Registration is open to Cranbury Public Library Cardholders only.
There are different types of caregivers and ALL are welcomed. This is a judgment free safe place to share, to learn and/or to just listen. It’s a place of love, empathy and respect. It is a place to share the triumphs, the challenges, the disappointments, the accomplishments or simply a place to vent and reset ourselves so we can carry on one day at a time. Stress - free, safe environment respectful of everybody's level of comfort and pace of engagement.
Kat welcomes you with open arms! Kat Verdi is a Certified Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Trainer. She serves as a sound referral resource for anyone caring for a loved one. Her mission are the “3E’s” - to Educate, Empower and Encourage caregivers.
This support group will take place in Meeting Room 3.
Welcome to Senior Social Hour! Typically, each month there will be be Bingo or a craft for Seniors to enjoy. Meet new people, share stores, and have a great time!
Please note, that for craft months, there is a limit of 12 participants. For Bingo, there is not limit on the number of participants. For November, the craft will be Wooden Fall Decor Painting.
Located in Meeting Room 1 + 2.
Facilitated by Kat Verdi and sponsored by The Gardens at Monroe.
Enjoy an hour of knitting, crocheting, crafts and conversation. All levels welcome. This workshop will be in Meeting Room 1. Register for additional dates on our website.
Wednesdays, November 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th 10:30 AM
Join us for an hour of gentle stretching, breath work, and meditation. This class is perfect for beginners or experienced Please bring your own mat.
Beth Glasberg has been practicing yoga for over 20 years. After studying the mind-body connection as part of her work as a behavior analyst, she decided she needed a deeper education in yoga. The more she learned, the more she fell in love. She became certified as a yoga instructor through the Yoga Renew program and joined the Yoga Alliance. Since then, Beth has been teaching both foundational and vinyasa flow classes regularly. She is also in the process of becoming certified to work with individuals who have suffered a trauma. She is passionate about using movement and breath to build strength, flexibility, balance, and peace, and committed to making the practice available to individuals of all fitness levels and backgrounds. When not on the mat, you can find Beth enjoying time with her family, visiting new places, or relaxing at the beach. in Motion Fitness is a boutique fitness studio located in Princeton, NJ.
I acknowledge this program involves bodily movement. By registering for this program I consent that I will not hold the Library or presenter liable for any injury that may result from participation in this program. This registration serves as my digital signature and acknowledgement of the above. Held in Meeting Rooms 1 & 2. Register for additional dates on our website.
Registration is full
Please check back later
The Direction of Veteran's Day by Richard Moody
Thursday, November 7th 6:00 PM
Richard Moody is a Naval Aviator Veteran of 27 years of military service with the Royal Navy and US Navy who became an ardent Peace Activist and a Quaker over 20 years ago. He will give his thoughts on the direction Veterans Day has taken over the years.
This workshop will uncover the best college cost-reduction strategies and reveal little-known asset, borrowing, and savings methods. Learn insider information on scholarships, grants, and loans to help make your college planning both successful and affordable.
This webinar is recommended for parents of middle school and/or high school students.
Explore heart health through the Mediterranean Diet which encourages plenty of fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans , nuts, seeds and olive oils. Presented by Beth Youngs, MS,RDN,CSOWN, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness.
Join us for a beginner cell phone and internet class! Learn all about the uses of your phone, detect scams, and become more comfortable with your devices! This class and discussion is sponsored by the Gardens at Monroe and facilitated by Kat Verdi. Located in Meeting Room 1+2.
Archaeology and the Delaware Indians: A 12,000 Year Odyssey
Thursday, November 14th 6:30 PM
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Dr. Richard Veit of Monmouth University will discuss the history of Native Americans in New Jersey in this richly illustrated presentation.
Through a series of case studies, Dr. Veit will examine the cultural history of the region from the earliest Paleoindian pathfinders over 10,000 years ago through to the Lenape of the historic period. The presentation will discuss the changing lifestyles of New Jersey’s native inhabitants as the environment they lived in slowly evolved and the presence and continuing importance of Native Americans to the region today.
Farmland, Open Space Preservation, and Development in Cranbury: An Information Session
Sunday, November 17th 2:00 PM
A representative from the Cranbury Township Planning Board will provide a 45 minute informational session for residents on farmland development and open space preservation in Cranbury.
Age in Place with a Healthy Lifestyle: Free Hearing Screening
Monday, November 18th 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Join us for a Free Hearing screening at the library! It is never a bad time to get those ears checked out! Screenings will take place every 15 minutes and registration is required. Located in Meeting Room 3.
Meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month in Meeting Room 3.
CPL Cinemates Film Club
Monday, November 18th 6:00 PM
Movie-lovers of all kinds are welcome! Whether you're a casual viewer or well-versed in auteur theory and the works of André Bazin, we invite all who wish to share in the cinematic experience and spirited (but civil) discussions. Supplemental reading materials may be provided. Screenings will vary in rating, so we advise using discretion on deciding whether to attend a screening. This program is suggested for teens and older.
Participants are encouraged to bring a small journal or log to keep track of the screenings and discussions. You may also bring snacks and nonalcoholic drinks. Most importantly: bring your love for movies!
This program will meet in Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 on the third Monday of every month.
Below is a short questionnaire to assess what types of films participants would like to screen. Please feel free to share your thoughts by submitting a form!
The Cranbury Historical and Preservation Society presents, American History Family Board Game Night! As part of the society’s ongoing youth education programming and commemoration of our country’s 250th anniversary, come and experience American History come to life in this Colonial themed board game night takeover. Have fun with the whole family, learn something new about our nation’s diverse history and earn extra credit! Featured Games: Made for Trade: A Game of Early American Life, 1775: American Revolution, CATAN Histories: Settlers of America, Lincoln Logs, and more!
Learn all about how to use your iPhone or iPad! In this workshop, we will have an open forum for any troubles you might encounter with the iPhone. In previous sessions, we discussed the camera, security measures, and data storage. Beginner to intermediate experience with an iPhone is suggested.
Discuss your recent reads with fellow bibliophiles. This discussion group promises thought-provoking and engaging discourse. Meets the 4th Monday of the month in Meeting Room 3.
Special Announcements
Kanopy
Get free access to thousands of movies with your library card! Simply add your Cranbury Public Library card number and PIN.
Museum Passes Now Available!
FREE with your library card!
Visit the circulation desk to borrow your pass today!
Visit the circulation desk to borrow your pass today!
The Cranbury Public Library offers, free of charge, notary public services for the benefit of the residents of Cranbury and for Cranbury Public Library cardholders. In lieu of fees, a donation may be made to the Cranbury Public Library Foundation. Persons seeking notary public services who are not Cranbury residents or Cranbury cardholders shall be charged a $2.50 fee per signature.
*Please note our Notary isnot an attorney licensed to practice law and may not give legal advice about immigration or any other legal matter or accept fees for legal advice.*
Now offering free digital access to the NY Times and WSJ for CPL cardholders!
Links to the NY Times and WSJ can be accessed from our homepage, and from the Digital Services page on our website.