MCLS Virtual Programs & Events
 
July 2026
Guest Speakers
Getting Your Kicks on Route 66:
Tales from the Mother Road
Thursday, July 9, 6:00 pm
Explore the history of Route 66 and the experiences of everyday people who lived, worked, and traveled along the Mother Road during its heyday. It is informed by a collection of 100 oral histories recently compiled by the Illinois State Museum. Presented by Erika Holst, Curator of History at the Illinois State Museum.
Clay & Culture:
A Journey through Asian Ceramics
Wednesday, July 15, 6:30 pm
This insightful tour of the Asian Art Museum’s collection traces the development of ceramic art from its ancient origins, revealing the wide-ranging influence of Chinese ceramics on ceramic traditions across Asia and worldwide.
A Brief Review of OTC Cough and Cold Supplements
Thursday, July 23, 7:00 pm
Join Antora Banerjee, BS, PharmD, MBA, BCGP, BCPS, BCACP, Registered Pharmacist II with Penn Medicine Princeton Health, as she discusses what to consider when selecting over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold supplements. There will be an “Ask the Pharmacist” session after the presentation for any questions the audience may have on this topic. The program will focus on medication safety and promote awareness of reading labels, avoiding duplicate ingredients, and understanding possible side effects. Presented as part of the Penn Medicine Princeton Health Community Wellness Program.
Researching New Jersey Revolutionary and Civil War Records
Wednesday, July 29, 6:30 pm
Military records are a rich source of genealogical information, often preserving details not found anywhere else, including signatures. New Jersey offers especially strong resources for researching Revolutionary and Civil War ancestors. As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, these records help connect individual family histories to the broader story of the country’s founding and growth. Join Regina Fitzpatrick, Genealogy Librarian at the New Jersey State Library, for an overview of key state and federal collections available through the New Jersey State Archives, New Jersey State Library, and National Archives. She will also introduce the State Library’s new digital exhibition, NJ250: Living Documents, Evolving Rights, exploring how New Jersey’s evolving constitutions shaped the ongoing fight for liberty.
Staff-Led Programs 
Teen Advisory Board 
Friday, July 10, 3:30 pm
All teens are welcome to join! Come be a part of the MCLS Teen Advisory Board.  There are opportunities to enhance your leadership skills, earn community service hours, help run library programs, and write book reviews. New members always welcome!!
 
English Language Learning:
Conversation Group for Adults 
Mondays, July 13 & 27, 11:00 am
If you already know some English and want to improve your speaking and comprehension skills, please join librarian Ellen Madigan for some practice sharing your thoughts and ideas about all kinds of things with others in the group. We'll also cover vocabulary, idioms and grammar relevant to our discussions. Please visit the MCLS Event Calendar to register for sessions in July.
Author Talks
Enjoy a range of talks from bestselling authors and thought leaders. Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are (and How to End the Cycle) with Renowned Therapy Expert Mark Wolynn
Tuesday July 7, 2:00 pm
How do the experiences of our ancestors influence our thoughts and behaviors today? In his award-winning book, It Didn’t Start with You, author Mark Wolynn shares compelling evidence that the roots of our anxiety, phobias, and chronic pain may not reside in our immediate life experience or in chemical imbalances in our brains—but in the lives of our parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents. And now, The Official It Didn’t Start with You Workbook is available with practical exercises to take your understanding even further.
Small Towns and Big Secrets: In Conversation with Bestselling Author Karin Slaughter
Tuesday, July 14, 7:00 pm
Join us for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of We Are All Guilty Here, in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, The Secrets We Hide. 
Migrant Heart: The Hidden Cost of the American Dream and Healing Through Storytelling with Reyna Grande
Thursday, July 16, 2:00 pm
In her ambitious new memoir, Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can’t Forget, beloved bestselling author Reyna Grande illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival.
The Power of Connection: Creating Lasting Friendships in the Increasingly Lonely World with Dr. Marisa Franco
Tuesday, July 28, 2:00 pm
Join us in virtual conversation with bestselling author Dr. Marisa Franco, one of the world’s leading experts in human connection. Her book, Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make–And Keep–Friends, explores the science of different attachment styles and how they impact our relationships–often in ways we don’t realize!
Make Protein Goals Easy (and Satisfying!) with Dietitian Rachel DeVaux
Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 pm
Join us for an energizing virtual conversation with Rachael DeVaux, New York Times bestselling author of Rachael’s Good Eats. Her newest book, The High Protein Plate, shows how anyone at any stage of life can easily incorporate protein into their diet. From Buffalo Chicken Baked Tacos and Honey Blackberry Overnight Oats to Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta, these satisfying and simple meals are made for everyday life.
Library Chef Workshops
MCLS offers a delicious addition to our virtual program offerings: Library Chef! This unique culinary journey offers you the chance to enhance your kitchen skills with expert-led classes, all from the comfort of your home.
 
Check out Library Chef classes this July and explore cooking techniques, bright summer flavors, and practical lifestyle tips -- all available to attend with your library card.

Around the World:
Cool Down Mocktail Trivia Night
Wednesday, July 8, 7:30 pm
Beat the summer heat with a refreshing evening of mocktails, food, and fun. Learn how to make a simple alcohol-free drink at home, test your knowledge with global food trivia, and play along for a chance to win prizes. It's the perfect way to spend a summer evening from the comfort of home.
 
Cooking for One or Two?
Turn 1 Dinner into 2 Different Meals
Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 pm
Looking for ways to save time, reduce food waste, and stretch your grocery budget? Join us for practical tips and creative ideas that show how one simple dinner can become two delicious meals. Perfect for singles, couples, empty nesters, and anyone looking to simplify mealtime.
 
Intro to Chair Yoga
Wednesday, July 15, 7:30 pm
Take a break, unwind, and discover the benefits of gentle movement. This beginner-friendly chair yoga session is designed for all experience levels and focuses on flexibility, balance, relaxation, and overall well-being. No special equipment or prior experience is needed.
 
Peach Jam: Peach Season Is Coming!
Wednesday, July 22, 7:30 pm
Celebrate the flavors of summer by learning how to make homemade peach jam. Whether you're new to preserving or simply love peaches, this fun and flavorful session will inspire you to make the most of peach season. Sweet, simple, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Click here for a full list of programs
In this Issue
Guest Speakers
Staff-Led Programs
Author Talks
Library Chef Workshops
Featured Titles for Disability Pride Month
Featured Titles for Disability Pride Month
Ali and the Sea Stars by Ali Stroker
Ali and the Sea Stars
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole
What Happened to You?
I Felt the Cheers: The Remarkable Silent Life of Curtis Pride by Curtis Pride
I Felt the Cheers:
The Remarkable Silent Life of Curtis Pride

Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens by Marieke Nijkamp
Unbroken:
13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens

Born Extraordinary: Empowering Children with Differences and Disabilities by Meg Zucker
Born Extraordinary: Empowering Children with Differences and Disabilities
Disability Visibility: First-person Stories from the Twenty-first Century by Alice Wong
Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-first Century

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Mercer County Library System
2751 Brunswick PIke
Lawrence Township, New Jersey 08648
609-737-2610

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