First of 3 State Treasury events aids in tax preparation

Ocean County Library hosted the first of three of Governor Christie’s tax assistance event for Sandy victims Thursday Feb. 28 at Little Egg Harbor. 

It will also be held Monday March 18 6-8:15 p.m. at Toms River branch and Tue. March 26 6-8:30 p.m. in the Brick branch.

The event, organized by the State Treasury Department’s Division of Taxation, helped individuals and business prepare their 2012 tax returns.

The Department also assisted people with questions about reporting Sandy-related personal and business losses and offered help recovering lost tax documents.

“It was a BIG success!” said Judy Macaluso.   Almost 60 people attended the program.

Jennifer D’Autrechy, Deputy Chief of State – Dept. of the Treasury, and Roger Cohen, Assistant Treasurer for Tax Policy & Revenue Analysis – Dept. of the Treasury, were present.

Judy spoke with people from the state. They told her:

“Awesome Turnout.”

“The previous 3 event were minimally attended –in fact a few times there were more of us that the public”

“Outstanding!”

“We are looking forward to the Brick & TR events!”

Judy added, “Many thanks to the Kelly and the LEH staff for their promotion with customers/community and for helping the state reps that night.  And thanks to PR/Larry for the extra push the last week.”

Brick branch reopens Saturday

Ocean County Library’s Brick branch (301 Chambers Bridge Road) will reopen tomorrow, Saturday, at noon.

The branch, which was closed for five months while undergoing a $1.2 M renovation to the 22-year old building, included expansion of public meeting areas by approximately 3,000 sq. feet, replacement of the carpeting and installation of additional computers.

The reopening will be marked with a celebration that includes a ribbon cutting ceremony at noon, music by the Richard Reiter Swing Band, refreshments by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s culinary arts program, and a performance by the library’s Puppet Show Players.

Tours of the branch will be hosted by library staff. Sparks, the library mascot, will entertain the children.

The opening will also include a demonstration of e-readers.

The public is invited to attend the grand reopening.

The library also announces The Brick Express location in the Town Hall Shopping Center, 990 Cedar Bridge Ave, will shut down permanently at 5 p.m. this evening. All materials on hold can be picked up at the main branch after noon tomorrow.

Asian Tea Experience at Brick

On May 25 over 80 people attended, The Asian Tea Experience, a program sponsored by the Friends of the Brick Library in celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month. Food historian, Judith Krall-Russo, talked about how tea in China and Japan is enjoyed in many forms from a simple bowl of tea to the beautiful and intricate tea ceremony. The program included a tea-making demonstration of the Chinese tea ceremony – gong fu cha, and the Japanese tea ceremony – cha-no-yu, as well as a display of Asian tea implements.

Jammin’ with Johnny And Kate @ Brick

A musical treat was enjoyed by children ages 5 & up at Brick this summer.  Johnny & Kate are young, hip musicians with a passion for sharing their music. With an assortment of violins, guitars, acoustic & electric guitars, drums, & tambourines, each child had a chance to try out the instruments under the enthusiastic guidance of Johnny & Kate.  Working in small groups, the children were thrilled to try out these grown-up instruments!

Anime Extravaganza at Brick Branch

On May 14, the Brick TAB in conjunction with the Brick Memorial High School, put on their annual Anime Extravaganza, complete with Cosplay, Dance Dance revolution, LARP (Live Action Role Playing) and of course the ever popular, traditional Japanese Food corner.

Pham sent these photos in to show what the event was like:

The first place winner in the cosplay contest.

The second place winner in the cosplay contest.

Third place winner in the cosplay contest.

Honorable mention goes to this anime fan, who came up with a perfect last minute costume.

 

The video game “Dance Dance Revolution” was also super popular at the program.

Brick branch provides homeschooling information Sept. 11

The Brick branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road, will host an open house from 12:30 p.m. till 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11 to assist parents who are either interested in home schooling their children or are currently homeschooling.

There will be a time to meet and greet other homeschooling parents, learn about support groups in the area and check out library materials on home education.  Parents who are currently homeschooling are encouraged to bring any educational materials they would like to trade with others. 

A story time for young children will begin at 1 pm while parents will have the opportunity to watch a presentation about the library’s electronic resources that are invaluable to homeschoolers.  A question and answer session and a chance to network will follow. 

Light refreshments will be available.  This program is free and open to the public. 

Reservations are required.  Please call the Brick branch at (73) 477-4513, option 3 for the children’s department, or log on to our website www.theoceancountylibrary.org to register.