Celebrity genealogist Smolenyak @ TR branch

Megan Smolenyak drew more than 160 amateur genealogists to Mancini Hall July 8th.  Smolenyak is the author of “Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History,” the companion guide to the popular NBC television series.  Everyone loved Smolenyak’s presentation, “Cases that made my brain hurt.”  She was entertaining and informative as she presented her most difficult cases, including her research of President Obama’s Irish roots.  The program was co-sponsored by the Ocean County Genealogical Society and Leisure Village West Genealogy Club.

Pirates at Little Egg Harbor branch

Kitty Jones of Kit’s Interactive Theatre performed Grace the Pirate at the Little Egg Harbor Library. Audience members became part of the crew and helped Grace the Pirate hunt for treasure. At the end everyone received a gem to take home with them. The program was a lot of fun and parents, teens and children enjoyed participating in the fun!

May the force be with you in Brick

For the final week of Star Wars Camp the Brick Branch hosted 8 members of the 501st North East Regiment. We had Darth Vader, a biker scout, a stormtrooper, a shadow trooper and others. Both the kids and their parents were thrilled to meet and interact with the characters. They got lots of autographs, photos and Star Wars goodies. A galactic time was had by one and all.

July’s Adventurers’ Book Club at the Brick Branch

July’s Adventurers’ Book Club at the Brick Branch was proud to host Michael Wexler and John Hulme, the authors of The Seems series. The authors provided the kids with a fabulous presentation about the Seems and it’s main character, Becker Drane. They were funny, engaging and fantastic and we had a blast. They even stamped and autographed our books.

The Lizard Guys at Little Egg Harbor branch

The Lizard Guys brought live animals to the Little Egg Harbor Library! Parents and kids enjoyed learning about the amphibians and reptiles. The children were able to touch the animals with one finger and feel the surface of the snakes and frogs. This program was sponsored by the Friends of the Little Egg Harbor Library.

Ahoy Stafford!

Over 50 children (and their grownups) boarded the SS Stafford Branch and transformed from landlubbers to scurvy sea salts with the help of Cap’n Rachel and her crew of SAILers. Crafts included pirate hats, spyglasses, Jolly Roger flags, and Polly the Parrot, and everyone enjoyed walking the plank and a scavenger hunt!

Brick library “Under the sea”

On July 19, Brick children enjoyed making creative “under the sea” art project with a variety of colorful pasta as part of this summers reading program.

Upper Shores hosts summer camp

Upper Shores was proud to host the summer camp from Hugh J Boyd school, Seaside Heights for a story time and craft. S.A.I.L. was there to lend a hand reading and assisting our visitors. Fun was had by all!

Wacky Wet Wednesday MUD Sculpture party

Upper Shores hosted a Wacky Wet Wednesday MUD Sculpture party. Everyone got “down and dirty,” and the mom’s had a good time too.

Johnny Cash Tribute band hosted by Little Egg Harbor & Tuckerton branches

The Little Egg Harbor and Tuckerton branches hosted a Rock & Roll evening at the Parkertown Firehouse Tuesday evening, July 13, 2010.

The concert featured a performance by Michael Patrick’s Ring of Fire Band, a tribute to the Man in Black – Johnny Cash. About 100 people filled the hall and everyone’s foot was tapping to the beat of an American legend.