Ocean County Library Foundation Commits $110,000 to Brick Library Renovation

“The Ocean County Library Foundation presents a $110,000 gift to the Library Commission. Pictured left to right: Library Commission Chairman Henry J. Mancini; Library Foundation Vice Chairman James F. Fosbre, Jr.; and Elaine McConnell, Foundation member and past library director.”

TOMS RIVER –   The Ocean County Library Foundation has recently authorized a gift of $110,000 for extensive renovations to the Ocean County Library’s Brick branch, which are designed to enable the branch to accommodate more users and enhance operations.

“The Foundation is honored to support this project, which we believe will have an immediate positive impact on the Brick community,” said Joe Guzzardo, president of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees. “We look forward to working with individuals and businesses interested in joining the Foundation in support of this important project.”

Naming opportunities at the Brick branch exist for prospective donors and organizations interested in supporting the project through the Foundation.

The donation will help underwrite interior renovations to the branch, where the interior has been redesigned to increase floor space by approximately 3,000 square feet, accommodate more library users and better serve the public. The Foundation, which voted unanimously to approve the donation at its Aug. 16 meeting, announced the gift at the Ocean County Library Commission meeting on Aug. 28.

“On behalf of the Ocean County Library Commission I would like to thank The Ocean County Library Foundation for their generous donation. Their continued support of the Ocean County Library system is very much appreciated and an essential factor in maintaining the very best library services for the residents of Ocean County,” said Henry J. Mancini, chairman.

The overall cost of the project is approximately $1.2 million, which will include additional meeting room and study spaces, a children’s story corner, an area for teens, additional computers for public use and a conference room that can be converted into a computer lab.

“The library is the heart of the community and this generous donation by the Ocean County Library Foundation will have a significant impact in providing desired community features for the Brick branch,” said Susan Quinn, Library Director.

2 programs @ PP Boro

Stroke Prevention seminar @ PP Boro

POINT PLEASANT BOROUGH- Representatives from The Center for Healthy Aging at Kimball Medical

Center will present information on what you can do to prevent a stroke, how you can identify the signs

and symptoms of a stroke, and provide free blood pressure screenings. Health coaches will be available

to answer questions you may have about your health.

Please register by calling 732-295-1555 or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org

“Rhythm of the Blues” @ PP Boro

POINT PLEASANT BOROUGH- Take a musical journey across the USA Local Commotion Walking

History’s Rhythm of the Blues with vocalist/proprietor Kati Beddow Brower and guitar stylist Bo

Pezzzullo. Share in the musical tour of the four distinct types of “rhythms” of the Blues that emerged from

different regions of the country along with some history of blues performers and their songs.

Please register by calling 732-295-1555 or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org

3 programs @ Manchester branch

MANCHESTER BRANCH TO SHOW “MIRROR MIRROR”

MANCHESTER – The Manchester branch will screen the film, “Mirror Mirror” Wednesday, September 12 at 2 p.m. and again at 6 pm. See this popular comedy/fantasy on a large screen without paying the admission fee of a movie theater! 

A dark twist on the classic fairy tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, an evil queen (Julia Roberts) steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright.

This PG-rated movie is part of the library’s Feature Film Series. It is 106 minutes long. Although registration is not required, early arrival is recommended.

 

MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY TO SHOW, “AMADOR”

MANCHESTER – The Manchester branch will screen, “Amador” Wednesday, September 19 at 2 p.m. and again at 6 pm. See this popular foreign drama film on a large screen without paying the admission fee of a movie theater!

Marcela, a young immigrant with financial troubles, finds a summer job looking after Amador, a bed-ridden elderly man whose family is away. She thinks her problems are solved, but Amador dies shortly thereafter, putting Marcela in a predicament. His death leaves her jobless, something she can’t afford to let happen. Faced with a difficult moral dilemma, Marcela will prove that death can’t always stop life.

The dialogue is in Spanish with English subtitles and is 112 minutes long. It is part of the library’s monthly Foreign/Independent Film Series.  Registration is not required. This program is open all ages although it is geared toward adults.

 

MANCHESTER BRANCH LIBRARY TO HOST

BP SCREENING AND WORKSHOP ON STROKE PREVENTION

MANCHESTER, NJ– On Monday September 10 starting at 2 pm at the Manchester branch, representatives from Kimball Medical Center’s new Center for Healthy Aging will present “Stroke Awareness.” They will tell you about the symptoms of a stroke and steps you can take to avoid having one. They will also be available to check your blood pressure and answer your questions.

This free program is part of the library’s “Chapters of Health” series and is open to the adult public, free of charge. Please go online to www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 657-7600 to register.

Artist/author McGinley to present his book at TR library branch

Award-winning military artist and author Frank McGinley will display his original artwork, tell the stories behind them, and discuss his book “Let Us Never Forget: Stories and Paintings of World War II” Thursday Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.

McGinley’s program will be held at Ocean County Library’s Toms River branch (101 Washington St.)

Each painting in this unique book illustrates a specific event from the Holocaust and WWII in a realistic and dynamic style, and all have a matching narrative gathered over the course of several decades from McGinley’s close friends and acquaintances. The book includes a foreword written by Toms River Township Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher, Lt. Col. USMCR (Ret.)

J. Mark Mutter, Township of Toms River Clerk, RMC and Township of Toms River Historian, along with special guests, will share their own stories from WWII. Books will be available for purchase. A book signing will take place after the program.

McGinley has produced many paintings for the U.S. Air Force and examples of his work are displayed at the Pentagon, West Point, McGuire Air Force Base, and the British War Museum. He has also contributed his artistic talent to benefit the fund raising efforts of such community service organizations as the Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs.

This program is free and open to the public.  Registration is required.  For more information or to register go to the Web site www.theoceancountylibrary.org or call (732) 349-6200 or (609) 971-0514.

Little Egg Harbor, the branch with literary good taste

Is it possible to eat your cake and read it, too?

Ask the Friends of the Little Egg Harbor branch of the Ocean County Library!

The Edible Book Festival was the brainstorm of LEH’s Carol Prendergast. Originally held on the West Coast, edible book festivals have extolled reading for years. An edible book may look like a book, be a pun on a book title or refer to a character. All ingredients should be edible. Under the guidance of program coordinators Carol Prendergast and Leslie Karvan, seventeen Friends volunteered to judge LEH staff entries Friday, August 17.

Adrienne Bird gathered iced coffee, coffee fudge, tiramisu and other coffee treats to visualize “The VariousFlavors of Coffee,” written by Anthony Cappella. It earned the Most Drop Dead Gorgeous award for appearance and presentation.

Lauren Shockley created a glittering celestial backdrop for yummy monkey bread, depicting “Monkeys and the Universe,” written by Kate Banks. Her entry won the Most Delectably Appetizing award for taste, texture and flavor.

Popular with the judges, Rob Rinaldi arranged two hot dogs in buns inside a beer stein, winning the Most Pun-derful award for wit and humor, showcasing Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein.”

Winner of the Ms Congeniality award, Donna Majchrzak baked banana nut muffins plus molded a chocolate moose, for Laura Numeroff’s “If You Give a Moose a Muffin.”

Voted Most True to Book for effort and difficulty, Dr Seuss’ “OneFish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” was represented by Cheryl Smith’s school of fish cupcakes decorated with brightly colored candies.

Winner of both Staff Choice and Most Creative for originality, Michelle Gilli offered cupcakes topped with frosted spaghetti, chocolate meatballs and strawberry gravy, for Judi Barrett’s “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” Will Michelle’s entry next year involve the sequel and pickles?

Adding new Friends to membership, forty four people enjoyed viewing and tasting seventeen edible book creations, while participating in LEH’s celebration of reading, our Edible Book Festival.

Teen Rock Band Tournament

The Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library is having a bracketed tournament of the video game Rock Band on Wednesday, September 12th, from 6:30 to 8 pm. Rock Band is a music-playing simulator that uses guitar and drum controllers and microphones. Players are scored on how well they match the notes on the screen, and there are multiple difficulty levels. There will be snacks for everyone, and prizes for the winners.

This program is free and open to teens in grades 7-12. The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. Please register online at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or by phone at 609-597-3381.

Teen Book Club

Stafford branch of the Ocean County Library has a book club for teens meeting Thursday, September 13th, from 5 – 6 pm. Every month, we’ll read and discuss a teen novel. The book for September is Keep Holding On by Susane Colasanti. Pick it up at the circulation desk at the Stafford Library. Teens who love to read can enjoy the opportunity to talk about great teen novels, and for teens who struggle with reading assignments, this is a no-pressure environment to practice thinking critically about books.

This program is free and open to teens in grades 7-12. The Stafford branch is located at 129 N. Main St. in Manahawkin. Please register online at http://www.theoceancountylibrary.org or by phone at 609-597-3381.

Manchester Branch To Show “Big Miracle”

The Ocean County Library Manchester Branch will screen the film, “Big Miracle” on Wednesday, September 5, at 2:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 pm. See this popular drama film on a large screen without paying the admission fee of a movie theater!

Inspired by a true story, this rescue adventure tells the amazing tale of a small town news reporter (John Krasinski) and a Greenpeace volunteer (Drew Barrymore) who are joined by rival world superpowers to save a family of majestic gray whales trapped by ice in the Arctic Circle.

This PG-rated movie is part of the library’s Feature Film Series. It is 107 minutes long. Although registration is not required, early arrival is recommended.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township. Call 732-657-7600 for more information or go online to theoceancountylibrary.org.

Manchester Library Freinds To Sponsor September Art Exhibition and Reception

On Saturday September 8, the Ocean County Library Manchester Friends group will host a reception to take place at the library starting at 2:00 pm to honor local artist, Joan Mabry whose acrylic, charcoal, oil, pastel, and pencil drawings and paintings will be on display in the library’s meeting room throughout the month of September. The public is invited to drop in to see the display, share light refreshments, meet the artist and listen to her discuss her work.

The reception is open to the adult public, free of charge. There is no advance registration.

Interested parties are also permitted to stop by to view this exhibit during the library’s regular business hours whenever the meeting room is available. Calling the library beforehand at 732.657.7600 is recommended.

The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library is located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township.

Manchester Branch Seeking Performers For October Talent Show

On October 6, the Ocean County Library Manchester branch is planning a talent show in celebration of Intergenerational Day and Diversity Month. We are looking for people of all ages and walks of life that enjoy performing and have a talent they wish to share with the community. Instrumental, singing, dancing juggling, magic or just about any type of act is welcome!

Anyone interested in participating should stop by the Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library located at 21 Colonial Drive in Manchester Township by September 17 to obtain complete information and to sign up.