Back to Bach Performed at Warren Township Library

Isabel Won, Eric Chen and Josh Park

Musicians from the Back to Bach Project performed various pieces for children at the Warren Township Library.

Josh Park, percussionist; Isabel Won, cellist, and Eric Chen, violinist, are young musicians in the pre-college program at The Juilliard School. They explained various musical terms and performed solo and group selections for children and parents at the library.

Musicians from the Back to Bach Project attend prestigious music schools and volunteer their time to visit elementary schools and libraries to share their love of music.

Eric Chen

Won, a high school senior, began playing piano at the age of three, then the cello two years later. In 2011, she started her musical studies at The Juilliard School. She has been a winner of various competitions including the Grand Prize winner in the National Young Musicians Showcase Competition in 2011.

Chen, a high school freshman, began studying violin when he was three years old and at age eight he had his first solo appearance with the Livingston Symphony Orchestra. He was the Grand Prize winner of the George Nelson Memorial Concert Series Young Artists Competition in 2015.

Josh Park

Park, a high school sophomore, began his studies with piano at age five under Sophia Ososkov. His passion for percussion began in 5th grade when he was given the chance to try any instrument of his choice through the school music program. He is a prize-winning finalist of the Monmouth Symphony Orchestra's 2016 Goldwasser Young Artist Concerto Competition.

See videos from this program below.

For more events at the library, visit the library's event calendar or the Friends of Warren Library Facebook page. To learn more about Back to Bach, please visit their website or Facebook page.

Warren Township Library to Celebrate 70th Anniversary

Warren Library in the old "carriage house"

The Friends of the Warren Township Library will be celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the library’s inception on September 26 from 1 to 4 PM at the library.

The event, sponsored by the Friends, will offer family-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, button making and other crafts. There also will be raffles for children, teens and adults. And of course, a birthday party wouldn’t be complete without a cake. Attendees also will get the chance to see artifacts and learn more about the library’s history.

The Warren Township Library has been housed in several locations throughout the township since it modestly began with a small bookcase in the hallway at Central School in 1945. Professional librarian Zoia Horn volunteered her time to Central School's PTA so that Warren Township might have its own library. She lent 5 books to 3 people from a collection of 183 books.

Emma Jo Cain was among those early volunteers who helped maintain the collection and in the early 1950s she and founder Horn spearheaded ambitious fundraising efforts to help the library.

In 1958, the collection was moved to a renovated porch of the Municipal Building, formerly the manor house of the Hofheimer Estate. Four years later, the library had amassed 6,000 books, which were moved to the carriage house (now the current court building) next door. 

The Friends helps fund many programs for children and adults, including musical performances and the Children's Winter Festival. People can support the library by making a donation to the Friends of the Warren Township Library and becoming a member. Membership forms can be found at the library and on the Friends website.

Warren Township Library Celebrates Hero Week with Special Programs

The Warren Township Library is celebrating the township's heroes with special programs from several local agencies including the police, fire and rescue departments.

On Tuesday, August 4, children 5 years and up will get the chance to meet Officer Horst and his canine partner, Onyx from the Warren Township Police Department. Attendees will learn about the rigors of training a police dog, the special partnership between an officer and his dog, and see how their police car is like no other.

Hero Week continues on Wednesday, August 5 with a visit from real firefighters from the Warren Township Fire Department. Children ages 4 and older will discover what it takes to be a real firefighter. They also will learn about the equipment a firefighter uses and see a real fire truck up close. 

Supercanine! Dogs Who Make a Difference, is another special program on Wednesday. Children ages 5 to 9 will hear five thrilling and touching stories of dogs who proved they were "man's best friend" and then create a super canine craft.

Hero Week would not be complete without the Warren Township Rescue Squad on Saturday, August 8. For First Aid for Kids and Ambulance Fun Day, kids ages 9 to 11 will visit the rescue squad building (diagonally across from the library) to tour the building and ambulances. They will meet with the EMTs, see demonstrations of their equipment and learn basic first aid for kids. Kids can then test their know-how with a short round of "1st Aid Jeopardy" and prizes will be awarded. Parents are encouraged to attend with their children.

Registration is required for all programs. For more information or to register, visit the Warren Township Library Events Calendar or contact the Youth Services Department at (908) 754-5554 x23.

Read for Prizes! Family Read Aloud Month at Warren Library

Cindy Lou Who

Celebrate  Family Read Aloud Month this March at Warren Township Library. Stop in at the library anytime during the month and pick up your packet for our "at-home" reading program. Every family member can participate, even those from far away via FaceTime or Skype. Audio books, stories, plays - any reading counts!

Packets include a robot that families can color in for every 15 minutes read together. For each completed robot, the family will be entered in a drawing for a prize. All robots will be displayed in the Youth Services section of the library. Prizes provided by Trattoria La Strada and 16 Handles.

Participants can also "Guess the Author" each week. The week's author will be displayed on the bulletin board and people can enter for a chance to win a book. A winner will be drawn from the correct answers every Monday.

Program materials provided by the Friends of the Warren Township Library.

Spooky Kids' Craft for Halloween

Here's a very easy Halloween craft for children that we recently created at the Warren Township Library. The library also will be hosting Halloween-themed drop-in crafts on Saturday, October 25 from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and on Monday, October 27 from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

For this spooktacular craft, you just need a few materials and your child's imagination.

Items needed:

• black paper plate
• hole punch
• yarn (as many colors as you would like)
• scissors
• stickers
• a paper spider

1. Adults should use the hole punch to make about 8 holes around the edge of the paper plate.

2. Pull a piece of yarn through one hole and tie a knot. Have your child weave the yarn through the holes, criss-crossing the plate in whatever pattern they choose, to create a spider web. Your child can use one or many colors.

3. When finished threading the yarn through the plate, tie an end knot and cut any excess yarn.

4. Allow your child to decorate the plate with any spooky Halloween or other stickers they choose.

5. Print out a spider. We chose the spider from Eric Carle's The Very Busy Spider. Cut it out and punch a hole in the top. Take a piece of yarn to tie the spider to your plate.

The Warren Library closed beginning November 11

Beginning Monday, November 11, the Warren Township Library (a branch of the Somerset County Library System), located at 42 Mountain Boulevard in Warren, New Jersey, will close for approximately four weeks for needed painting and renovations, including the women’s public restroom.

“You know how disruptive it is to paint your house,” commented System Director Brian Auger. “This is much worse as all the wall-mounted shelving and the books on them, have to come down first. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, but could not find any other way to get the work done quickly and safely.” 

As a result of the areas being renovated and painted, and the fact that there will be no staff in the building, the book drop will be closed. Materials can be returned to any SCLS branch; the closest branches are Watchung, North Plainfield, Bound Brook and Bridgewater. Staff has been advising patrons to change the pick-up location for their holds to a nearby branch or to “freeze” them until December 7. 

The following programs will take place at the Warren Court Room, next to the Library:

• Saturday, November 16 @ 2 pm. “Meeting Eleanor Roosevelt” portrayed by actress Linda Kenyon.
• Monday, November 18 @ 6:30 pm. Parent/Teacher Program—Let the Brain Games Begin! Toys and Games to Boost your Brain Power. 
• Wednesday, November 20 @ 7 pm. Identity Theft, presented by Kevin Lynch, from the Society of Financial Awareness. 
• Saturday, November 23 @ 2 pm. The Music of the British Invasion, performed by the group “Carnaby Street!” led by Chris Roselle. 
• Wednesday, December 4 @ 7 PM– Teen Program –Finding Truth in YA Fiction—A Panel of YA Authors.

 Registration is open for these programs through the library website or by calling 908-754-5554. Staff anticipates welcoming the community back on Saturday, December 7. Information about Library services and resources is available at the Library’s Website or by calling 908-526-4016.

The Somerset County Library System has branches in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung.

Warren Library Brings Spooky Events for Kids and Adults

Visit the Warren Township Library this October for some Halloween-y events from creepy crafts to spooky author visits.


Monstore Reading and Craft
Tuesday, October 22, 4 pm to 4:45 pm
Join author Tara Lazar as she reads her new picture book The Monstore (available at the library) and shares secrets about the underground emporium and the making of the book.

Then stay for a monstrous craft! For children ages 4 to 8 years. Registration required. You can sign up online or call Youth Services at 908-754-5554 ext. 23.


The Legendary Pine Barrens: Stories and Songs
Wednesday, October 23, 7 pm to 8:30 pm
Author, storyteller and musician Paul Evans Pedersen Jr. will entertain visitors with stories and songs, based on the rich storytelling tradition of the Pine Barrens. His book, The Legendary Pine Barrens: New Tales From Old Haunts (available at the library), is a collection of dark and quirky short stories inspired by South Jersey folklore. Pedersen puts his unique spin on such legendary local subjects as the immortal Jersey Devil, dancing bandit Joe Mulliner, and the mysterious Blue Hole of Winslow. 
 

This program is geared toward adults only.  No children under 12 please.

Registration is required. You can sign up online or call 908-754-5554 ext. 64.

 
The Case of the Unknown Woman: A 19th Century Murder Mystery

Saturday, October 26, 2 pm to 3:15 pm

Rahway city historian, Alexander Shipley, will talk about the case that inspired his book The Case of the Unknown Woman: The Story of One of the Most Intriguing Murder Mysteries of the Nineteenth Century. 

This fascinating tale is based on an actual event that took place on March 26, 1887 when a young woman was found murdered in a field on the outskirts of Rahway, NJ. Some have speculated there is a possible link between this dastardly deed and the crimes of Jack the Ripper. You can also get his book at the library.

This program is geared toward adults only.Registration is required. You can sign up online or call 908-754-5554 ext. 64.


Halloween Hullabaloo - Drop In Craft
Saturday. October 26, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm or
Tuesday,  October 29, 3 pm to 7 pm

Parents with children ages 3 years and older are encouraged to drop by on October 26 or October 29 for our Halloween crafts. Just drop in to the program room during the listed times to make a great craft to take home. No registration required. All drop-in craft programs are funded by the Friends of the Warren Township Library.

If you're looking for some frightening fun at home, check out our Recommended Reading lists of items available from the library:

• Spooky fiction books, e-books and audiobooksfor adults
• True Tales of Terror
• Halloween Books for Kids (selections for all ages)

Warren Township Library Open House Highlights Library Services

Nearly 200 people came to the Warren Township Library Open House on Saturday. Visitors talked with staff and volunteers about library offerings, received hands-on demonstrations, played Wii games and laughed with singer/storyteller Jim Rohe.

 

The library also received a special proclamation from the Township Committee in honor of National Library Week, which ended Saturday.

Performer Jim Rohe

Artwork from local teens also was featured in the Teen Section of the library during the library Open House and will be on display until May 15. 

Teen volunteers and library mascot, Reed, helped promote offerings for the younger patrons, while other library volunteers and staff were stationed at other displays for various programs and services including:

 Collection Management Supervisor Yvonne Selander offers demos

• the free Museum Pass Program, which enables you to check out passes for free admission and special discounts at select museums in the metropolitan area
• Warren Business Professional Networking Community (WBPNC), a new group providing educational and networking opportunities for business professionals and/or business owners in the Warren-Watchung, NJ area
• the Friends of the Library, a volunteer group that helps support special events and initiatives
• Freegal, a downloadable music service that provides access to a catalog of artists in Sony Music Entertainment; you can also download to a smartphone
• Naxos, a catalogue of Classical, Jazz, World, Classic Rock, Nostalgia music
• Tumblebooks, ebooks for kids to read online or on a mobile device

 There also were live demos including how to browse the catalog online and download free music, ebooks and audiobooks to your computer or mobile device.

 

Several visitors were lucky winners of raffle prizes donated by the following local businesses:

Local kids enjoy special performance

• 16 Handles (Frozen Yogurt)
• Ciro's Pizza and Deli
• Country Squire Family Restaurant
• Edgewood Pharmacy & Boutique
• Kings Food Markets
• Little Shanty Burgers, Shakes & Grandma's Fries
• Nuray's Café
• Silk Road Restaurant
• Village Nails
• Warren Deli & Grill
• Warrenville Paint and Hardware

 You can see all our Open House photos on Facebook.

Demos, Prizes & More at the Warren Library Open House

Come to the Warren Township Library this Saturday, April 20, for our Open House!

From 11 to 2 pm, enjoy light refreshments, raffles, hands-on demonstrations and singer/storyteller Jim Rohe.

If you are new to the area, or have not visited the WarrenTownship Library in a while, this will be an opportunity to learn everything that the library has to offer. Learn how to download eBooks, free music and more with hands-on demonstrations. 

At noon, Jim Rohe will entertain audiences of all ages. Play games with our new Wii U. Find out about the free Museum Pass Program, which enables you to check out passes for free admission and special discounts at select museums in the metropolitan area. Gather information about our newly created Warren Business Professional Networking Community (WBPNC) and join the Friends of the Library. 

Get raffle tickets to win prizes donated by the following local businesses:

• 16 Handles (Frozen Yogurt)
• Ciro's Pizza and Deli
• Country Squire Family Restaurant
• Edgewood Pharmacy & Boutique
• Kings Food Markets
• Little Shanty Burgers, Shakes & Grandma's Fries
• Nuray's Café
• Silk Road Restaurant
• Village Nails
• Warren Deli & Grill
• Warrenville Paint and Hardware

It's Family Read-Aloud Month at Warren Township Library

Storyteller Julie Pasqual

The Warren Township Library kicked off Family Read Aloud Month on March 2 with a visit from storyteller Julie Pasqual and a showing of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax. Children also had the chance to decorate a "Cat-in-the-Hat" paper hat and sign up for our Read-Aloud program.

Pasqual had the kids equally giggling and enthralled by her engaging stories. Check out a clip of her performance below. There also are more photos of the day on our Facebook page and a video clip below.

If you missed this fun-filled event you can still sign up for our Family Read-Aloud program which runs until March 31. Just pick up a packet from the Children's Services desk and start reading together.  

 
Each week, participants will have a chance to win a book by solving the clue to the book title on display in the Children's section. 

For a chance to win a grand prize at the end of the month, read with your kids, fill in your reading log and return it to the library. The grand prize will be supplied by Trattoria La Strada and Cold Stone Creamery.

For other programs and events, visit our Event Calendar.

Warren Township Library Winter Festival

There were crafts galore and loads of fun at the Warren Township Library's Winter Festival. About 183 adults and children came to the library to enjoy free snacks and crafts, Wii games and special face painting and tattoos by Pam Pomo.

We wouldn't have had such a successful event without the tremendous help from our terrific teen volunteers. We had 9 wonderful teens help the entire Youth Services Staff and our library director during this special event. 

To see more photos, visit our photo album on the Warren Library Facebook page. To learn about our other great children's programs, see our event calendar.
 

WINTER FESTIVAL POSTPONED

Warren Library Special Announcement!  

 "Winter Festival" originally scheduled for Saturday, February 9

has been postponed until Saturday, February 23. 

Give the Gift of Reading During the Holidays

Drop a new book in our donation box in the Children's Dept.

Thanksgiving is upon us and with Christmas and Chanukah just around the corner, the spirit of giving is in the air. Why not give the gift of reading to a child in need?

Once again this year, the Warren Township Library, is collecting new books as part of the "Books for Kids" campaign. People can bring new books for infants through teens to the Children's Services Department of the library through December 8.

These donations will be distributed to children and teens throughout New Jersey who have limited access to books.



Started in 1991, “Books for Kids” is a statewide program sponsored by the New Jersey Library Association’s Children’s Services Section. This program is undertaken with the hope that all children will be able to experience the joy of reading books of their very own.

Each year, with the help of more than 200 libraries, including Warren Township Library, thousands of thousands of children from around the state are given the chance to own a book of their very own through this important program.

For more information, contact the library's Youth Service Department at (908) 754-5554 ext 23 or stop by the Youth Services desk.

Children's author Wendy Wyatt @Warren Library 7/16 at 6 pm

"Please Don't Hurt Abby the Labby"

---

NJ Author Comes to Warren Library

(Reprinted from Warren Macaroni Kid)

Marcela Dunham

On July 16 at 6pm, NJ author Wendy Wyatt will be at the Warren Library to read her book, Please Don't Hurt Abby the Labby. Children ages 4-6 will learn how to care for a puppy and the importance of being kind to animals. Ms. Wyatt will answer questions, and her book will be available for purchase.

Wendy Wyatt is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Children lap up her warm and spirited first book, Please Don't Hurt Abby the Labby, while becoming inspired to become enthusiastic partners in speaking up for all mistreated animals.

Ms. Wyatt is currently writing a second picture book, Uno: A Little Dog with a Big Heart, about a Best in Show winner who discovers show biz was exciting, but winning hearts as a therapy dog is much more satisfying than winning ribbons. She is also writing an upper middle grade novel, Mike Hutchinson and the Pups from PA, about a sarcastic and street-wise boy who moves to rural PA from Philadelphia and stumbles upon the deplorable puppy mill situation. He and his friends work to expose this business and rescue the pups, and Mike rescues himself as well.

Wyatt's desire to help a society or individual grow and change drives her choice of subject mater. She believes the best way to reach a solution is to reach the children, keeping in mind that most children learn best through a good story. Wyatt has also written articles about children and animals for various newspapers and magazines.

Register online at www.somerset.lib.nj.us on the Warren Calendar of Events page for this program for ages 4-6.