The Whiting Reading Center and the Tuckerton Branch are currently experiencing an issue with their phone lines.
To contact the Whiting Reading Center or Tuckerton Branch, please call the Toms River Branch at 732-349-6200 and ask the operator to forward your call to the Whiting Reading Center or Tuckerton branch.

 

Register For Our All-Ages Summer Reading Challenges Today!

 

Click here for 2023 Ocean County Schools Summer Reading Lists

 

Programming for All Ages

For a complete list of programming visit our calendar of events.

Children

Below are special library events for children across the county. Click links below or call the branch to register.

Programs below are for children ages 0-12 and their families. Please check the age range of individual events to find events for your family.

 

Surfin Ron Albanese's Pineapple Time Show

This is a celebratory, and super-interactive “all together now” type of show, where everyone joins in to sing, dance, and laugh along! With cool tunes and lots of improv comedy, it’s going to be the show of the summer!

Monday, July 10th

  • 10:30am – Point Pleasant Borough Branch
  • 12:00pm – Plumsted Branch
  • 6:30pm – Berkeley Branch

Rock & Rhyme with Mr. Jon & Friends

Join multiple Parents' Choice Award winning kids musician Mr. Jon for a fun program for the whole family.  Mr. Jon and his silly friend George the Monkey will have you laughing and dancing along.  Using rhymes, songs, books, and puppets, this interactive musical comedy show is a performance not to miss!

Monday, August 14th

  • 10:30am – Manchester Branch
  • 2:30pm – Waretown Branch

Tuesday, August 15th

  • 10:30am – Long Beach Island Branch

Music and Puppets with Jumpin' Jamie

Join kindie rock artist Jumpin’ Jamie and their puppet friends for an interactive performance featuring a message of togetherness.

Thursday, July 6th

  • 10:30am – Lacey Branch
  • 2:30pm – Island Heights Branch
  • 6:30pm – Barnegat Branch

Tuesday, August 8th

  • 10:30am – Beachwood Branch
  • 2:30pm – Brick Branch
  • 6:30pm – Upper Shores Branch

Whalemobile: Meet Nile the Humpback Whale

Nile, the life-sized inflatable humpback whale is coming to your library! Learn about how whales and humans are similar and different and touch baleen, teeth, and bones.

All family members attending between age 5 and 12 must register separately. Register online, by phone, or in person at your local branch and to receive more information.

These events have 30 minute sessions for which children can register. Each child may only register for one session. Registration is required.

Little Egg Harbor Branch – Wednesday, August 2nd

  • Session 1: 10:00am – 10:30am
  • Session 2: 10:30am – 11:00am
  • Session 3: 11:00am – 11:30am
  • Session 4: 11:30am – 12:00pm

Berkeley Branch – Wednesday, August 2nd

  • Session 1: 2:00pm – 2:30pm
  • Session 2: 2:30pm – 3:00pm
  • Session 3: 3:00pm – 3:30pm
  • Session 4: 3:30pm – 4:00pm

Long Beach Island Branch – Thursday, August 3rd

  • Session 1: 10:00am – 10:30am
  • Session 2: 10:30am – 11:00am
  • Session 3: 11:00am – 11:30am
  • Session 4: 11:30am – 12:00pm

Toms River Branch – Thursday, August 3rd

  • Session 1: 2:00pm – 2:30pm
  • Session 2: 2:30pm – 3:00pm
  • Session 3: 3:00pm – 3:30pm
  • Session 4: 3:30pm – 4:00pm

Jackson Branch Thursday, August 3rd

  • Session 1: 6:00pm – 6:30pm
  • Session 2: 6:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Session 3: 7:00pm – 7:30pm
  • Session 4: 7:30pm – 8:00pm

Unique Creatures

Get up close and personal with LIVE animals from all around the world, at your library!

Friday, July 14th

  • 10:30am – Upper Shores Branch
  • 1:30pm – Point Pleasant Beach Branch

Tuesday, August 15th

  • 3:30pm – Tuckerton Branch
  • 6:30pm – Stafford Branch

Talewise Presents Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together

In this action-packed story, two unlikely heroes work together to save their town (and the planet) from a super-polluting mastermind! Throughout the adventure, volunteers will help the performer conduct several exciting science experiments that bring this story to life. Together we’ll explore Newton’s Laws of Motion, air pressure, chemical reactions, and more!

Wednesday, July 26th

  • 10:30am – Stafford Branch
  • 2:30pm – Tuckerton Branch
  • 6:30pm – Lacey Branch

Thursday, August 24th

  • 10:30am – Little Egg Harbor Branch
  • 2:30pm – Waretown Branch
  • 6:30pm – Point Pleasant Borough Branch

Six Flags Wild Encounters

Some fun, fuzzy and feathered friends are visiting the library for this up-close experience. Learn all about the importance of animals and their conservation.

Wednesday, July 12th

  • 3:00pm – Brick Branch
  • 6:00pm – Lakewood Branch

Wednesday, July 19th

  • 11:30am – Jackson Branch
  • 2:30pm – Barnegat Branch

Wednesday, August 9th

  • 11:30am – Toms River Branch
  • 2:30pm – Plumsted Branch
Teens

Aromatherapy for Teens

Educator and essential oils specialist, Danielle Boska, will provide teens with a rejuvenating and hands on experience with therapeutic oils and scents. Teens will leave refreshed with their own essential oils-based crafts.

Wednesday, August 16th

  • 6:00pm – Manchester Branch

Monday, August 28th

  • 6:30pm – Toms River Branch

Thursday, August 31st

  • 6:30pm – Berkeley Branch

Blending Fun for Teens

A fun, healthy, and educational program using fresh ingredients and a blender.

Wednesday, July 12th

  • 3:00pm – Barnegat Branch

Tuesday, July 25th

  • 1:00pm – Waretown Branch

Tuesday, August 15th

  • 3:00pm – Little Egg Harbor Branch

Wednesday, August 16th

  • 3:30pm – Berkeley Branch

Thursday, August 17th

  • 2:00pm – Beachwood Branch

Tuesday, August 29th

  • 3:00pm – Toms River Branch

Bugs on the Go for Teens

Insectropolis will have a variety of exotic specimens to learn about and explore.

Tuesday, July 11th

  • 3:00pm – Manchester  Branch
  • 6:00pm – Toms River Branch

Wednesday, July 12th

  • 3:00pm – Long Beach Island Branch
  • 6:00pm – Little Egg Harbor Branch

Wednesday, July 26th

  • 3:00pm – Upper Shores Branch

Thursday, July 27th

  • 3:00pm – Lakewood Branch

Coral Reef CSI for Teens

In this hands-on lab, work together to solve the mystery of the missing zooxanthellae.

Thursday, June 29th

  • 2:30pm – Plumsted Branch

Tuesday, July 18th

  • 6:00pm – Lacey Branch

Thursday, July 20th

  • 3:00pm – Upper Shores Branch

Tuesday, July 25th

  • 11:00pm – Lakewood Branch

Thursday, August 10th

  • 12:00pm – Stafford Branch

Lumpia Making for Teens

Learn to make lumpia, a delicious and popular type of spring roll, with The Filipino-American Community & Development Center of Ocean County Inc.

Tuesday, July 11th

  • 6:00pm – Lacey Branch

Thursday, July 13th

  • 5:30pm – Berkeley Branch

Perfume to Go: DIY Fragrance for Teens

In this two-hour class, teens will learn all about different types of fragrances then design their own personalized scent using essential oils and an oil/beeswax base to make a solid perfume balm they can take home. Not recommended for those with allergies, sensitivities, or asthma.

Saturday, July 15th

  • 2:00pm – Barnegat Branch

Saturday, July 29th

  • 2:00pm – Upper Shores Branch

Saturday, August 5th

  • 2:00pm – Point Pleasant Borough Branch

Wood Painting for Teens

Debby Pease will teach participants to paint their own wooden sign to express their creativity and celebrate the summer.

Thursday, June 22nd

  • 2:30pm – Point Pleasant Borough Branch

Thursday, June 29th

  • 1:00pm – Waretown Branch

Thursday, July 6th

  • 7:00pm – Stafford Branch

Friday, July 7th

  • 3:00pm – Manchester Branch

Saturday, July 8th

  • 3:00pm – Long Beach Island Branch

Wednesday, July 12th

  • 2:00pm – Plumsted Branch

Monday, July 31st

  • 2:00pm – Tuckerton Branch

Tuesday, August 1st

  • 3:00pm – Barnegat Branch
  • 6:00pm – Upper Shores Branch

Monday, August 7th

  • 3:00pm – Brick Branch

Tuesday, August 8th

  • 2:00pm – Little Egg Harbor Branch

Saturday, August 12th

  • 2:30pm – Berkeley Branch

Summer Volunteering S.A.I.L.

This volunteer program allows teens the opportunity to serve their community while learning, sharing and having fun at the same time! The teen volunteer program, Service and Achievement In the Library (S.A.I.L) is offered to teens that have completed at least 7th grade.

Applications are live! Deadlines to apply vary so please register as soon as possible.

 

Adults

Tibetan Singing Bowls

Tibetan singing bowls are an ancient form of sound healing. Learn about the health benefits of meditation and the history of Tibetan singing bowls. Relax and unwind while playing a singing bowl. Presented by Shelly Botwinick, MA in Holistic Health, B.S. Music Education, energy medicine practitioner, specializing in sound healing and adjunct professor at Mercer County Community College.

Saturday, June 10th

  • 3:00pm – Barnegat Branch

Monday, June 12th

  • 2:00pm – Little Egg Harbor Branch

Tuesday, June 13th

  • 6:00pm – Berkeley Branch

Saturday, June 17th

  • 3:00pm – Pt. Pleasant Boro Branch

Monday, June 19th

  • 6:00pm – Jackson Branch

Monday, June 26th

  • 2:00pm – Waretown Branch

Dungeons and Dragons Crash Course

Ever wanted to play or run a Dungeons & Dragons campaign but didn’t know how? Learn the basics of D&D 5th edition with this crash course. From how to fill out a character sheet and what each part means, to how to run a campaign as a Dungeon master, this 90-minute program will help get you started on this fun new hobby.

Wednesday, July 12th

  • 6:30pm – Long Beach Island Branch

Wednesday, July 19th

  • 6:30pm Manchester Branch

Monday, July 24th

  • 6:30pm Plumsted Branch

Monday, August 7th

  • 6:30pm Lacey Branch

Wednesday, August 23rd

  • 6:30pm Stafford Branch

Monday, August 28th

  • 6:30pm Toms River Branch