What's Happening at Middletown Township Public Library, December 23 to January 3, 2015

Library Holiday Schedule: closed December 24, 25, January 1st. Early closing at 12:30pm on December 31.

New Service for Lincroft Library Users: A Book Return bin has been installed at the Lincroft Little League Field by the parking lot in front of the playground. Books will be collected on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Museum Pass Program, made possible by the generosity of Robert and Joan Rechnitz and Senator Joseph Kyrillos¸ makes free passes available to selection museums with the use of your library card. Check our website, mtpl.org., for details.

Conversational Spanish program, led by Maria Jose Martinez Reid, will be held on Monday, December 22 and 29 at 7:00pm. Register online at MTPL.org .

Monday Movies present holiday classics: It Happened on 5th Avenue on December 22 and Holiday Inn on December 29, 2:30pm.

Noble Writers met on Wednesday, December 31, 10:00am.

First Friday Book Group meets on Friday, January 2, 9:30am. Book selection is The Signature of All Things byElizabeth Gilbert. Coffee at 9:00am, discussion at 9:30am.

SCRABBLE group meets Tuesday, December 23 and 30 at 12:30pm.

Group Knitting meets on Tuesday, December 23 and 30 at 12:30 pm.

TEEN ZONE – register online at MTPL.org for all programs unless otherwise designated.

American Sign Language led by teens Sarah and Phoebe in the Group Study Room. Sunday, December 21 and 28 @ 1:00 pm.

Gaming Night. Bring your MAGIC cards, your Vanguard, your Yu-gi-oh (or whatever other card games you enjoy), yourself, and your friends to play with other teens who enjoy gaming. Feel free to bring any other games you enjoy, be it cards, board games, or computer games (and if so, bring your own device). We will have some board games available for playing too. Essentially, if you like any kind of gaming...come to Teen Gaming Night!!!! Monday, December 22 @ 7:00 pm.

CHILDREN’S ROOM – register online at MTPL.org for all programs unless otherwise designated.

Drop-In Activities: A variety of holiday-related activities. Sunday December 21 through Thursday, December 31 – all day.

Math Tutoring. Get extra help with math homework from Middletown High School North High Honors students. No registration required; first come-first served. Grades K-8. Sunday, December 21 and 28 @ 3:00 pm.

Books, Blocks & More is a program that focuses on social skills for preschoolers using toys that encourage parallel and cooperative play. Parents and caregivers support their children in sharing and playing peacefully during this time. After a cooperative clean-up time, we gather in a circle for story-time and group games, such as Ring-Around-the-Rosy and Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush. For ages 2-6. Monday, December 22 @ 10:00 am.

Mother Goose is an early language, literacy, and social experience for infants and toddlers with their parents/caregivers. Children will sit on their grown-ups’ laps to share songs and rhymes, and participate in a brief book sharing experience. Afterwards, we will have a social time with toys and books. This first group experience provides infants and toddlers with an opportunity to learn to enjoy being with other children and to participate in parallel play. For ages up to 23 months. Tuesday, December 23 @ 10:00 am.

Simply Storytime. The return of an old favorite. As the name suggests, we will gather in the Children’s Program Room for some storytime fun! This family program will be offered at various times to accommodate all families. For all ages. Monday, December 29 @ 6:30 pm.

Kids’ Playgroup. Celebrate Tech Free Tuesday with an all-ages playgroup that encourages children to explore hands-on activities and develop social skills. Grown-ups can chat and connect with other parents/caregivers while supervising their children’s play. Tuesday, December 30 @ 10:30 am.

Tutoring. Come to the Children’s Quiet Reading area for a free tutoring by high school students. There is no registration for this program; students will be taken on a first come, first served basis. For ages 6+. Saturday, December 27 and January 3 @ 9:00 am.

Reading Buddies will be available to read with a child. No registration needed. First come, first serve basis. For ages 4+. Saturday, December 27 and January 3 @ 10:00 am.

Noon Year’s Eve Party. What do you do when you are too young (or too tired) to stay up until midnight? You have a morning countdown and ring in the “noon year!” Join the Library in welcoming 2015 with its Noon Year’s Eve Celebration with a wacky dance party and countdown. For all ages. Thursday, January 31 @ 11:00 am.

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For additional program information, visit our website at MTPL.org and click on CALENDAR.