Celebrate Summer Reading with a Huge Variety of Teen Programs at the Ocean County Library

TOMS RIVER – Unearth a story with new friends at the Ocean County Library this summer! Many programs for teens will take place across multiple Ocean County Library branches to celebrate Summer Reading 2026 and its theme, Unearth a Story. Please see the program information below, including dates, times, locations, and registration.

“Cosplay 101” – learn about the latest trends in cosplay technology, including fabric selection, armor crafting, and wig styling. There will also be a cosplay design challenge to test your skills.

·Tuesday, July 14 @ 11 a.m. – Plumsted Branch – 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, 609-758-7888. Registration opens June 30.

·Tuesday, July 28 @ 11 a.m. – Waretown Branch – 112 Main Street, 609-693-5133. Registration opens July 14.

·Tuesday August 4 @ 11 a.m. – Long Beach Island Branch – 217 South Central Avenue., Surf City, 609-494-2480. Registration opens July 21.

·Tuesday, August 11 @ 11 a.m. – Island Heights Branch – 121 Central Avenue, 732-270-6266. Registration opens July 28.

Call or stop by the branch of your choice or visit tinyurl.com/Cosplay101-OCL to register.

“New Jersey’s Precious Pinelands with Jenkinson’s Aquarium” – teens will have the opportunity to meet animal ambassadors to learn all about the history of New Jersey’s pinelands, vast oak-pine forests, and its diverse wildlife. Learn the differences between its various animals and how they adapt to their habitats.

·Wednesday, July 22 @ 1 p.m. – Upper Shores Branch – 112 Jersey City Avenue, Lavallette, 732-793-3996

·Wednesday, July 22 @ 3 p.m. – Point Pleasant Borough Branch – 834 Beaver Dam Road, 732-295-1555. Registration opens July 13.

·Monday, July 27 @ 1 p.m. – Brick Branch – 301 Chambers Bridge Road, 732-477-4513. Registration opens July 13.

·Monday, July 27 @ 3 p.m. – Jackson Branch – 2 Jackson Drive, 732-928-4400

·Wednesday, July 29 @ 1 p.m. – Barnegat Branch – 112 Burr Street, 609-698-3331

·Wednesday, July 29 @ 3 p.m. – Little Egg Harbor Branch – 290 Mathistown Road, 609-294-1197

Call or stop by the branch of your choice or visit tinyurl.com/JenkinsonOCL to register.

“Bugs on the Go with Insectropolis” – learn all about bugs and animals with the experts from Insectropolis, featuring live creatures and pinned specimens.

·Tuesday, July 21 @ 1 p.m. – Toms River Branch – 101 Washington Street, 732-349-6200

·Tuesday, July 21 @ 3 p.m. – Lakewood Branch – 301 Lexington Avenue, 732-363-1435

·Thursday, July 30 @ 1 p.m. – Tuckerton Branch – 380 Bay Avenue, 609-296-1470. Registration opens July 9.

·Thursday, July 30 @ 3 p.m. – Waretown Branch – 112 Main Street, 609-693-5133. Registration opens July 16.

·Tuesday, August 4 @ 12:30 p.m. – Plumsted Branch. Registration opens July 21.

·Tuesday, August 4 @ 3 p.m. – Island Heights Branch. Registration opens July 21.

Call or stop by the branch of your choice or visit tinyurl.com/BugsOnTheGoOCL to register.

“Anime Cooking with Chef Brian” –enjoy a live cooking demonstration on how to make delicious meals inspired by your favorite anime shows. May contain potential allergens.

·Wednesday, July 29 @ 6 p.m. – Lacey Branch – 10 East Lacey Road, Forked River, 609-693-8566. Registration opens July 15.

·Wednesday, August 5 @ 6 p.m. – Manchester Branch – 21 Colonial Drive, 732-657-7600. Registration opens July 22.

·Wednesday, August 12 @ 6 p.m. – Point Pleasant Borough Branch. Registration opens August 1.

·Wednesday, August 19 @ 6 p.m. – Barnegat Branch. Registration opens July 29.

Call or stop by the branch of your choice or visit tinyurl.com/AnimeCookingOCL to register.

“Watercolor with Westwood & Quinn – Ink Sketch and Watercolor Painting – Ancient Ruins” – sketch ancient ruins with fine liner pens and bring it to life with watercolor.

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·Tuesday, July 21 @ 6 p.m. – Berkeley Branch – 30 Station Road, 732-269-2144

·Wednesday, July 22 @ 6 p.m. – Lakewood Branch

Call or stop by the branch of your choice or visit tinyurl.com/WatercolorRuinsOCL to register.

“Watercolor with Westwood & Quinn – Watercolor Wash and Splatter Painting – Dinosaur” – create a colorful watercolor background using wash and splatter techniques around a dinosaur silhouette.

·Tuesday, August 11 @ 6 p.m. – Upper Shores Branch. Registration opens July 14.

·Thursday, August 13 @ 6 p.m. – Little Egg Harbor

Call or stop by the branch of your choice, or visit tinyurl.com/WatercolorDinoOCL to register.

“The Sky Tonight – Planetarium Show” – Enjoy an unforgettable day of stargazing from the comfort of the library. Discover the wonders of the night sky in a portable indoor planetarium dome. Tom Barry, also known as “That Planetarium Guy,” uses state-of-the-art software and projector technology to make the universe above Ocean County come alive. Explore constellations, planets, meteor showers, and more.

·Tuesday, July 28 @ 11 a.m. – Toms River Branch

·Tuesday, July 28 @ 3 p.m. – Brick Branch. Registration opens July 14.

·Monday, August 3 @ 11 a.m. – Lakewood Branch

·Monday, August 3 @ 3 p.m. – Jackson Branch

·Thursday, August 6 @ 11 a.m. – Berkeley Branch

·Thursday, August 6 @ 3 p.m. – Barnegat Branch. Registration opens July 16.

Call or stop by the branch of your choice or visit tinyurl.com/PlanetariumOCL to register.

“Blending Fun with Amy for Teens: Iced Coffee Barista Edition” – This hands-on workshop will show you how to prep iced brown sugar shaken espresso, iced whipped coffee, homemade sweet creamers, and homemade cold foam with Amy Paradise. May contain potential allergens. This program will take place at the following dates and locations:

·Tuesday, July 14 @ 12 p.m. – Beachwood Branch – 126 Beachwood Boulevard, 732-244-4573. Registration opens June 30.

·Tuesday, July 14 @ 3 p.m. – Lacey Branch. Registration opens June 30.

·Wednesday, July 15 @ 12 p.m. – Manchester Branch. Registration opens July 1.

·Wednesday July 15 @ 3 p.m. – Barnegat Branch. Registration opens June 24.

·Thursday, July 16 @ 12 p.m. – Long Beach Island Branch. Registration opens July 2.

·Thursday, July 16 @ 3 p.m. – Tuckerton Branch

Call or stop by the branch of your choice or visit tinyurl.com/IcedCoffeeOCL to register.

Don’t forget to participate in the 2026 Teen Summer Reading Challenge. The challenge runs on Beanstack until September 9. Two system prize winners will be chosen on September 14.

The Ocean County Library’s S.A.I.L. program is also returning in 2026. Teens looking to volunteer, serve their community, and have fun are welcome to join. Register online at theoceancountylibrary.org/teens/SAIL. Please contact your local branch’s YA department with any questions.