Explore Culture With Somerset County Library System Of New Jersey

By the Somerset County Library System

New Jersey Cultural Exploration

The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission in conjunction with local historical organizations and tourism partners, will present a Weekend Journey Through the Past, during which 26 of Somerset County’s significant historic sites will be open from 10 am - 5 pm on Saturday, October 11 and 12-4 pm on Sunday, October 12. As a part of this free family-friendly annual weekend event, SCLSNJ Bound Brook Library Branch Adult Services Librarian Mary Nelson will offer guided tours of the historic Old Presbyterian Graveyard site. For more information about Weekend Journey Through the Past and the 26 historic sites involved, visit https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/SCHistoryWeekend/.

On Saturday, October 18, SCLSNJ Somerville Library Branch, located at 35 West End Avenue, will host Images of Somerville’s Past IV, 3-5 pm. This is the fourth in a series of programs presented by James L. Sommerville, III, SCLSNJ Somerville Library Branch Adult Services Librarian, who invites patrons to learn about the deep history of Somerville. The program will provide an overview of commerce and finance using business-specific scans of images from the SCLSNJ Somerville Library Branch archives. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=11181&lib=

In celebration of Somerset County’s rich history, SCLSNJ, together with Somerset County Board of Freeholders, is building a place online where anyone can share images of the people and places that have made Somerset County the wonderful place it is today. The site is still in its early stages; as it continues to

develop, SCLSNJ plans to enhance the site with oral histories, stories and recollections. SCLSNJ is asking the public to help make this site a rich source of images and stories about New Jersey’s best place to live. For more information, visit http://www.mysomersetcounty.org/.

World Cultural Exploration

On Saturday, October 18, SCLSNJ Bound Brook Library Branch, located at 402 E. High Street, will host Hispanic Heritage Fiesta, 1-3 pm. The event will include folklore costumes from around the world including El Salvador, Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru, various dance performances and refreshments. Registration is not required and all ages are welcome. For more information, call 732-356-0043.

On Saturday, October 25, SCLSNJ North Plainfield Library Branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue, will host Hispanic Heritage Day, 12- 3 pm. Patrons are invited to celebrate El Dia de la Hispanidad, a day filled with folkloric groups representing the rich diversity of dances and music from Hispanic countries, hand-painted folk art, music instruments highlighting colorful traditions, and a free buffet featuring authentic Hispanic delicacies for a number of local restaurants. Sponsors for this year’s event are Kalpas (will be performing folklore music from Ecuador), Inti Raym (will be performing traditional Ecuadorian folklore dance), Ballet Folklorico Peru (will be performing traditional Peruvian folklore dance), Orquidea de Oro (will be dancing traditional Colombian folklore dance), Alma Montuno Latin Dance (will be performing and teaching modern Salsa steps), Mexico Dance (will be performing traditional Mexican folklore dance), and Segundo Montesdeoca. Registration is not required and all ages are welcome. For more information, call 908-755-7909.

Also on Saturday, October 25, 1-4 pm, SCLSNJ’s Bridgewater Library Branch, located at 1 Vogt Drive, will host A Cultural Festival of India, in association with Venkateswara Temple/Bridgewater, The Garden State Sikh Association Gurudwara, The Indian Association of Greater Somerset County, and Rutgers Indian Graduate Students Association. This is a free, family-friendly festival that will include musical, dance, and storytelling performances, demonstrations of rangoli and henna hand art from trained artisans, hands-on crafts for children, light refreshments featuring traditional snacks, a fashion show and presentations about the cultural treasures of India. Registration is not required and all ages are welcome. For more information, contact Nanette Peterson, SCLSNJ Bridgewater Library Branch Community Engagement Librarian, at 908-526-4016 ext. 169.

“We offer so many opportunities for our community to come together to connect, explore share and discover,” said Brian Auger, SCLSNJ Library Director. “In addition to our informative programs, we also

provide free onsite access to and help with Ancestry.com, HeritageQuest and Historic Map Works. Of course you could just Google things and hope for the best, but it wouldn’t get you these great databases and we wouldn’t be there to help. We encourage library cardholders to come in to any of the ten SCLSNJ branches to explore today.”

In addition to these events, SCLSNJ’s 10 library branches have an array of programs for adults, teens, tweens and children this October. Selected highlights are below. For more information about all programs happening at any of the SCLSNJ’s 10 library branches, visit SCLSNJ.org.

SCLSNJ October Adult Program Highlights

Waste Not Want Not: All About E-Waste at SCLSNJ Watchung Library Branch on Tuesday, October 7, 7-7:30 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=9930&lib=1008

It’s Your Business! The Affordable Care Act Small Business Seminar at SCLSNJ Peapack & Gladstone Library Branch on Wednesday, October 8, 7-8:30pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=9944&lib=1005

From Family Tales to Making History at SCLSNJ Warren Library Branch on Wednesday, October 15, 7-8:30 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=6471&lib=

Stephen King Book Discussion: The Shining at SCLSNJ Manville Library Branch on Thursday, October 16, 7-8 pm. Registration is not required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=11086&lib=

Historical Haunts of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties at SCLSNJ Hillsborough Library Branch on Thursday, October 30, 7-8:30 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=7167&lib=

Making a Chocolate Yule Log with Chef Kir Rodriguez at SCLSNJ Mary Jacobs Memorial Library Branch in Rocky Hill on Thursday, October 30, 7-8:30 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=11427&lib=

SCLSNJ October Teen/Tween/Children Program Highlights

Gross-Out Science (for grades 3-5) at SCLSNJ Mary Jacobs Memorial Library Branch in Rocky Hill on Monday, October 6, 5-5:45 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=11042&lib=

Star Wars Reads (ages 5+) at SCLSNJ Bound Brook Library Branch on Saturday, October 11, 1-3 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=7642&lib=

Star Wars Reads (family event) at SCLSNJ North Plainfield Library Branch on Saturday, October 11, 2-3 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=7314&lib=1004

Celebrate Madeline’s 75th Birthday (ages 3-8) at SCLSNJ Peapack & Gladstone Library Branch on Tuesday, October 14, 4:30-5:30 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=9512&lib=

Tween Lock In: HallowTWEEN Party (grades 4-6) at SCLSNJ Bridgewater Library Branch on Friday, October 17, 6-8 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=4683&lib=

Nature Craft with Doug (ages 5+) at SCLSNJ Watchung Library Branch on Tuesday, October 21, 4:15-5 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=11453&lib=

Book Title Cupcakes (teen event) at SCLSNJ Manville Library Branch on Tuesday, October 21, 3:30-4:30 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=7657&lib=

Creature Comfort Pets (grades K-2) at SCLSNJ Hillsborough Library Branch on Wednesday, October 22, 4-5 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=7453&lib=

Halloween Treats (grades 3-5) at SCLSNJ Warren Library Branch on Tuesday, October 28, 4-5 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=9978&lib=

Halloween Cupcakes (grades 5-12) during Teen Game Night at SCLSNJ Somerville Library Branch on Thursday, October 31, 6-7 pm. Registration is required. For details and to register: http://somerset.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails.aspx?EventId=9740&lib=

Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) partners with you to connect, to explore, to share and to discover. Together we enrich lives, expand knowledge and strengthen communities. SCLSNJ branches can be found in Bridgewater, Bound Brook, Hillsborough, Manville, at the Mary Jacobs Library in Rocky Hill, North Plainfield, Peapack & Gladstone, Somerville, Warren Township and Watchung. Visit SCLSNJ.org for further information about library services offered at SCLSNJ.