Library News
East Brunswick Public Library Update
Out of an abundance of caution, the East Brunswick Public Library will close to the public starting Saturday, November 28. The safety of the community is our number one priority, and we have many innovative ways to continue to serve you while the building is closed. More info
BOOK DROPS WILL REMAIN OPEN
Customers may return their library materials at any time to the book drops outside of the library. Please do not leave any items outside of the building. Returned items are quarantined for 7 days and will remain checked out to your library card until the quarantine period is complete.
CURBSIDE PICKUP
Customers will be able to continue to get library materials through Curbside Pickup. Click here to learn about this service that debuted this summer. If you are looking for book recommendations, our Match+Book program puts together a literal bag of books based on your reading interests.
Items checked out after October 14, 2020 will continue to be subject to late fees. We will not be charging rental fees to check out DVDs while the library is closed.
PASSPORTS
Passport services at East Brunswick Public Library are available by appointment only. If you would like to schedule an appointment to submit a passport application, call 732-390-6761. Additional information about passports can be found here.
VIRTUAL REFERENCE
East Brunswick Public Library can still answer your reference questions virtually, by telephone, e-mail or through the chatbox on our website. Learn more about virtual reference here.
Also, many of the library’s online resources, ranging from Ancestry to Pronunciator to Universal Class, and our technology classes are available from home. Check out the full list here.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
While the building may be closed, all virtual programs at East Brunswick Public Library will continue. We have activities, workshops and lectures planned for all ages. For a complete list, click here.
COMPUTER USE
If you need to use the library's computers, photocopier, scanner or fax machine, they are available by appointment. To schedule an appointment, call 732-390-6767.
eBOOKS AND MORE
The library offers eBooks, magazines, movies, graphic novels, television shows and even crafting instructions for free with your library card. If anyone in your family or friends need an East Brunswick Public Library card. We have made it easier than ever; you can apply online.
OTHER NOTES
- All expiring cards will be extended through March 31, 2021.
- The Friends of the Library will not be accepting donations of books at this time.
- Additional information will be provided as more details become available. You can find the latest news about your library on our website, Facebook and Twitter.
Simply the Best
Thank you everyone for voting for East Brunswick Public Library as the Best Public Library in the MyCentralJersey/Home News Tribune 23rd Annual Reader’s Choice Awards.
Friends of the Library Gertrude Hawk Chocolates Fundraiser
The Friends of the Library are having the sweetest fundraiser ever. Order holiday treats from Gertrude Hawk Chocolates and support the East Brunswick Public Library at the same time. More Info
The East Brunswick Friends of the Library are teaming up with Gertrude Hawk Chocolates to have a chocolate fundraiser from November 13 through December 13.
You can order your treats online here.
Proceeds from this chocolate fundraiser benefit the East Brunswick Public Library, including the EB Create makerspace, lendable tech kits, the Museum Pass Program and the many special events and programs the library has. Thank you again for your support of the library.
We've Re-Opened!
East Brunswick Public Library is excited to announce that we welcome our patrons back to the library starting Wednesday, September 23. More Info
The library is open for browsing and checking out materials, and for limited computer use only. Please limit your visits to 60 minutes or less, as the building will have a limited capacity per state guidelines.
Our hours are as follows:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
- Tuesday, Thursday: 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the library will be open from 10:00 am to 11:00 am for seniors and vulnerable populations.
All returned items will be quarantined for 7 days before being placed back on our shelves and made available for checkout. Be advised, these items will remain on your library card until the quarantine period is complete.
Here are six ways to make your visit to East Brunswick Public Library safe for everyone:
- Wear a mask. Library patrons will be required to wear a mask at all times when inside East Brunswick Public Library.
- Use self checkout. We have four convenient self-checkout stations for contactless borrowing of all library materials.
- Use hand sanitizer. We have hand sanitizer stations throughout the building. Please use it; we have enough for everyone!
- Practice social distancing. Please remember to stay a safe distance (at least 6 feet) from other patrons and library staff.
- Not feeling well? If you are not feeling well, stay home. You can access eBooks and virtual reference online.
- Don't touch. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth or nose while inside the library.
Library service updates:
- Food and drink are not allowed into the library at this time.
- A parent or guardian must accompany children (ages 13 and younger).
- There are a limited number of public computers that are available to be used for 30 minutes.
- The library is still offering curbside pick up of materials. For more information, click here.
- Passport services are still by appointment only. For more information, click here.
- Library programs are still virtual only; check out our calendar here.
- There are no meeting room rentals at this time.
- The Friends of the Library are not accepting book donations at this time.
Closed for Veterans Day
The library is closed in observance of Veterans Day. We thank all of those who have served our country. We will return on Thursday, November 12 at 12:00pm.
Food Drive
Help warm the hearts of local seniors in need during a special food drive! More Info
East Brunswick is coming together for a "Soup For Seniors" winter food drive, where everyone CAN make a difference! Cans of soup are being collected from December 1 through January 1.
The drop off location is at CareOne East Brunswick Assisted Living (664 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816). For more information, call 732-653-1178.
Lecture on Jews in the Philippines During WWII Tonight
For years, Sandy Lanman knew her grandmother Elise had escaped Germany to the Philippines, only to lose her husband Gunther before the brutal Battle of Manila. Only recently did Lanman learn the story of her family—and 1,300 other mostly German Jews—and the terrors they faced under Japanese rule during World War II.
Learn More
Lanman shares these stories in her presentation “Haven or Hell? Jews in the Philippines During WWII,” which will be presented virtually by the East Brunswick Public Library on Tuesday, November 10, at 7:00 pm.
Aside from a few photos and family stories, she knew little else about her grandmother's time in the Philippines. In 2019, a serendipitous encounter on Facebook led her to Gunther’s great-nephew and a trove of photos of Elsie and Gunther in Manila. The discovery sparked her interest in the history of this little-known Jewish sanctuary. Through film, pictures and Elsie’s own words, this presentation tells the story of the Jews who fled Europe only to find themselves in the middle of the Pacific theater of war.
An award-winning writer and public relations professional, Lanman began her career as a staff writer for The Home News in New Brunswick. She has also worked in public relations for Crossroads Theatre Company, New Jersey Network and Rutgers University, and as a consultant serving clients in higher education, the arts and nonprofit sector. Lanman is on the boards of the Friends of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission and Central Jersey Jewish Historic Society.
This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the East Brunswick Library. For more information on how to view this program on the Zoom online platform, click here.
Healthcare Open Enrollment Workshops : 2 English y 2 en Español
East Brunswick Public Library is teaming up with the Family Resource Network to host the online workshop "What You Need to Know: Health Insurance Open Enrollment in NJ" in English and Spanish this fall.
Learn More
The program is presented online using Zoom four times; in English on Monday, November 16 at 12:00 pm and Tuesday, December 8 at 2:00 pm, y en Español en Miércoles 18 de noviembre at 12:00 pm y Miércoles 2 de diciembre 12:00 pm.
This workshop explains open enrollment for health insurance. The different options that are available to New Jersey residents will be explored, as well as the New Jersey-based insurance exchange called Get Covered NJ. Following each presentation, there will be a question and answer period.
La Inscripción abierta para el Seguro de Salud ya está activo para el 2021. ¿Tiene alguna pregunta sobre su Seguro de salud y el de su familia? ¿Quiere saber cuales son las opciones disponibles para los niuyersino? ¿Sabía usted que NJ ha intercambiado su base de datos del estado a uno llamado Get Covered NJ? Todas estas preguntas (y mas) serán contestadas durante esta presentación, la que será mostrada y grabada en Inglés y en Español.
Friends Author Talk with Ruth Behar Thursday
The East Brunswick Friends of the Library are hosting a virtual author program with MacArthur Fellowship award-winning author Ruth Behar on Thursday, November 19 at 7:30 pm. Click here for more information or to register.