Library News

Happy New Year from The Library!

Happy New Year from The Library!

Posted December 29, 2009 B By MaryEllen Firestone


The East Brunswick Public Library Board, Administration and Staff wish all of our residents a Happy, Healthy New Year!

While you are relaxing and visiting with family and friends, your public library staff is as busy as ever processing new books, CD’s and DVD’s for your enjoyment and edification.  So come on in and see what is new.

The past year has been an exciting one for us at the East Brunswick Public Library. In November we cut the ribbon on a new addition that provides our building with an adult quiet reading area, a second quiet study room and a children's programming room. We're very excited about it and hope you will come by and enjoy the new spaces.
We also welcomed "A Novel Cafe" to the Library family, making it possible to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and your favorite reading materials while you are visiting the library. Our program committee continues to plan a wide range of cultural and educational programs that will entice every age group to come see what is happening at the library.
 "Just For The Health of It" is our new reference initiative aimed at helping all our residents stay fit and healthy and find the medical information they need quickly and easily. You will be impressed by the range of topics covered and the ease of having your medical question answered with the latest and most accurate information with personalized service supplied by our research librarians. Stop by and ask for a tour!

As we look ahead to 2010 and beyond, consider that your public library is the “go-to” place for you to find information on any topic, hobby, interest, career, business opportunity or local event. So come on in and look at us with New Year’s eyes. You will be very impressed.


Catching Up To History

Catching Up To History

Posted December 19, 2009 B By John Saccenti


EBTV Channel 3 celebrates town’s 150th with shows from its archives beginning in January

EBTV will celebrate East Brunswick Township’s 150th birthday beginning in January  with special historical videos from the station’s archives. Each show will be televised for one week at four convenient times (Mondays at 10 a.m.; Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m.; and Sundays and Thursdays at 8 p.m.). The schedule is as follows:

Jan.  3-7, 2010: “State of the Township 1980” with Mayor William Fox.
 
Jan.  10-14, 2010: “EB People” with host Sandra Lanman and featuring historian Grace Auer and local farmer Kelly Kelemen (1989).
 
Jan. 17-21, 2010: “EB People” with host Sandra Lanman and featuring former mayors, Alec Borman and Charlie Sullivan.
 
Jan. 24-28, 2010: “State of the Township 1995” with Mayor Ira Oskowski.
 
Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2010: “State of the Township 2003” with Mayor William Neary.
 
Feb. 7-11, 2010: “Focus on New Jersey” featuring Mayor Jean Walling (1973).
 
Feb. 14-18, 2010: “Our Varied Past”  with host Rich Walling and featuring William Fox and John Runyon (1982).
 
Feb. 21-25, 2010: “Our Varied Past” with host Rich Walling and featuring Ann Alvarez (1982).
 
Feb. 28-March 4, 2010: “Our Varied Past:  with host Rich Walling and featuring a Riva Avenue Tour with Charlie Sullivan (1982).
 
March 7-11, 2010: “Our Varied Past” with host Rich Walling and featuring Kelly Kelemen (Part 1); part two will air March 14-18.
 
For more information, please call 732-390-6767.
 
 


Advanced Computer Classes

Advanced Computer Classes

Posted December 16, 2009 B By Joanne Mullowney


Registration for January Computer Training Classes now Available
Two New Course Additions! MS Word III and PowerPoint II

If you are an advanced computer user or already have Microsoft Office skills, then you will love four new/infrequent offerings from the East Brunswick Public Library. In January, the Library will be offering Microsoft Word III and PowerPoint II for the first time. Other infrequently offered programs include Genealogy on the Web and Internet IV. Classes are two hours long and limited to 12 students per class.

In PowerPoint II (register now), students will learn intermediate skills including Slide Masters, detailed skills for adding images (clipart, shapes, WordArt and more) to their shows, how to manipulate them and how to insert charts. Animation and transition basics will also be covered as well as tips and hints for better navigation. Prerequisite: PowerPoint Basics or equivalent PC experience.

In Word III (register now), students will continue to build on the skills learned in MS Word II. They will learn to add and format tables and columns, as well as footnotes and endnotes. They will also pick up new skills for inserting images; and learn the basics of mail merge for documents, labels and envelopes.

In Internet IV: the Interactive Web (register now), students will explore some of the best of the fabulous and free tools on the Web with this tour of some of the hottest technologies currently available. This new class will introduce you to sites that offer file sharing, image editing, online shopping, social networking, organization aids and more. Learn and enjoy some of the newest and most useful tools that will put you on the cutting edge of technology. Prerequisite: Internet I and II with additional Internet searching practice or its equivalent AND an active web-based email account. NOT for Beginners!

Genealogy on the Web I (register now) is an introduction to genealogical research on the Web. In it, students will explore some of the best rated genealogy web sites and learn how to trace their family’s roots online.

Computer Classes for January include:

  • PowerPoint II Tuesday, January 5th – 7 PM   register
  • PC Literacy I Saturday, January 9th – 9:30 AM register
  • Internet IV  Tuesday, January 12th – 7 PM register
  • Email Basics Part I Wednesday, January 13th – 2 PM register
  • MS Word III Thursday, January 14th  – 7 PM  register
  • Excel Basics  Saturday, January 23rd – 9:30AM register
  • Genealogy on the Web I Tuesday, January 26th – 7 PM  register
  • Email Basics Part II Wednesday, January 27th – 2 PM  register
  • Excel II Thursday, January 28th – 7 PM register

Please refer to the Computer Training page  for detailed class descriptions and prerequisites.
 
Registration is required for all classes. Please refer to the prerequisites required for each class you plan to attend, and make sure that you have the necessary skills to participate. All classes are 2 hours in length.  There is a $5 fee for cardholders and a $10 fee for non-cardholders. Fees will be added to a cardholder’s account and paid for at the Circulation desk. Non-cardholders must pay at the time of registration. Register at the Library or by visiting www.ebpl.org and clicking on the Calendar.   For more information, please call 732-390-6767.

The Library is also an accredited Professional Development Provider. Teachers who need continuing education credits may receive a 2-CEU certificate for any of our classes taken.
 
Our cancellation policy is strictly enforced and requires registrants who cannot attend to call the information desk at 732-390-6767 or cancel online at least 24 hours in advance of class. If you do not attend and fail to cancel, a $5 fee charged to your library account and non-cardholders will forfeit their $10 registration fee. Customers with fines exceeding $5 will have a blocked library card until the fine is paid.
 
Basic computer classes are offered on a regular monthly schedule, posted by the 15th of the prior month. Specialized training classes are offered intermittently throughout the year. Please check the library calendar for the most up-to-date class schedules. For more information or to register for a class, please call 732-390-6767, visit the information desk or go to The Library’s website at http://www.ebpl.org and click on the Library Calendar.


December Activities for Kids and Teens

December Activities for Kids and Teens

Posted December 14, 2009 B By John Saccenti


Are you looking for fun activitites for the kids this month? Come to the library as we wind up the year with a variety of programs just for them.

Avoid the hassle of the mall and still enjoy a movie on the big screen- the price is right- Free. Come by for our Family Flick Fest on Saturday, December 19, and enjoy one of the Library’s new DVD releases. While you’re here, stock up on some movie snacks at our very own “A Novel Café” and make it a fun day out.

Attention shutterbugs! If you’re in 9th through 12 grade and want to show off your work, then come by on Wednesday, December 23, for the Library’s online Teen Photography Club. With contests, prizes, and the chance to have your work shown in the Teen Space as a matted print or as a jpeg, this promises to be a great opportunity.

So it’s the day after Christmas and you have nothing to do? If you’re a kid, stop by on Saturday, December 26, and make your own treasure from a variety of recycled items we have on hand in the library's Trash to Treasure program. It’s going to be a lot of fun and a nice way to relax during a very busy holiday season. 

The atmosphere will be electrifying when scientist Jeff Boyer thrills audiences with his amazing energy experiments on Tuesday, December 29. Watch as everyday breakfast cereal dances and toilet paper flies. Kids will get to come up on stage and join the fun. Seating is limited, so be sure to get here early.


 


Morningstar To Provide Free Lunchtime Investment Webinars each Month for East Brunswick Residents

Morningstar To Provide Free Lunchtime Investment Webinars each Month for East Brunswick Residents

Posted December 09, 2009 B By Karen Parry


Join the staff of Morningstar for lunchtime WEBINARS that will run the first Thursday of every month in 2010 at 12 pm ET starting January 7th.

Log in on the link provided below to attend a free investment training session from your own home or office the first Thursday each month beginning in January and learn to use the library's Morningstar subscription database from the pros. 

Morningstar Investment Research Center is a com¬prehensive online investing database. It provides independent analysis and data on more than 30,000 stocks and mutual funds.  Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to make smart investment choices in a changing stock market. 

Requirements:  a Phone and Internet Connection

Go to this link to join each seminar: https://www.livemeeting.com/cc/gc_pro_namewreg_morningstar/join?id=Thursday&role=attend
                                                                 (There is no entry code)


Defensive Driving Course In December

Defensive Driving Course In December

Posted December 01, 2009 B By John Saccenti


Motorists can be eligible for a 2-point reduction or 5% insurance discount
December 14th and 15th 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Registration required.

Come register for the popular Defensive Driving Course, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. The two-day course will be held on Monday, Dec. 14, and Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the East Brunswick Public Library. Registration is required and seating is limited to 30 people. 

Eligible motorists can erase two points from their driver’s license and/or get a five percent discount on a portion of their auto insurance. Participants must attend two consecutive evenings for credit. Course costs vary according to goal: for a 2 point reduction on your license, $65, for an insurance discount, $55.  For both, the cost is $65. Attendance is mandatory and refunds cannot be given for partial attendance. Applications for the October session are available at the Circulation desk or online.
 
Approved by the State of New Jersey, the course is taught by an experienced police detective-accident investigator. No vehicle is needed, as it is conducted in a classroom setting with multimedia aids. For more information call 732-257-2967 or e-mail fixaticket@aol.com. Download the registration form by logging on to www.ebpl.org.  Sponsored by Friends of the Library.
 
For more information, please call 732-390-6767. 

o