March Newsletter

The Long Branch Free Public Library invites you to honor our Library Champions!

This year's recipients are state and local champions of the New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act: Governor Phil Murphy, Congressman Frank Pallone, The City of Long Branch Mayor and Council, NJLA Director (retired) Pat Tumulty, and NJLA past Chair Public Policy Committee Jeanne Marie Ryan.

Our Library Champions Dinner will take place on Friday, April 21st at 6pm in McLoone's Pier House. For more details on how to purchase your ticket, please click here.

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During the month of March, the Long Branch Free Public Library will be celebrating Read Across America with a special Reading Challenge for children and teens. This year for Read Across America, we are celebrating diverse readers and stories that promote diversity and inclusion.

"Diverse stories provide kids with different perspectives and help them see how others think and feel." - Marley Dias, Read Across America Ambassador

Stop by our Main Library's Children's Department or Elberon Branch to sign up for the Reading Challenge and receive recomendations of diverse stories from our catalog. You can also click here to sign up your child or teen for our Reading Challenge online. Read books and win prizes!

Programs & Events

Treacherous Women - An Art Display by Christy E. O'Connor

On display all of March - Main Library

Artist Reception to be held on Saturday, March 11th from 12pm - 2pm

Christy E. O’Connor’s portrait series, “Treacherous Women”, features women in history who have been deemed dangerous, radical, or too powerful by their contemporaries and historians alike. Many of the women showcased were publicly slandered, wrongfully accused of crimes, and given alternate histories. These women were unapologetic, and steadfast in their circumstances. From the marginalized to the ruling class, they were, by all accounts, considered treacherous women.  You can find more information on  Christy E. O’Connor on her website www.christyoconnorart.com.

Contact lkelly@longbranchlib.org with any questions.

Nonfiction Book Club

Thursday, March 16th at 1:30pm - Main Library/Hybrid

"Love, Lucy" is the valentine Lucille Ball left for her fans—a warm, wise, and witty memoir written by Lucy herself. The legendary star of the classic sitcom I Love Lucy was at the pinnacle of her success when she sat down to record the story of her life. No comedienne had made America laugh so hard, no television actress had made the leap from radio and B movies to become one of the world’s best-loved performers. This is her story—in her own words.

We will be hosting this meeting in person and via Zoom.

Contact jbirckhead@longbranchlib.org with any questions.

Just Arrived from Ireland: Irish Indentured Servitude in Monmouth County

Thursday, March 16th at 7pm - Virtual

Think you know your Irish history? O’No you don’t!

Please join us on the eve of St. Patrick’s Day when we explore the little-known, heartbreaking and fascinating stories behind the importation of Irish men, women and children into the colonies during the 18th century.  We welcome Bernadette Rogoff, Director of Collections for the Monmouth County Historical Association, as she shares this oft-misunderstood facet of Irish history and we honor the memory of these long-forgotten Americans.

Contact lkelly@longbranchlib.org with any questions.

March Malas! A Wellness Craft

Saturday, March 18th at 3pm - Main Library

Join us on March 18th when Kimberly Ward, certified yoga instructor, will lead us in the creation of our own personalized mala bracelet. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required and limited to the first (15) to respond as space is limited.

Contact Lisa Kelly at lkelly@longbranchlib.org to register.

Women Leaders of the Arts & Crafts Movement

Wednesday, March 22nd at 7pm - Virtual

Join Leanna Renee Hieber, author, actress, playwright, and artist as she highlights important female figures in 19th and 20th century industrial and commercial art. From Clara Driscoll, designer of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s stained-glass lamps to the women of Rookwood Pottery who created their own company, to Pamela Colman Smith, whose art on the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot is critical to the deck becoming the worldwide standard in tarot reading. 

Contact Lisa Kelly at lkelly@longbranchlib.org to register.

Library Staff Book Club

Saturday, March 25th at 2pm - Main Library (in-person) & via Zoom

Welcome to our brand new book club! Please join a member of our library staff each month for the discussion. This month we will be reading "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Kate Angelo will be moderator of the discussion.

In this classic short story from 1892, the narrator, isolated from the outside world and unable to do anything productive, begins to fixate on the ugly yellow wallpaper in the bedroom she is confined in, while her husband assures her nothing is wrong that a good rest won’t cure. "The Yellow Wallpaper" has not only become an icon of Gothic literature but of feminist literature as well.

Contact lkelly@longbranchlib.org with any questions.

March Movie Showtimes

Cruella (PG13) Family Film Day
Saturday, March 4th at 2:30pm

This movie follows the early days of one of cinema's most notorious--and notoriously fashionable--villains. During the 1970s London punk rock revolution, a young grifter transforms herself into the raucous, revenge-bent Cruella de Vil.
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Harriet (PG13) A Harriet Tubman Day Movie
Friday, March 10th at 2:30pm

From her escape from slavery through the dangerous missions she led to liberate hundreds of slaves through the Underground Railroad, the story of heroic abolitionist Harriet Tubman is told.
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The Women (Not Rated) Classic Movie Monday
Monday, March 20th at 2:30pm

In the eternal battle between the sexes, one side holds an overwhelming advantage: Armed with razor-sharp wit and wielding gossip as a weapon, victory can only go to The Women.
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Contact lkelly@longbranchlib.org with any questions.

Recurring Programs (All Age Groups)

Elberon Writing Group - Virtual
Every second Wednesday of the Month at 6:30pm

Join our Elberon Writing Group, hosted by our Elberon Branch Manager Tara if you enjoy writing fiction, nonfiction, poetry, short stories...or anything! Contact tsullivan@longbranchlib.org for more info.
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Super Smash Bros Tournament - Main Library
Every last Wednesday of the Month at 6pm

See if you have what it takes to be the best in the knockout Super Smash Bros tournament! The winner will receive a prize. Register here.

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Children's Chess Club - Main Library
Every Monday at 4pm

Children's Chess Club is open to children and teens between the ages of 5 and 17 who wish to practice their skills against other students. 
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Toddler Time with Miss Nekesha - Main Library
Every Tuesday at 11am

Each Toddler Time consists of 2 stories, music and a take home craft. Please join us in the Children's Department of the Main Library.
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Story Time with Miss Tara - Elberon Branch
Every Wednesday at 4:30pm

Join Miss Tara at the Elberon Branch for stories and fun for children. Family and friends are welcome as well!
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Craft and Story with Miss Nekesha - Main Library
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4pm

Every Tuesday and Thursday in our Children's Department, build a craft and read a story with Miss Nekesha.
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Toddler Time with Miss Tara - Elberon Branch
Every Friday at 10am

Join Miss Tara at the Elberon Branch for stories and fun for younger children. Family and friends are welcome as well!
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Teen Programs - Main Library
Every Friday at 3pm

On Fridays each week, teens will have the opportunity to meet up together with Miss Nekesha and create a new craft they may take home.
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Spanish Story Time with Miss Cristina
Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the Month at 12pm

Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, join Miss Cristina for a special Spanish story time and a take-home craft!
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Craft and Story with Miss Yanique - Main Library
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month at 12pm

Every 2nd and 4th Saturday in our Children's Department, build a craft and read a story with Miss Yanique!