THE LIBRARY IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING RETURNS!

Although the building remains closed to the public, our outdoor book drops are open for returns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Overdue fees are now being charged for items borrowed prior to the March 16th closure. For the safety of our patrons and staff, returned materials are quarantined for a minimum of 72 hours, and then disinfected before being placed back on the shelf. We ask for your patience and understanding as items will remain on the cardholder’s account during this period. Patron’s will not be charged fines or fees for the time their items remain in quarantine.

The library will not be accepting book donations until further notice.

WE CONTINUE TO OFFER CONTACTLESS CURBSIDE SERVICE. TO BETTER ACCOMMODATE OUR PATRONS, STARTING MONDAY, JULY 27TH WE WILL BE OFFERING CURBSIDE SERVICE FROM 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM.

Patrons can once again borrow material from our collection. For details on how to take advantage of this new service, click here. If you have any questions, contact our Reference Department by phone (609-581-4060, Ext. 2) for more information. We look forward to welcoming you back!

Although the building itself is still closed, access to online and digital resources remain available. Each day, we continue to update and increase the material we offer remotely – virtual tours, children’s programming, reader recommendations and more are just a click away. We have added many links to websites for children, teens and adults, and staff are available to answer your questions and concerns via email between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.

WI-FI is available from the parking lot and surrounding grounds – no password is required.

Please check our website or Facebook page frequently for updates as more information becomes available.

L2B Initiative Showcases Calendar of Free Online Events for Business Community

In the wake of the economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, L2B (Libraries to Business) announces the launch of its website, www.libs2b.com, a clearinghouse of online events and resources for the small business community. L2B has partnered with the New Jersey State Library, and a growing network of public libraries and library advocates from across the state, who are collaborating to bring attention to the initiative. These organizations are working together to leverage social media and other channels to connect the business community to these vital resources. L2B seeks to connect individuals, small business owners, and entrepreneurs to assistance and development organizations that have shifted in-person meetings to online webinars. The site features the L2B calendar, a centralized depot for business and workforce development focused organizations to showcase their online events and webinars which are free and open to New Jersey residents. Webinars listed on the L2B calendar come from the combined efforts and expert insights of government entities, reputable businesses, nonprofit organizations, NGOs, and individual experts such as the New Jersey Business Action Center, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers, and SCORE – Service Corps of Retired Executives, among others. All events listed on the calendar are free of charge, do not require membership in order to attend, and are not limited to a certain geographic area. The site also features a list of e-resources paid for by the New Jersey State Library with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. These resources include a variety of business directories, market research tools, job search tools, and regional news publications, all of which can be accessed using a New Jersey public library card. To get further information, to view the calendar and other resources, or to list your organization’s business or workforce development events to the L2B calendar, please visit: www.libs2b.com.

Teen Summer Reading Program

The Teen Summer Reading Program is almost here. Starting June 22nd, incoming sixth grade students through exiting high school seniors can sign up and check in for our teen summer reading program through our ReadSquared platform. For more information, please see our flyer. And for updated information throughout the program, check out our Teen Summer Reading page.

Teen Summer Volunteer Program

This year’s Summer Reading Program looks a little different than other years, so we are being creative in offering the opportunity for our teens to give back. Teens who write book reviews for the Library website can earn two hours of volunteer time per book review. Reviews may be edited for length, spelling, grammar, and content, and no guarantee is made that the review will be posted on the website. To sign up to volunteer writing book reviews, or to submit reviews, please email Teen Librarian Kathleen at kbreitenbach@hamiltonnjpl.org. More information is available at Teen Book Review.

STEMNauts Virtual Tutoring

The STEMNauts are offering one-on-one virtual tutoring for students of all ages every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tutoring in a variety of subject areas, including English, math, science, and social studies, is available. Preparation for the PSAT, SAT, or Act, as well as assistance with college applications, can also be obtained. For more information, contact STEMNautsTeam@gmail.com or visit their website at http://www.stemnauts.org.

For more information concerning COVID-19, click here

Additionally, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation has created an information and resource page for legal matters connected to or impacted by the current COVID-19 crisis.

Need to File Your Taxes?

Tax help is here! Do you require assistance filing your 2019 tax return? Look no further. The United Way of Greater Mercer County can aid you in this endeavor, and will continue to offer assistance through the month of August. View the flyer for free virtual tax service.

Virtual Tours

We have a new page highlighting virtual tours and extra online access while we are closed.

Recommended Reads

Each week, we will provide suggested readings for adults, young adults and children to enjoy. All titles are accessible via our eLibrary.

ADULT: “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” by Charlie Mackesy – #1 New York Times Bestseller · Wall Street Journal Bestseller · USA Today Bestseller — From the revered British illustrator, this is a modern fable for all ages that explores life’s universal lessons, featuring 100 color and black-and-white drawings. Charlie Mackesy offers inspiration and hope in uncertain times in this beautiful book based on his famous quartet of characters. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse explores their unlikely friendship and the poignant, universal lessons they learn together. A modern classic in the vein of The Tao of Pooh, The Alchemist, and The Giving Tree, this charmingly designed keepsake will be treasured for generations to come.

YOUNG ADULT: “March (Book Three)” by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell – Winner of the 2016 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature · #1 New York Times Bestseller · 2017 Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner –Over three centuries of state-sanctioned antiblack terrorism in North America hits a major stumbling block by the end of Congressman Lewis’s best-selling, three-volume memoir about civil rights activism, co-written with politician and comics creator Aydin. Opening with the deadly bombing of a Birmingham, AL, church, this concluding work follows Lewis and collaborators through attempts to get representation at the 1963 Democratic Convention, later witnessing the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and the activists’ subsequent decision to focus on voting rights for African Americans. Some two years of grueling nonviolent demonstrations and marches follow, many turning into bloody pogroms orchestrated by local lawmen, which build media attention and nationwide public support until President Lyndon Johnson signs the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Throughout, Lewis conveys empathy for the oppressors as well as the oppressed and frankly reveals in-group disagreements. Powell’s peerless ink-wash art continues as a perfect vehicle for this drama. (Book One and Book Two are also available through eLibraryNJ.)

CHILDREN: “Five Little Ducks: Pete the Cat” by James Dean – Fans of Pete the cat will love rocking out to this classic tune with a groovy twist.

Upcoming Events for Kids

Take a look at our calendar. All kids’ programs are free, but most require pre-registration. If you have any questions, please call 609-581-4064 or email childrensreference@hamiltonnjpl.org.

While we are closed, we are scheduling virtual events – please check them out.

Summer reading is here! Imagine Your Story! through our READsquared platform. This program is designed for kids from birth through 12 years, to encourage life-long reading habits. Check out recommended booklists, including e-book options. Once you’ve earned enough points you’ll receive a completion certificate you can print and share!

In response to COVID-19 and library closures, the NJ State Library has partnered with BiblioBoard to launch a free e-book library of 172 graphic novels and comics available for children and teens in New Jersey. Visit https://njsl-vlcc.biblioboard.com/home to start reading!

Jammin’ in Mr. Jim’s Studio, daily at 8:30 a.m.: 25 to 30 minutes of fun children’s songs showcasing and promoting Key of Awesome Music’s children’s educational music program.

Alex Mitnick invites you and your little ones to watch his interactive kids’ music shows, anytime. Click on his name and scroll down to choose a platform.

Author Dav Pilkey wants to help you get creative and have fun with some of your favorite characters from Dog Man and Captain Underpants! Check out his website for activities, exciting videos, and so much more.

To hear picture books read by authors and celebrities, click StorylineOnline or 100+ Free Video Read Alouds, curated by the Indianapolis Public Library.

Follow #OperationReadAloud on Facebook for easy access to over 100 story videos, as well as links to virtual author festivals and other events.

Barefoot Books has some fun at-home activity kits for families. Take a look!

Common Sense Media offers resources for families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Read the free e-book Coronavirus: a book for children.

For the Love of Reading Book Club

CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Join us at the Hamilton Library to enjoy and discuss a variety of compelling stories. For more information, email hamiltonlibrarybookclub@gmail.com or check out our flyer.

FREE Tutoring Services at the Library

CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Each Saturday, the STEMNauts will be offering FREE tutoring services to students in grades K-12 at the Hamilton Township Public Library. Subjects include math, reading/writing, science, homework help and more! For information or to register, visit http://www.stemnauts.org/join.html.

Would you like to go to a museum…for FREE?

THE MUSEUM PASS PROGRAM IS UNAVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

Check out the Hamilton Township Public Library’s FREE Museum Pass Program. Library patrons may reserve a pass to a wide variety of museums, with some passes accommodating up to seven guests! Find out how to reserve your museum pass today.

Interested in local history?

Be sure to check out Tom Glover’s Hamilton Scrapbook website for fun and interesting facts concerning the history of our town and the surrounding communities.

HAMILTON, NJ (609) 581-4060