The monthly newsletter of The Free Public Library of Monroe Township Won't it be wonderful when black history and native American history and Jewish history and all of U.S. history is taught from one book. Just U.S. history. - Maya Angelou Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble Tuesday, February 17, 7pm – 8pm Monday—Thursday 11 AM—9 PM Friday 12 PM—5 PM Saturday 10 AM—3 PM The Library is Closed on Sundays The Library is closed Monday February 16th For President’s Day We are excited to welcome back the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble. As you can see from the pictures of their 2012 visit. This Ensemble presents a powerful, exciting, and educational performance the whole family can enjoy. This program is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Seating is limited. New! PLANT OF THE MONTH FEATURE! Bird of Paradise plant 1-856-629-1212 ~ Circulation Desk ext. 210 or 211 Reference Desk ext. 206 Children's Desk ext. 204 Teen and Youth Services ext. 208 Administration ext. 203 Bird of Paradise, Strelitzia reginae, hails from South Africa but has naturalized all around the tropical world. It is in the banana family and resembles them in leaf structure. It enjoys full sun exposure but can take less. It's large fan shaped leaves make this plant an imposing ornamental. It grow to 6.6 feet or more and lends a tropical feel to any environment. It enjoys weekly watering and a spring application of fertilizer. The Bird of Paradise will not bloom until 35 years old and rarely blooms indoors. Try to keep it out of high traffic areas as its leaves will split due to rough contact. Photograph by Myra Gross Ref. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strelitzia_reginae The monthly newsletter of The Free Public Library of Monroe Township Friends of the Library Meeting Monday, February 2nd, 1:00PM The Friends of the Library group is a great way to get involved in your Library & your community. Needle Arts Group Wednesday, February 4th & 18th, 6:30-8:30 PM Do you knit or crochet? Like to do embroidery, needlepoint, beading, quilting or other needlework? Bring a current project to work on in a fun and informal atmosphere. All levels of experience are welcome. This is not a class. However, sharing of tips and experience are encouraged. No registration required. Bookworms Book Club The Art of Racing in the Rain By Garth Stein Thursday, February 5th, 1:00PM Nearing the end of his life, Enzo, a dog with a philosopher’s soul, takes stock of his life while recalling the sacrifices, unexpected losses, and personal struggles of his would-be race-car driver human, Denny, in the latter’s efforts to retain custody of his daughter, Zoe. A heartwrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope - a captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it. Free Film Series MALEFICENT Monday, February 9th, 6:30PM Directed by Robert Stromberg, Fiction, 2014, 97 minutes A vengeful fairy is driven to curse an infant princess, only to discover that the child may be the one person who can restore peace to their troubled land. A discussion follows the film. This series is open to adults 18 and over. No registration required. Creative Oxygen: Writing Group “You want to write but don't!” Wednesday, February 11th, 6:30-8:30PM This is a Creative Writing Group looking for fun, creative, artistic writers who find it hard to stay motivated to write. Join us as we encourage each other in maintaining a writing schedule with the goal of using writing as a tool of empowerment, healing and personal discovery. Critique sessions, writing prompts, artistic encouragement, for writers of any genre. Registration is required. Please call the group facilitator Theresa Moore at 856-629-7613 to register. The monthly newsletter of The Free Public Library of Monroe Township Calligraphy Drop-In Studio Thursday, February 12th & 26th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Create various projects using calligraphy & other artistic techniques. Maureen Peters of the Philadelphia Calligraphers Society will teach these workshops. Some materials will be supplied. No prior experience is necessary. This program is free and open to adults 18 and older. Registration is required. Call 856-629-1212 x206. Blood Drive On the third Thursday of every month the American Red Cross will be conducting a blood drive in the Library Meeting Room. The date this month is Thursday, February 19th, from 2:00-7:30 PM. For an appointment please call 1-800-RED-CROSS. HORROR MOVIE NIGHT: Orphan Tuesday, February 24th, 6:00PM RATED R, 2009 A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she claims to be (IMDB). This program is intended for adults ages 18 and up. Teens are welcome with permission slip signed and dated by parent or guardian. TEENS Please visit the Reference Desk for a permission slip. If you do not have a permission slip you may be asked to show ID at the door. Persons who are unable to provide either permission slip or ID, will not be allowed entry. Parents are advised to preview the film. The Bookmarks The Invention of Wings By Sue Monk Kidd Tuesday, February 24th, 7:00PM The story follows Hetty “Handful” Grimke, a Charleston slave, and Sarah, the daughter of the wealthy Grimke family. The novel begins on Sarah’s eleventh birthday, when she is given ownership over Handful, who is to be her handmaid. “The Invention of Wings” follows the next thirty-five years of their lives. Inspired in part by the historical figure of Sarah Grimke (a feminist, suffragist and importantly, am abolitionist), Kidd allows herself to go beyond the record to flesh out the inner lives of all the characters, both real and imagined. Attention Collectors! Do you have a collection you’d like to showcase at the library and share with the community? We are looking for collections to fill our display case for a month at a time. In January we featured a collection of bird figures and books. We are looking for Contact Martha at 856-629-1212 ext 202 The monthly newsletter of The Free Public Library of Monroe Township TEENS…. Valentine’s Day Craft: DIY Canvas Tote Bag Tuesday, February 3rd 6:00PM– 8:00PM For ages 13-19 years old. Enjoy snacks, candy, and watch ―10 Things I Hate About You.‖ while you decorate a canvas tote bag in Valentine's Day style. Keep it for yourself or give it to a friend. TEEN WRITER'S GROUP—Last Call for this Group! Tuesday, February 10th, 6:00PM-8:00PM Write. Share. Review. Chat. Ages 13-18; Non-Residents are welcome. For more details email [email protected]; call 629-1212 ext 208 FREE SAT PREP ASSESSMENT Saturday, February 14th, 10:30AM-2:00PM Join other teens in our Technology Lab and take a FREE practice exam that will give you an assessment of what areas to work on for the SAT test. The database we use also includes lessons and practice problems tailored to the student’s needs. Must have a valid Monroe Township Library card. Bring your library card & a calculator. Registration required; Space Limited, email [email protected]. THE LAST DAY TO REGISTER IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12th @5PM YUGIOH Tournament Saturday, February 28th Noon – 2:00pm No sign up necessary, n00bs welcome! Ages 13 –19. Kids... WINTER STORYTIME The schedule is as follows: 18-36 months: Tuesdays at 11:15 AM from Jan. 20th to March 10th 3-6 Years: Thursdays at 11:15 AM from Jan. 22nd to March 12th We'll enjoy stories, games, crafts, films, and songs. Older and younger siblings are welcome. No signups are required--just show up at your age group. (Please remember that the 18-36 month age group must have an adult with them in the Story Room at all times.) We hope to see you there to warm up with some great stories! Tween Study Hall Tuesday, February 3rd, 3:00-5:00 PM Need a quiet place to study? Bring your laptops, tablets, books and whatever else you might need to study with to our meeting room. Beverages provided. Lego Night Wednesday, February 4th, 7:00 PM Ages 4 and up welcome to build with our Lego! Signups required. Pop-up Valentine Card Saturday, February 7th, 11:30 AM Ages 8-13 are invited to make a pop-up card for that special someone. Please sign up by Thursday, Feb. 5th. Valentine Cupcake Friday, February 13th, 2:00 PM Channel your inner "cake boss" and decorate your own Valentine cupcake! Ages 7 and up. You must sign up by Wednesday, Feb. 12th. Karaoke for Tweens Wednesday, February 18th, 7:00 PM Ages 8-13 are welcome to sing along with the lyrics on the screen in our meeting room! Refreshments provided. Please sign up by Monday, Feb. 16th. Penguin Storytime and Craft Saturday, February 21st, 11:30 AM--Penguin Storytime and Craft. Ages 4 and up are invited to hear some icy stories and do an adorable penguin craft. Please sign up by Thursday, Feb. 19th. Movie Night: Disney’s Pinocchio Wednesday, February 25th, 6:30 PM "When you wish upon a star/Makes no difference who you are..." This week marks the 75th anniversary of one of Disney's greatest masterpieces, Pinocchio. All ages are welcome to join us at this sing-along showing! (But keep in mind, some scenes are quite scary.) No signups required. Popcorn provided.