Jul 19, 2022
July at the Oceanic Free Library
By Lori Draz
The Oceanic Free Library (OFL) is the perfect place to have fun while summer is in full swing by the sea. Catch up on your summer reading, find new recipes for outdoor entertaining and cocktail parties, and take a quiet break at this friendly library, voted Hulafrog’s 2022 Most Loved Library for the fourth year in a row.
They have plenty of copies of all the books on the summer reading list available for area schools: Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Deane-Porter Elementary School, Forrestdale School, and Holy Cross Academy.
The Ocean of Possibilities Book Club is underway. Visit the library’s Beanstack site or register online with the Beanstack app and start reading to earn rewards for all ages. There are smart prizes for all ages, and adults are encouraged to have fun too. The Beanstack link is MonmouthCountyLib.beanstack.org or the OFL website.
The Summer Reading Club will be hosting a wrap-up party with Eyes of the Wild on Tuesday, August 16 at 3:15 p.m. Library staff are also delighted to announce that the Women’s Book Club held its first meeting on June 23. . Dates/times and titles of future meetings will be announced. The new Men’s Book Club is also setting up its future meeting times and titles. Visit the library’s website or call OFL for the latest updates.
The adult Friday Knitters group continues to meet weekly from 2 p.m. All levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome.
The Two River Bridge Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. for a lesson and at 6:45 p.m. sharp for play.
From Monday, July 18 through Friday, July 22, the library will feature a new summer enrichment camp for incoming students in grades seven through 11 called “Political Forum and Debate” led by historian Greg Caggiano. He teaches at Brookdale Community College on various American history topics and is a frequent lecturer at the Oceanic Free Library. Young debaters and aspiring politicians will love this intense week-long course in the art of debate and critical thinking. Learn to research topics, form opinions, interact and disagree respectfully, and see multiple sides of the same story. Students will examine global and national political issues today and throughout history. The class is limited to 12 to ensure a small student-instructor ratio. For more information and to register, call 732-842-2692.
Leah Zilbergeld, the new permanent children’s librarian, has more of these fun take-home and make-at-home craft kits available at the front desk on the first and 15th of every month. Each bag of personally assembled kits contains all the parts you’ll need to make a fun DIY at home and a link for virtual story time and instructions. First come, first served – one bag per child.
Zilbergeld invites you to story time for babies and toddlers on Tuesdays from 10:15 a.m. to 10:35 a.m. or from 11:15 a.m. to 11:35 a.m. Preschool and Family Storytime runs from 2-2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. Registration is required for each StoryTime session. Walk-in visits will not be permitted as session sizes are limited to 10 children per session. All unvaccinated adult companions must wear a mask.
Every Tuesday from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the library hosts super fun kids’ programs.
As always, each month also features the works of local artists who exhibit and sell a wide range of artwork. There’s always something new and unique, and 20% of sales go directly to support the library. This month, Marcie Shrewsbury brings her paintings and sculptures. It’s accompanied by seaside-inspired watercolors on driftwood and gold seashell trinkets by Tara Bennett. Don Zubritsky’s custom beach signs from HandMadeByMe stay in the wake of the shoreline. This August, give your kitchen a facelift with custom engraving and handmade bamboo cutting boards and utensils from Regina Funaro of ShoreCUTERIE Designs. In addition, Daniel Natale will bring his beautiful oil paintings on canvas.
The library’s summer Saturday hours through the weekend after Labor Day are 9 a.m. to noon. Regular hours remain: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Visit OceanicLib.org or call 732-842-2692. The Oceanic Free Library is located at 109 Avenue of Two Rivers, Rumson.
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