Ideas Festival & September Highlights

SEPTEMBER 2024

SEPTEMBER IS LIBRARY CARD SIGNUP MONTH

Access all the Library and our consortium have to offer with a Maplewood Library card. We're pleased to introduce our new card design!

Bring proof of your Maplewood address to either of our buildings to become a member.

Existing cardholders can get a replacement card at no cost.

2024 IDEAS FESTIVAL

Our 2024 Ideas Festival will start off with two exciting programs.

We'll be hosting Ann Goldstein on September 25 (see info below), and filmmaker and TV producer Barry Sonnenfled on October 9. Possible additional programs will be announced later in the year.

ANN GOLDSTEIN Translator of Elena Ferrante's novels, receiving the 2024 MAPLEWOOD LITERARY AWARD

Wednesday, September 25

7:30 pm at the Woodland

in conversation with Pamela Erens

Ann Goldstein is one of the most sought-after translators from the Italian language. She grew up in Maplewood and is a former editor at The New Yorker. She has translated the work of over 20 authors and received numerous awards.

No registration is needed.

The Ideas Festival is sponsored by the Essex County Division of Cultural Affairs, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Discover Jersey Arts.

ADULT PROGRAMS

IN-PERSON ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASSES

This class is for students who have a good command of English and want to increase their vocabulary and improve expressive skills.

Interested students must first register here AND take a pre-test to join the class. The pre-test will be given on September 5 at the Hilton Branch Library from 6:30 and 7:30 pm

Classes will take place on Thursdays, September 12 - October 17, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm at Hilton Branch.

TEEN PROGRAMS

LIBRARY CARD SIGNUP MONTH BINGO

September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month! To explore all that your library card provides, try our bingo challenge!

This challenge is for middle school and high school students. Complete four items in a row, column, or diagonal, and turn this sheet in to Hilton Branch or your school library on or before Friday, October 4.

Everyone who completes the challenge gets an official Library Card Signup Month Bookmark. Every 10th person who completes the challenge gets a prize. Get the Bingo Card and some tips here.

A NEW LOOK FOR HILTON BRANCH

Have you seen the Petals installation? Eleven hand-painted, wrapped planters greet pedestrians and motorists along the stretch of Springfield Avenue in front of Hilton Branch Library.

The work was done under the direction of Roberta Melzl, the artist leading the Art Circle project for the Community Coalition on Race.

Melzl states: “The imagery is reflective of flowers planted within the vessels, and the petals that line the sidewalk as they drop from surrounding vegetation each spring.”

CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS

All Children's programs are held at Hilton Branch
Unless otherwise noted, programs are drop-in
All children must be accompanied by an adult
Programs designed for families & not camps or preschool groups. Groups may arrange a special program or visit to the library: 973.762.1688 ext 5101 or at kids@maplewoodlibrary.org

Toddler (ages 1-3): Sept. 9 & 16 at 10:30 am

Early literacy fun with stories, songs, movement & rhymes

Baby Lapsit (birth-18 months): Sept. 12 at 10:30 am

Designed for children who are being held or learning to crawl

Wilma and the Wingers (all ages): Sept. 14 at 11 am

An interactive and inclusive storytime with live music.

Silver Award: Book and Activity Event

for pre-k - grade 3

Sept. 9 at 3:30 pm

Enjoy hands-on activities inspired by popular picture books. This program was created and will be presented by two middle school students who are working towards the Girl Scout Silver Award.