13 Library Events
for All Ages

Libraries are back—and they have more than just books! Here’s a sampling of in-person events coming up for the whole family hosted by BCCLS.
Anastasiia Chokhliad,
2 Libraries

 

We’ve shared with you thus far a whole lot of events happening around Bergen County this summer: carnivals, concerts and more. But we’d be remiss not to mention what’s going on at our libraries, many of which were exclusively offering curbside pickup and drop-off of materials, as well as virtual-only events, throughout the pandemic.

But as with many other businesses, the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS) has reopened to full capacity, and their fun-for-the-whole-family, in-person activities are back in action. Below, find a sampling of the exciting programs our local libraries are hosting in the coming week, categorized by age group. And PS: Note that many of these events require advance registration, so click on the links for the events you’re interested in to find out how to sign up.

Babies/toddlers:

  • July 19, 10–10:30 a.m., Wyckoff Public Library. Infants through two-and-a-half-year-olds (plus a caregiver) can enjoy a half hour of songs at Rhyme Time in the labyrinth garden. Bring your own blanket to ensure social distancing.
  • July 21, 4 p.m., Englewood Library. Join other neighborhood kids and some furry friends on the library’s front lawn for Farm Chicks Petting Farm event, a hands-on petting zoo for animal lovers of all ages.
  • July 24, 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m., Emerson Public Library. Though this Every Little Thing Yoga event is geared for toddlers and preschoolers, the whole family can enjoy moving their bodies like animals, playing yoga games and reading an animal-related story. The class will be held outdoors, so attendees are encouraged to bring towels/blankets and water.

Elementary school kids:

  • July 21, 10–11 a.m., Garfield Library. Kids ages 4–8 will draw with chalk until their heart’s content on one of the library’s outdoor patio squares. Meet in the Community Room.
  • July 21, 10–11 a.m., Bergenfield Library. A children’s librarian and certified yoga instructor combines her two interests to lead Bendy Bookworm Yoga, a story-based yoga class that’s intended for kids ages 5-10 (and a caregiver). The session is held at the tennis courts at Veterans Memorial Park.
  • July 21, 2:30–3 p.m., Montvale Library. Bring your imagination—and your kid aged 9 and up—for a Mid-Week Make & Take, where they’ll decorate their own memory boxes made out of a cigar box. All supplies will be provided at this in-person, outdoor event.
  • July 22, 2:30-3:15 p.m. or 3:45-4:25 p.m., Oakland Library. Mad Science presents “Tails and Tales,” an animal-themed program where kids ages 5-9 will learn first-hand how wildlife moves, sees and evades predators. Event takes place outside on the lawn. 

Teens:

  • July 17, all day, Ridgefield Park Library: Register weekly for The Garden Club to plant and tend to Ridgefield Park Library’s vegetable garden. At the end of the season, the fruits (or veggies) or your labor will be cooked into a pot of vegetable soup for all participants to enjoy. Bonus: Each day your child helps in the garden yields them 20 points in the library’s summer reading program.
  • July 20, 2-2:30 p.m. Tenafly Library. Have a teen who’s interested in the stock market? The Stock Market Game introduces aspiring business pros to saving and investing through a simulation of the stock and bond markets. Teams will compete to manage their own $100,000 portfolio.
  • July 20, 5-6 p.m., Ramsey Public Library. Get crafty and spend time outside with the Teen Mosaic Craft, where your high schooler can make a shark mosaic using colored glass tiles. All supplies will be provided. Class is limited to six teens. 

Adults/seniors:

  • July 18, 12-1p.m., Bergenfield Library. Join 19 other adults for a socially-distant Painting With Pearl at Cooper’s Pond event, in partnership with Pearl of Brushes and Berries Crafting Studio. A $10 deposit is required but will be returned after the event.
  • July 22, 6-7 p.m., Bogota Public Library. At the Literary Mocktails and Coloring event, participants will learn how to make fresh summer mocktails. The event will conclude with a mocktail, snacks and some stress-reducing coloring.
  • July 22, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Englewood Library. Every Thursday features performances on the library’s front plaza for the 9th Annual Jazz Under the Stars festival. This week’s special guest is Bill Saxton and his Harlem all-stars.

Still feel more comfortable convening over Zoom? You’ll find a full calendar of virtual-only Bergen County library events here.

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