Storytimes near Ocean County Library

Lakewood Branch

Win a prize if you get the number right. Ages 0 - 12. Participa para ganar un premio si aciertas el número. Edades 0 - 12.

Brick Branch

Can you guess how many candies are in the jar? Take a guess by Friday, July 31st for a chance to win! Celebrate America's 250 th Anniversary and drop by the Brick Branch to take part in our patriotic candy jar contest. The closest guess wins all of the candy in the jar!

Brick Branch

In partnership with the Jersey Shore Animal Center, the Brick Branch is collecting donations to support our local furry friends. Throughout July and August, the Brick Branch will be accepting donations of the following items: Pet food: Purina Pro Plan Adult/Puppy Dry Dog Food, Iams Adult/Puppy Dry Dog Food, Dog Biscuits/Treats, Purina One Dry Cat Chow Complete, Purina One Sensitive Systems Dry Cat Food, Purina Kitten Chow, Friskies/Fancy Feast Canned Cat Food (non-fish flavor) Pet supplies: Blankets, Towels, Comforters, Flat Sheets, Non-Clumping Clay Cat Litter, Cat Wands, Cat Toys (non-catnip), Dog Toys, Cardboard Scratching Boards Cleaning supplies: Paper Towels, Scrub Sponges, Bleach, HE Laundry Detergent, Hand Soap/Sanitizer, Dish Soap, Latex Exam Gloves (S, M, L, XL) Office supplies: White Copy Paper (new), Color Copy Paper (“brights” and pink, green, blue, yellow), 13-66 Gallon Trash Bags Donations for our furry friends can be dropped off during opening hours and will be sent to the Jersey Shore Animal Center.

Jackson Branch, Sensory Space

Visit the Sensory Space on the 2nd floor of the Jackson Branch. Visit the Sensory Space on the 2nd floor for special lighting, sounds and equipment to create a calming experience while using the Library. Time spent in the Space will be limited up to 30 minutes and availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Caregiver must be present. Hours subject to change, check Sensory Space online calendar prior to arriving. If you have any questions please call us at 732-928-4400 Extension #3823

Waretown Branch

Come join us in making a fun craft. Please register.

Manchester Branch, Manchester Meeting Room

Color your own patriotic cup with lid and straw. Color your own patriotic cup with lid and straw. Color American's favorite beagle or design your own patriotic design. All supplies provided. Caregivers do not need to register.

Toms River Branch, YS Living Room/YS Area

Drop in to practice fine motor skills and exercise cognitive abilities at different stations around the children's room. No registration required. Ages 3-7.

Lakewood Branch, Lakewood Meeting Room

Color while listening to soothing music.

Jackson Branch, Storytime Room

Meet, socialize, and play with toys in the Children's Department. Please register. REGISTRATION REQUIRED: * Please individually register and specify all the names and ages of the children attending. * For program updates and confirmation reminders, please add an email.

Brick Branch, Brick Meeting Room

Ages 3-5. Celebrate National Ice Cream Day with stories, a craft and a fun ice cream snack. Potential allergens. To ensure we have the appropriate amount of space and supplies, please do not register more than one child per submission. Each child must be registered separately.

Waretown Branch

Unearth a Story: A Treasure Hunt Adventure! Join us for a fun-filled program! We will begin with a simple story about discovery, followed by decorating your own treasure jars. After that, young explorers will dig into the sand to uncover hidden gems to take home. It's a perfect mix of reading, creativity, and hands-on fun! (Please register only the youth attendees; accompanying adults do not need to register.) This program is sponsored by the Ocean County Library – Waretown Branch.

Barnegat Branch, Barnegat Meeting Room

Learn how to make a simple meal with ingredients found at a farmer's market for a true farm to table experience. Learn how to make a simple meal with ingredients found at a farmer's market for a true farm to table experience. Cooking with farmer's market produce focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients, requiring simple techniques to highlight natural flavors. Potential allergen. Registration required.

Tuckerton Branch, Tuckerton Meeting Room

Join us as we create little owl ornaments. Ages 4-10. Please Register.

Toms River Branch

What Will Create Today? Stop by Sparks's Lab with a pal, grab a 3D Pen, and get start creating unique works of art for each other with our 3Doodler 3D printing pens. Space in the Lab is limited. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Time in the Lab will be limited to 30 minutes if there are makers waiting. Makers under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Hours subject to change; please check online calendar prior to arriving.

Brick Branch, Brick Meeting Room

Mah Jong, Mahjong, Mahjongg no matter how you spell it, come and enjoy. All play levels welcome. Bring your current card and set. This program is offered every Thursday from January 8 2026, through December 17, 2026.

Point Pleasant Beach Branch, Point Pleasant Beach Meeting Room

The Literature and Lunch book discussion group is reading Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach. The Literature and Lunch book discussion group is reading Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach.

Upper Shores Branch, Upper Shores Meeting Room

Practice your reading skills in the company of gentle therapy dogs. Ages 3-12.

Barnegat Branch

Drop in with your own supplies. Drop in with your own supplies.

Berkeley Branch, Berkeley Meeting Room

Weekly open play Mah Jongg from 1-4 Players must bring their own set and current card. Weekly open play Mah Jongg from 1-4 Players must bring their own set and current card.

Lakewood Branch

Learn to draw a fossil. Ages 5 - 12. Aprende a dibujar un fósil. Edades 5 - 12.

Manchester Branch, Manchester Meeting Room B

Do you love to knit or crochet, come to our meeting room and join others with the same passion. Bring your yarn, needles, hooks and current projects.

Toms River Branch, Sparks's Lab (Makerspace)

What Will Create Today? Stop by Sparks's Lab with a pal, grab a 3D Pen, and get start creating unique works of art for each other with our 3Doodler 3D printing pens. Space in the Lab is limited. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Time in the Lab will be limited to 30 minutes if there are makers waiting. Makers under age 9 must be accompanied by an adult caregiver. Hours subject to change; please check online calendar prior to arriving.

Toms River Branch, Green Room

Practice your English while school is out for the summer! Teen are invited to practice their English through the summer at our Teen English Conversation Group. Refreshments will be provided. Potential Allergens. Ages 13-18. Please register.

Upper Shores Branch, Upper Shores Main Floor

Andrew's Big Show is a family friendly variety circus show. Ages 5-12. Registration required. Join us for a fun for all ages, one-man-comedy and circus show. Andrew’s been practicing in circuses and on cruise ships and now is bringing his show to the library. Ages 5-12. Registration required.

Plumsted Branch, Plumsted Meeting Room

Join us for a showing of Walt Disney's classic movie "Dinosaurs" and a craft. This event is for adults with special challenges and their caregivers. Please Register. Rating- PG Runtime-82 minutes

Toms River Branch, Sensory Space

Visit the Sensory Space on the 2nd floor of the Toms River Branch. Visit the Sensory Space on the 2nd floor for special lighting, sounds and equipment to create a calming experience while using the Library. Time spent in the Space will be limited up to 30 minutes and availability is on a first come, first serve basis. Caregiver must be present. Hours subject to change, check Sensory Space online calendar prior to arriving.

Lacey Branch, Lacey Meeting Room

Uncover artifacts like an archaeologist by excavating chocolate chips from a cookie, and learn about the tools and terms used by archaeologists! Potential allergens. Please register.

Little Egg Harbor Branch, Little Egg Harbor Meeting Room

Put on your powdered wigs and warm up your singing voice. We're celebrating America's 250th the only way we know how. With a Hamilton sing-a-long. Presenting the tale of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, this filmed version of the original Broadway smash hit is the story of America then, told by America now. Rating PG-13 Runtime 160 minutes Popcorn and light refreshments will be provided. Attendees are not required to sing.

Jackson Branch, Storytime Room

Join us for a dinosaur stuffed animal making party with Debby Pease! Join us for a dinosaur stuffed animal making party with Debby Pease! Please register all participants separately.

Point Pleasant Beach Branch

Over this five-week series of hour-long lessons, local music instructor Kevin Kelley will teach ukulele basics in a group. Over this five-week series of hour-long lessons, local music instructor Kevin Kelley will teach ukulele basics in a group. Ukuleles will be provided, though feel free to bring your own. Registration is required as space is very limited. It is required to register for the entire series. Please attend all sessions, if possible. Ages 13 and up. The classes are to be held on the following dates: Session 1: Thursday, July 9 Session 2: Thursday, July 16 Session 3: Thursday, July 30 Session 4: Thursday, August 6 Session 5: Thursday, August 13 Sponsored by the Ocean County Library Foundation