Local library events
Storytimes and kids' library events near Chathams Joint Free Public Library from the public library calendar.
214 Main Street, Chatham, NJ 07928
Upcoming events
4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Our STEAM program for children will provide them with a welcoming space to create, build, and inspire each other while gaining a deeper understanding of the world around them. Through challenges and experiments children will witness STEAM concepts in action. In this session, we will focus on paleontology and conduct a dinosaur fossil dig. For Grades K-3. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Embark on a journey to unlock your full potential with Sahaja Yoga Meditation, a timeless practice brought into today’s fast-paced world. Learn how to find balance and peace from within as you connect with the healing energy that resides in all of us. Each session features a guided meditation to awaken and nourish this subtle, inner force, offering a pathway to self-awareness and tranquility. What to Expect: - Guided Meditation: Calm the mind and rejuvenate the body with a guided experience led by seasoned practitioners. - Self-Discovery: Tap into your own healing potential with simple techniques designed to bring peace and clarity. - Community: Join others in a welcoming, serene environment focused on inner growth. Classes are free of charge. Our inner energy and self-knowledge are priceless, so there is no cost for these classes. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome as space permits. Reclaim your peace in a warm, supportive setting, and begin the journey to a more balanced life. No yoga mats needed.
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Learn about the trials and tribulations that led to the end of The Beatles as fans knew them. The band had reached their creative heights as recording artists with the albums Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt. Pepper. They also released some of their biggest hits including "Blackbird", "Yellow Submarine", "Come Together" in the late 1960's. However, the group's personal relationships, business dealings, and creative challenges led to the end of the group in 1970. This presentation will also mention the individual projects the band members pursued in the post-Beatles era. Presenter John Paul Groom is a native of the City of Liverpool and attended the same High School as Paul McCartney and George Harrison, lived in the same village as John Lennon and George and went to the same Sunday School as John. Groom also accompanied Rock and Roll’s rise in the early 1960s.
9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Join us in the Children's Room for Baby Open Play. Babies and caregivers will be able to socialize in a warm and welcoming environment. The library will provide toys and board books for your little one to explore. Please note: This is not a structured program. For children 0-24 months & their caregiver Drop in, no registration required.
3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Join local resident Amina Daoudi to discuss tackling life’s everyday challenges. Amina brings over 15 years of coaching experience and looks to provide a session exploring everyday life challenges—through guided group discussion, tools for problem-solving and simple, practical activities. Participants will have the opportunity to share ideas, learn from different perspectives, and develop realistic strategies they can apply in their daily lives. The session is designed to be open, supportive, and accessible to everyone—no prior experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to participate. Registration is encouraged.
12:00 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
The Library is closed today.
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Come join Ms. Najia for songs, stories and fun!
10:45 AM to 11:15 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Come join Ms. Najia for songs, stories and fun!
11:30 AM to 12:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Come join Mr. Stephen for songs, stories and fun!
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Looking to brighten up your space with some handmade charm? Come and enjoy a cozy afternoon as we craft beautiful handmade candles! Supplies will be provided. Registration is limited and required to attend.
4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Event Details Chess Expert Sean Finn will teach this class in person. Students will learn game strategy, basic checkmates, new tactical patterns, and the best questions to ask themselves when evaluating a position and creating a plan. Classes will include puzzle solving, game analysis and of course a chance to play. Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays, July 6 - July 22. Please note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver age 13 or older at all times. Group 1 is for players who know how pieces move. Suggested ages: 6 to 8. Limit: 16 students Sign up only if you can attend all 6 classes. Registration required. Due to high demand, registration is limited to Chatham Borough and Chatham Township residents only. Sponsored by the Marlee and Carl Frahn Fund for the Library of the Chathams of the Community Foundation of NJ
5:00 PM to 5:45 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Chess Expert Sean Finn will teach this class in person. Students will learn game strategy, basic checkmates, new tactical patterns, and the best questions to ask themselves when evaluating a position and creating a plan. Classes will include puzzle solving, game analysis and of course a chance to play. Mondays & Wednesdays, July 6 - July 22. Please note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver age 13 or older at all times. Group 2 is for players who can finish a game with checkmate. Suggested ages: 8 and up. Limit: 16 students. Sign up only if you can attend all 6 classes. Due to high demand, registration is limited to Chatham Borough and Chatham Township residents only. Sponsored by the Marlee and Carl Frahn Fund for the Library of the Chathams of the Community Foundation of NJ
6:00 PM to 6:45 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Chess Expert Sean Finn will teach this class in person. Students will learn game strategy, basic checkmates, new tactical patterns, and the best questions to ask themselves when evaluating a position and creating a plan. Classes will include puzzle solving, game analysis and of course a chance to play. Mondays & Wednesdays, July 6 - July 22. Please note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver age 13 or older at all times. Group 3 is for players who have previously taken Group 2 or other similar classes. Suggested ages: 8 & Up. Limit: 16 students. Sign up only if you can attend all 6 classes. Due to high demand, registration is limited to Chatham Borough and Chatham Township residents only. Sponsored by the Marlee and Carl Frahn Fund for the Library of the Chathams of the Community Foundation of NJ
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Looking to brighten up your space with some handmade charm? Come and enjoy a cozy evening as we craft beautiful handmade candles! Supplies will be provided. Registration is limited and required to attend.
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Come join Ms. Najia for songs, stories and fun!
10:45 AM to 11:15 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Come join Ms. Najia for songs, stories and fun!
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
For Grades 3 to 12 Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game where players create their own characters to play and embark upon imaginary adventures. A Dungeon Master or DM serves as the game's storyteller. The D&D Club is a great place to socialize in person with no computers or electronics needed! If you already know how to play D&D and are looking for others to play with, join our D&D Club! The club meets every Tuesday. No registration required. If you are an adult and would like to start a D&D Club at the library, let us know! Email events@chathamlibrary.org
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
In this class, students will become paleontologists and travel back in time! They will discover how modern scientists use fossils to study dinosaurs by gathering evidence, forming hypotheses, and working together to solve a prehistoric puzzle.
7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
US
Small Towns and Big Secrets: In Conversation with Bestselling Author Karin Slaughter Register now to take part in the discussion, and for an exclusive sneak peek of The Secrets We Hide, coming out August 11, 2026! Join us for a thrilling evening with acclaimed author Karin Slaughter as we chat about her North Falls series, consisting of We Are All Guilty Here, in which two teenage girls vanish in rural Georgia, and her upcoming sequel, The Secrets We Hide. In The Secrets We Hide, Slaughter welcomes readers back to North Falls. A small town with big secrets… 1601 Iris Drive looks like any other house on the quiet, residential street. But rumors are rampant about the Vickery family, and what goes on behind closed doors. When gunshots ring out, Sheriff Emmy Clifton and her sister, ex-federal agent Jude Archer, discover a devastating crime scene. Allison Vickery has been murdered in her own kitchen, and her teenage daughter is bleeding upstairs, left for dead. Everyone thinks they know what happened. But secrets are buried everywhere in this small town. And it’s up to Emmy Clifton to uncover the truth… Learn more and register hereto receive the access link and submit questions for the author. This is part of a series of author talks in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. See all upcoming talks here. The Author Talks series is made possible by Friends of the Library.
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Sensory play is a fun way for toddlers to engage their senses, develop fine and gross motor skills, and support early language and cognitive development. In this session toddlers will be able to choose from several different zoo themed sensory bins. For children 2-4 years old. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Are you a Mahjong player and looking for a group? Our Mahjong Club meets on Wednesdays at 1 pm. No instruction is provided so you must know how to play.
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Do you want to improve your Italian conversation skills? Are you able to participate in a conversation even if your knowledge of Italian isn’t perfect? Then this group is right for you. Please register for each meeting separately. Registration opens two weeks prior to the meeting date.
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Do you want to improve your Spanish conversation skills? Are you able to participate in a conversation even if your knowledge of Spanish isn’t perfect? Then this group is right for you. Please register for each meeting separately. Registration opens two weeks prior to the meeting date.
4:00 PM to 4:45 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Event Details Chess Expert Sean Finn will teach this class in person. Students will learn game strategy, basic checkmates, new tactical patterns, and the best questions to ask themselves when evaluating a position and creating a plan. Classes will include puzzle solving, game analysis and of course a chance to play. Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays, July 6 - July 22. Please note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver age 13 or older at all times. Group 1 is for players who know how pieces move. Suggested ages: 6 to 8. Limit: 16 students Sign up only if you can attend all 6 classes. Registration required. Due to high demand, registration is limited to Chatham Borough and Chatham Township residents only. Sponsored by the Marlee and Carl Frahn Fund for the Library of the Chathams of the Community Foundation of NJ
5:00 PM to 5:45 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Chess Expert Sean Finn will teach this class in person. Students will learn game strategy, basic checkmates, new tactical patterns, and the best questions to ask themselves when evaluating a position and creating a plan. Classes will include puzzle solving, game analysis and of course a chance to play. Mondays & Wednesdays, July 6 - July 22. Please note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver age 13 or older at all times. Group 2 is for players who can finish a game with checkmate. Suggested ages: 8 and up. Limit: 16 students. Sign up only if you can attend all 6 classes. Due to high demand, registration is limited to Chatham Borough and Chatham Township residents only. Sponsored by the Marlee and Carl Frahn Fund for the Library of the Chathams of the Community Foundation of NJ
6:00 PM to 6:45 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Chess Expert Sean Finn will teach this class in person. Students will learn game strategy, basic checkmates, new tactical patterns, and the best questions to ask themselves when evaluating a position and creating a plan. Classes will include puzzle solving, game analysis and of course a chance to play. Mondays & Wednesdays, July 6 - July 22. Please note that children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult or caregiver age 13 or older at all times. Group 3 is for players who have previously taken Group 2 or other similar classes. Suggested ages: 8 & Up. Limit: 16 students. Sign up only if you can attend all 6 classes. Due to high demand, registration is limited to Chatham Borough and Chatham Township residents only. Sponsored by the Marlee and Carl Frahn Fund for the Library of the Chathams of the Community Foundation of NJ
10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
For preschoolers and their caregivers. No registration required Bob Messano, “Guitar Bob”, is an accomplished songwriter, performer, and recording artist who specializes in creating original music for children and family audiences. His music programs are designed to be entertaining, educational, and participatory. "Guitar Bob Rocks!" No registration is required; however, each session will be limited to 75 participants (including children and adults) in order to ensure a quality program. Sponsored by Friends of the Library
10:45 AM to 11:15 AM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
For preschoolers and their caregivers. No registration required Bob Messano, “Guitar Bob”, is an accomplished songwriter, performer, and recording artist who specializes in creating original music for children and family audiences. His music programs are designed to be entertaining, educational, and participatory. "Guitar Bob Rocks!" No registration is required; however, each session will be limited to 75 participants (including children and adults) in order to ensure a quality program. Sponsored by Friends of the Library
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
US
Migrant Heart: The Hidden Cost of the American Dream and Healing Through Storytelling with Reyna Grande Learn more and register hereto receive the access link and submit questions for the author. Register today for this virtual talk if you identify as a seeker, a dreamer, or “anyone who believes in the enduring, transformative power of finding one’s voice.” In her ambitious new memoir, Migrant Heart: Essays About Things I Can’t Forget, beloved bestselling author Reyna Grande illuminates the hidden cost of the American Dream and the complex journey of healing that follows survival. What is the true power of stories? Can they heal the jagged edges of a traumatic childhood? Is the cost of telling the story worth the price of the cure? With her signature blend of sophistication and raw honesty, Grande interrogates how living between two nations, two languages, and two identities has shaped the woman, mother, and writer she has become. Moving from the legacy of violence in her hometown of Iguala, Mexico, to a bittersweet family vacation in Europe spent reconciling her own impoverished past with her children’s world of abundance, she uncovers startling truths about the nature of survival. Whether being racially profiled in the Arizona borderlands or finding unexpected wisdom from the slugs in her garden, Grande unflinchingly asks: How do we bridge the gap between who we were and who we have become? How do we turn pain into power? When memory threatens to define us, how can we use story to heal while still honoring our boundaries? This is part of a series of author talks in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium. See all upcoming talks here. The Author Talks series is made possible by Friends of the Library.
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
214 Main St, Chatham, NJ, 07928, US
Embark on a journey to unlock your full potential with Sahaja Yoga Meditation, a timeless practice brought into today’s fast-paced world. Learn how to find balance and peace from within as you connect with the healing energy that resides in all of us. Each session features a guided meditation to awaken and nourish this subtle, inner force, offering a pathway to self-awareness and tranquility. What to Expect: - Guided Meditation: Calm the mind and rejuvenate the body with a guided experience led by seasoned practitioners. - Self-Discovery: Tap into your own healing potential with simple techniques designed to bring peace and clarity. - Community: Join others in a welcoming, serene environment focused on inner growth. Classes are free of charge. Our inner energy and self-knowledge are priceless, so there is no cost for these classes. Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome as space permits. Reclaim your peace in a warm, supportive setting, and begin the journey to a more balanced life. No yoga mats needed.