Mercer County Library Blog

You know what’s a really fun thing to do? Vote! In what other way can you put your opinions, values, and beliefs out there, but in private, and no one can tell you that your choices are wrong? Pretty cool, right? Speaking of rights, many societies don’t enjoy this one. And we Americans have certainly struggled to expand it to more of our fellow citizens. But our right to vote is enshrined in several Constitutional amendments and legislative acts. Those worried about election integrity can keep in mind that even federal elections are managed by individual states and municipalities. Though Congress and states set the rules, there is, by design, no national administration of elections in the United States. The hard truth about voting is that after an election is over, you may find the results aren’t what you hoped for. But you know what? They definitely will not reflect your choices if you and others sit it out. It’s that simple. Now that I have you excited about voting, did you know...

Hunting for a job has always been a daunting process, but in the year 2025, it is even more so. Today, the workforce places greater and greater demands on potential employees. Standards are high, and the competition can feel overwhelming. So how can you, the job-seeker, help strengthen your chances in today’s market? By being educated. Know what resources are available to you, and take full advantage of them. The Mercer County Library System is an excellent resource to have at your disposal. We are happy to help! One of the areas that people often struggle with when job searching is their résumé. To make yourself more desirable to the employer, your résumé should be tailored to the individual position for which you are applying. This can help you stand out in the crowd. How can you connect your résumé to the job posting? Look for keywords that stand out and phrases that are repeated. These are what the employer is stressing as desirable qualifications. If you have them, make them know...

Did you know that New Jersey is a major center of the fragrance industry? I learned this recently when I took a workshop on fragrance. Three of the biggest companies in the “flavors and fragrance” industry have headquarters in New Jersey: Firmenich (close by in Plainsboro), Givaudan (East Hanover), and Symrise (Teterboro). According to the blog of Rutgers’ Master of Business and Science Degree, 125 flavor and fragrance companies are located in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area. The workshop that I attended was led by a former marketing manager at one of these F&F companies. Despite not being a perfumer herself, she still had to pass a difficult test in which she recognized scents from an array of glass vials. During the workshop session, we smelled many things, including an array of lavender-scented products. On one end, the products smelled good, but smelled… purple. The workshop leader called them “fantasy lavender” – they were sweet and pleasant, but had little to do wi...

Here are some of the events and programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of August. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar , and check out the flyers in this post! Summer Events: Continuing to Color Your World Make the most of your August with our diverse collection of programs and services! This month brings together educational presentations, community resources, and fun entertainment for all ages. Create colorful crafts, dive into STEM activities, research your family history, or enjoy live music and performances with the family. We're here to support your learning, creativity, and community connections as summer draws to a close. For Kids Live Music with Summer Play Patrol Tuesday, August 5, 10:00 am Lawrence Branch Tie-Dye Tuesday, August 5, 2:30 pm Hollowbrook Branch Ana's World of Minis Tuesday, August 5, 2:30 pm Twin Rivers Branch Beach Party with Gina the Balloon Girl Wednesday, August...