Mercer County Library Blog

In preparation for celebrating Constitution Day and Citizenship Day at the West Windsor branch, I’ve been reading up on the history of American political thought. The West Windsor branch will host lawyer, professor, and NJ local government expert Dennis Galvin on September 17th at 7 pm. Constitution Day and Citizenship Day was established by law in 2004, following modifications from a law celebrating Citizenship Day enacted by President Harry Truman in 1955. Promoting civic engagement and encouraging education about the Constitution, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is a time to explore our Americanness. The Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, 1787 by 39 of the 55 delegates sent by twelve states. Rhode Island, preferring the Articles of Confederation, feared too strong a federal government and did not send delegates. The Constitution was ratified on June 21st, 1788, with the required nine of thirteen states agreeing to adopt it. All thirteen states had ratified the Constitutio...

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...

Mother's Day is a day to acknowledge the unique role that mothers, and those persons in our lives who have been instrumental, play in nurturing, guiding and supporting us. On this special occasion, family members show their love and appreciation for their mothers, grandmothers, and other motherly figures by giving them gifts, cards, and other nice things. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March or May. In the United States, it's celebrated on the second Sunday of May to honor all mother figures and their hard work. In the United States, three women played an important role in establishing the tradition of Mother’s Day: Julia Ward Howe, Ann Reeves Jarvis, and Ann’s daughter, Anna M. Jarvis.  In 1872, Julia Ward Howe made the first known recommendation for Mother’s Day in the United States. She suggested that people observe Mother’s Day as a day dedicated to peace. Anne Jarvis began a campaign for a nationwide observance of Mother’s D...

Here are some of the events and programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of May. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar , and check out the flyers in this post! Mental Health Awareness and Meditation Month Breathe and give yourself permission to slow down. During May, our guided meditations offer easy on-ramps to stress relief and self-care, no prior experience needed. Join us virtually or in person and leave each session feeling lighter, clearer, and more connected. ​Also be sure to check out Headspace for guided meditations, breathing exercises, and everyday mental health tips along with our other health and wellness resources . For Adults Guided Meditation Monday, May 5, 4:00 pm Monday, May 19, 4:00 pm Virtual Program Guided Meditation and Sound Bowl Healing Thursday, May 22, 6:30 pm Robbinsville Branch Mindfulness to Reduce Stress Wednesday, May 21, 6:30 pm Virtual Program For Teens Ever-Unfoldi...

Here are some of the events and programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of April. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar , and check out the flyers in this post! National Poetry Month Events Celebrate National Poetry Month with readings, workshops, and open mic sessions that inspire creativity and expression. For Adults Poetry Reading & Open Mic Thursday, April 3, 2025, 6:30 pm Lawrence Branch Poetry Writing Workshop Saturday, April 5, 1:00 pm Hickory Corner Branch Poetry Circle: Poetry Month Reading Thursday, April 10, 2025, 6:30 pm Lawrence Branch Poetry Writing Workshop Wednesday, April 16, 2025, 2:30 pm Lawrence Branch Rule of Three Reading Group: Poetry Thursday, April 17, 2025, 6:30 pm West Windsor Branch A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read Monday, April 28, 2025, 7:00 pm Virtual Program For Kids Blackout Poetry All month long Ewing Branch For All Ages Blackout Poetry Wall All...

TrashedArt Contest Begins The 16th Annual TrashedArt Contest kicks off this January! Celebrate Earth Day by transforming everyday trash into extraordinary art. Open to teens and adults in Mercer County, the contest encourages participants to use at least 75% recycled content in their creations . Submit your artwork between February 25 and March 4, 2025, to the Lawrence Headquarters Branch . Judging and public voting for the “People’s Choice” Award will follow, with winners announced at the reception on April 22, 2025 . Visit the TrashedArt Contest page for details.   MLK Jr. Day of Service On Monday, January 20th, the Ewing, Hickory Corner, Lawrence, and West Windsor branches will be open 9:30am to 5:00pm. All other branches are closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in our card and letter-writing campaign for Meals on Wheels, running from January 13 to February 1, 2025. Craft events and activities are happening at various b...

As we are in the midst of the holiday season – and shopping has been on the minds of many – I wanted to share my experience behind the scenes on a tour of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Edison, New Jersey. I wasn’t much of a fan of the idea of going. What would I see? A warehouse with boxes? I was very ready to be bored. Instead, I was fascinated. Working in a library, I have an appreciation of inventory control and knowing exactly where a specific item may be found, as well as delivering the right book to the right branch and right patron. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable about how each section in the warehouse worked together for maximum efficiency. Stowers empty items from bins and boxes delivered to the facility into larger, tall sets of bins, sorted by size. Devices scan everything so the computer knows exactly which spot on which bin an item is placed. Pickers are the people who find the items you order. The correct larger set of bins is brought right to the picker by a...

I would not call myself a foodie but I do enjoy reading books with a food theme. From cozy mysteries to rom-com fiction, I love a story that includes recipes and cooking. As a children’s librarian, I am especially fond of picture books that feature foods from other cultures. Reading picture books with recipes from around the globe helps children engage with the world and learn about other people through the kinds of food they eat. Food is something that we all have in common. From holidays and celebrations to the family dinner, food is the glue that binds us together. It defines our daily life and can bring such joy. It is the tastes, smells and sounds that define who we are. Many family traditions are passed down through recipes and cooking. For me it was the apple pie my mother made during the holidays. Each year I try to recreate the recipe for my children. I’ve listed some of my favorite books by authors who were inspired by the cooking traditions from their backgrounds. I hope y...