Mercer County Library Blog

Here are some of the events and programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of July. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar . July Marks America's 250th and Keeps Summer Reading Going This July, MCLS branches celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence with film screenings, history talks, a jazz concert, and patriotic crafts. The 2026 Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story continues all month, with the discovery of dinosaurs, fossils, archaeology, and ancient cultures. Join us for storytimes, author visits, book clubs, escape rooms, magic shows, and hands-on activities for all ages throughout the month. For Kids America 250 Birthday Bash Thursday, July 2, 3:00 pm Hickory Corner Branch America 250 Patriotic Suncatcher Thursday, July 2, 3:30 pm Ewing Branch Digging for Dinos Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 pm Robbinsville Branch Lenape Pottery Friday, July 10, 1:30 pm Ewing Branch Disney Sing-Along wi...

Do you remember the first time you saw a picture of a dinosaur? This year's Summer Reading theme is "Unearth a Story" and features the "formidable lizards" in its' prehistoric aesthetic. I coordinate the Adult Summer Reading Program at the Hickory Corner Branch, and have been doing a considerable amount of unearthing of my own while planning--searching through boxes upon boxes of books in search of summer reading prizes, digging through dinosaur-themed titles for our promotional materials, and looking for some below ground titles for this very blog post. Come along as we "unearth" some books from our catalog and crack open this planet's cellar door: Strata: Stories from Deep Time Burrow into the world of geologists and uncover 4.54 billion years of history in Strata: Stories from Deep Time . This book is split into four geological events: the rise of oxygen, the ice age, the introduction of mud, and the "hothouse" of the Mesozoic er...

What's Happening at MCLS: June 2026 Here are some of the events and programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of June. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar . June Kicks Off Summer Reading and Celebrates Pride, Fathers, and the Great Outdoors This June, MCLS branches kick off the 2026 Summer Reading Program: Unearth a Story , with dinosaurs, fossils, and discovery taking center stage. Programming also includes events for Father's Day, Pride Month, Great Outdoors Month, Juneteenth, and continuing programs commemorating the 250th anniversary of American independence . Join us for storytimes, crafts, book clubs, history talks, scavenger hunts, and outdoor activities throughout the month. For Kids Rainbow Scavenger Hunt All month long, during library hours Ewing Branch Outdoor Toddler Rock Tuesday, June 2, 10:30 am Tuesday, June 9, 10:30 am Tuesday, June 16, 10:30 am Tuesday, June 23, 10:30 am Hopew...

What's Happening at MCLS: May 2026 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 . This May, MCLS branches are filled with programming celebrating Mother's Day, Star Wars Day, the 250th anniversary of American independence, Mental Health Awareness and Meditation Month, and Asian American, and Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Join us for crafts, storytimes, meditation workshops, history talks, cultural celebrations, and more throughout the month. For Kids Mother's Day Planting: Spider Plants Saturday, May 2, 3:00 pm West Windsor Branch Mother's Day Craft for Toddlers Monday, May 4, 3:00 pm Ewing Branch Crafternoon: Mother's Day Cards Monday, May 4, 4:00 pm Tuesday, May 5, 4:00 pm Hopewell Branch Mother's Day Craft for School Age Monday, May 4, 4:15 pm Ewing Branch Star Wars Jedi Trai...

Hatching chicks is a special, fascinating experience! Anticipation and excitement build for approximately three weeks, and then… “cheep! cheep!” the baby chicks peck their way out! For the next two weeks, you watch their adorable antics as they figure out the world, interact with each other, double in size, and start getting feathers. The West Windsor Branch has been able to share this experience for four years now, once a year starting in 2023, and it’s something that patrons and staff look forward to each spring. For those who haven’t been able to observe each stage or for those who want to know more, read on for an overview of the process, some interesting facts about chickens, and a book list of kids’ non-fiction titles for more information, pictures, and activities. The Process Various companies and farms offer chick-raising experiences. The company we have used is Rent the Chicken. They deliver all the supplies and instructions needed for a 5-week hatching experience and then ta...

What's Happening at MCLS: April 2026 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 . April Celebrates Spring, Earth Day, Poetry, and Library Week This April, MCLS branches are filled with programming celebrating Autism Acceptance Month, National Poetry Month, Earth Day, National Library Week (April 19–25), and Easter. Join us for sensory storytimes, eco-friendly crafts, poetry events, egg hunts, and more throughout the month. For Kids Story and Snack: Bunnies Friday, March 27, 10:30 am Hickory Corner Branch Easter Storytime Friday, March 27, 3:30 pm Hickory Corner Branch Egg Hunt and Craft Saturday, March 28, 10:00 am Hickory Corner Branch Spring Egg Hunt Saturday, March 28, 2:00 pm Saturday, March 28, 2:30 pm Saturday, March 28, 3:00 pm Saturday, March 28, 3:30 pm Robbinsville Branch Easter Egg Hunt Tuesday, March 31...

Here are some of the events and programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of March. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar . March Celebrates Women's History, Creativity, STEM, and Irish Heritage This March, MCLS branches are filled with programming celebrating Women's History Month, National Crafting Month, NJ Makers Day, St. Patrick's Day, and America's 250th anniversary. Join us for movie screenings, historical programs, hands-on crafts, STEAM activities, and cultural celebrations throughout the month. Also be sure to check out our upcoming programming celebrating America's 250th anniversary . For Kids Crochet Club Tuesday, March 3, 6:30 pm Tuesday, March 10, 6:30 pm West Windsor Branch Paper Airplanes Wednesday, March 4, 6:30 pm Wednesday, March 25, 6:30 pm West Windsor Branch Crafternoons Thursday, March 5, 4:30 pm Thursday, March 12, 4:30 pm Thursday, March 19, 4:30 pm Thursday, Ma...