All GCLS branch libraries are now open to the public but with limited access. Face masks are required.
Go to www.gcls.org to findour virtual library online. Click the classes/events tab and choose online events calendar. Click an event to enjoy Storytime, S.T.E.M. tutorials, crafting videos, cooking demos, book chats and more.
You can find everything on our new YouTube Channel and on our Library Facebook page, too. Check out our selection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, Movies & TV with Hoopla and Overdrive.
Contactless Pickup is also still available.
ADULT VIRTUAL PROGRAMS:
Gloucester County Library System Community Read & Events:
The Gloucester County Library System (GCLS) is excited to announce a Community Read during the month of April and the selected title is Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.
Throughout the month of April, GCLS will offer book and film discussions, a cooking demonstration and additional programming that draw from the many themes in the book. GCLS invites you to read along and engage in this meaningful conversation as we celebrate this literary classic!
Information about the Community Read can be found on our website at www.gcls.org or call 856-223-6050 for more information.
Family Cooking Class: Cuisine of the Deep South – Monday, April 5 – 6 pm. Join Lisa from Veggiecation for a LIVE cooking class! Find out how to make blackeyed peas and peaches salsa.
Readers Roundtable – Kick-off book discussion on Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston – Monday, April 5 – 7 p.m. Visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link! Did you miss this discussion? Join another one, also discussing Their Eyes were Watching God:
Wednesday, April 14 – 3 p.m. Monday, April 26 – 4 p.m.
Unlearning Partner Violence – Wednesday, April 7 – 7 p.m. Join a representative from Services Empowering Rights of Victims for a presentation and discussion on partner violence. Learn the signs and tips on how to help someone. This event will be held via Zoom. Visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Hip Hop Jazz Musicology – Monday, April 12 – 7 p.m. – Join us for an interactive music presentation with Ali Richardson. Learn the origins of hip hop music through spirituals, blues, and jazz – all while learning the links to key historical movements that connect the music. This event will be held on Zoom. Visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
History Book Club – Monday, April 12 – 7 p.m. – The group will be discussing All Blood Runs Red: The Legendary Life of Eugene Bullard: Boxer, Pilot, Soldier, Spy by Phil Keith and Tom Clavin. To join this event, go to www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Fair Housing and Consumer Protections – Tuesday, April 13 – 7 p.m. Join in a discussion with a representative from New Jersey Citizen Action to understand your Fair Housing Rights and Protections. Go to www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click the link to register.
Virtual Film Discussion: “Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun” – Tuesday, April 20 – 7 p.m. Join GCLS for a virtual film discussion on Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun. Please view the film through Kanopy, and then register to join us by going to gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Discussion with Author and Scholar, Dr. Keisha Blain – Wednesday, April 21 – 7 p.m. Join GCLS as we discuss African American history and culture with author and scholar, Dr. Keisha Blain. Dr. Blain is a contributor to the recent publication with Dr. Ibram Kendi, “Four Hundred Souls,” as well as current fellow at Harvard University’s Carr Center for Human Rights Policy. This presentation will be held via Zoom and is sponsored by the Friends of GCLS. Visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Harriet Tubman – Monday, April 26 – 7 p.m. Please join us for a virtual presentation on Harriet Tubman presented by the Harriet Tubman Museum. Visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Other Exciting Events for Adults:
Reader’s Roundtables – Share what you’re reading and hear about other great reads!
Monday, April 5 – 7-8 p.m. – check our online events calendar for more information; and “What Are You Reading?” held every Thursday from 4 – 5 p.m.
For all Reader’s Roundtable programs, visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Genealogy Club – online meetings – Tuesday, April 6 – 4 p.m. Meet with other genealogy enthusiasts and share your tips and tricks, to help build your family tree! Visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Name That Tune – Thursday, April 15 – 7 p.m. – Test your musical know-how with this fun brain game! Click on the Zoom link at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84063510877.
The Garden Tourist – Wednesday, April 28 – 7 p.m. Do you enjoy beautiful gardens? In this armchair tour of some of the best public gardens and hidden gems of the northeast, you will learn about each garden’s history, horticultural highlights and special events that will inspire you to plan your own visit! Visit our website at www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Know Your History with Mr. Ben – Tuesdays, April 13 & April 27 – 3:30 p.m. Join GCLS’ historian, Mr. Ben, to learn about some fascinating local history April 13 will be “Governor Charles Stratton.” April 27 will be “Lake Park Cemetery Tour.” For all “Know Your History events”, go to www.gcls.org and click on the Facebook icon. You can also find many “Know Your History” events on the library’s YouTube page, too: Go to www.gcls.org and click on the YouTube icon.
Virtual Page Turner Adult Book Club – Tuesday, April 27 – 7 p.m. – Join the GCLS Swedesboro Library’s Page Turners Book Club for their monthly meeting! This month’s title is Call Your Daughter Home by Deb Spera. Join us by going to www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
What’s Cooking with Miss Carolyn – Thursdays, April 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 – 4:45 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Find out what’s cooking this week! Go to www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link! You can also find many “What’s Cooking” programs on the library’s YouTube page. Go to www.gcls.org and click on the YouTube icon.
Writers’ Roundtable Online – Tuesdays, April 6 & April 20- 6:30 -7:30 p.m.
Join other aspiring writers online, and share your work! Go to www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Grab & Go Bags for adults once-a-month. Stop in to pick up a “Grab and Go Bag” – one per adult. Enjoy simple crafts you can do at home! Supplies are included. First come, first serve, while supplies last.
CHILDREN’S TAKE HOME ACTIVITIES
Artistic Challenge – Write a poem OR make a collage. Contest runs from April 1 to April 30, 2021. Ages 4-12. All participants receive a snack prize. There will be a winner for the best poem and a winner for the most unique collage. Bring your poem or collage to the library or email them to tcarlton@gcls.org. Photos will be put on social media.
Take Home: Read and Do Bags! Patrons can check out one bag per child at the Swedesboro Library. Each bag will contain 3 library books, a coloring page, and a simple craft you can do with your child at home. Different themes will be available while supplies last. Please be sure to bring your bag to the circulation desk for checkout.
Grab and Go Bags for children – Stop in to pick up a “Grab and Go Bag” – one per child. Enjoy simple crafts you can do at home! There will be a new craft each week. Supplies are included. First come, first serve, while supplies last.
Storytime Kits – Once a month, pick up a storytime kit. Kits will include one free book, activities, and a craft. One per family while supplies last.
CHILDREN’S VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Preschool Virtual Storytime – 10:30 a.m. with your favorite Librarians. Best suited for ages 3 to 5. Go to gcls.org and click on the Facebook icon. You can also find many storytimes on the library’s YouTube page, too: Go to www.gcls.org and click on the YouTube icon. Check our virtual calendar to find these events and join our GCLS newsletter to keep current.
Toddler Virtual Storytime – 10:30 a.m. with your favorite Librarians – Best suited for ages 0-3. Go to gcls.org and click on the Facebook icon. You can also find many storytimes on the library’s YouTube page, too: Go to www.gcls.org and click on the YouTube icon. Check our virtual calendar to find these events and join our GCLS newsletter to keep current.
Online Pajama Storytime – Mondays – 6 p.m. – best suited for ages 3-6. Wear your pajamas and get comfortable and join your favorite Librarians for a bedtime story. Find us on Facebook and YouTube. Check our virtual calendar to find these events and join our GCLS newsletter to keep current.
S.T.E.M Virtual Programs – Fridays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 – 1:30 p.m. Learn a fun S.T.E.M activity to do right in your own home! Go to gcls.org and click on the Facebook icon. You can also find many of our S.T.E.M virtual programs on the library’s YouTube page, too: Go to www.gcls.org and click on the YouTube icon.
Virtual Kid’s Crafting Programs – Wednesdays, April 7, 14, 21, & 28- 1:00 p.m. Learn how to make fun and unique crafts with most materials you already have at home! Go to gcls.org and click on the Facebook icon. You can also find many of our craft virtual programs on the library’s YouTube page, too: Go to www.gcls.org and click on the YouTube icon.
We would love for you to snap a photo of your finished crafts and share with us on our Instagram page.
Live Virtual Storytimes – GCLS is now offering a Live Storytime Monday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy your favorite librarian: Mondays – Miss Mary, Tuesdays – Miss Terri, Wednesdays – Miss Heather, Thursdays – Miss Brittany, and Fridays – Miss Debbie. Check our virtual calendars, website, and newsletters for ongoing information.
Virtual Reading with FURever as Friends. Sign up to read to one of our adorable therapy animals virtually. Each child will be given a ten minute slot. Emailbwhitfield@gcls or go to our virtual calendar to reserve your reading session: Monday, April 19 – 6:30-7 p.m.; Tuesday, April 20 – 6:30-7 p.m.; Monday, April 26 – 6:30-7 p.m.; Thursday, April 29 – 6:30-7 p.m.
TEENS/TWEENS
Family Cooking Class – Monday, April 5 – 6 p.m. – Join Lisa from Veggiecation for a LIVE cooking class! We will be making blackeyed peas and peach salsa. Click on the link to register. Contact ssmith@gcls.org for the recipe so you can get your ingredients ahead of time.
Veggiecation is a program that educates and promotes the health benefits of vegetables through simple and delicious recipes.
Teen Art Club – Wednesdays, April 7 & 21 – 6:30 p.m. Join GCLS and other teens on the library’s Discord channel. You can share art tips and techniques, or reach out and get help to improve your art skills. There will be weekly challenges for everyone to try to complete!
Teen Game Night: Super Smash Bros Ultimate – Wednesday, April 14 – 6:30 p.m. – Play some Super Smash Bros Ultimate in an online arena! You’ll need your own copy of the game and a subscription to Nintendo Switch Online to play. An email will be sent out shortly before the event containing the Arena ID. It will also be posted on our Discord server, where you can chat with others will you play! Sign up for the Discord by going to bit.ly/gclsdiscord.
Teen Game Nights online – Let’s play some Among Us! Play on your PC or smartphone/tablet, and use our teen Discord server to chat! Make sure to have the game installed on your device!
Need to join the Discord server? Go to . Email Paul for more information at ppalmer@gcls.org.
Teen Twitch: Stream and Chat – Fridays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 – 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Join GCLS Teen Librarian, Paul, and other teens on twitch! Go to www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Virtual Teen Writers’ Club – Monday, April 12 – 7 p.m. – If you love writing, need new ideas, like sharing ideas/stories/poems, and/or learning new writing techniques and types of writing – this club is for you. We also have a literary magazine that your works can be included in! Call 856-467-0111 for more information.
Teen/Tween Virtual Book Club – Saturday, April 17 – 12:30 p.m. Each week the next book will be selected as a group. To join this event, go to www.gcls.org, click classes and events tab, click online events calendar. Find this event and click on the link!
Other On-line County Library Events
Go to www.gcls.org/online-events for registration
Live Storytime- Monday- Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Kids Crafternoon- Every Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
FURever As Friends Reading Program through Google meet at 6:30 p.m.-April 19, 20, 26, 29
Author Storytime- April 19, 6 p.m.
Beginner Dungeons and Dragons- April 8, 6 p.m.
All recorded videos (not live programs) are archived on our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/gloucestercountylibrarysystem
Join our email list to stay in the know! Go to www.gcls.org. Scroll down till you find the “Stay Connected” tab on the right hand side.
The GCLS Mullica Hill Branch will be closed Sunday, April 4, in observance of the Easter holiday.
