I Spy at Home

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Virtual Program Audience: Kids A game to play at home or on the go! I can spy a…how ‘bout you? I spy something, you might too.  I-spy with me and I’ll I-spy with you.  Can you name all the objects in the picture? When you are fin......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Virtual Program Audience: Kids A game to play at home or on the go! I can spy a…how ‘bout you? I spy something, you might too.  I-spy with me and I’ll I-spy with you.  Can you name all the objects in the picture? When you are finished listing them, try all or some of the companion activities using our Ocean County Library databases.  It is always more fun when you work together, so see if a family member can join you to complete some of these activities.  You can complete some of these activities virtually on a video chat with your family and friends. Answer Key below!    Companion Activities: Have a question about your assignments?  Try using the Brainfuse online tutoring service. Brainfuse is a live one-on-one online tutoring service that Ocean County Library has subscribed to for all its resident library or paid temporary card holders to use for FREE. It also offers many other related educational and live coaching services in its two main products: HelpNow and JobNow. Have you tried Creativebug yet?  Creativebug has tons of classes and a special kids section just for you.  Just go to Creativebug, click Classes and choose Kids. Help Ocean County be counted by making sure your family fill out their census forms.  Submit your Census information online, by mail or by calling 844-330-2020 today. More information about the 2020 Census can be found at the Library's 2020 Census page. Always ask an adult permission to use scissors. Always be careful using scissors.  Hint, you might want to use scissors for question number 9. Want to learn more about fish? Try using the Explora - Children’s (EBSCOhost) database. Explora is for Grades K-5 – Browse categories for popular subjects. Topic overview articles are a great starting point for homework. Lexile reading levels, audio options and more. Provided by the New Jersey State Library. Do you like ducks?  Try using the Access Video Just for Kids database and search for ducks in the search box.  You will be educated and entertained with this streaming video database.   We are lucky to be located at the Jersey Shore and we get to see so many seashells.  Some people collection seashells.  Do you have a collection of something?  Write about your collection, draw a picture of your collection, or take a photo of it and share it with us in the comments (with parent/guardian permission of course). Another seashell, but let’s try a different activity with this one. Under Digital Materials, try using the Flipster database for free digital magazines.  There is even a special Family & Kids section just for you with favorites such as Ranger Rick, National Geographic Kids, National Geographic Little Kids and so much many more magazines to explore. How many different ways can you use a cardboard tube?  Write them down and see how many you can come up with, then, ask a family member to do it too (you can make this a fun video chat competition with family and friends). Get your glue sticks ready.  Try using the World Book Online database, once there, click on the Activity Corner icon (it is red with a pair of scissors). To find a craft, you can choose an age range, the type of activity, culture, time to complete it, the cost of materials, and even holiday themes.  Crafts start at age 3 and go up to adults, we’re sure everyone in your family will find something creative to do with this creative and fun library resource. How much do you know about golf?  Try using the World Book Discover database and type golf in the search box.  Click on the first article about golf, read it and see if you can answer the comprehension questions about the article.  There are more links in the article if you want to know about golf and golfers. Can you find SQUARE shapes around the room you are in? Look outside, can you spot square shapes outside too?  What other shapes do you know? What other shapes can you see? What is a rainbow?  Try using the World Book Online Advanced database to find out more about this weather phenomenon.     Under Digital Materials, try using the Hoopla database.  You will need a parent or guardian’s permission to sign-up because you need your library card, an email address and a password. Once you sign-up, search using the word ‘mermaids’ for books all about this fairy tale ocean resident. Answer Key:  #2 pencil Colored pencils (purple and orange) Purple Ruler Purple Safety scissors Pink fish sand toy Yellow duck sand toy Moon snail shell Scallop shell Cardboard tube Glue stick Blue golf ball Green square toy block Rainbow heart keychain Mermaid, handmade by an Upper Shores Branch/Bay Head Reading Center staff member Inspired by the April 18 Facebook post from the Murrysville Community Library: Check out our newest virtual program I SPY AT MY HOUSE. Find the sixteen items hidden in the image. Let us know how you did in the comments! For the full list of items and some fun activities click the link below. www.murrysvillelibrary.org……/i-spy-at-my-house/ #ISpy #LibraryAtHome Permission from the creator, Mrs. Carol Siefken the Coordinator of Youth Services at the Murrysville Community Library in Murrysville, Pennsylvania given to modify and share for our library system.

Virtual

Digital Escape Rooms

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens Do you have what it takes? We are sure you do! Checkout these cool escape rooms created by OCL Teen librarians!  Solve a series of clues, open the locks in the puzzles, and escape.  D......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens Do you have what it takes? We are sure you do! Checkout these cool escape rooms created by OCL Teen librarians!  Solve a series of clues, open the locks in the puzzles, and escape.  Don't worry, it's just for fun and you can't get stuck inside.   Click on one of these escape rooms below and challenge yourself! IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE CANDY DUTCHESS GALAXY TRAVELS ESCAPE WIZARD ESCAPE

Virtual

Shore to Thrive Series: Backyard Games

Branch Location: All Locations,Virtual Type of Event: Program,Virtual Program Audience: Family Celebrate “Simplify Your Life Week,” with a series of fun, self-care programs sure to help you thrive. ......More

Branch Location: All Locations,Virtual Type of Event: Program,Virtual Program Audience: Family Celebrate “Simplify Your Life Week,” with a series of fun, self-care programs sure to help you thrive. To attend please click this link on the day of the event.

Virtual and All Locations

Meet Claire Legrand: A Virtual Author Event - Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00 PM

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, ......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, Sawkill Girls, is a young adult horror novel that received five starred reviews. It is also a 2018 Bram Stoker Award finalist and a 2019 Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her first novel is The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012. She is also the author of The Year of Shadows, a ghost story for middle grade readers; and Winterspell, a young adult re-telling of The Nutcracker. Some Kind of Happiness, her middle grade novel about mental illness, family secrets, and the power of storytelling, is a 2017 Edgar Award Nominee. Claire’s latest middle grade novel, Foxheart, is a classic fantasy-adventure and a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection. Legrand is one of the four authors behind The Cabinet of Curiosities, an anthology of dark middle grade short fiction that was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Bank Street Best Book, and among the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2014. Furyborn, an epic fantasy novel for young adults, debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the first book in the Empirium Trilogy. The next book in the series, Kingsbane, was also an instant New York Times bestseller. The final book in the series, Lightbringer, releases October 13, 2020.  Claire Legrand  will discuss her path to becoming a writer, share humorous anecdotes, and talk about finding inspiration, owning your voice, living with mental illness, and fostering empathy. Her presentation will conclude with a short reading and Q&A. You must register to receive link to the virtual presentation. * All attendees will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Virtual

Shore to Thrive Series: Soothing Scents

Branch Location: All Locations,Virtual Type of Event: Program,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Family Celebrate “Simplify Your Life Week,” with a series of fun, self-care programs sure to help you thrive. Scent is all around us!  Enjoy a guided meditation about ......More

Branch Location: All Locations,Virtual Type of Event: Program,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Family Celebrate “Simplify Your Life Week,” with a series of fun, self-care programs sure to help you thrive. Scent is all around us!  Enjoy a guided meditation about how scents calm, connect, and ground us. To attend please click this link on the day of the event.

Virtual and All Locations

Take & Make Craft: Celebrate Shark Week

Branch Location: Toms River Branch,Virtual Type of Event: DIY/Craft/Maker,Virtual Program Audience: Kids Take a bite out of summer and celebrate Shark Week with a fun take home craft. Children and their families are invited to the Toms River Branch to pick up a shark ......More

Branch Location: Toms River Branch,Virtual Type of Event: DIY/Craft/Maker,Virtual Program Audience: Kids Take a bite out of summer and celebrate Shark Week with a fun take home craft. Children and their families are invited to the Toms River Branch to pick up a shark sun catcher craft kit. Kits will be available starting August 10th at 10 am. This take-home craft will be available on a first come, first serve basis, while supplies last.

Virtual and Toms River Branch

Meet Claire Legrand: A Virtual Author Event - Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00 PM

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, ......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, Sawkill Girls, is a young adult horror novel that received five starred reviews. It is also a 2018 Bram Stoker Award finalist and a 2019 Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her first novel is The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012. She is also the author of The Year of Shadows, a ghost story for middle grade readers; and Winterspell, a young adult re-telling of The Nutcracker. Some Kind of Happiness, her middle grade novel about mental illness, family secrets, and the power of storytelling, is a 2017 Edgar Award Nominee. Claire’s latest middle grade novel, Foxheart, is a classic fantasy-adventure and a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection. Legrand is one of the four authors behind The Cabinet of Curiosities, an anthology of dark middle grade short fiction that was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Bank Street Best Book, and among the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2014. Furyborn, an epic fantasy novel for young adults, debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the first book in the Empirium Trilogy. The next book in the series, Kingsbane, was also an instant New York Times bestseller. The final book in the series, Lightbringer, releases October 13, 2020.  Claire Legrand  will discuss her path to becoming a writer, share humorous anecdotes, and talk about finding inspiration, owning your voice, living with mental illness, and fostering empathy. Her presentation will conclude with a short reading and Q&A. You must register to receive link to the virtual presentation. * All attendees will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Virtual

Eyes of the Wild Presents: Creatures Beyond Imagining!

Branch Location: All Locations,Virtual Type of Event: Virtual Program Audience: Kids,Family Since the beginning of time, animals have been a huge part of our stories, fairy tales, and mythology! Celebrate this year’s library summer reading theme: Imagine Your Story wit......More

Branch Location: All Locations,Virtual Type of Event: Virtual Program Audience: Kids,Family Since the beginning of time, animals have been a huge part of our stories, fairy tales, and mythology! Celebrate this year’s library summer reading theme: Imagine Your Story with renown animal rescue, Eyes of the Wild! Prepare to be captivated with a fantastic, educational and live-animal virtual show! Families welcome! No registration required!

Virtual and All Locations

Meet Claire Legrand: A Virtual Author Event - Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00 PM

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, ......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, Sawkill Girls, is a young adult horror novel that received five starred reviews. It is also a 2018 Bram Stoker Award finalist and a 2019 Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her first novel is The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012. She is also the author of The Year of Shadows, a ghost story for middle grade readers; and Winterspell, a young adult re-telling of The Nutcracker. Some Kind of Happiness, her middle grade novel about mental illness, family secrets, and the power of storytelling, is a 2017 Edgar Award Nominee. Claire’s latest middle grade novel, Foxheart, is a classic fantasy-adventure and a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection. Legrand is one of the four authors behind The Cabinet of Curiosities, an anthology of dark middle grade short fiction that was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Bank Street Best Book, and among the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2014. Furyborn, an epic fantasy novel for young adults, debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the first book in the Empirium Trilogy. The next book in the series, Kingsbane, was also an instant New York Times bestseller. The final book in the series, Lightbringer, releases October 13, 2020.  Claire Legrand  will discuss her path to becoming a writer, share humorous anecdotes, and talk about finding inspiration, owning your voice, living with mental illness, and fostering empathy. Her presentation will conclude with a short reading and Q&A. You must register to receive link to the virtual presentation. * All attendees will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Virtual

Meet Claire Legrand: A Virtual Author Event - Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00 PM

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, ......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, Sawkill Girls, is a young adult horror novel that received five starred reviews. It is also a 2018 Bram Stoker Award finalist and a 2019 Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her first novel is The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012. She is also the author of The Year of Shadows, a ghost story for middle grade readers; and Winterspell, a young adult re-telling of The Nutcracker. Some Kind of Happiness, her middle grade novel about mental illness, family secrets, and the power of storytelling, is a 2017 Edgar Award Nominee. Claire’s latest middle grade novel, Foxheart, is a classic fantasy-adventure and a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection. Legrand is one of the four authors behind The Cabinet of Curiosities, an anthology of dark middle grade short fiction that was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Bank Street Best Book, and among the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2014. Furyborn, an epic fantasy novel for young adults, debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the first book in the Empirium Trilogy. The next book in the series, Kingsbane, was also an instant New York Times bestseller. The final book in the series, Lightbringer, releases October 13, 2020.  Claire Legrand  will discuss her path to becoming a writer, share humorous anecdotes, and talk about finding inspiration, owning your voice, living with mental illness, and fostering empathy. Her presentation will conclude with a short reading and Q&A. You must register to receive link to the virtual presentation. * All attendees will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Virtual

Meet Claire Legrand: A Virtual Author Event - Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00 PM

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, ......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, Sawkill Girls, is a young adult horror novel that received five starred reviews. It is also a 2018 Bram Stoker Award finalist and a 2019 Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her first novel is The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012. She is also the author of The Year of Shadows, a ghost story for middle grade readers; and Winterspell, a young adult re-telling of The Nutcracker. Some Kind of Happiness, her middle grade novel about mental illness, family secrets, and the power of storytelling, is a 2017 Edgar Award Nominee. Claire’s latest middle grade novel, Foxheart, is a classic fantasy-adventure and a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection. Legrand is one of the four authors behind The Cabinet of Curiosities, an anthology of dark middle grade short fiction that was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Bank Street Best Book, and among the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2014. Furyborn, an epic fantasy novel for young adults, debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the first book in the Empirium Trilogy. The next book in the series, Kingsbane, was also an instant New York Times bestseller. The final book in the series, Lightbringer, releases October 13, 2020.  Claire Legrand  will discuss her path to becoming a writer, share humorous anecdotes, and talk about finding inspiration, owning your voice, living with mental illness, and fostering empathy. Her presentation will conclude with a short reading and Q&A. You must register to receive link to the virtual presentation. * All attendees will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Virtual

Meet Claire Legrand: A Virtual Author Event - Wednesday, September 16 @ 6:00 PM

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, ......More

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Author/Book Event,Virtual Program Audience: Teens,Adults,Tweens New York Times bestselling author, Claire Legrand, is well known for her darkly magical stories that appeal to adult, teen and tween readers. Her latest book, Sawkill Girls, is a young adult horror novel that received five starred reviews. It is also a 2018 Bram Stoker Award finalist and a 2019 Lambda Literary Award finalist. Her first novel is The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, one of the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2012. She is also the author of The Year of Shadows, a ghost story for middle grade readers; and Winterspell, a young adult re-telling of The Nutcracker. Some Kind of Happiness, her middle grade novel about mental illness, family secrets, and the power of storytelling, is a 2017 Edgar Award Nominee. Claire’s latest middle grade novel, Foxheart, is a classic fantasy-adventure and a 2016 Junior Library Guild selection. Legrand is one of the four authors behind The Cabinet of Curiosities, an anthology of dark middle grade short fiction that was a Junior Library Guild selection, a Bank Street Best Book, and among the New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing in 2014. Furyborn, an epic fantasy novel for young adults, debuted at #4 on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the first book in the Empirium Trilogy. The next book in the series, Kingsbane, was also an instant New York Times bestseller. The final book in the series, Lightbringer, releases October 13, 2020.  Claire Legrand  will discuss her path to becoming a writer, share humorous anecdotes, and talk about finding inspiration, owning your voice, living with mental illness, and fostering empathy. Her presentation will conclude with a short reading and Q&A. You must register to receive link to the virtual presentation. * All attendees will be entered in a drawing for a signed copy of her book.

Virtual

Introduction to Canva

Branch Location: Virtual Type of Event: Program,Virtual Program Audience: Adults Join us for a virtual presentation on the website Canva.  Learn about the professional and personal templates and how to create your own designs on the site.

Virtual