A free workshop for early childhood educators, parents and caregivers on five simple practices that help children get ready to read will be held Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Hillsborough Library, 379 South Branch Road.
Participants will learn practical strategies and explore resources to promote early literacy. Professional development hours will be awarded to attendees.
Learn about New Jersey’s resident and migrant hawks, falcons, and eagles when the Raptor Trust, the wild bird rehabilitation center in Millington, brings a live raptor to its “Heads Up For Hawks!” program for ages 6 to adults on Saturday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m.
A mixed-gender ESL conversation group, sponsored by Somerset County Literacy Volunteers will be held Mondays through Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. You must know basic English.
Upcoming programs intended for adults. Registration is required:
• Paranormal archaeology — Author Richard Kimmel, a member of the New Jersey Ghost Organization professional investigative group, will speak about how the earth can be thought of as a vast storage of information that can reveal the past, not just archaeologically or scientifically, but paranormally. Saturday, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m.
• Monday Morning Moms (for parents/caregivers) — Discussion and recommended resources. Oct. 15 topic: Safe Halloween. 10 a.m.
• Ghosts of Morven — Historian, author and preservationist Donald Johnstone Peck will open fascinating dimensions of New Jersey’s Revolutionary War history… and ghosts. Mr. Peck will provide a fresh analysis of events and personalities involved with decisive historic battle sites. Monday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m.
• Afternoon movie — “People Like Us,” starring Chris Pine, Elizabeth Banks and Michelle Pfeiffer, will be shown Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 p.m. It’s rated PG-13.
• Friday night movie —”Bel Ami,” starring Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.Here are programs for youngsters. Registration is required.
• Math Matters (ages 4-6) — Stories and activities to get math brains working. This program: number recognition and counting. Thursday, Oct. 11, at 10 a.m.
• Singing Babies (newborn to 24 months) — Ann Wild will start little ones on the road to a lifetime love of music making. Older siblings will not be allowed into this program. Friday, Oct. 12, at 10 a.m.
• SAT practice test (grades 9-12) — Free Kaplan practice tests are designed to prepare students for exams. Saturday, Oct. 13, from 9:30 a.m. to noon.
• Rhyme Time (for newborns to 24 months) — Twenty minutes of nursery rhyme fun. Tuesdays, Oct. 16 and 23, at 10:30 a.m.
• Toddler Time for 2’s and 3’s ABCs— Stories and songs about vehicles. No registration required. Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 10 a.m.
• Art Adventures: Straw Painting (ages 4-6) — Create wiggly shapes and take your own masterpiece home. Some projects may be messy, so dress in play clothes. Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m.
• Garden Club crafts (grades 2-5) — Members of the Neshanic Garden Club will help kids create trowel creatures on Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m.
• Learning Adventures (ages 4-6) — Celebrate International Dinosaur Month in an adventure about Dinosaurs! Thursday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m.
• Anime Club (grades 8-12) — Hang out with your friends as we watch anime, discuss the latest manga and more! Thursday, Oct. 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Story and Songs (ages 2-6) — Join us for an interactive story and some musical activities! Friday, Oct. 19, at 10 a.m.
• Movin’ Munchkins (ages 2-6) — A creative movement program for the child and parent/caregiver; a library release/waiver must be signed by a parent or the child cannot participate. Forms are available at the Children’s Desk. Saturday, Oct. 20, at 10 a.m.
• Tail Waggin’ Tutors (grades K-4 only) — Children read to Therapy Dog International’s Xena, who will listen to each registered child for 10 minutes. Online registration is not available; call or stop by the Children’s Desk. Arrive early; if you are late you will lose your slot. Monday, Oct. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 24. All sessions are from 4 to 5 p.m. Separate registration is required for each program.
• Kindermusik (newborn to 3 years) — Music that helps a child develop language, literacy, social and listening skills. Monday, Oct. 22, at 10 a.m.
• Stories for 4s, 5s and 6s: A family storytime on apples on Monday, Oct. 15, and on Halloween on Oct. 22. No registration required. 1 p.m.
• Toddler Time for 2’s and 3’s — Introduce the pleasure of books to your child with stories, songs. No registration is required. Topic for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, is music.
• Early Reader Book Club (grades K-2) — We will discuss “Dirk Bones and the Mystery of the Haunted House,” do some activities and make a craft. Read the book in advance; copies available at the Children’s Desk. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 4 p.m.
• It Came From the Library! (grades 6-12) — Celebrate Teen Read Week and Halloween mash-up. We’ll watch horror book trailers, make creepy crafts, eat snacks, have prize giveaways. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.
• Preschool Book Club (ages 3-5) — Join us as we read books by Bill Martin and share book-related activities. Wednesday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m.
• Crafts for 4’s, 5’s and 6’s (ages 4-6) — Make a cardboard tube mummy with your preschool or kindergarten child. Wear your costume!Thursday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m.
• Lego Buddies (grades 8-12) — Reliable teen volunteers are wanted to provide assistance during Lego Club programs. You must register for each individual session. Volunteers will earn community service hours for attendance. Space limited to four volunteers per session. Thursday, Oct. 25, at 3:45 p.m.
• Lego Club (grades 1-5) — Hang out with other Lego-maniacs and have fun building together. Thursday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m.
• Story and Craft (ages 2-6) — Listen to a story and create a Halloween craft to take home. Friday, Oct. 26, at 10 and 11 a.m. and Saturday, Oct. 27, at 10 a.m.
For information on any program, or to register, call 908-369-2200, ext. 14 for children’s programs and 12 for adult. You may register online using the library calendar.

