HILLSBOROUGH: Learn how to reduce your carbon footprint

   In the spirit of Earth Day, the Hillsborough Library will host the first of a multi-part series, entitled “Sustainability Steps,” to help people focus on minimizing their carbon footprint on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m. at 379 South Branch Road.
   Bob Kopp, associate director of the Rutgers Energy Institute and assistant professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Rutgers University, will focus on past and future climate and sea level changes, the uncertainties of the geological record and the economic risks of future climate change.
   • Gardening and birds — John DeMarrais, a former board member of the N.J. Audubon Society, will offer insights based on observations of birds in more than 40 countries, and their relationship to local garden environments. Wed., April 23, at 7 p.m.
   • Book discussion — Topic is “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope — a look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it. Light refreshments will be served. Thurs., April 24, at 3:30 p.m.
   • Writers group — This is the first meeting of the Hillsborough Public Library Writers Group. This will be a “getting to know you” meeting to see how many people are interested in participating, what genres they write in, level of experience, etc. There will also be a brief presentation on the various types of rights associated with your writing (print, reprint, digital, audio, etc), and why they are important. Thurs., April 24 at 7 p.m.
   • Learning workshop — Marcia Douglas of LearningRX of Warren will present a free workshop Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m. for parents, early childhood educators and caregivers. Parents and teachers will learn about the seven key brain skills that make learning possible. The workshop provides methods for detecting students with weak skills and introduce tools to help strengthen those skills. Specific strategies will be provided to help teachers apply this understanding to the classroom.
   • Social Security planning — Find out what you need to know to make the most of your retirement benefits. Presented by Michael Aloi, a certified financial planner. Mon., April 28, at 7 p.m.
   Here are programs for youngsters. Registration is required.
   • Story Time (ages 3-6) — Enjoy stories and build language skills with your preschool or kindergarten child and read a story about bugs on Mon., April 21, at 1 p.m. No registration required.
   • Toddler Time (2- and 3-year-olds) — Introduce books to your child with a story on monkeys on April 22, at 10 a.m.
   • Rhyme Time (newborn to 24 months) — Twenty minutes of nursery rhyme fun.Tues., April 22, at 10:30 a.m.