All programs are planned with the realization that usage of the library and meeting room, as well as gathering regulations, are subject to change in accordance with public health concerns and executive orders. Masks are optional in the main library as well as the meeting room in accordance with CDC recommendations.
November: Special Events
Local Author Series
Saturday, November 5, 1pm, Willie Dwayne Francois III
Willie Dwayne Francois III (DMin, Candler School of Theology) is senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Pleasantville, New Jersey, and president of the Black Church Center for Justice and Equality. He serves as assistant professor of liberation theology at New York Theological Seminary and directs a master's degree program at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. He created the Public Love Organizing and Training Project and has served in various organizations engaging racial justice issues, including the Atlantic City chapter of Black Lives Matter, the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, and the NJ Department of State's MLK Jr. Commission. Francois is an active speaker and has written for HuffPost, Sojourners, The Hill, the Christian Century, and Religion Dispatches.
Saturday, November 12, 1pm, Claudia Vance
Claudia Vance is a writer of Women’s Fiction and Clean Romance. Her cozy Cape May series has been a big hit at the Northfield Library! She writes feel good reads that take you to places you’d like visit with characters you’d want to get to know. She lives with her boyfriend and 2 cats in a charming small town in New Jersey, not too far from the beautiful beach town of Cape May. She worked on television shows and film sets for many years. She’s an avid gardener and nature lover.
Saturday, November 19, 1pm, Joel Dias-Porter
Joel Dias Porter (aka DJ Reneg8d) is originally from Pittsburgh, PA & currently resides in South Jersey. The 1998 & 1999 Haiku Slam Champion, he has poems in POETRY, Mead, Best American Poetry 2014, Callaloo, Antioch Review, Red Brick Review, & the anthologies, Short Fuse, Role Call, Def Poetry Jam, 360 Degrees of Black Poetry, Poetry Nation, Beyond the Frontier, and Catch a Fire. A Cave Canem Fellow, he received the 1995 Furious Flower "Emerging Poet Award". His collection “Ideas of Improvisation” is just out from Thread Makes Blanket Press.--
National Novel Writing Month
Wednesday Evenings, 6-7:30pm November: NaNoWriMo
Saturday Afternoons, 3-5pm November: NaNoWriMo
Calling all residents who want to make this year the year they write their book! Otto Bruyns Public Library will be serving as a “Come Write In” location for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Join fellow writers on Wednesday nights and Saturday afternoons to get those words in. Bring your laptop or notebook and feed off the support of your fellow novelists. This could be the structure you need to write that fiction book, record your family history, approach the memoir you’ve been meaning to put on paper or write a poem a day! Hosted by the Friends of the Library there will be coffee and sweet treats provided throughout the month to keep your fingers moving across those keys. Writing sprints will get the words flowing and supportive company will keep you writing!
Weekly Programs:
Mahjong Mondays – Weekly, Monday, 10AM
Come play Mahjong every Monday!
Stitches – Weekly, Tuesday, 1PM
Every Tuesday Quilters and Knitters meet here at the library. Join the Quilters to work on "Quilts for Kids" projects or to pick up a tip or two from some established quilters! Sit and work on your knitting projects in good company with this close knit crew!
Storytime – Weekly, Tuesday and Saturday, 11AM
Every Tuesday and Saturday, MaryAnn and Maria read a couple stories and guide pre-school aged children through a small craft. All are welcome, though the group tends to run young, and the crafts are chosen with that age group in mind. No sign up needed, just show up!
Writing Salon – Weekly, Tuesday, 6PM
A weekly writing group that focuses on a different prompt each week. Participants are invited to both write a short piece, and bring a short piece related to the prompt, and then share both with the group. No judgement, only support! Run by John; those interested should email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Dungeons & Dragons (Afterschool during school year) – Weekly, Thursday, 3-5PM
A weekly D&D meet-up for students 10-14 yo. We run them through making characters, teach them how to play, and take them through a pre-made campaign. Run by Caitlen; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Book Gnomes – Monthly, Monday, 3:15PM (During School Year)
A monthly book club for middle graders, run by Maria. The first book is A Boy Called Bat.
LBGTQI+ Greet & Games – Monthly, Third Thursday, 6PM
OBPL is committed to creating an inclusive space that is welcome to all. Our new LGBTQI+ Meetup Group is a great place to socialize and meet other LGBTQI+ people and allies in your community in a sober, unintimidating, family friendly environment. This group will meet the 3rd Thursday of the month. We will have a variety of events month-to-month, such as game nights, info sessions, social hour, crafts and movie nights. All are welcome and no one will be turned away!
Library Book Sale – Spring and Fall
The Friends of the Library run this book sale twice a year, usually around April and September. Book donations are accepted two weeks prior to the book sale. Please call the library for specific dates.
SCOSA Tour of Poetry – Monthly, Second Saturday, 11AM-1PM
Older adults, and other members of the community, are invited to attend this all-level, free monthly workshop presented by the Stockton Center on Successful Aging (SCOSA). During each session, a guest poet will read original work, present an engaging lecture, and encourage participants to write and share something of their own. No prior poetry or writing experience necessary. Visit the SCOSA website at www.stockton.edu/scosa for more information, updates and cancellation procedures. The Tour of Poetry runs from September through June.
