DECEMBER HOLIDAY HOURS:

December 24: Open 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

December 25: Closed

December 26, 27, 29, 30: Regular Hours

December 31: Open 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

January 1: Closed

A NOTE FROM OUR DIRECTOR

As the year draws to a close, we’re thrilled to be settling into our beautiful new building. Thank you to our community for the tremendous support that helped make the new Maplewood Library a reality.


A warm welcome to all our new and returning patrons! We hope you’ve had a chance to explore and enjoy the many features of our transformed space. We’re delighted to once again serve as the heart and soul of Maplewood, and our staff is committed to meeting the needs of our community for many years to come.

Sarah

DON'T MISS THE GINGERBREAD HOUSES!

Hilton Branch / December 16-22

Enjoy and be inspired by the creations from the Durand-Hedden House annual gingerbread house contest.

FOR ADULTS

ESOL REGISTRATION

Registration: December 4, 11, and 18 

10:00 am to Noon at Hilton Branch


Registering students must bring:

 ● 2 forms of identification

 ● Gmail account information

 ● $25. fee: credit/debit card or money order only

Classes will be online January 6- March 26, 2026

FIBER ARTS GROUP
Bring your projects!

December 6  / 10-1 at Main Library

Unwind, connect, and get support among fellow crafters while working on your projects. Drop in.

DIGITAL DEVICE CLINICS

Thursdays, December 11 & 18

11-1 at Main Library

Drop by for free one-on-one support for using your phone or electronic device. (This is not a repair clinic.) Check our website for any cancellations.

NEW YEAR. SAME YOU. BUT BETTER

Thursday, Jan. 8 / 6:30 pm at Main Library

Insights on organizing, decluttering, and 
mindset shifts for the new year.

Start the year feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to take on whatever comes your way — without trying to reinvent yourself. Join Leydi, organizing and design expert and founder of The Organized Leydi, for an inspiring and practical conversation about building better habits, spaces, and systems that actually fit your real life. Drop in.

FOR TEENS

ACHIEVE DROP-IN TUTORING

for SOMSD students in grades 5 and up

Main Library: Tuesdays 4-6 pm / Saturdays 2-4 pm (except holidays)

TEENS & TWEENS CHESS

Main Library: December 4 & 18 at 5 pm

All skill levels welcome

Learn and practice chess skills with instructor Ilir Bajraktari. Registration is appreciated, but not required.

Visit our TEEN PAGE for more programs.

FOR KIDS

DICKENS VILLAGE WINTER STORYTIME

For kids & families

Main LIbrary: Saturday, December 6 / 11:00 am

A fun, winter-themed storytime in our beautiful new library!

ART WORKSHOP: MASK MAKING

Hilton Branch: Saturday, December 13 / 10:30-12

For children & Tweens

Drop in and make a mask with Katey Darago of Oakland Road Art Club.

Library Children's Programs are designed for individuals and families, and not for preschool classes or groups. Groups may call us to arrange a special program and class visit to the library: 973.762.1688 ext 5001 or email us at kids@maplewoodlibrary.org 

Program dates are subject to change. Please check our online library calendar the morning of the event for any updates.


FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN



Baby Lapsit Storytime

For ages birth to 18 months, with a participating adult

For very young children you can hold in your arms or who are learning to crawl. Experience a lively storytime with songs and rhymes that foster a love of reading. 

Main Library: Thursdays @ 10:30am - December 4,11,18

Hilton Branch: Mondays @ 10:30am - December 8, 15, 22


Toddler Storytime

For ages 1-3, with a participating adult

Early literacy fun with stories, songs, movement and rhymes. This program is designed for toddlers and young preschool children. 

Main Library: Tuesdays @ 10:30 - December 2, 9, 16

Hilton Branch: Wednesdays @ 4pm - December 10, 17


Wilma and the Wingers

Main Library: Saturday, December 13 @ 11am

Inclusive storytime with live music for kids of all ages



FOR SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN


Homework Quiet Zone for grades 2-5

Main Library: Monday - Thursday afternoons while school is in session (unless another program is scheduled)

A quiet space for kids in grade 2 - 5 to study, read, or do homework.


Family Art Workshop

Hilton Branch: Saturday, November 29 at 10:30 am

Join us for a sock puppet-making workshop with local artist Katey Darago from Oakland Rd. Art Club. All materials will be provided.



Read to a Dog

Hilton Branch: Thursday, December 18 from 6:30pm - 7:30pm

For school age children & tweens

A relaxed group environment for school-age kids and tweens to build confidence and reading skills. Kids take turns reading to a furry friend … in a group setting. Bring something to read aloud, or arrive early enough to have time to pick out a book to read.


FOR ALL AGES


Coloring Fun

Main Library: Fridays from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm

Drop in on Fridays (unless another program is scheduled),Coloring fun for families with children. Tune out and relax.


Builders Club

For ages 2 years & up – with a participating adult

Join us for an hour of imagination and building with blocks and LEGOs.

Hilton Branch: Thursday December 11 / 4-6 pm 


Lego Club

For ages 3 years & up – with a participating adult

Join us for an hour of imagination and building with LEGOs.

Main Library: Friday, December 19 / 3:30-4:30 pm


Family Game Night 

Main Library: Monday, December 8 / 6:30pm-7:30pm

Enjoy some oversized (and regular-sized) games with family and friends!

Thank you to the Friends of the Library for making this program possible!


Homeschool Tuesdays

Main Library: Tuesday, December 9 / 11:30am - 1:30pm

A meet up & resource sharing for homeschooling families and families who want to know more about homeschooling. Families of all ages are welcome.

MAPLEWOODLIBRARY.ORG / 973-762-1688


MAIN LIBRARY, 51 BAKER ST.

HOURS:

Monday to Thursday: 10 am - 8 pm

Friday & Saturday:10 am - 5 pm

Sunday: closed

 

HILTON BRANCH, 1688 SPRINGFIELD AVE.

HOURS:

Monday & Wednesday: 10 am - 5 pm

Tuesday & Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm

Friday: closed

Saturday: 10 am - 1 pm

Sunday: closed