IDEAS FESTIVAL 2026

The Ideas Festival is back! All programs will be held at the Main Library, and are free and open to the public. Here's the lineup so far. Check our website in March for details and updates.

Hazel Clark Day Thursday, March 12 at 4 pm

Meet former Olympian track and field hero Hazel Clark, and celebrate her new book

A Conversation on Books and Reading Tuesday, March 17 at ? pm:

with New York Times Book Review Editor Gilbert Cruz and guests

Michelle Bobrow: Carol Buchanan Award Monday, March 23 at 6:30 pm

Mary Clare Jalonick, author of Storm at the Capital Tuesday, March 24 at 6:30 in conversation with Township Committee Member Malia Herman

Film Screening: The Librarians Friday, March 27 at 7 pm

in partnership with the Maplewood Film Society

Celebrating Female Composers Saturday, March 28 at 11am

a chamber music concert celebrating Women's History Month

and dates to be determined... Hollywood costume designer Ann Roth, and, for kids, graphic novelist Jay Cooper

SAVE THE DATE for Bruce Eric Kaplan, receiving the Maplewood Literary Award Thursday, May 21

The Ideas Festival is sponsored by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Friends of the Maplewood Library, Maplewood Memorial Library Foundation, Maplewood Woman’s Club and [Words]

WINDOWS FOR WOMEN

The Hilton Branch Library will be hosting Windows for Women.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Maplewood is once again hosting the Windows for Women project. For the month of March, business owners in Maplewood’s business districts will showcase the works of women artists in windows or inside their businesses.

The Hilton Branch exhibit will continue through April, when the Main Library will host an extended show of other Windows for Women pieces.

MORE MARCH ADULT PROGRAMS

DIGITAL DEVICE CLINICS

Thursdays, March 12, 19, 26

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.

FIBER ARTS GROUP
Bring your projects!

March 7 / 10-1 at Main Library

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

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOCUS GROUP
Help Shape the Library’s Future

Tuesday, March 10 / 7:00 pm at Main Library

Maplewood Library is developing a new strategic plan to guide services, programs and priorities for the next several years. We welcome your input.

MEMORY CAFE:
A dementia-friendly social gathering

Main Library: March 21 /10:30 am to 12:30 pm

A welcoming space for those experiencing memory loss, cognitive decline, and symptoms of dementia, and their caregivers. Participants can enjoy arts and crafts, live music, and activities for stress reduction and cognitive improvement. Open to all.

Presented by The Neuroscience Society at Seton Hall University and Maplewood Library.

AMA: ASK ME ANYTHING

Tuesday, March 31 / 5:30-7 pm at Hilton Branch

Have questions about money, investing, retirement, or your overall financial picture? Join us for a free, informal session with local Financial Advisor Gary Jones. Drop in to ask questions - with no sales pitch attached. Future dates: April 28, May 26, June 30

ESOL BEGINNER & INTERMEDIATE CLASS REGISTRATION

Registration will take place on March 5, 12, 19, 26

10 am to noon at Hilton Branch

Classes will be held online on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to noon April 7 to June 25

Registering students must bring:

● 2 forms of identification

● Gmail account information

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

TEEN ROOM EVENTS

TEEN GRAPHIC NOVEL BOOK CLUB

Main Library: March at 4 pm

Join us to discuss Nimona by ND Stevenson

ACHIEVE DROP-IN TUTORING

Main Library: February 7, 21 & 28 / 2-4 pm

For SOMSD students in 5th grade and up

SOPHOMORE SUCCESS (Virtual)

March 11 at 6:30 pm REGISTER

The essential steps to take during sophomore year to explore post-secondary pathways, optimize college admission, and find the best college fit. Parents will learn why the sophomore year is the most critical year for college financial planning.

SUCCESSFULLY NAVIGATING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS (Virtual)

March 25 at 7:30 pm REGISTER

For high school freshmen, sophomores & juniors.

The session will cover current admissions trends and strategies, the evolving test optional environment, the importance of researching and visiting colleges to find the right fit, and key timelines and action steps that can make this season productive while easing stress along the way.

Visit our TEEN PAGE for more programs.

FOR KIDS

WOMEN IN CHARGE!

Check back for dates: 1 session at Hilton Branch + 1 session at Main Library

An interactive read-aloud and conversation with our Maplewood Township Committeewomen. For kids and families of all ages.

Here's what will be happening at Maplewood Library. Drop in!

MARCH 6

12- 4 / Main Library Jigsaw puzzle marathon (all ages)

2-3 / Main Library [Forum steps] – Silent Readathon (all ages)

3:30-4:30 / Main Library [Study Room 4] – Make a Zine, Read a Zine (teens, tweens, late elementary school age)

MARCH 7

10 -12 / Hilton Branch: Building w/ Legos & Duplos; puzzles and games. (all ages)

11-12 / Main Library [Children’s Program Room] – Blackout Poetry Workshop with Ms. Jennifer Latimer from Clinton School (all ages)

12-4 / Main Library [Community Room] – Jigsaw puzzles & games (all ages)

12:30-2:30 / Main Library Children’ Program Room – Craft Bookmark-Making Workshop with recycled books (all ages)

3-4:30 / Main Library [Children’s Program Room] – Comics Storytelling Workshop with local comics-artist Jeff Larkin (ages 8 -12+). Space is limited to the first 25 students to arrive

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 @ 10:30 am - March 5, 12, 19

Hilton Branch: Mondays @ 10:30am - March 2, 9, 23

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 am - March 3, 10, 17

Hilton Branch: Wednesdays @ 4pm - March 11, 18, 25

Wilma and the Wingers

Main Library: Saturday, March 14 @ 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.

Read to a Dog

Hilton Branch: Thursday March 5 at 6:30pm

For school age children & tweens

Read out loud to a certified therapy dog, with other kids. Build confidence and reading skills!

Family Game Night

Main Library: Monday March 9 at 6:30pm

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

Homeschool Tuesdays

Main Library: Tuesday, March 10 / 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.

Lego Club / Builder’s Club – at Main Library (CR) and Hilton Branch (HB)

For ages 2 years & up – with a participating adult

Join us for an hour of imagination and building with LEGOs and blocks. LEGO creations will be displayed in the library.

CR: Friday, March 20 / 3:30-4:30 pm

Hilton Branch: Thursday March 12 / 4-6pm

My Life as a Cartoonist:
A Workshop with award-winning cartoonist Alec Longstreth

Friday, March 20 / 3:30 pm at Main Library

For ages 8-12+ Space is limited, so please arrive early

Alec will show you how he became a cartoonist and lead everyone through a dragon-drawing exercise. Alec is the author of the Isle of Elsi series, a fun fantasy adventure comic for all ages.

What lives in the Stream?

Hilton Branch - Tuesday, March 24 from 4 - 4:45 pm

For ages 7-10 with an adult.

What are macroinvertebrates? Come look and find out! Our watershed ambassador will show us the aquatic macroinvertebrates that live in streams within our watershed and teach us how to identify them.

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