Hackettstown Public Library

Wednesday Story Time
2025-12-17 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-17 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-12-10 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-10 10:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Hackettstown Public Library, 110 Church Street, Hackettstown, NJ, 07840, United States
Join Ms. Rebecca in a fun-filled story time with an exciting new theme every week!
Open to children ages 1-5.
Please register for only one time slot.

Supporting Struggling Readers
2025-12-16 18:30 - 19:30
Parent Help Session IEP — RTI/MTSS — School Communication Guidance
Have questions about your child’s reading progress or IEP?
Not sure how to talk to the school?
Want help understanding assessments or services?

Join us for a free drop-in session with a reading specialist and dyslexia advocate.
Bring your questions and we’ll help you understand your options and next steps.

Imagine, Dragons: Tween D&D Club
2025-12-16 17:00 - 19:30
Join our Dungeons and Dragons campaign specifically for tweens!
Register now to get on the team!
For ages 12 and under
This group will be better suited for adventurers who are less interested in the rules or story and want to get straight to the action. More of a focus on in-game fighting/combat.
Meets on the second to last Tuesday of every month (except Dec., see dates)
Space is limited. Please register each attendee separately.

Get into S.T.E.A.M. (5 and over)
2025-12-16 17:00 - 18:00
Let’s strengthen your science, technology, engineering, art, and/or math skills once a month! Your child will be able to participate in an engaging engineering activity to test their S.T.E.A.M. skills.
This event is for ages 5 and over. Please register each child separately.

Aspiring Writers Club hosted by Eric Matluck
2025-12-15 18:00 - 19:45
If you have always wanted to write your own novel but aren’t sure how to start, we have the club for you!
Hosted by Hackettstown’s own Eric Matluck (author of The Judges and What’s in Hope’s Back Pocket), join other aspiring writers in our group designed to help, inspire, and coach future novelists.
Whether you have an idea in your head that you just want to put to paper or you are just beginning to collect your thoughts, you are welcome to participate.
Due to the nature of the program, space is limited so please only register if you plan to attend. This program is suitable for adults and teens 16+.

Youth Chess Club
2025-12-15 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-08 16:00 - 17:30
Are you a teen or tween who wants to learn chess? Don’t know how to start?
Come to the Youth Chess Club where Arif will teach you all you need to know about the game and how to win.
Play against others who are just learning in order to sharpen your skills!

Get into S.T.E.A.M.! (5 and under)
2025-12-15 11:00 - 12:00
Let’s strengthen your science, technology, engineering, art, and/or math skills once a month! Your child will be able to participate in an engaging engineering activity to test their S.T.E.A.M. skills.
This event is for ages 5 and under. Please register each child separately.

Winter & Holiday Terrarium Workshop
2025-12-13 12:00 - 13:00
In this one-hour program, participants will learn step-by-step how to create their own closed terrarium in a 32 oz canning jar while exploring the science behind these self-sustaining ecosystems. Each person will design a miniature world by selecting plants, moss, and decor to make it uniquely theirs. All moss is locally sourced by Roots and Rivers.
This is also perfect for ages 5 + with parental help.

Friends of the Hackettstown Library Holiday Mini-Bazaar
2025-12-13 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-12 09:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-11 09:00 - 20:00
Get into the holiday spirit by stopping by the library and browsing the many handcrafted items, home-baked goods, and table of gently-used items. Buy a gift for someone and help out your library at the same time. Win-win!
All proceeds benefit the Hackettstown Free Public Library.

Winter Craftots: Melted Snowmen
2025-12-12 11:00 - 12:00
Come to the library to make some melted snowmen! (Don’t worry, no real snow is involved!)
Recommended for ages 1-5
Please register each child separately, as space is limited

Scrabble Club
2025-12-12 10:30 - 12:00
Are you looking for a place to have fun and meet new friends while keeping your mind sharp or improving your English skills? Come to the Scrabble Club! It’s the original “Words with Friends!”
Play the board game Scrabble with others and enjoy a morning at the library. Even if you have never played the game before (or not in a long time), we will teach you.
This program is intended for adults.

Anime Club: Teen
2025-12-11 16:00 - 17:30, 2025-12-04 16:00 - 17:30
Teens! Stop by the library to watch your favorite anime, discover a new series, or connect with new friends!
Open to ages 12-15.

LEGO Club
2025-12-11 16:00 - 17:00
Come join us for LEGO Club twice a month! Each session will have a different theme and/or challenge to complete with your friends.
For ages 5 and up.
Please register each child separately, space is limited.

Marines in World War II
2025-12-10 18:00 - 19:00
Join us live at the National Museum of the Marine Corps as a museum educator guides you through our World War II Gallery and highlights the important role that the Marine Corps played in this war, specifically in the Pacific theater.
This program reviews the causes of World War II, how the United States became involved, and the important role of the Montford Point Marines and Navajo Code Talkers in World War II. Participants will also learn about the Marine Corps’s role in one of the major historical events during this war: the Battle of Iwo Jima. This is a great opportunity to virtually explore our World War II Gallery and to learn more about the advances of the Marine Corps in World War II.
Madeline Fanta has been a Distance Learning Specialist at the National Museum of the Marine Corps for four years. She presents engaging virtual tours that bring Marine Corps history to life for students, educators, and audiences across the country. Madeline holds a deep, lifelong passion for history, especially military history, and is dedicated to making the stories of Marines accessible, meaningful, and inspiring for all learners.
Suitable for all ages! Zoom link will be emailed out on the day of the event.

Knit, Flix, and Chill
2025-12-10 17:00 - 18:30
Calling all Crafters and Creatives! Join us once a month as we come together to hone our crafts (literally) and watch movies!
Don’t let our name fool you- we do more than just knit here. Crocheters, weavers, cross stitchers, lacemakers, jewelry makers, needle felters, and more are all welcome to spend peaceful evenings watching films, sharing knowledge, telling stories, and having a grand time!
No registration necessary- just bring your supplies and be ready for inspiration to strike!
This program is for adults and teens 16+.

Friends of the Library Meeting
2025-12-09 18:00 - 19:30
This meeting of the Friends of the Library will be held in the library conference room.
This meeting can also be attended via ZOOM:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85801532260?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 858 0153 2260
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Cut N' Paste: Kids' Scrapbooking
2025-12-09 17:00 - 18:00
Join us for our monthly kids’ scrapbooking program!
Bring in your own photos, or use some of ours! Supplies will be provided.
Please register; space is limited.

Board of Trustees Meeting
2025-12-08 18:30 - 19:30
In 2025, meetings of the Board of Trustees will be held on the 2nd Monday of each month, except in October, when the board will meet on Tuesday due to the Columbus Day holiday.

La Befana’s Winter Holiday Party
2025-12-06 12:00 - 14:00
Sweep out the old year and bring in the new by partying the Italian way with La Befana, the Kindly Winter Witch! This helpful Winter Spirit of yore is celebrated with traditional songs, dances, and holiday crafting.
Join Italian folklorist, Beth Ann Mastromarino, for a day of music, dances and stories, and create a Fairy Ball for the Most Welcome Witch who helps us to celebrate winter!
This program is presented by the Folklife Center of Northern New Jersey , a co-sponsored project of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and Passaic County Community College, with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Space is limited, please register each attendee separately.

Story Craft Club
2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:00
Join us one Saturday a month for a super creative craft-focused story time!
Open to children of all ages!
Please register; space is limited!

Winter Wonderland Walkthrough Open House
2025-12-05 17:00 - 20:00
Come and celebrate with us during the Hometown Holiday event, presented by the Hackettstown BID!
Bask in the warm glow of our community as library staff and members of the Friends of the Library walk you through our “winter wonderland.” There will be hot cider, coffee, and tea for purchase.
There will be festive lights, jolly decorations, a holiday “makery” with 3D printed giveaways, and an elf costume contest!

Starry Story Time
2025-12-04 17:30 - 18:15
Join us every other Thursday for an evening of story time fun with Miss Rebecca! There will be songs, crafts, and of course, super awesome stories!
Please register each child separately, as space is limited.

Galaxy Bingo
2025-12-03 16:30 - 17:30
Spend some time on a Wednesday afternoon and enjoy a friendly hour of bingo with other fans of the game. Winners will earn the respect of their peers and a small, nominal prize.
