Did you know New Jersey was the last northern state to abolish slavery, in 1866?

The Warren County Library presents this and other “Stories of Slavery in New Jersey,” from the book of the same name by Rick Geffen on Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Southwest Branch, Stewartsville.

Geffen will provide an account of the history of slavery in New Jersey throughout the 17th through 19th centuries. He is the other of four other books, plus many articles on New Jersey history for local newspapers, magazines and historical societies.

Register for this special event for adults with Kim Urban at (908) 818-1280 or kurban@warrenlib.org.

Scrabble Anyone?

Adults are invited to keep their spelling and vocabulary skills sharp by joining the library for an afternoon of the classic board game Scrabble on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Northeast Branch. Register with your library card.

Light and Shadow

The library will present a light and shadow family workshop on Thursday, Feb. 23, at 4:30 p.m. at the Catherine Dickson Hofman Branch.

This is part of the nationwide Leap into Science program from the Franklin Institute Science Museum in Philadelphia. These presentations integrate open-ended science activities with children’s books as an opportunity for children and families to learn together.

These programs start with a story related to the topic, in this case light, then explore the properties of light and how it interacts with other objects through a series of activities and experiments.

Register for this STEAM program for preschoolers and children with parents with Lina Crowell at crowell@warrenlibrary.org.

Wine Glasses

Patrons can learn to paint wine glasses from Lynn Schwartz on Saturday, March 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Catherine Dickson Hofman Branch in Blairstown, and at 1:30 p.m. at the Richard D. Gardner Branch in White Township.

Schwartz runs Art Experience New Jersey in Pompton Plains. Register at the library webstie, warrenlib.org.

Healthy Heart

February is Heart Month and the Warren County Library is presenting a program on supporting a healthy heart on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Gina-Marie Mendez from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ will review how to support a healthy heart through healthy habit formation (diet, physical activity, stress management) and review several heart-related chronic illnesses including Hypertension & High Cholesterol. The program will be followed by a brief Q&A session.

This program is for adults. Mendez is a Community Outreach Health Educator. Register with Laura at (908) 362-8335 or laurag@warrenlib.org

Mind Games

Our brain decides how we perceive everything around us. It finds patterns and solves problems efficiently, except for when it lies to us.

On Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m., on Zoom, the Warren County library presents William Pack, a magician, storyteller and author, with his engaging program exploring the real science of how our brains trick us into seeing and believing things that don’t exist.

His presentation helps you experience how optical illusions work, why people fall for scams, and how we make thousands of choices every day that are influenced subconsciously. William will also give proven, scientific, actionable techniques to preserve brain health. At the end, you may be left wondering if your brain has a mind of its own. This program is appropriate for ages 16+. The program is also interactive so you are welcome to leave your camera on if you wish to do so. You will need a pen and paper.

This STEAM Magic Show even is for Adults and Teens. Register with Kim Urban at (908) 689-7922.

Plant a Flower

Tweens and Teens can Celebrate National Plant a Flower Day by learning to make plantable paper hearts on Saturday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. at the Richard D. Gardner branch.

They will learn to create paper pulp, add wildflower seeds and screen and press to make seed paper, and they will take home a small clay pot filled with soil and a predried heart for gifting or planting later. We’ll be working with water so bring an apron if you want to keep dry.

This STEAM event is presented by Mary Ellen Krivanek. Register at 908-818-1430 or mkrivanek@warrenlib.org.

Light and Shadow

Children can leap into science at the Southwest Branch of the Warren County Library on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 4 p.m., and Saturday, March 4, at 10:30 p.m.

The Feb. 22 session is for children in kindergarten through fourth grades. The March 4 session is for families with children ages 4 through 10.

The program will explore the science of light and shadow through interactive stories and hands-on activities. Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by the Franklin Institute Science Museum and is designed to promote early literacy and interest in science.

Register only the children who will be participating with Rachael at rodell@warrenlib.org.

Dance Party

Shake your egg shakers and toss your scarves. Children ages 8 and under can move and groove and play with the parachute at the Southwest Branch on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 11 a. m.

Register the number of children without adults. Register with the presenter Chrissie McGovern at (908) 818-1280 or cmcgovern@warrenlib.org.

Playdough

Children can learn how to make their own playdough and gain and understanding of how each ingredient is important to the recipe at the Southwest Branch on Saturday, March 11, at 10:30 a.m. This program is appropriate for children ages 3 through 8. Please register only the number of children who will be attending. Register with presenter Chrissie McGovern at (908) 818-1280 or cmcgovern@warrenlib.org.