Artwork made with recyclables

Working hard to offer a range of fun activities for children of all ages is what the Atlantic County Library System strives to provide for local residents. Some of the library events going on in the near future are as followed:
The Atlantic County Library of Galloway is offering Book Adventures: School Kids and Books on Wednesdays, April 20 and May 18, at 4:15 pm. The programs feature crafts and activities based on popular kids’ books for grades 1-6. For information call (609) 652-2352.
Atlantic County Library of Ventnor hosts Crafting with Recycled Stuff on Thursday, April 21, at 3:30 pm for all ages. Participants should wear messy clothes and bring 2 old CDs. Also, on Tuesday, April 26, through Thursday, April 28, at 2 pm come to the library to watch free classic family movies based on literature. For details, call (609) 823-4614.
The Atlantic County Library’s Outreach Services Section hosts a Monsters and Ugly Dolls craft program for ages 8 and older on Monday, April 25, at 7 pm at the Buena Community Reading Center. Call (609) 625-2776. Participants should bring a single glove or mitten to use for the craft.
The Atlantic County Library of Mays Landing offers a program on Power Affirmations about love, jobs, and life. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, April 26, at 7 pm and is open to teens and adults. For information call (609) 625-2776.
The Atlantic County Library of Egg Harbor Township invites adolescents 13-18 for the monthly meetings held on Thursdays, April 28 and May 26, at 6 pm to discuss volunteer opportunities at the library, books and play games. For information call (609) 927-8664. — Alexandra Freedman

Atlantic County Library System staff members Dave Schrag, Diane Gottman, and Lisa Michel gather food donations for the Southern Branch of the Community FoodBank of N.J.

The “Food for Fines” campaign at the Atlantic County Library System collected 2,191 pounds of food for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey/Southern Branch (CFB) in EHT. Pound for pound, that’s the equivalent weight of 3,043 books.

“We very much appreciate the library system for this donation,” said Margie Barham, executive director of the CFB, in a release to the media. “The need has never been greater and we are seeing a decrease in food donations, so we are especially grateful for this donation.”

The CFB distributed 5.7 million pounds of food last year through its 230-plus partner agencies in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and southern Burlington counties. This was a 36 percent increase in distribution over the previous year and the need continues to rise.

During the National Library Week Food for Fines campaign, library users who owed fines were encouraged to donate food in order to restore their borrowing privileges. Throughout the library system 1,571 people took advantage of the opportunity to clear their fines for overdue materials. Still more people donated food even though their library records were already clear.

Atlantic County Library System branches are located in Brigantine, Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, Hammonton, Longport, Mays Landing, Pleasantville, Somers Point, and Ventnor. Go here for more information.