Welcome to the CCJPL Children's Page

October Indie Next List

Every month the American Booksellers Association, an organization of independent booksellers, puts together the IndieNext list. I am a HUGE fan of its lists having found many new (and now favorite) authors, great books for discussion, and books that are just darn good. Maybe you’ll find your next great read here?

Youth Programs at Your Library

A quick overview of youth programs offered at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library

September LibraryReads List

Borrowed by Yvonne Selander, collection development librarian The Top 10 books published this month that library staff across the country love!

Why Storytime Matters

A look at what benefits storytime offers to children and their families.

Your Library, Your Story Youth Book Drive

Help Us Give the Gift of Reading This Fall, At Your Local Public Library!

Transformative Donation from Sanofi US Revitalizes Branches

August 6, 2025 - Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) recently completed a significant furniture refresh project. This initiative, which included over 2,000 furniture pieces, valued at over $500,000, was made possible through a generous donation from Sanofi US and represents a remarkable example of community partnership, fiscal responsibility, and environmental stewardship. 

Teen Summer Programs: An Updated List

Here’s everything you need to know about CCJPL’s Teen Workshops for July!

My Library, My Story.

CCJPL’s new Marketing & PR Assistant, Bec, shares her story on how she found her place among the stacks.

Level Up At Your Library!

Our Summer Reading Program for all ages starts today. Earn prizes just for reading!

June 2025 Circulation Display

The Circulation Department will be displaying items for Juneteenth!

Groundbreaking Ceremony Marks Milestone for SCLSNJ's Watchung Branch

The future of the Watchung library took a significant step forward on Friday, April 4, 2025 with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new building. The event, held in front of the old Watchung Library building, drew approximately 75 enthusiastic community members, library staff, and local officials.

March 2025 Children's Display

The Children's Department will show a collection of displays for March!

February 2025 Children's Display

The Children's Department will show a collection of displays for February!

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with CCJPL

Let CCJPL be a resource to you as you celebrate Indigenous art, lives, and authors!

SCLSNJ Staff Donate Over 500 Pounds of Food to Local Food Bank

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) staff donated over 500 pounds of school supplies and non-perishable food products to The Food Bank Network of Somerset County located on Easy Street in Bound Brook. "Once again, for the 14th consecutive year, the employees of SCLSNJ have

Are You Up for a Challenge?

Learn how Teens can participate in our Summer Reading Challenge and earn prizes!

SCLSNJ Features Local Artists at North Plainfield and Warren Twp. Branches

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) is not only a place for finding a great read. SCLSNJ is also a great place for community connecting, intellectual conversation, and art exploration. SCLSNJ's North Plainfield branch, located at 6 Rockview Avenue in North Plainfield, will

June 2024 Children's Display

The Children's Department will be displaying three themes this month - 8-Bit, Colors, and Read Alike for kids who enjoy Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and Wings of Fire!

Early Learning Kit for Children

Amanda Stogsdill details our new Early Learning Kits for children.

May 2024 Children's Display

The Children's Department will be displaying items for Mental Health Awareness Month and Better Sleep Month, as well as a Cottagecore display!

Visit The George Sr. and Betty Dealaman Children’s Corner on Thursday, May 2, 2024 for Warren Twp. Branch Dedication Ceremony

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey's (SCLSNJ) Warren Township branch will be hosting a dedication ceremony, celebrating their enhanced children's play space - The George Sr. and Betty Dealaman Children’s Corner - on Thursday, May 2, 2024. "It has truly been a delight to witness the

Introducing Myself

Rylie Yawson introduces herself as the new Marketing & PR Manager

Closure Announcement: All SCLSNJ Branches Closed Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024

All Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) branches will be closed on Sunday, March 31, 2024 in celebration of Easter Sunday. All branches will reopen at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 1, 2024.  For additional assistance, call (908) 845-8400. To discover all SCLSNJ has to offer, visit SC

February 2024 Circulation Display

The Circulation Department will be displaying items for Black History Month!

Beginning Readers

Amanda Stogsdill details materials and programs offered by the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library that can benefit children learning how to read.

January 2023 Children's Display

The Children's Department will be displaying survival books for January!

November 2023 Children's Display

The Children's Department will be displaying items you can "Fall" into!

SCLSNJ’s Montgomery Branch to Close Early November 3, 2023

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) Montgomery branch, located at 100 Community Drive in Skillman, will close early at 4 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023. All other branches will remain open standard operating hours.  For additional assistance, call (908) 845-8400. To disc

October 2023 Children's Display

From October 1st to October 21st, the children's library will be displaying items related to ghosts, and for the rest of the month will be displaying Monster Reads!

Are Spooky Books Ok for Kids?

Amanda Stogsdill wants to help you find out if the horror genre is right for your child!

Meet Roscoe the Rock Snake at our North Plainfield branch

Next time you visit the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey's (SCLSNJ) North Plainfield branch, make sure to visit Roscoe - their new snake. Don't worry, no need to be scared, Roscoe is not poisonous. In fact, Roscoe is a Rock Snake, created one rock link at a time through a community-ba

September 2023 Children's Display

The Children's Department will be hosting a display called "Roll For Adventure"!

SCLSNJ Celebrates the End of Summer Reading with Yankee Great Ron Guidry, More

On Tuesday, August 22, 2023, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) celebrated the end of Summer Reading in collaboration with the Somerset Patriots; Yankee great Ron Guidry; Vicky - the System's seeing-eye puppy-in-training; and many dedicated readers. https://sclsnj.org/wp-co

Somerville Branch Welcomes Jen Sulligan

Share your journey to branch manager: After earning a bachelor of fine arts degree in visual arts, I thoroughly expected to exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. Obviously, that did not happen. However, that experience nurtured my curious creative thinking, and eye for really good design, paving t

Graphic Novels: Friend or Foe?

Amanda Stogsdill emphasizes the benefits of allowing children to read graphic novels.

Somerset Libraries Love 4-H - We’ll See You at the Fair August 9-11, 2023

Somerset County hosts one of the largest free 4-H Fairs in the state and this summer the fair will be hosted Wednesday, August 9 through Friday, August 11, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) is excited to once again participate in this annual sum

August 2023 Children's Display

Children's will be displaying items for World Bee Day and International Bat Night!

Why Does Representation Matter in Children's Literature?

Amanda Stogsdill reflects on the importance of representation in children's media.

Closure Announcement: Juneteenth

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Montgomery, and Warren Township branches will be open on Monday, June 19, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. All other branches will remain closed in celebration of Juneteenth For questions, call (908) 458-8400. To dis

Explore Watercolors Created By Local Artist Jason Mross

Local artist Jason Mross, of Warren Township, will be exhibiting his bright watercolor paintings at the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey's (SCLSNJ) Warren Township branch through July 31, 2023.Mross has been interested in creating from a very young age, creating both complex LEGO® struct

Read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

The Children's Department promotes the Read 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Program.

Disabilities Social Hour at the Bridgewater branch

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey's (SCLSNJ) Bridgewater branch celebrated Earth Day with over 90 participants during their recent disabilities social hour. "I think the customers who come to the Bridgewater branch’s social hours feel the efforts our staff members have put into thi

Celebrating Deaf History Month

Celebrate Deaf History Month this April at the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey's (SCLSNJ) Hillsborough branch. SCLSNJ library staffers Ann Jones and Pam Zamory collaborated on creating an interactive, multi-generational display that was inspired by a symposium on best practices on d

Grow Your Professional Skills with Google and SCLSNJ

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) is excited to be partnering with Grow with Google to offer scholarships to System Card holders (18+) for the Google’s Career Certificate program as part of the Grow with Google Partner Program. The Certificates equip people with job-ready

Early Literacy

Amanda Stogsdill emphasizes the importance of early literacy.

March is For Making

New Jersey Makers Day will be hosted state-wide March 24 through March 26. However, the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ) is so excited about the opportunity to “make,” the System has decided to celebrate all March long. “SCLSNJ branches are so excited to bring New Jersey Make

Closure Announcement: Presidents’ Day

The Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Montgomery, and Warren Township branches will be open on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. All other branches will remain closed in celebration of Presidents’ Day. For questions, call (908) 458-84

Celebrate Lunar New Year

Share in the excitement of Lunar New Year with the Somerset County Library System of New Jersey (SCLSNJ). The Montgomery branch has created an informative display featuring world language books, Asian cookbooks, and books written by Asian authors from numerous cultures, including: China, Vietnam,

SCLSNJ Strategic Plan

The Somerset County Library Commission voted unanimously to adopt the Library's latest strategic plan at their January 2023 meeting. For more in-depth information about the strategic priorities and core services that will guide our work for the next several years, explore the Strategic Plan Rep

SCLSNJ Branches Closed For Thanksgiving Holidays

 All Somerset County Library System of New Jersey’s (SCLSNJ) branches will close at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23 and will be closed all day on Thursday, November 24, 2022 for Thanksgiving. The Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Montgomery, and Warren Township branches will be open on Friday, November

Book Club Favorites

Over the past two years, I’ve led a book club discussion once a month and I thought it might be interesting to share some of my favorite titles that we’ve read. My selections included some nonfiction as well as fiction. All of the titles were published in the past five years, and only a few were bestsellers.