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Registration opens:
August 08th, 2026

Cookie Excavation

2026-08-22 14:00:00 2026-08-22 15:00:00 America/New_York Cookie Excavation Ages 6-12. Become a mini archaeologist and excavate some sweet treats. Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration is required.  Manchester Branch -

Saturday, August 22
2:00pm - 3:00pm

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Ages 6-12. Become a mini archaeologist and excavate some sweet treats. Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration is required. 

Ages 6-12. Become a mini archaeologist and excavate some sweet treats. Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration is required. 

Register online, in-person at the Manchester Children's Desk, or by calling (732) 657-7600. Please add your first child as the main registrant and any additional children as a guest. Include the ages of all children attending.

AGE GROUP: | Kids |

EVENT TYPE: | General |

TAGS: | |

Manchester Branch
Phone: (732) 657-7600
Hours
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Mon, Jul 20 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Jul 21 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Jul 22 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Jul 23 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Jul 24 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jul 25 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jul 26 Closed
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Upcoming Events

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Hooked On Yarn: A Knitting and Crocheting Group
Thu, Jul 23, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room B
Love to knit or crochet, come to our meeting room and join others with the same passion. Bring your yarn, needles, hooks and current projects.
NJ Snake Man: Reptiles & Amphibians
Thu, Jul 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Experience a fun, hands-on encounter with snakes, lizards, frogs, and turtles and learn awesome and educational facts about each animal. Ages 3-12. Registration is required.
This event is full
Dinosaur Discovery
Fri, Jul 24, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Family Program. Wander around the children's department to find hidden dinosaurs! Registration required.
Sensory Play
Sat, Jul 25, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages 2-5. Multiple stations that pair immersive play with different sensory toys and activities. Registration Required.
This event is full
Microscope Mystery
Sat, Jul 25, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ages 6-12. Try out our microscope at the Manchester branch. Look through the lens and guess what you see. Drop by anytime between 2pm and 4pm. Drop ins welcome.
Aquarium Craft
Mon, Jul 27, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Family Program. Join our SAIL teen volunteers at the library for a fun aquarium themed craft. Available between 6 and 8pm. Registration Required.
This event is full
Rock & Rhyme with Mr. Jon
Tue, Jul 28, 10:00am - 11:00am
Family Program. Join Mr. Jon and his Parents' Choice Award-winning music. Mr. Jon uses rhymes, songs, books, and puppets for a musical comedy show you won't want to miss. Registration is required.
This event is full
Cancelled
Volunteers Needed: Give Back with a Purpose - Become a Long-Term Ombudsman's Volunteer Advocate
Tue, Jul 28, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Volunteer! Make a meaningful difference in the lives of nursing home residents through the New Jersey Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman's Certified Volunteer Advocate Program.
Cancelled
Tween & Teen Perler Beading
Tue, Jul 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Tweens & teens will participate in an arts & craft project involving perler beads. Ages 10 - 18. Please register, add siblings attending as guests and list each tween/teen attending with their age.
The Sky Tonight - Planetarium Show - For Teens
Tue, Jul 28, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Join us for an unforgettable day of stargazing from the comfort of the Library.
Pup-Tastic Pawty- Session 1
Wed, Jul 29, 9:30am - 10:15am
Ages 2-5. Join us at the Manchester Library to celebrate all our favorite puppy dog book characters! Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration required.
This event is full
Pup-Tastic Pawty- Session 2
Wed, Jul 29, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 2-5. Join us at the Manchester Library to celebrate all our favorite puppy dog book characters! Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration Required.
This event is full
Tween & Teen Paper Airplanes
Wed, Jul 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Tweens & teens will build and test out different paper airplane designs together. Ages 10 - 16. Registration is required. Please add siblings as guests and list each tween/teen with their age.
Houseplant Hospital: Diagnosing Your sick Plants
Thu, Jul 30, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Bring in your ailing plants to have a Master Gardener take a look and see what could be the problem.
Minion Mission
Thu, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages 6-12. Do you have what it takes to be a minion? Through fun games and activities, kids will be tested to see if they could be the best sidekick to an evil villain. Registration Required.
This event is full
Pirate Scavenger Hunt
Sat, Aug 01, All day
Family Program. For the month of August, search the department to find all of the images on the check-off sheet. Registration is not required. 
Beach Read & Play
Sat, Aug 01, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages 2-5. A short storytime for beginning listeners, followed by a craft or activity and open playtime in our children's department. Registration is required.
Beach Bash Dance Class with Kohesion Dance Center Ages 3-6
Mon, Aug 03, 9:30am - 10:15am
Ages 3-6. Join the Kohesion Dance Center at the Manchester Library for a fun morning of dance and movement. Registration is required. 
This event is full
Beach Bash Dance Class with Kohesion Dance Center Ages 6-12
Mon, Aug 03, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 6-12. Join the Kohesion Dance Center at the Manchester Library for a fun morning of dance and movement. Registration is required
Teen Karaoke
Mon, Aug 03, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens will sing popular karaoke songs together. Ages 12 - 18. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each teen attending with their age.
Manchester Daytime Book Discussion
Tue, Aug 04, 10:15am - 11:30am
Book Title: " The Great Alone" by Kristin Hannah
Snake Craft
Tue, Aug 04, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Family Program. Join our SAIL teen volunteers at the library for a fun reptile craft. Registration Required.
Nifty Nature Knicknacks with Jake's Branch County Park
Wed, Aug 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages 5-12. Join us at the Manchester Library to meet a naturalist from Jakes Branch County Park. Registration is required.
Anime Cooking with Chef Brian
Wed, Aug 05, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Ages 13-18. Join Chef Brian for a live cooking demonstration where you'll learn how to make delicious anime-inspired dishes inspired by your favorite shows. Potential allergens.
Shore Memory Cafe - Shore Memory Cafe
Thu, Aug 06, 10:00am - 11:00am
Early-Stage Memory Cafés provide opportunities for concerned persons experiencing early cognitive decline, and for those diagnosed with early-stage memory loss, and their care partner(s) to meet.
Book Lovers Book Cafe
Thu, Aug 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Book Lovers Book Cafe. Adult Program. Please Register.
Pinelands Ecology, Plants and Animals
Thu, Aug 06, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
The Pinelands covers 1.1 million acres and 22 percent of New Jersey. Come learn about some of the common plants and animals that call the Pinelands home. Presented by the Pinelands Alliance.
Registration opens Thursday, July 23 2026 at 9:00am
Dinosaur Craft
Fri, Aug 07, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Family Program. Join our SAIL teen volunteers at the library for a fun dinosaur craft. Registration Required.
Registration opens Friday, July 24 2026 at 9:00am
Tween & Teen Anime Club
Sat, Aug 08, 10:00am - 11:00am
Tweens & teens will watch episodes of different, iconic anime. Ages 10 - 16. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each teen attending with their age.
Registration opens Saturday, July 25 2026 at 9:00am
Information Table--Ocean County College-Health First Grant
Mon, Aug 10, 11:00am - 2:00pm
A recruitment and outreach specialist from OCC will be on-site with information about Health First N.J. training programs and scholarship opportunities received from a US Department of Labor grant.
Join The Ragtimers in commemorating America's 250th birthday
Mon, Aug 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Come celebrate America's 250th Birthday with Fred Lehotay and the Ragtimers as they perform classic patriotic favorites.
Registration opens Monday, July 27 2026 at 9:00am
K-Pop Dance Party
Mon, Aug 10, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages 5-12. Enchanting Entertainment's "K-POP Dancer" will instruct a dance party, teaching dances to music from "K-POP Demon Hunters" & providing simple K-POP "makeovers." Registration is required. 
Registration opens Monday, July 27 2026 at 9:00am
Playdate- Toddler
Tue, Aug 11, 9:30am - 10:15am
Ages 0-3. Open playtime in our meeting room. Babies not yet walking and their caregivers are welcome to join us in the baby area to play and talk with other caregivers. Registration Required.
Registration opens Tuesday, July 28 2026 at 9:00am
Playdate- Preschool
Tue, Aug 11, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 2-5. Open playtime in our meeting room. Registration Required.
Registration opens Tuesday, July 28 2026 at 9:00am
Writers Group
Tue, Aug 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Bring your poetry, essays, and short stories. The Writers Group critiques each other's works and provides feedback
Draw & Discover: Charcoal for Non Artists
Wed, Aug 12, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Inspired by the American landscape in all its forms, this expressive drawing workshop is designed especially for those with no artistic experience. Registration required.
Registration opens Tuesday, July 28 2026 at 9:00am
Beach Book Binge! - Find Your Next Summer Read
Wed, Aug 12, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Whether you love gripping thrillers, breezy romances, laugh-out-loud comedies, or thought-provoking nonfiction, we've got the perfect recommendations for your next beach book binge! Please register.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 29 2026 at 9:00am
Dinosaurs! With Dinoman
Wed, Aug 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Dinosaur tracks lead right to your library! Have no fear, Dinoman is here! Ages 5-12. Registration is required.
Registration opens Wednesday, July 29 2026 at 9:00am
Firework Painting Craft
Thu, Aug 13, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Family Program. Join our SAIL teen volunteers at the library for a fun firework craft that will surely sparkle! Registration Required
Registration opens Thursday, July 30 2026 at 9:00am
Hooked On Yarn: A Knitting and Crocheting Group
Thu, Aug 13, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Manchester Meeting Room B
Love to knit or crochet, come to our meeting room and join others with the same passion. Bring your yarn, needles, hooks and current projects.
Tween & Teen Chess/Checkers Club
Thu, Aug 13, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Tweens & teens will learn to play and practice chess & checkers with one another. Ages 8 - 18. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each of their ages.
Registration opens Thursday, July 30 2026 at 9:00am
The Recharge
Mon, Aug 17, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Manchester Meeting Room
Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey, in partnership with the Ocean County Library, is offering a support group for caregivers and their loved ones who are experiencing memory loss.
Scales & Tales with Cattus Island
Mon, Aug 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages 4-12. Join the Manchester Library for a fun afternoon of stories and live animals from Cattus Island County Park. Registration is required.
Registration opens Monday, August 3 2026 at 9:00am
Tween & Teen Gaming
Mon, Aug 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens & tweens, ages 10 - 16, will play video games on the Nintendo Switch. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each tween/teen attending with their age.
Registration opens Monday, August 3 2026 at 9:00am
Giant Snakes & Ladders- Session 1
Tue, Aug 18, 2:30pm - 3:00pm
Family Program. Join the Manchester Branch to play a life-sized version of snakes and ladders that spans throughout the entire meeting room! Registration is required. 
Registration opens Tuesday, August 4 2026 at 9:00am
Giant Snakes & Ladders- Session 2
Tue, Aug 18, 3:00pm - 3:30pm
Family Program. Join the Manchester Branch to play a life-sized version of snakes and ladders that spans throughout the entire meeting room! Registration is required. 
Registration opens Tuesday, August 4 2026 at 9:00am
Peppy Piggy Party- Session 1
Wed, Aug 19, 9:30am - 10:15am
Family Program. Join us at the Manchester Library for fun games and activities themed around our favorite peppy pig! Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration Required.
Registration opens Wednesday, August 5 2026 at 9:00am
Peppy Piggy Party- Session 2
Wed, Aug 19, 10:30am - 11:15am
Family Program. Join us at the Manchester Library for fun games and activities themed around our favorite peppy pig! Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration Required.
Registration opens Wednesday, August 5 2026 at 9:00am
Ask a Master Gardener
Wed, Aug 19, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Drop in and talk to a Master Gardener from the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Ocean County.
Adult with Special Challenge Summer Craft
Thu, Aug 20, 10:00am - 11:00am
Manchester Meeting Room
Make a summer theme craft
Registration opens Thursday, August 6 2026 at 9:00am
Sonic and STEAM
Thu, Aug 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ages 6-12. Join the Manchester Branch to learn about science through fun games and challenges themed around our favorite speedy hedgehog. Registration is required. 
Registration opens Thursday, August 6 2026 at 9:00am
Cookie Excavation
Sat, Aug 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages 6-12. Become a mini archaeologist and excavate some sweet treats. Please notify staff of food allergy concerns. Registration is required. 
Registration opens Saturday, August 8 2026 at 9:00am
See all events