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Registration opens:
August 19th, 2026

First Day of School Read & Play
2026-09-02 10:00:00 2026-09-02 11:00:00 America/New_York First Day of School Read & Play Ages 2-6. A short storytime for beginning listeners, followed by a craft or activity and open playtime in our children's department. Registration is required. Manchester Branch -

Wednesday, September 02
10:00am - 11:00am

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Ages 2-6. A short storytime for beginning listeners, followed by a craft or activity and open playtime in our children's department. Registration is required.

Ages 2-6. A short storytime for beginning listeners, followed by a craft or activity and open playtime in our children's department. Registration is required.

Register online, in-person at the Manchester Children's Desk, or by calling (732) 657-7600, option 6. 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: | Storytime & Early Learning | General |

TAGS: | |

Manchester Branch
Phone: (732) 657-7600
Hours
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Mon, Aug 03 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Aug 04 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Aug 05 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Aug 06 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Aug 07 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 08 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Aug 09 Closed
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Upcoming Events

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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.
This event is full
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.
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.
This event is full
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.
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.
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. 
This event is full
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.
Playdate- Preschool
Tue, Aug 11, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 2-5. Open playtime in our meeting room. Registration Required.
This event is full
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.
This event is full
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Suncatchers
Mon, Aug 24, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages 5-12. Join us at the library for a fun morning of creating suncatchers! Registration Required.
Registration opens Monday, August 10 2026 at 9:00am
Ninja Warrior- Session 1
Tue, Aug 25, 9:30am - 10:15am
Ages 2-5. Join the Manchester Branch for a fun obstacle course. Registration required. 
Registration opens Tuesday, August 11 2026 at 9:00am
Ninja Warrior- Session 2
Tue, Aug 25, 10:30am - 11:15am
Ages 2-5. Join the Manchester Branch for a fun obstacle course. Registration Required.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 11 2026 at 9:00am
Therapy Dog Relaxation Hour
Tue, Aug 25, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Teens will meet with a therapy dog. Ages 10 - 16. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each tween/teen attending with their age.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 11 2026 at 9:00am
Kosmic Kimmie's Science Show
Wed, Aug 26, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ages 6-12. Enchanting Entertainment will present "Kosmic Kimmie's Science Show", a hands-on learning STEAM science show including a make-and-take craft. Registration is required.
Registration opens Wednesday, August 12 2026 at 9:00am
Last Day to Turn in Reading Logs
Thu, Aug 27, 9:00am - 8:30pm
Ages 0-12. For every 5 books your child reads, they will have the opportunity to win a prize. Reading logs are available in the children's department of the Manchester Library.
Ocean County Health Department Resource Table
Thu, Aug 27, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
The Ocean County Health Department will provide vital information and resources about substance use and general public health. Drop-in. No registration is required.
Hooked On Yarn: A Knitting and Crocheting Group
Thu, Aug 27, 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.
Make a Fossil
Fri, Aug 28, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ages 3-6. Join us at the library for a fun morning fossil making! Registration Required.
Registration opens Friday, August 14 2026 at 9:00am
Chalk & Bubble Play
Sat, Aug 29, 10:00am - 11:00am
Family program. Join us outside on our patio for chalk drawings and DIY bubble wands. Registration is required.
Registration opens Saturday, August 15 2026 at 9:00am
Microscope Mystery
Sat, Aug 29, 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. 
Registration opens Saturday, August 15 2026 at 9:00am
YA Online Block Builders
Mon, Aug 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teens, ages 13 - 18, will practice building skills by playing Bloxd.io. Registration is required. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each tween/teen attending with their age.
Registration opens Monday, August 17 2026 at 9:00am
National Sewing Month Scavenger Hunt
Tue, Sep 01, All day
Family Program. For the month of September, search the department to find all of the images on the check-off sheet. When you do, turn your sheet in at the desk for a sticker.
Manchester Daytime Book Discussion
Tue, Sep 01, 10:15am - 11:30am
Book Title: "Dressmakers of Auschwitz" by Lucy Adlington
Knights of the STEAM Table
Tue, Sep 01, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Ages 5-12. Join us at the Manchester Library for a fun hour of science and math challenges themed around a fun topic. This month's theme will be mythological creatures. Registration is required.
Registration opens Tuesday, August 18 2026 at 9:00am
First Day of School Read & Play
Wed, Sep 02, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ages 2-6. A short storytime for beginning listeners, followed by a craft or activity and open playtime in our children's department. Registration is required.
Registration opens Wednesday, August 19 2026 at 9:00am
Tween & Teen: 2026 NFL Season Kickoff
Wed, Sep 02, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Tweens & teens will celebrate the start of the 2026 NFL Season. Ages 10 - 16. Potential allergens. Please add siblings attending as guests and list each teen attending with their age.
Registration opens Wednesday, August 19 2026 at 9:00am
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