February 2026 Newsletter
Message from the Director
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"
This year we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution as a nation while remembering that the Rights of “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” were not for all people, even if they fought for the Revolution. Crispus Attucks, commonly considered the first person to die for what would become the United States of America was of African and Wampanoag descent.
This month we celebrate Black History Month at the West Orange Public Library. The Nubian Heritage Quilters Guild will be gracing us again with their beautiful quilts which preserve the rich history of African American quilting. West Orange African Heritage Organization is hosting an event which begins at 1 PM on February 22nd in the community room featuring U.S. Representative of New Jersey’s 10th congressional district LaMonica McIver who will be speaking at 2 PM. United We Stand.
Remember, we are FINE FREE and most materials renew automatically. However, materials borrowed from some libraries in BCCLS will incur late fees. ALL items considered Lost (usually after 90 days) or Damaged will be charged a replacement fee. Link to our Fines & Fees policy here.
Ongoing Programs
AARP Free Tax Assistance
Monday and Wednesday 10:00 am -1:00 pm
Sessions From February 2nd till April 15th
Call the Reference Desk @ 973-736-0196 to make an appointment
Learn English at our library
Wednesday 2:00-3:30 pm & Saturday 3:00 - 4:30 pm
- Aprann angle nan bibliyotèk
Mekredi 2:00-3:30 pm & Samdi 3:00 - 4:30 pm
- Apenda ingles en la biblioteca
Miercoles 2:00-3:30 pm & Sabado 3:00 - 4:30 pm
New ESL Conversation Group
With conversation leader Freda ZackinWednesday 1:00 - 2:00 pm
For registration inquiries, call 973-736-0196 or email ref@westorangelibrary.org
All are welcome, from any location, educational experience and background.
Todos son bienvenidos, de cualquier ubicación, experiencia educativa y origen.Tout moun akeyi, kèlkeswa kote a, eksperyans edikasyonèl ak orijin.
Mahjong Thursdays
Drop in play, All levels welcome.
Every Thursday, 2:00 - 4:30 pm
Game sets provided by players.
Adult Events
Vinnie Cutro
Presents “The Music of Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn” featuring Vinnie Cutro (trumpet) and Mitch Schechter (piano)
Saturday, February 7th, 2:00 pm
Watercolor Foundations
Painting class with teaching artist Smriti Sangal
Sunday, February 8th, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Registration required, call 973-736-0196, email ref@westorangelibrary.org
Adult Game Night
Thursday, February 12th, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
No registration required, just drop in for some fun and friendly competition!
February Book Club
Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Discussion Friday, February 20th, 11:00 am
(loanable copies available at the circulation desk)
Adult Craft Studio
A drop-in creative space for adults. Each month participants will make a new project.
Monday, February 23rd, 10:30 - 12:00 pm
No registration required. All materials provided.
Swinging Blues concert with The Frost Kings
Saturday, February 28th, 2:00 pm
Children's Events
Babies & Giggles Storytime
Tuesdays, 11:00 am
A storytime filled with rhymes, music, and early language development for caregivers and children ages 0-2.Tumbling Tots Storytime
Thursdays, 11:00 am
A storytime for caregivers and children ages 2-5, followed by a craft.
Super Science
Hands-on science activities
Thurdsays, 4:30 pm
Ages 4-12, No registration required
Sensory Frenzy Playtime
Stimulate your child’s mind from newborn to five years old with various sensory activities
Wednesday, February 4th & 25th, 4:00 pm
Ages newborn - 5, No registration required
Board Gaming
A variety of board games and puzzles will be available to use for children in grades k-5
Friday, February 13th & 27th, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
No registration required
Read to a Therapy Dog
Join us for buddy reading that will build confidence, skill, and more with a trained therapy dog.
Friday, February 20th, 4:00 pm
All ages welcome, No registration required.
Lunar New Year Celebration
Stories and crafts presented by West Orange High School Asian Culture Club and United Asian Voices of West Orange
Sunday, February 21st, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
No registration required
Grab and Create Take Home Craft: Handprint Groundhog Day Craft
Stop by the Youth Services Department to grab a craft to take home and make with a caregiver.
Monday, February 23rd, available for pickup all day (while supplies last)
Teen and Tween Events
Dungeons & Dragons
Wednesday, February 11th, 5:30 - 7:30 pmGrades 7 and up, All materials provided, no prior experience or ongoing attendance required
Tween Lego Build
This is your time to build with LEGO! Build independently or collaboratively using the library’s LEGO collection.Tuesday, February 24th, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Ages 9-12, No registration requiredThe Penny Power Project
Financial literacy for children, tweens, and teens taught by high school volunteer Jonathan!
Explore budgeting, saving, investing, loans, the history of money and more. Full of hands on interactive activities that encourage you to apply your learning to real life!
Wednesdays, February 25th & March 4th, 6:00 pm
No registration requiredTween Scene
Make memory boxes projectTuesday, February 17th, 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Ages 9-12, No registration required
Tween Scratch Meetup
Do you enjoy creative coding with Scratch? Join us in the computer lab to talk and create with other Scratch enthusiasts.
Wednesday, February 11th, 4:30 - 5:30 pm
Ages 8-12, No registration required
The West Orange Public Library is a proud member
of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative.