West Milford Township Library announces upcoming programs

The following is a list of upcoming events at the West Milford Township Library:

The Kootz are back

The Friends of West Milford Township Library are pleased to welcome back The Kootz for a fall concert. Join us under the tent behind the “old library” at 1490 Union Valley Road on Monday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.

For nearly two decades, The Kootz has delighted audiences all over New Jersey with a repertoire of classic rock, pop and blues tunes from the late 1950s through the 1970s. Their members hail from Essex, Bergen, Morris, Union, Passaic, Sussex, Monmouth and Ocean counties, who were all drawn together over their love of playing rock and roll. With a core group of 15 musicians, and 7–10 guest artists, the band is able to do 280 shows annually.

No registration is required for this free event. Please carpool, as parking is limited. For more information, call 973-728-2820 or email wmtl@wmtl.org.

Night Sky Event

The library welcomes Morris Museum Astronomical Society (MMAS) Coordinator Joe Molnar with his telescope to share spectacular views of September’s First Quarter Moon.

Join us on the library front lawn on Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. for this special sky-watching program. Depending on sky conditions, we might see Jupiter and other planets! Bring your mobile phone and be one of the first to try out the Museum’s new device that enables your phone to snap an impressively detailed photo of the moon. Appropriate for ages 10 and older.

The program is free and registration is required. Maximum registration is limited to 25. To register, please visit wmtl.org/events or call 973-728-2822.

Drop by The Chess Grotto

Attention Chess enthusiasts! West Milford Township Library invites you to drop by on Thursday, Sept. 16, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and/or Thursday, October 14, between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. for some casual play. Get pointers from local chess aficionado Peter Giunta. We’ve created our own cozy Chess Grotto, with two tables set up in a sunny alcove, each with a regulation Archer Chess set.

No registration required; just bring your love of the game. Questions? Email wmtl@wmtl.org or call 973-728-2822.

Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale

The Friends of the West Milford Township Library cordially invite you to browse and buy books, CDs, DVDs and more at their Annual Book Sale. This year’s book sale is scheduled to take place at the Wallisch Homestead at 65 Lincoln Avenue on Friday, Sept. 24, and Saturday Sept.25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Shopping is easy, with books arranged by categories including novels, romance, children’s and young adults, cookbooks, history and biography, non-fiction, coffee table beauties, and others in hardcover and paperback format. All sales benefit the library.

The Friends will be accepting book donations on the following dates: Friday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Thursday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Books in good to excellent condition (please no textbooks or encyclopedias) may be donated and dropped off at the West Milford Presbyterian Church garage at 1452 Union Valley Road.

Stitches is Back

Just learning how to knit? Need some help with a project you’re working on? Drop by for Stitches, an informal group for adults led by resident and volunteer Donna D’elia at West Milford Township Library.

Join us on Wednesday Sept. 15, from 1 to 3:00 p.m. and on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Feel free to bring a knitting or crochet project that you’re working on for some tips and advice.

No registration required. We will meet in Quiet Study Room B on the Library first floor. For questions or more information, email wmtl@wmtl.org or call 973-728-2822.

September Book Discussion

West Milford Township Library’s book discussion pick for September is The Children’s Blizzard by Melanie Benjamin. This is a story of courage on the prairie, inspired by the devastating storm that struck the Great Plains in 1888, threatening the lives of hundreds of immigrant homesteaders, especially schoolchildren. Benjamin paints a masterful portrait of this pivotal moment in American history by tracing the stories of five families who were forever changed that day.

Join us at the Library for Chapters West Milford Township Library’s monthly book group for adults on either Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. or on Thursday, Sept. 16, from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Read the book and join us in Room 6&7 on the Library’s second floor. No registration is required. The title can be checked out from the library.

Get Started with Composting

West Milford Township Library welcomes Virginia Lamb, Soil Health and Composting Educator/Consultant at Groundwork Education and Consulting, for an in-person workshop on home composting.

Join us outside on the library front lawn on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 10 to 11 a.m. for a demonstration on how to make and use compost in your own home garden. Lamb will provide a live demonstration, and then take some time to answer your questions. This workshop is geared toward adults and teens.

Space is limited for this free workshop and registration is required. Please register online at wmtl.org/events.

Genealogy for the Beginner

Join West Milford Township Library staff on Monday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m. for a workshop on creating your family tree. In this beginner’s genealogy class, we’ll examine some of the basic tools for getting started and discuss some of the problems facing the beginner. Learn which records to access, and how to put your research in order to prevent duplication and confusion.

No prior experience is required. Registration for this free program is limited to 10 people. To register, visit wmtl.org/events or call 973-728-2822.