SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — The Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library are pleased to announce funding support for a new Mahjong program at the Scotch Plains Public Library, with the first set of classes scheduled for Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday July 15 at 7 PM. The program is free, though space is limited for this event, and registration is required. Priority will be held for Scotch Plains Public Library card holders.

Registration for cardholders from other neighboring communities will open on June 18 for the program on June 24; and on July 9 for the July 15 program.

These classes are open to participants of all skill levels, though the course is designed for complete beginners The sessions will be led by Chelsey Etkin Johns, the founder of the SoMa Mahjong Meetups group.

“Everything we do — from our annual book sale to our special events — exists so we can fund programs like this one”

The new program reflects the core purpose of the Friends organization: to raise money from the community and put it directly back into enriching library services. “Everything we do — from our annual book sale to our special events — exists so we can fund programs like this one,” said Daniel Marcus, President of the Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library. “Mahjong is an amazing game that brings people together, sharpens the mind, and creates bonds. We’re thrilled to help make it accessible right here at the library.”

Mahjong, a tile-based strategy game with roots in 19th-century China, has seen a remarkable resurgence in popularity in recent years, drawing players of all ages and backgrounds. Library programs centered on games and social play have been shown to foster connection, reduce isolation, and support cognitive health — values that align closely with the Friends’ mission to strengthen community life in Scotch Plains.

The Friends fund a variety of library programs and resources throughout the year, supported by member dues, book sales, and special fundraising events. Residents interested in supporting future programs can learn more about membership and upcoming events at scotchplainsfriends.org or by contacting the Friends at spplfriends1@gmail.com.

The post Mahjong comes to Scotch Plains Library with Friends’ Support appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who came out to browse, buy, and bring some new stories home. And an equally big thank-you to the donors whose book contributions made it all possible — this sale only works because neighbors give, and Scotch Plains gave beautifully. The proceeds from this event go directly to the Scotch Plains Public Library, supporting the programs, resources, and community spaces that make it such a vital part of our town.

All the generous donations as well as the enthusiastic shopping resulted in the Friends raising nearly $6,000! Keep an eye on scotchplainsfriends.org and our social channels for news about our next event. There’s always something on the horizon with the Friends, and we’d love to see you there.

The post Scotch Plains BIG Book Sale is BIG Success! appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

Monthly meetings run from July 2026 through June 2027, on the following dates:

Meetings are open to everyone! You don’t have to be a member to attend. Not a member yet? Now is the best time to join a community-wide effort to make a better Scotch Plains! Memberships start at just $5 for students, $10 for individuals, and $25 for families of four or more — and yes, we have cookies.

Visit scotchplainsfriends.org to join and stay up to date on all things Friends.

The post The Scotch Plains Friends Are Meeting — And You’re Invited appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

The Friends launched the sale in style, opening it alongside their third annual Poetry Night on April 30, where 28 neighbors gathered for an evening of original verse before turning their attention to the jewelry tables. Shoppers kept coming back through the weekend, and the results showed it.

The second jewelry sale outpaced the first — proof that Scotch Plains residents continue to dig deep for their public library. The Friends have more sales in the pipeline, and they want to thank every patron who came out, browsed, and bought.

Every dollar goes directly to the Scotch Plains Public Library, supporting programs and resources that serve residents of all ages.To learn more or get involved, visit scotchplainsfriends.org.

The post Friends Inspire Community at Second Jewelry Sale appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

On the last evening of April, as the month surrendered itself to May, twenty-eight people settled into chairs at the Scotch Plains Public Library for something that does not happen everywhere — and, in a culture of algorithmic distraction, does not happen often enough: an unhurried hour and a half in the company of poets.

The third annual poetry night, hosted by the Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library, opened at 6:30 with a welcome from Christine, the evening’s emcee and a steady, warm presence throughout. Three poets had been brought together for the occasion — each distinct in sensibility, each arriving from a different corner of the art form — and what unfolded was less a showcase than a conversation, the kind that continues in the parking lot afterward, or quietly, in the mind, for days.

“A certified Listener Poet, a four-time Pushcart nominee, and a self-described mystic walked into a library — and somehow it all made perfect sense.”

Moriah Cohen opened the evening. A 2023 New Jersey Council on the Arts fellow and the author of the chapbook Impossible Bottle (Finishing Line Press), Cohen brings to her work a precision that feels earned rather than imposed. Her poems have appeared in Narrative, Gulf Coast, the Cincinnati Review, and Best New Poets, among others; earlier this year, she was named a finalist for the Leonard Cohen Prize by ONLY POEMS. She is also a certified Listener Poet — a practice in which poetry is composed in direct response to another person’s story — and co-founded The Fields Poetry Reading Series. On Wednesday evening, she gave the audience roughly ten minutes of her work, then introduced students of her own, each of whom read a single poem. It was a generous gesture, and a quietly political one: she was insisting, in the most concrete way, that the circle be widened.

Ariana Merquri followed. She has been writing since the age of seven, and the years show — not in a weathered way, but in the way that a practice deepens. Her work, rooted in mysticism and enriched by a Rutgers education in psychology and linguistics, has moved from the pages of Teen Ink to White Stag’s Bloodlore, a trajectory that mirrors the expansion of her own interior life. Her poems have a way of finding the numinous inside the ordinary — which is, of course, the oldest task of the art form, and one of its most difficult.

Judith Christian anchored the second half of the evening. A poet of considerable range — she has received four Pushcart nominations and has work forthcoming in the 2026 Moving Words films, a project of ARTS By The People — Christian is also a visual artist, a past president of South Mountain Poets, and the author of two chapbooks: A Certain Knowing (The Paulinskill Poetry Project, 2018) and the limited-edition ekphrastic collection Shifted Construction Plate, which pairs her poems with paintings by the artist Mikel Frank. She considers herself a “dilettante artist,” a characterization that understates, with characteristic modesty, a practice that has appeared on gallery walls and journal covers alike.

Cohen returned at the end for a final poem — an encore of sorts, though the word feels too theatrical for the quietness of the moment — before the poets gathered to sign and sell their books, and the room loosened into conversation. It is in those minutes after, when strangers compare the lines that caught them, that a poetry reading becomes something more than a performance.

The Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library have now done this three times. The model is simple and, in its simplicity, almost radical: bring people together, clear space, and let the language do what language does when it is handled well. Twenty-eight people came. That is not a small number, for poetry. It is not a small thing, either.

Moriah Cohen’s work can be found at moriahcohen.com. Information about the Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library and future events is available at scotchplainsfriends.org

The post In a New Jersey Library, Poetry Found a Room of Its Own appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

The Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library hosted a lively Trivia Night on March 4th, and by all accounts, it was a night to remember. More than 50 community members packed Darby Road, bringing their best knowledge — and competitive spirit — for an evening of fun, friendly rivalry, and great company. From pop culture to history to everything in between, players of all backgrounds came together to test their wits and support a great cause.

The event featured two full games of trivia across six themed categories, with questions carefully crafted to challenge even the sharpest minds in the room. Teams huddled together, debated answers, and cheered each other on throughout the night. The host kept things exciting right until the final round, ensuring that no team could ever feel entirely out of contention — and no lead was ever truly safe.

Beyond the bragging rights and some beautiful prizes (like custom glasses), the evening made a meaningful difference for the library. The event raised almost $500, with proceeds going directly toward programs and resources that benefit the entire Scotch Plains community. Organizers were thrilled with the turnout and the generosity shown by everyone who participated, donated, and helped make the night a success.

The Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library extend a heartfelt thank you to all who attended, volunteered, and helped spread the word. Events like this one are only possible because of a community that shows up — and Scotch Plains showed up in a big way. Stay tuned for details on future events, and visit scotchplainsfriends.org to learn more about how you can get involved.

The post Trivia Night Draws Crowd, Raises Nearly $500 for Library appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

Every dollar raised by the Friends goes directly to the library, funding beloved programs like the Summer Reading Program, youth and adult events, and the Museum Pass Program — which gives Scotch Plains cardholders free or discounted access to 15 museums across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. The January puzzle and game sale is just one example of how this dedicated group of volunteers works year-round to make the Scotch Plains Public Library an even richer resource for the community.

Want to help make events like this possible? Consider joining the Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library — memberships start at just $5 for students and $10 for individuals, and members even score discounts at local favorites like Max’s Pizza, Osaka Restaurant, and The Town Book Store. Keep an eye out for the next Friends event!

The post Friends Ring in 2025 with a Puzzle & Game Sale appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

Shoppers filled the room throughout the day, hunting for treasures and bargains alike. The warm and welcoming atmosphere, coupled with beautifully displayed items, made the sale as much a social occasion as a fundraiser. Many attendees remarked on the variety and quality of pieces available, crediting the Friends’ careful curation and volunteer efforts.sp

By the end of the day, the Friends had raised more than $5,000 to support the library’s many programs and initiatives. Every dollar collected goes directly toward enhancing community resources—from museum passes and youth programs to special events and library improvements.

The success of the Jewelry Sale is just one example of how the Friends continue to shine in their commitment to supporting the Scotch Plains Public Library. Their hard work and community spirit ensure that the library remains a vibrant, welcoming place for everyone.

The post Friends Host Sparkling Jewelry Sale appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

Introducing the Holiday Jewelry Sale

To get ready for the sale the Friends are collecting costume jewelry until Wednesday, November 26. This is the perfect opportunity to clean out your jewelry box and donate items you no longer wear to the sale. Just about all jewelry pieces will be accepted for donation. Please drop off your jewelry donations in a ziplock bag with a library staff member at the circulation desk. 

Join us on Saturday, December 6, from 10am- 2pm, in the Scotch Plains Public Library Meeting Room to find beautiful and inexpensive holiday gifts.  Kids, this is the perfect place to shop for mom!

More about the Friends

The Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting one of our town’s most precious resources, the Scotch Plains Public Library.  Over the years, the Friends have raised thousands of dollars to fund the LIbrary’s Summer Reading Program, Museum Pass Program, and other valuable initiatives. Friends members enjoy exclusive perks, including local business discounts and early access to the Annual Book Sale held every June. The group holds monthly public meets and is always looking to welcome new members 

To join, donate, or find out how to get involved, visit
https://scotchplainsfriends.org
Email: spplfriends1@gmail.com

The post Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library Announces Holiday Fundraiser appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.

Leading the charge are newly elected board members:

• Christine Szeluga, President
• Dan Marcus, Treasurer
• Sara August, Secretary
• Lauren Marcus and Kristin Vassallo, Members-at-Large

The Friends extend heartfelt thanks to outgoing board members for their generous service and steadfast support of the library’s mission.

“Our new board is energized and ready to continue the incredible momentum the Friends have built,” said Christine Szeluga, incoming President. “We’re especially excited to bring the community together through fun, impactful events this fall.”

Championing Literacy and Community Access

Over the years, the Friends have raised thousands of dollars to fund some of the Scotch Plains Public Library’s most beloved programs. Recent highlights include:

• Full sponsorship of the Summer Reading Program, which engaged more than 650 local children this year.
  
• Support for the Museum Pass Program, providing free access to premier cultural institutions including the Met, MoMA, and over a dozen others.
  
• Funding for new Yoto cards, innovative screen-free audio devices that let children listen to books and music both at home and on the go.
  

Events to Mark Your Calendar

The Friends are turning up the volume this fall with a series of exciting community events:

• October 24: Scotch Plains Pub Crawl – Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week in style.
  
• November 10: Annual Friendsgiving – A festive gathering to connect with fellow supporters.
  
• December 6: Holiday Jewelry Sale – Find unique gifts while supporting a great cause.
  

Get Involved – All Are Welcome

Public meetings are held monthly and open to all—members and curious newcomers alike:

• September 8, November 10, and December 8 at 7:00 PM in the Scotch Plains Public Library Meeting Room

Attendees will hear updates on fundraising, upcoming programs, and how to get involved in supporting the library’s mission.

As a bonus, Friends members enjoy exclusive perks, including local business discounts and early access to the Annual Book Sale held every June.

Learn More

To join, donate, or find out how to get involved, visit
https://scotchplainsfriends.orgew
Email: spplfriends1@gmail.com

The post Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library Unveils New Board and Launches Exciting Fall Events appeared first on Friends of the Scotch Plains Public Library.