April 22: We celebrated National Poetry Month with an unforgettable reading from Therese Halscheid and Chris Bursk. Thirty-nine attendees gathered at the Whitman-Stafford Farmhouse, in Laurel Springs, to meet our poets upclose & personal and to have autographed copies of their books. Though it rained throughout the day, those gathered in the large gazebo enjoyed the poetry, fresh fruit & beverages and never complained about the weather. We all felt the warming spirit of Whitman who presided over the reading & blessed us all with his good vibes!

 

April 20th: We conducted a Poetry Workshop at the library that attracted some budding poets & poetry lovers for a discussion of craft, themes & publication. Here are some of our happy poetry troopers at work!

April 29: Dedication of the Ruth Roderick Children's Room

Please join us on Saturday, April 29 at 2PM for a celebration of the memory of Ruth Roderick, who served as Director of Stratford Public Library for decades.  In recognition of her years of service and dedication to the library and the community it supports, the juvenile department of the library is being named The Ruth Roderick Children's Room.  In addition, Kirkwood Avenue between Union Avenue and Princeton Avenue will be known as Ruth Roderick Way.

April 22: Celebrate National Poetry Month with a reading at the Whitman-Stafford House

Stratford Public Library presents a poetry reading in celebration of National Poetry Month, featuring prize-winning poets Chris Bursk and Therese Halscheid.  Refreshments will be served.

Join us for this exciting event on Saturday, April 22 at 2PM, at the Whitman-Stafford House, 315 Maple Avenue, Laurel Springs NJ, 08021.

This event is free and open to the public, but please register at the Stratford Library or call (856) 783-0602.  For further information, contact Alfred Encarnacion, Library Director, at ext. 204.

Our Most Popular books in 2016!

(Click on the post to see the list)
Get some reading recommendations from your neighbors, using this list of the books that were checked out most often in Stratford in 2016:

Adult Fiction:

1. Never Die Alone, by Lisa Jackson
2. Blue, by Danielle Steel
3. The 15^th Affair, by James Patterson
4. Fool Me Once, by Harlan Coben
5. A Girl’s Guide to Moving On, by Debbie Macomber

Adult Nonfiction:

1. When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi
2. The life-changing magic of tidying up : the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing, by Marie Kondo
3. Hamilton: the Revolution, by Lin-Manuel Miranda
4. The girl with the Lower back Tattoo, by Amy Schumer
5. The Road to Little Dribbling, by Bill Bryson

Large Print:

1. Family Jewels, Stuart Woods
2. Extreme Prey, by John Sandford
3. The Promise, by Robert Crais
4. As Time Goes By, by Mary Higgins Clark
5. Corrupted, by Lisa Scottoline

Picture books:

1. Emergency Vehicles, by Rod Green
2. Knuffle Bunny, by Mo Willems
3. The Day the Crayons Came Home, by Drew Daywalt
4. Dinosaur vs. the Library, by Bob Shea
5. Swing!, by Rufus Seder

Holiday Weekend Closure

The Stratford Public Library will be CLOSED on Friday - Saturday, April 14 - 15, in honor of Easter Weekend. Everyone have an enjoyable, safe Holiday Weekend!