65 Witherspoon Street Princeton, NJ 08542 609.924.9529 www.princetonlibrary.org
PRINCETON PUBLIC LIBRARY FEBRUARY EVENTS
AUTHORS
Peter R. Grant and Rosemary Grant
Sunday, Feb. 2, 3 p.m.
The Princeton University evolutionary ecology husband and wife team, renowned for the work with Darwin's finches in the Galápagos archipelago, each discuss their recently released memoir. Community Room
Julian Zelizer with Sean Wilentz
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 6 p.m.
Julian Zelizer, in conversation with Sean Wilentz, presents his new book, "In Defense of Partisanship," a reimagining of the prevailing partisan gridlock through party-oriented reforms. Labyrinth Books, 122 Nassau St.
Serene Khader
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m.
Serene Khader is joined by Alma Khasawnih to discuss her recently published book "Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop." Book signing to follow. Community Room
“Secret Life of Books” Podcast Recording with Jodi Picoult
Thursday, Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m.
Author Jodi Picoult joins host Sophie Gee to record an episode of Gee’s "Secret Life of Books" podcast and discuss Shakespeare, the Renaissance and Picoult’s new book, "By Any Other Name." Registration requested; registrants will be seated first. Line for remaining seats opens at 12:30 p.m. Community Room
Virtual Presentation: “A Book of Batik”
Sunday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m.
Beth and Jonathan Evans, internationally known batik artists, discuss their craft and recently published book, "A Book of Batik," at this virtual event on Zoom. Register for link.
Melissa Caughey
Sunday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.
During this virtual event, the author, an expert on chicken behavior and communication, will discuss her book "How to Read a Chicken's Mind" and discuss chicken communication. Register for Zoom link.
Adam Ratner with Sam Wang
Monday, Feb. 24, 6 p.m.
Author and pediatrician Adam Ratner is joined by Sam Wang to discuss his recently published book "Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health." Community Room
OTHER EVENTS
Tax Assistance by Appointment
Mondays through April 14
AARP volunteers prepare and electronically file Federal and N.J. individual, non-complex income tax returns for seniors and people of low and moderate income. Appointments are required. Call (609) 924-9529, ext. 1220 to schedule an appointment. Community Room
Oral History Workshop
Saturday, Feb. 1, 10:30 a.m.
Aspiring and experienced oral history practitioners participate in a daylong event exploring the complexities of oral history projects and their community-based and institutional stakeholders. Community Room
Marel Hidalgo Quartet
Sunday, Feb. 2, 11:30 a.m.
Jazz guitarist Marel Hidalgo and his band present "Sounds of the African Diaspora" at this music brunch event. Doors open at 11 a.m. for coffee/tea and pastries. Registration requested, not required. Community Room
Library Reads
Monday, Feb. 3, 1 p.m.
Library staff members share notable new titles to add to your to-be-read list at these monthly sessions. Register for Zoom link.
“Harriet Tubman: Follow the Freedom Star”
Monday, Feb. 3, 7 p.m.
Historical re-enactor and educator Ivey Avery presents on the life of Harriet Tubman, the political and societal issues that existed during her time and their lasting impact today. Community Room
Community Leader Storytime
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 18, 25; Friday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m.
Celebrate community with an inspiring reading by a leader in Princeton's African-American community, followed by an arts and craft activity. Community Room
Mobile Office Hours: Constituent Services Representatives
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Representatives from the offices of Rep. Bonnie Watson-Coleman, Sen. Andrew Zwicker and N.J. Assembly members Mitchelle Drulis and Roy Freiman provide constituent assistance with federal services. Lobby
Mercer County Community ID
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m.
All Mercer County residents are eligible for this photo ID card, which provides the cardholder's personal identifying information, medical risk factors and emergency contact information. Princeton Room
Douglass Day 2025
Friday, Feb. 14, Noon to 4 p.m.
Community members are invited to participate in transcribe-a-thons at the library and the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum and to view a Special Collections Showcase at Firestone Library.
Writers Room
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 17, 7 p.m.
Writers receive constructive feedback at these twice-monthly group sessions during which participants read passages from a work in progress and members offer suggestions. Registration required. Tower Room
PSO Soundtracks: “Amadeus” and the Myth of Mozart
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 7 p.m.
Chris Collier, executive director of the Princeton Garden Theatre, and Michael Pratt, conductor of the Princeton University Orchestra, unravel Mozart's legacy and myth through the 1984 film "Amadeus." Community Room
Drop in and Knit
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 a.m.
Bring your knitting and/or crochet project (and your own supplies) to these drop-in social gatherings. Sessions will not include instruction. Quiet Room
Oscar Winners through the Decades
Best Picture winners from the '30s through the '80s are screened weekly in the Community Room in advance of the 97th Academy Awards broadcast. Movies include:
“On the Waterfront”
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 3 p.m.
“The Apartment”
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 3 p.m.
“The Sting”
Wednesday, Feb. 19, 3 p.m.
“Rain Man”
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 3 p.m.
Presentation: “Ladder of Heaven”
Thursday, Feb. 6, 6 p.m.
Wendy Laura Belcher presents the "Princeton Ethiopian, Eritrean and Egyptian Miracles of Mary (PEMM) Project," a resource for stories about and images of the Virgin Mary in these African countries. Community Room
"A Black History Month Celebration: Songs of Hope, Unity, and Courage" Saturday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m.
Trenton Children's Chorus and Trenton Music Makers Chamber Orchestra, the performance groups of Capital Harmony Works, perform. Community Room
Fred Miller: “What is This Thing Called Love?”
Sunday, Feb. 9, 3 p.m.
Pianist/singer/narrator Fred Miller presents a musical and anecdotal celebration of the many facets of love and romance found in American popular song. Community Room
Screening and Discussion: “Project Q”
Monday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.
"PROJECT Q: War, Peace, and Quantum Mechanics" investigates the geopolitical and societal implications of quantum innovation in computing, communications and AI. Discussion to follow. Community Room
Fiction Book Group
Thursday, Feb. 13, 10:30 a.m.
The group discusses "Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang. Quiet Room
Writers Room: Poets
Monday, Feb. 10, 7 p.m.
Poets read from works in progress and receive constructive peer feedback. Register for Zoom link.
Lecture: Executive Function Skills for Families
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m.
Eva O’Malley from CHADD will share information on how parents can help their children manage their ADHD by helping them get organized, meet deadlines, make a schedule and stay on task. Community Room
Black Voices Book Group
Thursday, Feb. 13, 7:15 p.m.
The group discusses "Finding Me" by Viola Davis via Google Meet. All are welcome.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Saturday, Feb. 15, 2-4 p.m.
Music, crafts and other hands-on activities presented by students from the Mandarin classes and Chinese Club at PHS and the Princeton Chinese Language School. Community Room
Adya Art Party
Sunday, Feb. 16, 1 p.m.
Priya Joshi leads a workshop on the role of the lotus in Indian art. Participants will hear a story on compassion and make a lotus print to take home. Community Room
Chemistry for Kids
Saturday, Feb. 16, 3 p.m.
Kids in grades 3-6 learn the basics of chemistry from Princeton University graduate students in chemistry through demonstrations and hands-on experiments. Registration required. STEAM Studio
Bullet Journal Club
Monday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m.
This social club meets once each month to set up personalized bullet journals for the month to come. Some materials will be provided, or bring your own preferred supplies. For adults and teens 16+. Conference Room
Writers Room Online
Tuesday, Feb. 18, 7 p.m.
Writers receive constructive feedback at these monthly online group sessions during which participants read passages from a work in progress and members offer suggestions. Virtual via Google Meet. Registration required.
New School for Music Study Lecture Recitals
Saturday, Feb. 22, 1:30 p.m.
Pianists from the faculty of the New School for Music Study present a three-part series of lecture recitals devoted to compositions of interest to audiences of all ages. Community Room
International Mother Language Day Celebration
Sunday, Feb. 23, 2 p.m.
This event celebrates the diversity of languages spoken in our community with presentations by Princeton area students speaking languages from around the world. Community Room
TECHNOLOGY CLASSES
Getting Started with Google Drive
Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2 p.m.
Registration required. Technology Center
Adobe After Effects
Thursday, Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m.
Registration required. Technology Center
Ask the Mac Pros
Thursday, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Drop in any time during this session to ask members of the Princeton Macintosh Users Group to help resolve questions about Apple devices. Technology Center
Harnessing AI for Smarter Job Searches
Monday, Feb. 17, 6 p.m.
This interactive workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools to effectively integrate AI into your job search strategy. Register for Zoom link.
Introduction to Mac Computers
Thursday, Feb. 20, 2 p.m.
Registration required. Technology Center
Have Smartphone, Will Travel
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1 p.m.
Learn about various smartphones apps to make traveling easier, less stressful and paper-free. Registration required. Technology Center