Libraries are always places of learning and researching. But in Atlantic Highlands, that learning and searching starts very young in the form of fun, games and a great children’s librarian who is innovative and energetic.
Lauren Garcia keeps a busy schedule at the library located in the Borough Hall building on First Ave. And each of the activities is filled to overflowing with youngsters who like everything about the Monmouth County Library, Atlantic Highlands Branch.
There are four different age group activities that occur Wednesdays and Thursdays which have proven popular over the past summer months. Wednesdays include a baby program for ages 10 months to 2 years at 9:30, , and a toddler program for ages 2 to 3 years at 10:15. Both are programs enjoyed by the parents and caregivers as much as the little ones themselves. Now, with school coming back in session, Thursdays at 3:15 will have be after school Story time for grades K and up as well as a preschool program for ages 3 to 5 beginning at 4 p.m.
Through it all, Lauren commands attention and expects her youngsters, each of whom is a favorite and rather special to her, to follow the rules and be attentive. She’ll giggle and smile though in saying that the children must be well behaved and supervised, then adds, “But I will never turn someone away from a Story time.”
The enthusiastic librarian notes “I’d love to mention I’m having some super exciting programs in September and October,” she says with a grin, eager to outline that on Sept. 15, she is beginning a martial arts program and a few weeks after that, on October 6, Neill Hartley will give a one man performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. “ Not the unusual programs you find in libraries, but exciting events that keep the little ones, and followers of all ages, to visit what used to be silent walls as of books between quiet corridors.
There are a number of events and special books to celebrate Halloween as well, the librarian explained, with pumpkin painting beginning Tuesday, Oct. 25 and continuing through Thursday, October 27 a special event that promises to be colorful as well as festive.
While the library always has “regulars,, families that traditionally are present for specific programs or events, summers also bring visitors from New York, or visitors to local families who also appreciate the opportunity to visit the local library. Visiting guests are as welcome to participate in the programs as the regular visitors, Garcia explained, as are all the you9ngsters who might not be able to visit the library as often during the fall and winter months when other activities and schedules cut back on their time to relax with books, tapes, films and games.
A number of books or authors get to be popular among younger readers every season, and this year, both boys and girls seem to enjoy Big Nate, Dog Man, Keeper of Lost Cities and Rick Riordan series as well as Percy Jack, Magnus Chase, and the Kane Chronicles. Harry Potter and the Warriors series are still popular for the school set. Younger readers still enjoy Mo Willems, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, superhero books, Star Wars and Disney books.
Nor is there any single author that tops the list. The children all enjoy reading Mo Willems, Dan Pilkey, Rick Riordan, Ross Burach, and J.K. Rowling all remain favorites.
The children’s librarian, besides bringing so much joy to young readers and doers, gets so much joy out of her work herself. “I love being able to help a child pick out a book and hit the mark of what they like,” she said. “If a child takes the book I’ve recommended out again and again, I think that’s a huge win. I also love teaching different phrases in different languages in Storytime and love it when kids greet or say goodbye to me in Japanese.” It’s hard to tell who has the much fun at these library activities, the adult or the youngster. Or the parents sitting quietly along the sidelines and enjoy the repartee.
While families usually come together during the summer, once school starts children often walk over to the library after school for programs or to hang out and use the computers.
The library offers mild competition as well, much to the enjoyment of its visitors. Lauren often has guessing games during the younger story times sessions, and thanks to the donation of games from a patron, there are also checkers, chess, memory games, Strategy, Candyland and other popular favorites the youngsters seek out themselves and use while they are in the library.
The library-going youngsters seem to prefer books to hold in their hands over computer reading, though there are other youngsters who come in to play some games on the computers or order books about video games.
A graduate of Monmouth University with a B.A. in Communication with a focus in Journalism from Monmouth University and a Master of Information from Rutgers University, Lauren started in this branch of the County Library in 2019. She had a job as a reporter for a paper on the Jersey Shore but then went to the library at Avon By the Sea when she liked that work better than journalism. When she started with the Monmouth County Library system, she worked at first in adult reference before switching to the children’s department, saying “where I am quite the happy clam.”
If there is anything she could add to the program within the library, Lauren said it would be bringing back tween and young adult programs. She urges anyone interested or with ideas for a club or program that could be included in the library’s program, “I’d love to hear about it so that we can work to getting our community more involved in the library!” Her longtime dream is the idea of children growing up in the library, not stopping after they become too old for Story time, but continuing to enjoy all the library has to offer for all ages.
The Librarian encourages all to join a library, and points out that in Atlantic Highlands, anyone who lives here can simply stop in, sign up and get a library card that gives them access to not only this branch but all the branches of the County-wide system. Children signing up should be accompanied by an adult the first time to ensure paperwork is taken care of accurately, quickly and with parental permission, but after that, “you can always find youngsters in our library. It’s in the heart of town and everyone is always welcome.”
