In Conversation with Author Ted Chiang
2026-04-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Online
Thursday, April 16, 2026 @ 7 PM via Zoom
Ted Chiang has become a definitive voice in speculative fiction, captivating readers with his award-winning collections Stories of Your Life and Others and Exhalation. He possesses a masterful ability to bridge the gap between rigorous scientific inquiry and the profound depths of human emotion. His work serves as a modern exploration of the “what if,” often using our evolving relationship with technology to challenge our understanding of free will, memory, and consciousness. These stories resonate because they grapple with the fundamental questions of what it means to be sentient in an evolving universe. In this keynote, Chiang will discuss various themes found in Exhalation: Stories, with a focus on the persistence of wonder and how shifting the lens of logic can fundamentally alter our perspective on the nature of existence.
Sponsored by the Hopewell Valley Regional School District and the Friends of the Pennington Library

The Gambler, the Writer, and Zelda: The History Behind The Girl in the Green Dress
2026-04-20 18:30 - 19:30
Join author Mariah Fredericks on Monday, April 20, 6:30 pm as she discusses her new mystery, inspired by the unsolved 1920 murder of Joseph Elwell. Through images and historical insight, Fredericks explores how she wove together the real-life stories of Elwell, Morris Markey, and Zelda Fitzgerald in her novel The Girl in the Green Dress — praised by The New York Times as “dazzling … a lively return to Jazz Age Manhattan.” Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Introduction to the Art of Arabic Calligraphy
2026-04-28 18:30 - 19:30
Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month on Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 pm with calligrapher Elinor A. Holland. Explore the history, meaning, and traditional practices of Arabic script calligraphy, including the Arabic alphabet, global lettering styles, and classic tools. The program concludes with a live calligraphy demonstration showcasing this ancient and beautiful art form. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

A Poetry Happening: Mercer Poets Read
2026-04-29 19:00 - 20:00
Join the Mercer County Library System for a celebration of National Poetry Month. Mercer County Library System continues this popular program on Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 pm for its fourth year, featuring local poets reading their own work or a favorite published poem. All are invited to attend an enjoyable evening of poetry! Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art
2026-05-06 18:30 - 19:30
Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art
Wednesday, May 6, 6:30 pm
Bats, gourds, peaches, ribbons, and monkeys on horses: these images are frequently (and creatively) depicted in Chinese art — but what do they mean? Just as the Chinese language is an exquisite conduit for rebuses (visual puns) and symbolism, motifs that appear in Chinese art often represent wishes for good fortune. Join us as we decipher hidden messages of prosperity, health, and happiness found in traditional Chinese art using selected objects from the Asian Art Museum’s collection. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

The Timeline of Lawrence History: 300 Years in 60 Images
2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:00
What can sixty images reveal about three centuries of community life? In 2014, the Lawrence Historical Society installed a timeline mural in the Lawrence Township Municipal Building, tracing 300 years of local history. The mural presents 60 carefully chosen images marking important moments in the township’s story, from the late seventeenth century through the end of the twentieth. On May 12th, join Dennis Waters, former Lawrence Township historian and current member of the Mercer County Library Commission, for a virtual guided “walk” along the timeline. Moving image by image, he will explore the people, places, and events behind the photographs and illustrations, offering historical context and little-known details to bring Lawrence Township’s past vividly to life. The Lawrence timeline mural installation was made possible by a grant from the Lawrence Township Community Foundation. You can visit the timeline mural whenever the Municipal Building is open. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.
The Timeline of Lawrence History: 300 Years in 60 Images Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 pm

The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
2026-05-19 19:00 - 20:00
When we think of the American Revolution, we often imagine a local struggle between thirteen colonies and the British Crown. Historian and author Richard Bell challenges that familiar story, revealing the Revolution as a global war that reshaped lives and power across six continents. From the Caribbean and Canada to Africa, India, and South America, the conflict sparked migration, rebellion, and transformation far beyond North America. This program re-examines the Revolutionary War as a complex, high-stakes global event whose consequences continue to resonate in the modern world. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.

The American Revolution and the Fate of the World
Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 pm

Borscht Belt: The Comic Legacy of the Catskills
2026-05-26 19:00 - 20:00
The Jewish Catskill resorts of the 20th century were a summer paradise for millions — and the birthplace of some of America’s greatest comic careers. Legends such as Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar, Rodney Dangerfield, Joan Rivers, and Jackie Mason honed their craft entertaining guests at iconic resorts like Grossinger’s, Brown’s, The Concord, Kutsher’s, and The Nevele. Entertainment historian John Kenrick presents a lively, multimedia talk exploring this rich comic tradition, featuring hilarious video clips and behind-the-scenes stories from the golden age of Borscht Belt comedy. Please visit events.mcl.org to register to receive the link to the program.
Borscht Belt: The Comic Legacy of the Catskills
Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 pm
