WDFPL - Adult Services

West Deptford Free Public Library
420 Crown Point Road, West Deptford, NJ 08086 (856) 845-5593

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	Do you need a library card? Our registration form is available to print using a device. You may then attach it to an email for our Circulation Supervisor and send it that way. Look for a call or email regarding your Library Card number. We were thrilled to have Optimus Prime from the TRANSFORMERS as our Library Card Sign Up Month special ambassador, highlighting that there's more than meets the eye at WDFPL. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities. Today’s libraries are vibrant community centers offering much more than just books. At West Deptford Free Public Library, you'll find diverse programs, job search assistance, homework help, book clubs, author talks, story times, and more.
	Beginner Free Drawing For All Ages Friday Afternoons at 3:30 p.m. in the Library art gallery Many thanks to Patti, retired WDFPL p/t Information, Publicity and Circulation Library Assistant, for sharing her artistic talents and teaching ability with our community for the betterment of all over her 25 years at WDFPL! We plan to continue drawing together as Patti has retired from the library. Call to register at 856-845-5593. Btw you may have had a chance to view Patti's unique friends of the Library commissioned murals in the Library's Children's Area.
	WDFPL Adult Summer Reading is back at your library! Monday, June 23, 2025 through Monday, August 25, 2025 WDFPL Adult Summer Reading encourages all to join us in celebration by participating in our Adult Summer Reading Giveaway Challenge. It’s easy and fun to complete: just pick up a summer reading card, find a book with a cover that matches one of the colors on your card and read it! Complete your card and turn it into the Information Desk for a ticket to enter our giveaway. You can complete as many cards as you can fill with books you enjoy reading! Have fun and if you need any help finding a book with a color cover you are looking for, just ask! The deadline for turning cards to WDFPL's Information Desk is Monday, August 25, 2025 to be considered for the Summer Reading giveaway. Books can be read in any format as books, auddiobooks and eBooks are included. They all display cover art.
	Little Known Turning Points of the Civil War with Dr. William D. Carrigan* Thursday, July 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Little Known Turning Points of the Civil War explores the subtle nuances of conflict. At Rowan, Professor Carrigan has taught over 100 courses and thousands of students on such topics as the Civil War and Reconstruction, the American West, and the History of New Jersey. In 2013, he won a University-wide competition vote hosted by the Student Government Association at Rowan University and subsequently delivered his hypothetical "last lecture." In 2014, the Organization of American Historians named him a Distinguished Lecturer in American History. In 2020, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences named him that year’s winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2022, he received an award for Excellence in Online Learning. In 2024, he received the University’s highest honor for teaching, The Lindback Distinguished Award. That same year, he received the Harold F. Wilson Centennial Award for his efforts in support of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Glassboro Normal School (now Rowan University). He is the author or editor of numerous scholarly articles and four books, including The Making of a Lynching Culture: Violence and Vigilantism in Central Texas, 1836-1916 (Univ. of Illinois Press, 2004), winner of the Richard Wentworth Prize. Professor Carrigan's research has been cited widely in the news media, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Nation, and the Houston Chronicle. Call to register at 856-845-5593. *”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”
	Honoring the Fallen: An Analysis of Civil War Soldier Obituaries* Monday, July 7, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Join us at WDFPL for a scholarly lecture presented based on Professor James Scythes Civil War soldier obituary research. Professor Scythes is the author of the books This Will Make a Man of Me: The Life and Letters of a Teenage Officer in the Civil War and Letters to Lizzie. Professor Scythes is a West Chester University Assistant Professor of History and Gloucester County Historical Society Board of Trustees President. He holds a B.A. in history from Rowan University and a Master of Arts in History from Villanova University. Call to register at 856-845-5593. *”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”
	Northstar Showcase Thursday, July 10, 2025 5:00 p.m. Johnathan Penn, WDFPL Technology Coordinator, indtroduces all to Northstar Services available at your Library free of charge. Northstar Services at this Location Offering Assessments Offering Assessment certificates Offering Computer classes Offering Online accounts for learning and practice Call to register at 856-845-5593.
	'The Cruel and Causeless War.' New Jersey's Reaction to Emancipation During the Civil War* Monday, July 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Join us at WDFPL for a library presentation by Dr. Craig Hollander. Dr. Hollander is an Associate Professor of 19th Century U.S. History, the History of Slavery, and Atlantic History at The College of New Jersey. Before joining The College of New Jersey, Dr. Hollander was a Princeton University Department of History Post-doctoral Fellow. His book, Against a Sea of Troubles: Slave Trade Suppresionism During the Early Republic was published by University of Pennsylvania Press. He is a member of the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic. Call to register at 856-845-5593. "This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College at Gloucester County, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State” .
	Brick Painting is back at your library! Thursday, July 31, 2025 4:00 p.m. Brighten your corner of our world with brick painting! Color Our World is our summer reading theme this year. In addition to selecting book covers of several different colors to read and record, we welcome creators and artists to paint brick garden sculpture to add to their own home or garden. Call the Library to register at 856-845-5593.
	Google Class with Johnathan Penn Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Join us at WDFPL for a new tech class presented by Johnathan Penn, WDFPL Technology Coordinator. Learn what's changed and why it matters in 2025.
	Was Gettysburg Really the Turning Point of the Civil War?* Monday, August 11, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. Join us at WDFPL for a scholarly lecture presented by David Martin, PhD. Dr. Martin holds a PhD from Princeton University in the field of Classics (Ancient History). He is a former Latin Professor at the Peddie School and currently serves as archivist. Dr. Martin is the President of the Friends of Monmouth Battlefield and is the editor of Longstreet House Publishers. In addition, he coordinates the annual reenactment of the Battle of Monmouth. Dr. Martin is the 2024 recipient of the Jame Clayton Award which honors an individual who has contributed to the preservation on Monmouth County history. Dr. Martin is the author of over twenty-five books on the Civil War and American Revolution including Gettysburg July 1, The Philadelphia Campaign, A Molly Pitcher Sourcebook, and New Jersey at Gettysburg Guidebook.Call to register at 856-845-5593. *”This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College Gloucester County, a partner of The New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State.”
	Family Trivia Night with Johnathan Penn & Jen Valentine Thursday, August 14, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Join us at WDFPL for a new kind of library program. Stop by in person and check it out!
	More than Meows with Margie Green, BA CVT WDFPL's Two-Part Cat Care Series Thursday August 21 and August 28, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. What You’ll Learn: How to decode your cat’s body language and vocalizations Common behavior myths—and what’s actually true Tips for managing stress or anxiety in cats Troubleshooting intercat tension How to create a home environment your cat truly loves
	The History of Turtles in Salt Marshes with Jessica DeGraff-Amber PhD.* Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 1 p.m. Join us for a virtual lecture. Learn about the history of terrapin conservation and the value of both the diamond back terrapin and the salt marshes in New Jersey. To learn more, call the Library at 856-845-5593


	Clam-Diggers Trade: NJ Pine Barrens Employments In Support Of Sea-Coast Activities* September 30, 2021, Thursday 1 p.m. Join us virtually for a lecture given by Adjunct Professor Mark Demitroff, Stockton University, on The Clamdiggers Trade: NJ Pine Barrens Employments in Support of Sea-Coast Activities. Learn about how the N.J. Coastal Zone economy had Pine Barren "sweetwater" roots. Video will be posted here on scheduled date. Professor Demitroff is a professor at Stockton University.
	The Drowning of Money Island: A Forgotten Community's Fight Against The Rising Seas Threatening Coastal America* Thursday, October 14, 2021, 1 p.m. Join us for a virtual lecture by journalist, Andrew Lewis, MFA, Columbia University, as he gives us a fascinating talk on how rising seas are threatening coastal towns. Video will be posted here on scheduled date. To learn more, call the Library at 856-845-5593
	The Variety of Wetlands in Southern New Jersey* Thursday, November 18, 2021, 1:00 p.m. Join us for a virtual lecture: hosted by Claude Epstein, Ph.D. Dr. Epstein is a Professor Emeritus from Stockton University. He is the founder of its Environmental Studies Program as well as being one of its founding faculty. To learn more, call the Library at 856-845-5593
	*"This program is made possible in part by funding from The Gloucester County Cultural and Heritage Commission at Rowan College at Gloucester County, a partner of the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of the State."
Online Events For You Rutgers Cooperative Extension Online Events -https://njaes.rutgers.edu/online-event-series/#fchs The Center for Book Arts is offering on-line classes – www.centerforbookarts.org Fender Guitars is offering free on-line guitar lessons starting now and for the next three months - www.fender.com The Alice Paul Institute has an elementary school curriculum and worksheets. There is also information and photos concerning the Suffragette Movement – www.alicepaul.org The Metropolitan Opera is streaming operas every evening, check it out – www.metopera.org The Metropolitan Museum of Art is touring parts of the museum – www.metmuseum.org The Museum of Modern Art is offering free on-line courses – www.moma.org You can view some of the gardens and take free on-course at www.Longwoodgardens.org Scratch For All - a programming language at MIT – https://scratch.mit.edu/ The Library of Congress provides a playlist of music and concerts on Youtube that is periodically updated. The Chamber Music Society provides livestreams on scheduled days. Virtual ART Studio livestreams beginning on Friday, June 12. The Anne Frank House is providing a virtual tour of where Anne Frank and her family hid during World War II. Cape May County Park and Zoo is providing Virtual Zoo School. Take a look at their daily tours of different parts of the zoo.

	Have You Tried E-books on Overdrive? Reading on the Go @ WDFPL Do you like reading from a tablet? Check out our Overdrive E-books page for more information.

Many of the programs are video taped (with appropriate permission of the presenter) and converted into a DVD for placement in our collection. A short introduction to the presentation is created to introduce the topic and presenter. Here are a few of the introductions (in low resolution format) of a few of our more popular programs. (Windows Media Player 9 or higher is required.)

Battleship New Jersey / The Inside Track on NASCAR / Faux Finishing / Model Railroading

Survival Story by Manny Lindenbaum
(This is the entire 1 hour presentation)

Do you need a library card?

Northstar Services at this Location

The History of Turtles in Salt Marshes with Jessica DeGraff-Amber PhD.* Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 1 p.m.

The History of Turtles in Salt Marshes with Jessica DeGraff-Amber PhD.*
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 1 p.m.