The new year kicked off with a four-week series by storyteller Jan Elby.  In this program, the children dress up and act out well known stories, such as The Mitten, Stone Soup and Are You My Mother?

All day on Saturday, February 11, children could drop in and create Valentines for people they love.

The Mountainside Library was excited to host Tom Doyle and Sandy Cory for a 90-minute tribute to Les Paul and Mary Ford. Many regard Les Paul as the "father of the modern electric guitar." Tom worked for years as Les Paul's own luthier and sound engineer. The program was excellent and included many personal stories and a display of Les Paul memorabilia.

Interactive program for children to help foster an interest in music.

The Mountainside Library hosted a six-week long chess tournament, sponsored by the Friends of the Mountainside Library. Prizes were awarded after the final session.

The Girl Scouts presented a special anti-bullying puppet show in May. After the program, the Girl Scouts donated the puppet theater to the library.

Jon Gertner, author of The Idea Factory: Bell Labs and the Great Age of American Innovation, appeared at the Mountainside Library on Saturday, May 19th for a presentation on his research, followed by a book signing.

Local musician Skip Ungar was back with a new program on well-known comedy songs. Everyone who came had a great time.

The Next Stage Ensemble of the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey came to Mountainside on June 29 to perform The Winter's Tale. Over 55 people attended the performance, which was moved indoors due to the extreme heat. The company will be back on August 10 to perform Beaumarchais' The Marriage of Figaro. It should be another great show.

After reading Dream Something Big: The Story of the Watts Towers, the children created their very own Watts Towers out of pipe cleaners.

For more information on the Watts Towers, go to: www.wattstowers.us