It's a busy time in the Children's Room - storytimes, class visits and getting ready for our summer programs. This summer's theme is:


Registration for the summer reading program begins on June 13. Be sure to check our web site later in the month for detailed information about all our upcoming summer programs. Our first big event will be Yosi's "Friends around the World" concert on June 29. July events include a magic show and an animal show. These events are sponsored by our wonderful Friends of the Hamilton Township Library. In addition we will have storytimes, craft programs, and readers' theater.

Storytime Registration Begins Monday, April 12

Spring 2010 Story Programs

Baby Rock ‘n’ Rhyme: for babies 12 to 24 months
with parent or caregiver
Mondays: April 19, 26, May 3 & 10
Session A — 9:30 a.m. Session B — 10:15 a.m.
The program is designed for babies and their caregivers to attend together.

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Toddler Time for children 2 to 31/2 years
with parent or caregiver
Tuesdays: April 20, 27, May 4 & 11
Session A— 9:30 a.m. Session B—10:15 a.m.
Wednesdays: April 21, 28, May 5 & 12
Session C— 9:30 a.m. Session D—10:15 a.m.
The child must be 2 by the date of registration. No exceptions, please. This program is designed for the child & parent/caregiver to attend together. Wear comfortable clothing, and be prepared to participate!

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Storytime for children 31/2 to 5 years
April 22, 29, May 6 & 13
Session A— 10:00 a.m.
Session B— 1:45 p.m.
Due to space limitations, the child should be comfortable attending without his/her caregiver. However, caregivers are requested to remain in the library during the 30-minute program.

Registration Begins: Monday, April 12
Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. and will continue until all available openings are filled. In-person registration only, April 12—14. Beginning April 15, telephone registrations will be accepted. Parents must have a Hamilton Township Library card in order to register.

Drop In for a Spring Craft

April showers
bring
craft fun
@ the Library!

School-aged children are
invited to attend this “drop-in” craft program on Tuesday
April 13 from 3:30 until 5:00 pm.
in the Betty Brand Children’s Room.

Important Insurance Information for Parents

Many New Jersey families are facing difficult financial times. Libraries have been asked to make the following information available to parents:

NJ FamilyCare

With the recession hitting New Jersey families hard, smart ideas to meet their needs are more important now than ever. New Jersey’s public health insurance program, NJ FamilyCare, which includes Medicaid, provides free or low-cost health insurance for children whose parents do not have available or affordable employer insurance, and cannot afford to pay the high cost of private health insurance. There is limited coverage for certain low-income parents as well. NJ FamilyCare even provides some dental coverage.

Eligibility for NJ FamilyCare is based on income, not assets. It covers children 18 and younger living in households with income up to 350 percent of federal poverty level. This means that children in a family of four with annual income of $77,000 are eligible for NJ FamilyCare. And the monthly premiums are free for some families and very affordable for others. For example for a family of 4:
Family Care is free for uninsured kids in families with incomes below $44,000 a year
Families with incomes of up to $55,000 pay just $40 a month
Families with incomes of up to $77,000 still qualify, with premiums no higher than $130 a month

NJ FamilyCare enables parents to take their children for regular check-ups and preventive care for chronic diseases like asthma. As we all know healthy kids do better in school and parents do not lose time from work.

Applications for NJ FamilyCare and information about eligibility and the enrollment process is available at www.njfamilycare.org. Information provided to New Jersey Family Care is used only to enroll children and there are staff to assist non-English-speaking parents complete the application. Just call 1-800-701-0710.

For families who do not qualify for NJ FamilyCare there is NJ FamilyCare Advantage, which is administered by Horizon NJ Health. For more information about that program visit http://www.horizonnjhealth.com/members/advantage.html or call 1-800-637-2997.

If you have any questions, please call ACNJ at 973-643-3876 or email NJFamilyCare@acnj.org. The Association for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ) is an independent organization advocating for the well-being of all New Jersey children

Spring Storytime Registration

Registration begins March 1 for our spring storytime programs - Baby Rock 'n' Rhyme, Toddler Time and Storytime.

For details go to: http://www.hamiltonnjpl.org/filestorage/119/425/March_story.pdf

Registration for January Programs

In-person registration begins January 4, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. for our winter story times. Telephone registrations will be accepted starting January 7. All programs begin the week of January 11. Information regarding dates and times will be available soon.

Winter Break at the Library

We will be having a Family Story Time for all ages on Tuesday, December 29 and a craft program for ages ages 5 to 9 on Wednesday, December 30. For more information click on the links or go to http://www.hamiltonnjpl.org/.