The 2026 Garden State Children’s and Teen’s Book Awards ballots are officially open! Did you know that the Garden State Children’s Book Awards are the only children’s choice awards for books in the state of New Jersey? Pick your favorite in any of all of the four categories (Early Reader, Graphic Format, Fiction, and Nonfiction). You don’t have to read every book to vote for your favorite one!
You can vote by either using the google forms, or, you can download and print the 2026 Garden State Children’s Book Awards ballot. Information and instructions can be found here. Voting for the Garden State Children’s Book Awards ends on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Teens can vote too! Teens all across New Jersey are invited to vote for their favorite book titles in any one or all three voting categories. Information and instructions can be found here. Voting for the Garden State Teen’s Book Awards ends on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Are you a teen and interested in volunteering? The library’s teen volunteer program is open to students in Grades 7 thru 12th grade. You can apply to be a volunteer and sign up for specific shifts here. Only have an hour to volunteer? Join us on Wednesdays when school is in session from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM – no registration necessary.
The library is the place to be during teacher’s convention! Join us for a Dog Man party, an afterhours Pokemon lock-in, and Storyfaces where artist Christopher Agostino will be here for a one-of-a-kind creative adventure in art through stories and painted faces. Details and registration are on the library website.
Also, on November 4th we have our first ever family team trivia night using Kahoot.com. Trivia questions for all ages and the top three family teams will win small prizes. Check out our events all month long on the Library’s website and on the library app. See you at the library!
–Rachel Wood, Youth Services Librarian