The Atlantic City Free Public Library will serve as one of the host sites for NJ Makers Day 2015 on Saturday, March 21.
The library will give people of all ages an opportunity to participate in maker-related activities and collaborative projects from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on the second floor of the Main Library.
•    Statewide 3D Design Challenge – Try easy-to-use design software to create a 3D model that can be printed at the library.
•    The Sounds of Atlantic City Recording Booth – Record short audio clips, a sung note, word, phrase, rhyme or random sound, which will be processed and arranged into a piece of sound art by library staff and volunteers.
•    Green Screen Photoshop Booth – Have your picture taken at the library and Photoshopped into a background of your choosing. Those who participate in this activity can have the photo emailed to them.
•    Collaborative Quilt – Design a square to be added to a work of fiber art that will be assembled by teen volunteers and displayed at the library. Squares can be knitted, crocheted, sewn or assembled with fabric glue.

There will be several stations set up for live demonstrations showing how to use various tools and technology available in the Atlantic City Library’s Makerspace, including physical computing and music recording equipment, t-shirt design software, button maker and STEM kits.
Also, throughout the day the NJ Makers Day planning committee will host live Google Hangouts, which will be broadcast at the Atlantic City Library and other locations. Participants at those sites will be able to follow an online leader to complete two maker activities – a DIY Light Bulb Project and Balancing Toy Challenge – listen to recorded keynote speeches from Senator Cory Booker and author/tech journalist Cory Doctorow, and enjoy a STEM Storytime.
NJ Makers Day is a statewide event that celebrates, promotes, and, in many cases, introduces maker culture, as well as the values associated with making, tinkering and STEM-based learning. This inaugural event will be held in libraries, schools, museums and other community locations.
Since the Atlantic City Free Public Library Makerspace opened in April 2014, local teens have been invited to “Make AC: Dream It, Design It, Do It.” The library’s Makerspace provides teens with access to a 3D printer, digital audio recording, photography and video equipment, robotics, sewing machine and fiber arts, and more.
“We have such a fantastic array of tools and technology available here – things you would never expect from a public library,” said Megan England, coordinator of the Atlantic City Library Makerspace. “We're glad to have the chance to share all of it with the community and use our tools to create collaborative art by and for the people of Atlantic City."
The maker movement in the United States isn’t just a hobby; it’s having a significant impact on school curriculum development and growing local economies. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, “employment in occupations related to STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – is projected to grow to more than nine million between 2012 and 2022. That’s an increase of about one million jobs.”
Find out more about NJ Makers Day and the Atlantic City Library Makerspace by visiting make.acfpl.org or calling (609) 345-2269, ext. 3050.

Volunteers from the Tax Aide Program of AARP will be at the Atlantic City Free Public Library to assist the community with their tax returns by appointment only. You must call (609) 407-2022 from 12 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule an appointment.

AARP will be in the Main Library’s second-floor meeting room on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 18-April 8.

The Atlantic City Historical Museum, presented by the Atlantic City Free Public Library, unveiled a new photo exhibit, Chicken Bone Beach — The Atlantic City Experience, in celebration of Black History Month. The exhibit was developed by the Atlantic City Library and Chicken Bone Beach Historical Foundation Inc.

The photo exhibit pays tribute to this famed Atlantic City beach, which was designated as a blacks-only beach until the 1964 Civil Rights Act was passed. Visitors are also able to record their memories of Chicken Bone Beach when visiting the museum.

The Historical Museum is located on South New Jersey Avenue and Boardwalk at Garden Pier. It is open Saturday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

The Atlantic City Free Public Library will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in January.

The library will hold its Second annual Dr. King Read-In on Saturday, Jan. 17, from 1-3 p.m. Special guests and library staff members will read some of Dr. King’s work and stories inspired by him. Selections will include: “I Have a Dream” speech, “Letter From a Birmingham Jail,” “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech, “Martin’s Big Words” by Doreen Rappaport and “My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” by Christine King Farris.

The program is free and open to people of all ages.

FOOD FOR FINES JAN 18-24
The Atlantic City Free Public Library will accept “Food for Fines” from Jan. 18 to 24 in recognition of Martin Luther King Day of Service.

For each non-perishable item donated, the accrued fines for one overdue item will be waived. The food will be donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey — Southern Branch.

 Please call (609) 345-2269 for more information.