The Library is currently closed.  We're open again on Tuesday (May 30, 2023) from 9:30 am to 8:45 pm

The Friends of the Library

The Friends is formed exclusively for charitable, literary and educational purposes in support of and cooperating with the Library in developing, maintaining, and enhancing its facilities, resources, and services for the public. Read about and join the Membership of the Friends, and find out about the Member-Merchant Initiative benefit designed to support local Millburn-Short Hills businesses and strengthen library ties with the community (paper form here). For monthly updates, subscribe to the Friends Newsletter.Friends of the Library logo

In furtherance of its purpose, the Friends:

  • encourage monetary gifts for the exclusive benefit of the Library, and raise funds through book sales & other appropriate activities
  • encourage the use of the Library facilities, resources & services
  • focus attention on the Library through promotion and sponsorship of Library programs & activities

The Friends of the Library organize and sponsor a number of programs, events and improvements that help keep Millburn Library fresh, relevant and popular, including:

  • Museum Passes for Millburn cardholders
  • 3D Printer
  • Electronic Bulletin Board
  • Summer Reading program for children & teens
  • Expanded Young Adult space with new space
  • Supplemental library budget for new books, DVDs and more
  • Special programs, lectures ad performances for all ages

Click here to see the complete list of programs.

Drop-in Saturday Chess Lessons are Back!

Come learn from Chess Master Scott Massey! The rules of chess, how to checkmate, how to play openings & tactics, middle-game strategy & endgames, and how to read & write chess. The cost is $20 per session. Questions: friends@millburnlibrary.org or scottmsy@msn.org.

Chess Class Schedule (Saturdays):

  • January 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th
  • February 4th, 11th, 25th
  • March 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
  • April 1st, 15th, 22nd, 29th
  • May 6th, 13th, 20th
  • June 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
    • Beginner: 1:00-2:00pm
    • Intermediate: 2:05-3:20pm
    • Advanced: 3:25-4:55pm
Join Friends of the Millburn Library and the Millburn-Short Hills Historical Society on June 8 at 7:00 pm for a special program, 
 
History in Your Hands: “Collecting and Appreciating Historical Autographs and Manuscripts”, with Peter Klarnet of Christie’s, NY. 
 
Registration is requested to ensure a seat.
 
History in Your Hands: Collecting and Appreciating Historical Autographs and Manuscripts, with Peter Klarnet (Christie's, New York). Thursday, June 8 at 7:00pm in the Millburn Library Auditorium, registration recommended. Refreshments will be served; guests are permitted to bring an item for Peter to examine if time permits.
Drop-in Chess Classes on Saturdays ($20 each). Beginner-level (1-2pm), Intermediate-level (2:05-3:20pm), Advanced-level (3:25-4:55pm). Questions go to friends@millburnlibrary.org or Scott Massey at scottmsy@msn.com.
Friends Fireside Book Club. Monday, May 1 @ 7pm via Zoom. The Marriage Portrait, by Maggie O-Farrell. Sign on the Library's Events calendar to receive the Zoom link prior to the virtual meeting.
Complete list of dates for Fireside Book Club (see further down on page for text).
Member - Merchant Initiative

Annual Book Sale

The Friends 2023 Annual Book Sale

  • Final Dates of Book Sale:
    • Monday (5/8): 9:30am-12:00pm, 5:30-8:30pm
    • Tuesday (5/9): 9:30am-11:30am
  • Book Sale Regular Hours:
    • Saturday, May 6: 9:30am – 5:00pm
    • Sunday, May 7: 1:00pm – 4:30pm
      • Location: 2nd floor auditorium (and spill-over in Meeting Room B).
      • Payment: cash, check, or Zelle. An ATM is available in the library lobby.
      • Vinyls: $2 for each single LP, $5 for box-sets.
  • Member Preview Night: Thursday, May 4: 6:30pm – 8:30pm (Friends Members only, no joining at the door; please bring your Friends Membership Card as ID).
  • Books Accepted: Mon 4/3/2023 – Sun 4/23/2023 only.
    • Accepting in Good Condition: hardcovers, paperbacks, children’s books, vinyl records, DVDs.
    • Please no textbooks, encyclopedias or magazines; CDs, VHS tapes; or any badly worn, soiled or torn books.
    • Leave donations in the bins next to the elevator during regular library hours during the donation period.

To volunteer or ask questions, email friends@millburn.bccls.org.

Fireside Book Club

The Fireside Book Club meets monthly. Lively discussion is led by a library staff member, or other special guests. All are welcome to attend these gatherings! All Fireside Book Clubs are currently virtual. Register for an upcoming Book Club meeting here.

To obtain copies of the monthly book, visit the Millburn Library Reference Desk and ask for a Book Club-reserved copy, or borrow the eBook version via the Libby app.

2022-23 Schedule

  • The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict & Victoria Christopher Murray.
    • Monday, November 7th, 2022 | 7:00 – 8:30pm
  • The Nineties, by Chuck Klosterman.
    • Monday, December 5th, 2022 | 7:00 – 8:30pm
  • Black Cake, by Charmaine Wilkerson. Facilitated by Liz Miller-Boose.
    • Monday, January 9th, 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30pm
  • Swimming to Antarctica, by Lynn Cox. Facilitated by Dorothy Kelly
    • Monday, February 6th, 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30 pm
  • Punch Me Up to the Gods, by Brian Boome. Facilitated by  Nadege Nicoll.
    • Monday, March 6th, 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30pm.
    • Book / eBook
  • Lessons in Chemistry, by Rumann Alam. Facilitated by Marilyn Petrokubi.
    • Monday, April 10th, 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30pm.
    • Book / eBook
  • Horse, by Geraldine Brooks. Facilitated by Sara Sherman.
    • Monday, May 1st, 2023 | 7:00 – 8:30pm
    • Book / eBook

Monthly Meeting

Friends of the Millburn Library Business Meetings are open to the public, please email the Friends if you would like to attend. Until further notice, all meetings will be held online via Zoom. 2022-2023 meeting dates are: 

  • October 4
  • November 1
  • December 6
  • January 3
  • February 7
  • March 7
  • April 4
  • May 2
  • June 6

Officers & Board

Officers (2020-21)

Dorothy Kelly President
Sapna Gupta Vice President
Yujing Shen Treasurer
Michelle Brubaker Secretary

Board

Michelle Brubaker Programming
Jean Lee Garden
Mara Epstein & Sutapa Aditya Membership
Dorothy Kelly Museum Night Lectures
Sutapa Aditya Chess
Sapna Gupta Social Media & Publicity
Ruthie Binder Fireside Book Club
Dorothy Kelly Book Sale
Judy Eisner & Mara Epstein Fundraising
Sapna Gutna & Dorothy Kelly Newsletter
Sutapa Aditya & Mara Epstein Member-Merchant Initiative

The Friends work to support MFPL through fundraising and by creating interest in the public library. All money raised, whether through donations, membership fees, or fundraising, is used exclusively for programs, materials and projects that benefit the Millburn Library.

The Friends of the Millburn Library is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, EIN# 22-2280527. Check if your employer offers a matching gift program— it’s an easy way to increase support!