The Newark Public Library is holding a special bear cub mascot-naming contest for its new "Kids' Place" Web site. The contest, open to Newark children aged 13 and younger, concludes August 31, 1999. Entry forms are available in all of the children’s rooms systemwide, or one may be accessed online at www.npl.org/Pages/KidsPlace/namecontest.html. The new "Kids’ Place" site has numerous items of interest for children, including Summer Reading Challenge, Kid’s Calendar, Activity Zone, Internet Sites & Searching, and For Kids By Kids.

Also during August are Saturday children’s events at the branches. The branch library programs will feature "Aesop's Fables," with the Robert Rogers puppets (enjoy your favorite Aesop tales and stories through the magic and fun of puppets), and an "I Love to Read" Magic Show with George Franzen. Programs not specified for a branch library will be held at the main library, 5 Washington Street.

Following is the August schedule.

August 7 Van Buren branch; "I Love to Read" Magic Show 11am.

Roseville branch; "Aesop’s Fables," 11am.

August 14 Springfield branch; "Aesop's Fables," 11am.

August 21 Sensations Magazine Poetry Series; Centennial Hall, 11am.

Exhibitions: Now through September 4: Lobby Window, Second- and Third-Floor Galleries: Nostalgic and Unforgettable Travel Posters from the 20th Century, curated by William J. Dane.

For more information about the programs, services and collections at the branch libraries visit or call the number listed for the respective branch:

Branch Brook, 235 Clifton Ave., 733-6388; Clinton, 739 Bergen St., 733-7754; First Avenue, 282 First Ave., 733-8091; Madison, 791 Clinton Ave., 733-8090; North End, 722 Summer Ave., 733-7766; Roseville, 99 Fifth St., 733-7770; Springfield, 50 Hayes St., 733-7736; Vailsburg, 75 Alexander St., 733-7749; Van Buren, 140 Van Buren St., 733-3897; Weequahic, 355 Osborne Terrace, 733-7751.

The "Travel Poster" exhibition may be viewed without charge during regular summer hours at the main library: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9am to 5:30pm; Wednesday from 9am to 8:30pm; and Saturday from 9:30am to 1:30pm. For additional information, please call William J. Dane at (973) 733-7745, or access the library’s Web page (www.npl.org) and click-on "Programs & Exhibits."

To hear a listing of the current week’s main library programs, call the Program Hotline recording at 733-5643; for a monthly listing of programs, check the Library’s home page (www.npl.org) by clicking-on "Programs & Exhibits," then selecting "Bulletin Board."