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SUCCESS STORY
Marriama had never attended any school anywhere and had never even held a pen before! Recently she was able to complete the written portion of the driver's exam and get her license!

Upcoming Key Dates and Events
 
January 13th                         Next Teen Volunteer Cycle Begins

January 23rd
Climbing Your Family Tree: Genealogy For Beginners

2:30pm - 4:00pm

January 25th                        Tutor Appreciation Day

February 1st.
Black History Month Celebration - Edward 'Ned' Hector visits the library!
2:00pm

Visit the children's page for more details on this and other upcoming events!

February 12th
Sidney Poitier Film Festival
"Uptown Saturday Night"
6:30pm

February 13th
Memoir Writing Club
10:30am

March 29th                           Student Recognition Luncheon

TBA                                        New Tutor Meet-and-Greet

TBA                                        Teen Orientation for New Volunteer

 
Your Are a Part of Something Bigger



We are looking for volunteers to tutor small ESL, Basic Literacy, and GED prep classes. No credentials or prior experience is needed. Training, curriculum, and materials are provided. YOU WILL CHANGE SOMEONE'S LIFE!


Plainfield Public Library's
Adult Literacy Services
Our Mission:

Engage....Empower....Employ
NEW BOOKS

Spanish Language Books
 
El Amor en los tiempos del colera / Love in the Time of Cholera
By Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Y las montañas hablaron / And the Mountains Echoed
By Khaled Hosseini

El canto del Cuco / The Cucko's Calling
By Robert Galbraith


  

  




 
 
SUCCESS STORY -
Fernando started ESL with 3 goals: get a promotion, buy a house and become a citizen. Two years after entering our program, he accomplished all three!
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PPL Literacy Program turns 23

For the past 23 years, the Plainfield Public Library’s Adult Literacy Services has offered continuous and award-winning service to the greater Plainfield community.  Its numerous dynamic programs include Pre-GED and GED preparation, ESL courses, Citizenship test readiness, customized workshops, and computer courses spanning basic to advanced proficiency all tailored to the learner’s needs and goals.  These diverse services are thanks to the recognition and grant commitments from public and private institutions (including the Department of Labor) which ensure the preservation and growth of the PPL’s key literacy programs.  But none of this would be possible without the dedication and support of our many volunteers.

 
SUCCESS STORY
Berta: One week after passing the GED, she was accepted into a culinary arts program! Now she's building a new careern and has returned to us as a tutor.
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Microsoft IT Academy

Plainfield Public Library is proud to offer free access to Microsoft IT Academy, Microsoft’s official training program, via PPL’s new Job Search Assistance Center. The Center enables students of all competency levels the opportunity to improve their digital skills, supplement their academic studies, increase their employability, and navigate the new employment climate using a variety of approaches, including computer classes, one-to-one support,  and self-directed software like AZTEC. In the coming year Plainfield Public Library will be expanding its program by becoming both an approved GED and Microsoft Certification Test Site!
 
SUCCESS STORY
Violet had to start with the most basic ABC's but quickly progressed to studying for and passing the citizenship exam!
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Teen Volunteers Deliver Vital Community Services

Plainfield Public Library has begun a program encouraging local teens aged 16 to 18 to serve their community by helping to improve literacy in the greater Plainfield area.  These dedicated teens tutor elementary and middle school students through an innovative homework assistance program. They also coach adult GED and ESL students, and provide one-to-one computer help for local seniors and computer novices.

The Plainfield Public Library’s literacy program provides its teen volunteers with the tremendous opportunity to enhance the self-esteem of many others… as well as their own!

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE

The teen volunteer program has participants at every level singing its praises.

Mary Ellen Rogan, the Library’s Assistant Director, says “The need for free academic services in Plainfield is all too real.  Many Plainfield parents cannot afford private academic help or afterschool programs for their children.”  Scott Kuchinsky, the Coordinator of Literacy Services cites “If the teens help just one person get a GED, learn an employable skill, gain enough English to fill out a job application,or pass the citizenship exam, then there is no better way they can serve their community.”

Program coordinator Lakeesha Nettingham added “I think what we do is give people hope and inspiration through the power of education and with that the sky’s the limit!”  Teen volunteer Seo Bo Shim proudly states “This was a rewarding experience as I got a chance to make an impact by providing help to people who really needed it.” 

Student Belinda Kimbrough, shared “I’ve been out of school for 30 years but the math I’ve learned here gave me the confidence to apply to Union County College.”  And Joe Da Rold, Executive Director of The Plainfield Public Library, declared “Our teen volunteers are extraordinarily talented, bright and community oriented.”


Adult Literacy is Proud of its Latest GED Grads

Carlotta A.    Raritan Valley College             Undecided

Dhesi B.        Middlesex County College       Pharmaceutical Studies

Tanny C.        Union County College             Medical Billing

Bertha C.       Culinary Arts Institute            Professional Catering

Vincent C.      Raritan Valley College            Accounting

Margarita D.   Union County College            Nursing

Maria F.          Union County College            Business

Grace P.         Union County College            Nursing

Visit the literacy page for a complete list of graduates and success stories!






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