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Plainfield Public Library                                                              February 2019
Welcome, Carnegie!

Carnegie the Library Cat is our brand-new social media mascot who will be popping up on the Library's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts from time to time. Follow us to spot him in some of our forthcoming photos and promos, and say hello!

Carnegie is fully housebroken and loves nothing more than curling up with a good book. He comments that his favorite authors include J.K. Meowling, William Purroughs, Jane Pawsten, and Ernest Purringway.

Please let us know of any other authors a cat would enjoy and watch our social media posts for more of Carnegie's recommendations and reviews.

He's named to commemorate the industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919). Carnegie had a particular interest in helping to establish and build libraries, and over 3000 were built in a range of English-speaking nations as a direct result of his philanthropic mission. One of these was in Plainfield. Plainfield had had a public library before the construction of the Carnegie building, but Carnegie's funding allowed the construction of a new building that housed the public library collections 1912-1968. With a pressing need for more space and provision for a proper children's library, the Carnegie building was superseded in the late 1960s by the present building. You can read more about the Library's history here.

Food for Fines

Plainfield came through once again with a stunning 801lbs of food and goods donated through the Library's Food for Fines program this year. The materials donated will go to good causes through the Star Fish Food Pantry based here in Plainfield. 

Thank you to everyone for your generous donations this year, and we look forward to serving you in 2019!
Afternoon Films for Adults at the Library

Our season of afternoon movies continues on February 5th at 1pm in the Anne Louise Davis Room, with the 2016 film Loving telling "the story of Richard and Mildred Loving, a couple whose arrest for interracial marriage in 1960s Virginia began a legal battle that would end with the Supreme Court's historic 1967 decision." [ IMDB] Starring Ruth Negga, Joel Edgerton, and Will Dalton.

It's followed on February 19th at 1pm by  Fences (2016): "A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life."[ IMDB]. Starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.

Many more films follow, so keep an eye on the billing and don't miss a chance to see your favorites on our big screen!

New Facilities Construction at Plainfield Public Library

Through partnerships with the City of Plainfield and New Jersey Labor & Workforce Development, we'll be expanding our numerous literacy, training, and career programs as well as our GED and Tech Certification testing with the construction of a second computer lab on the main floor.

Construction on the project is slated to begin in the second or third week of February, and we hope to complete it in March. There will be periods where the project is noisy, but the temporary disruptions are a trade-off for expanded service for the public.

Stay tuned for more details about the project!

City Hall Celebrates 100 Years

2019 marks the City of Plainfield’s 150th anniversary - our sesquicentennial. We have kicked off the yearlong celebration with the 100th anniversary of City Hall!


Plainfield City Hall was built from 1917 to 1919, and was designed by the architectural firm of Laurence F. Peck and William L. Bottomley of New York.

Mayor Calkins laid the cornerstone of the building on February 17, 1917, before an audience of citizens, Common Council members, and other current and former city officials from Plainfield and North Plainfield.

Construction was nearly complete by the opening reception on January 1, 1919, and more than 800 citizens turned out for the celebration. Although the building itself was not open for inspection above the first floor, streams of people passed through its various rooms.  The entire move of city department offices into the new building was completed by December 28, 1919.  

The exhibition features historical photographs, postcards, blueprints, and ephemera; and will run though March 2019. Displays are located in the lobby, reading room, and near the Reference Desk.

Memoir Writing Club
Thursday, February 14th
10:30am in room 8 (lower level)

This month's optional writing topic is "Nature".

Do you enjoy spending time outdoors? What are your favorite natural spaces? Are you a Nature Lover? Come and tell us all about it in February.


The Library's Memoir Writing Club offers members a comfortable forum for sharing stories of important events, friendships, and family history. Do you have memories that you would like to share? Come join the Memoir Writing Club. Before a session, participants write down their memories - creating a Memoir. During meetings, members share what they've written on a topic. At the end of each meeting the group chooses an optional topic for the next session, but individual members are free to write about whatever inspires them.

Learn more here.
 
Children's Programs for February
Highlights of this month's children's programming include:
  • Black History Month Scavenger Hunt, February 4th-28th. Find the faces of African Amercan history makers hidden all around the Children's Room and win prizes!
  • Kid's Movies, featuring:
      • Garret's Gift, 2/7 at 3:30pm in ALD.
      • Beauty and the Beast, 2/21 at 3:30pm in ALD.
      • Duke Ellington and Others, 2/28 at 3:30pm in ALD.
  • African American Tales with Ms.T, 2/20 at 4pm in room 2 - enjoy stories with Ms. T.
  • Leap Into Science, 2/12 at 5pm in Room 2. Discover the universe through experiment and reason. (See poster included with this newsletter)
For more storytime, crafts and fun things for kids, please consult the Children's Library Calendar for details (see below).
To view the Children's Library calendar in more detail, click on the image or here.
Teen Programs for February

Bring in the new year with crafts, technology, stories, and more with our roster of teen programming for February!

[Click on the links to see the posters in more detail]
  • Our Chinese Calligraphy Seminar and workshop with Lewei Shang  (for ages11-adults) on Monday, February 4th, at 4pm in Room 2, is an opportunity to learn more about the history and development of Chinese script and to learn to ink your own characters with an experienced calligrapher. Places are limited so reserve your seat today (contact details below).
  • The Choose Your Own Adventure event on Wednesday, February 6th at 3:30pm in Room 5 will feature "House of Danger," a game adapted from the book by R.A. Montgomery.
  • Audiotool on Thursday, February 12th at 4pm in the Computer Lab, is an online application that allows the user to connect virtual instruments, sequencers, and effects together to make music instantly.
  • Our Coffee Cup Art program returns on Thursday, February 21st at 4pm in Room 2, offering a chance to create unique interactive artworks that twist, turn and change.

All teen events, unless otherwise noted, are for 11-17 year olds.
Please contact teens@plfdpl.info or call 908-757-1111 x139 for further information.

 

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Library Opening Hours


The Library will close for the day on Monday, February 18th, 2019, in observance of Presidents' Day.

Main Library

Monday – Thursday

9:00 am – 9:00 pm

Friday & Saturday
9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Closed Sunday

 

Children's Library 

Monday – Thursday

9:00 am – 8:30 pm

Friday & Saturday
9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Closed Sunday

Donate to the Plainfield Public Library

The Library needs your help!
To make a donation online via Paypal, please click on the "Donate" button below. For more information or to contact the Administration office, call 908-757-2305.


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