The Library of Congress: Pursuing Your Family History in the National Library

Thursday, February 4, 2021

11 am via Zoom

 

Presented by Ahmed Johnson, Reference Librarian and African American Genealogy Specialist at the Library of Congress

 

This presentation highlights the collections, services, and resources available at the Library of Congress that may assist researchers interested in conducting genealogical research. Including the size of the LOC collections, a brief history, basic genealogical research methods, how to search the online catalog, and digital collections available from home. There will be time for a Q&A following the presentation.

 

This is a FREE program. REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_cGA2ePEoQQmUICJXXs86Mw

 

Co-hosted by Plainfield Public Library with the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

Langston Hughes: I Too Have a Song to Sing!

Saturday, February 13, 2021

10:30 am via Zoom

Portrayed by Keith Henley of the American Historical Theatre

 

Langston Hughes was a poet who utilized the American language, music, slang and religious views to educate the world about African American lifestyles during the Harlem Renaissance. His jazz poetry depicted the "low-life", or the real life experiences of blacks in the lower social-economic strata. His criticisms focused on the divisions, and prejudices, based on skin color within the black community. Henley’s portrayal deals with the issue of how to be oneself, and encourages all to joy in the knowledge that “I too have a song to sing” and to ask the question “why not me?”

 

This history program is made possible in part by a 2021 HEART (History, Education, Arts, Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

 

This is a FREE program. REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0DTmrIY9RTmmLYguoGL3Yw

 

Co-hosted by Plainfield Public Library with the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

Photojournalism: Black Lives Matter, “A Fight For Change”

 

Saturday, February 20, 2021
11 am via Zoom
Presented by professional photojournalist & cinematographer, Kalani “Afrolombian” Jimenez-Mackson

 

In this program, Kalani “Afrolombian” Jimenez-Mackson will explain the importance of photojournalism and its ability to control our narratives with the truth. Photojournalism techniques, philosophy, and process will be the main topics in this exploration of image and photography. Through photography and words, the audience will step back and look at a moment in United States history where immense civil unrest takes place during the worst global pandemic in recent time.

 

Co-hosted by Plainfield Public Library with the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.

 

This arts education program is made possible in part by a 2021 HEART (History, Education, Arts, Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

 

This is a FREE program. REGISTER HERE:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u5jqmhZhTxCP5DpUO4I2Nw

Local History, Genealogy & Special Collections Department Programs

 

The Home Archivist: Caring for Your Photo Collection

Thursday, February 18 at 11:00am via Zoom

Everyone has photos, whether they are loose snapshots, family portraits in an album, or digital images on your phone. You may be asking yourself how do I take care of them and can I do this myself? The answer is you can! Join us for this new webinar series where we will share the tips and best practices for preserving and maintaining your photo collection like an archivist. In this first installment, you will learn about properly storing your photos and where to find the supplies you need.

 

It seems like every newspaper search system is different. So are the newspapers. genealogy librarian Jane Thoner will explain how to search the Library's digital collection of Plainfield's early newspapers using the DigiFind-IT system, and offer some tips for running successful searches.

 

If it was covered in the newspaper, let's find it!  There will be ample time for Q&A following the presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

We'll be participating this year in the New Jersey Library Associaton's Snapshot Day, which this year will embrace the whole month of February.

 

New: Some Circulation Services Return in February!



February will see careful easing-back into more of our normal services. In addition to our existing in-person services (summarized below), we will begin to offer some of our regular Circulation services, as well as reinstating our usual overdue charges, which had been suspended for most of 2020.

• The Library will resume charging fines on 2/1/21. There will be a 7-day grace period on returns to allow for the quarantine period so no fines will be charged for the time the item is quarantined. Patrons remain able to pay any charges incurred on their account, online, via the library catalog's SmartPay feature. Questions about this may be directed to the Library's Circulation Department at (908) 757-1111 (ext. 111)
• Circulation will begin offering in-person Circulation services on 2/1/21 on Wednesdays from 10am-1pm and Fridays from 1pm-4pm. They will be handling account issues only (new cards, replacements, address verification, etc.) and will not be taking payments or book returns. Curbside services will continue unchanged. If you want to check books out at the library, it's possible to use self-check machines (we can help you figure them out if you need any assistance).
• For the time being the Library's main collections are still unavailable for browsing. You can browse a selection of new books and displays, however, and anything you want that is not immediately available, can be made available via our Curbside service

 

These join our existing in-person services offering  access, without an appointment, to up to six patrons over 14 years old, for computer use (up to an hour) and limited book browsing. You can also visit to use the scanner, fax machine or copier, and can print up to ten pages on the computer printer for free each day.

You can get all the details on the expanded in-person services at  www.plainfieldlibrary.info/Services/InPersonService.html, or simply call us at (908) 757-1111, if you have any questions.

While we are not handling any in-person monetary transactions at this time you can pay any outstanding fees online via the Library's online catalog (https://lmac.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/plainfield). Because we can't yet offer access to all of out Circulation Services in-person, it is not possible to take out items other than the books available in the main area via the self-checkout machine (New Books, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, and Career) as a walk-in. However, all items in the Library's circulating collection (books, audiobooks, DVDs, etc.) are available for curbside pickup.

We've also introduced appointments for families to visit the Children's Library, to give younger patrons a chance to visit the Library and access books.

In order to maintain availabilty for those who need to use the public computers, and to ensure that patrons minimize the risk involved with staying in the building for long periods, we ask that patrons do not come inside to use Wi-Fi or to charge devices. This will allow us to focus access for those with greater need. Free Wi-Fi is available outside, throughout the Library parking lots and Library Park.

Please note that because of the pandemic, in-person access is still substantially self-service based. Staff will not be able to provide hands-on assistance. Circulation staff will not be able to provide change for photocopying. Computer assistance will be very limited and via remote methods only at this time.

• Copying: $0.10/pp for B&W, $0.30/pp for Color. The copier accepts coins and small bills ($1 & $5).
• Faxing: Normal Fax Rates apply. Debit/Credit only, pre-paid cards are not available for purchase.
• Printing: FREE (10 pages total per person per day, B&W and color).
• Scanning: FREE (copyright rules must be obeyed).

Patrons and staff must wear masks at all times while in the Library. Individuals that refuse to wear a mask will not be allowed in the building and will be asked to leave if they do not wear their mask appropriately while in the building.

As always, you still can obtain full assistance services for reading or research requests online or through live chat or over the phone. You can call us (908) 757-1111 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm - we are there, but if we are not able to answer immediately, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Alternatively, you can visit our website at www.plainfieldlibrary.info to find out more about all our services - you'll see a chat box tab for live assistance at the bottom of the screen Monday-Friday 9am-5pm.