The Electoral College System of Electing a U.S. President

Saturday, January 9, 2021
10:30 am via Zoom

Presented by Lawrence Bashe

 

The Electoral College system of electing a President in our country is unusual, confusing, and some say, undemocratic. How did the Founding Fathers come up with the process and why? How is it affecting the modern election of Presidents? Can or should we try to change it and how could it be changed? We will discuss specific elections in which the Electoral College system had a dramatic effect on the results.

 

Co-hosted with the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum

 

This is a FREE program.

REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MQOO96mGQQWkpR5TBVzkSg

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

The Same Principle Lives in Us: People of African Descent in the American Revolution

Saturday, January 23, 2021

10:30 am via Zoom

Presented by The Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia)

 

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

 

American Revolutionaries struggled with a key question: would the words of the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal,” apply to all people? From the outbreak of the Revolution, people of African descent asked and answered this question through their words and actions. In this talk, hear the stories and explore the objects that the Museum uses to help imagine what the Revolution was like for Phillis Wheatley, Elizabeth Freeman, James Forten, Harry Washington, and others.

 

This is a FREE program. REGISTER HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3gOWoU09Szyixa3ynw-wcA

 

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

Memoir Writing Club 

Thursday, January 14th
10:30am via Zoom 

 

This program is free and open to the public. Call 908-757-1111 x136 for more information.

Learn more here.

Local History, Genealogy & Special Collections Department  Programs

 

 

Thursday, January 21 at 11am via Zoom

Researching the history of the Plainfield home in which you currently or used to reside, or just an impressive one which has always intrigued you, is a popular activity at Plainfield Public Library. If you are interested in the story behind a home in Plainfield, the Library is a great place to start. Learn how to use the Library’s collections of architectural drawings, Plainfield city directories, newspapers, photographs, and other reference materials to discover the history of your Plainfield home.

Register Here

 

Thursday, January 28 at 11am via Zoom

Ready to start investigating your family history? Join us for the first in a new series of genealogy webinars with an overview of the subject on Thursday, January 28, at 11 am. Learn how you can discover more about your family and gain insights into what your ancestors’ lives have been like over the years. Get a sense of the resources available to you and see how you can start recording what you discover.  Following programs will go into depth in tips and techniques you can use.

Register Here

 

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.

 

 

Expanded In-Person Services



As we make our way back to normal services, we're continuing to gradually increase what we are able to offer our patrons. We're now able to simultaneously offer access - without an appointment - to up to six patrons over 14 years old, for computer use (up to an hour) and limited book browsing (New Books, Graphic Novels, Young Adult, Paperbacks, and Career Collections), with book checkout via the self-check machines. 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.

We're still not handling any monetary transactions at this time. Because we can't yet offer access to our Circulation services, it's not possible to take out items other than books via the self-checkout machine. The public restrooms are still closed for the time being.

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.