|
Plainfield Public Library January 2022 |
|
|---|
|
|
From the Desk of the Director...
 |
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a happy and healthy holiday season. As we enter into 2022 you will find us working on many changes at the library. We expect our new computer lab to be up and running early this year and expect we will be very busy with our grants and projects.
Progress continues with our roof and passport office projects - We are waiting for the NJ State Legislature to approve the funds for our new roof and then we start that very large and much needed project. Once the roof is completed we will be adding solar panels. This will help us save money as well as help make Plainfield a greener community.
Later in the year we will be finalizing our new passport office and new first floor study rooms, the date still to be determined. Depending on our 2022 budget from the city, additional exciting projects are in the planning stages.
Please remember that along with the training and programming services we offer at the library, we are still here for your reading enjoyment. Whether you like to hold a book in your hand or want to download the latest to your computer or mobile devices you can find both the latest and older favorite titles at the Library.
If you have received a device as a holiday gift, our staff can help you download and use the mobile library app, Libby. There you can get books, both audio and ebooks as well as magazines. If you don’t find what you are looking for either online or in print, ask our reference librarians to assist in your search. Finally, we want to hear from you so if there is something you would recommend that we might purchase please let us know.
Here’s hoping that 2022 will be full of promise and opportunity for you and yours. Just remember that we are still in the midst of COVID-19 and need you to wear your masks at the library for your own safely and ours.
Come see us, we are here to help.
Mary Ellen Rogan
*Please note some late, temporary changes to our opening hours, detailed below, which will allow the Library more staffing flexibility under current Covid-19 conditions.
|
|
|---|
|
Changes to Library Hours from January 3
From January 3rd our general service hours will change to:
Mondays through Fridays: 9am-5pm
Saturdays: 11am-3pm
Sundays: CLOSED
This temporary change in hours should allow the Library some flexibiity to maintain staffing levels during current Covid-19 conditions. The change in hours should not affect the range of currently available services.
The stacks are open for browsing, ( curbside service is still available on request if you prefer - call (908) 757-1111 ext. 111 to arrange), and the main floor Reference, Tech Desk, and Circulation desks are all available for in-person service whenever we're open. Patrons can visit the Children's room freely. Local History is open by appointment only. The Literacy department offers a range of ongoing services, and classes.
Computers are available for up to 2 hours, though do please note that currently we are unable to provide accommodation for patrons wishing to use their own computers while they remain inside the Library.
The newly-refurbished and redesigned public bathrooms are currently available.
As per the City of Plainfield's general instructions for public buildings,
everyone must wear a mask while inside the Library.
For more information generally, please get in touch with the Reference Department. For department-specific information, you can contact those departments.
Our in-person services and hours pages at the Library website are also kept updated with details of service changes in more detail.
|
|
|---|
|
FREE Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic
January 19, from 3pm in ALD
A full range of COVID vaccines and boosters will be available - free of charge - at the Plainfield Public Library on January 19th, downstairs in the Anne Louise Davis Room.
Please note that testing will not be available at this clinic.
For more information and registration, please contact the City of Plainfield Covid-19 helpline on (908) 753-3395.
|
|
|---|
|
Food for Fines - Over 677lbs of food donated!
At the time of writing (12/30) we're up to over 677lbs of food donated to those in need! We'll wrap this year's effort up in a few hours from the time of writing, and have the final accounting for you in next month's newsletter, but all in all it has been a great year for giving - Thank you, Plainfield, for your generosity to those in need!
|
|
|---|
|
Adult Literacy Blooms at the Plainfield Public Library in 2021
Against all the odds of 2021, the Adult Literacy department has flourished this year!
Our English as a Second Language and US Citizenship classes have been so successful that our ESL coordinator, Stella Segura, was awarded the prestigious Americanism Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Congratulations to the 19 students who earned their US Citizenships this year!
The Adult learning/GED program has also been incredibly busy, providing in person GED testing for students coming from around the region, with 14 students earning their complete GED certificates and 29 others passing specific exams.
Digital Literacy’s IC3 computer literacy certification program has continued to grow. Online and in person “Boot camp” courses, funded in this winter by NJLWD and in the spring, summer, and fall by a grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners and the Union County Workforce Development Board, have served over 150 attendees, who between them passed more than 220 computer literacy and Microsoft Office certifications.
The Digital Literacy program is so successful, in fact, that Plainfield Public Library has received a grant from the New Jersey State Library to develop a “Hub and Spoke” support structure so that other libraries around the state can successfully duplicate the program. Grant-funded personnel are working with other libraries to plan their programs, train instructors, and provide support as they implement the Plainfield model.
The library has also been able to secure grant money to set up an additional training classroom, which is now under construction.
This fall, we were able to return to in-person instruction for the day Digital Literacy classes, and hope to add in-person instruction meetings for English learners and GED students in 2022. Our growing programs are looking for additional instructors, especially volunteers for ESL and adult education. If you are interested in volunteering to teach English as a Second language or adult learning, please email us at literacy@plfdpl.info.
Registration is open now for all our programs.
To sign up for Digital Literacy Programs (sessions for Spring, Summer or Fall), see https://www.plainfieldlibrary.info/Services/ComputerTraining.html.
Interested in English as a Second Language, GED, or adult education? Email literacy@plfdpl.info or leave a phone message at 908-757-1111 ext. 122.
|
|
|---|
|
Free Online Meetups for Seniors - All Welcome - 4 days a week!
We've partnered with RWJBarnabasHealth Institute for Prevention and Recovery’s Hope and Healing Progra, who offer 4 meetings a week for seniors!
While transitioning back to our lives, we still need connection and support. Our groups offer a place to engage with others, make new friends and learn new things! No registration necessary! Come join us any or all days!
SENIORS – 4 Meetings a week, every day a different topic!
or join via phone:
1 (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 974 2675 9376 Passcode: 275889
Wednesdays at 10am
Zoom Link
or join via phone:
1 (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 925 0841 7386 Passcode: 871829
or join via phone:
1 (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 936 2962 5609 Passcode: 202710
Fridays at 3pm
Zoom Link
or join via phone:1 (929) 205-6099 Meeting ID: 957 0977 9459 Passcode: 542469
|
|
Children's Library January Calendar
(Click on the calendar to go to the Children's webpage to find out more.)
For more information on Children's activities, please get in touch with us at (908) 757-1111 ext.129 or email yp@plfdpl.info |
|
|---|
|
Look out for Children's Winter Crafts Thursdays in January
The Children's team presents 4 STEAM programs on the Library's YouTube Channel this month - premieres are at 3pm each Thursday ( & the recording remains available afterwards). Collect your free craft supplies on Thursdays to follow along when it suits you.
1/6 - How to Make An Ice Painting
1/13 - How to Make A Ski Ramp and Skis
1/20 - How to Make A Melting Snowman
1/27 - How to Make Winter Slime
Check out the Children's Pages for more info or get in touch with the Children's Library at 908-757-1111 x129! |
|
|---|
|
Local History, Genealogy & Special Collections
We are kicking off the new year with two fun and interesting programs! Also, the Memoir Writing Club will continue to meet, via Zoom, on the second Wednesday of the month. This month's meeting is January 12th; the optional writing topic is "something you've never done". Everyone is welcome to join the club!
Saturday Morning History Chat
Clara Barton, portrayed by Alisa Dupuy
Saturday, January 15, 2022
10:30am via Zoom
Presented by Alisa Dupuy, Ladies of History
Founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton is one of the most honored women in United States history. Learn about the extraordinary life of this incredible woman, as she is portrayed by Alisa Dupuy.
Alisa Dupuy has been a highly qualified teacher in the Princeton Public School district since 1995, received accolades and awards during her tenure as a French teacher and speaks five languages. She portrays Annie Boudinot Stockton for Morven Museum & Garden in Princeton and is a member of the Newtown Historic Association where she has volunteered and performed as Martha Washington and Queen Victoria to raise funds for the Half-Moon Inn.
This program is co-hosted by Plainfield Public Library and the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.
This FREE program is open to all. This program will not be recorded.
|
|
Adulting 101: Hand Sew a Mini Sewing Kit - January 11
|
|
|---|
|
Curbside- Teen Crafts
Chinese New Year: Fold Your Own Tiger! - February 1
Febrary 1 - Fold Your Own Tiger!
Teen Craft: It’s the beginning of the Year of the Tiger, so join Origami expert Michele Chang to hear about the celebration of the Chinese New Year and learn to fold an origami Tiger!
Supplies pickup: February 1, 2021 (Tuesday), 2 to 5 pm
Live Online Class: https://tinyurl.com/PPL-Tiger-Year 7 pm
|
|
|---|
|
Live Daily Serial continues every Weekday at 2pm:
Currently Reading
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins.
Most of the books we've read/will read are available as e-books from eLibrary NJ or at the Library. Grab your copy and read along for free!
The stream goes live on our Facebook page at the same time each weekday from 2pm to 2:30pm. Please head on over to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PlainfieldPublicLibrary to join us!
Previous episodes - now as playlists!
We've been doing live serialization for numerous months now and have amassed a fair number of 'back issues' to facilitate viewers' perusal of previous series, you can now browse our public-domain-based serials as playlists at https://www.facebook.com/PlainfieldPublicLibrary/videos
So far, you can peruse playlists of serializations of:
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|---|
|
 |
|  |
|
|
|
|
