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Plainfield Public Library January 2023 |
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From the Desk of the Director...
As we start a New Year, everything is back to normal and we once again have in-person classes, programs and events. I want to thank all of you for your patience over the last two years as we struggled with COVID. It is nice to see the light at the end of the tunnel as we look forward to 2023.
Please look at our website and calendar to see our events through the year. You'll find many programs for all ages, and have a chance to get a sneak peek at what's coming up as we finalize events a few weeks in advance.
Also look for new changes implemented from your suggestions in our Strategic Plan results. Some new changes coming during 2023 will include our Passport Acceptance Service and two study rooms for the public to use - first come, first served. These study rooms will replace the rooms that had been available on the lower level before COVID.
As we move through 2023 I hope you will all experience a safe and productive year.
I look forward to seeing you all at the Library!
Mary Ellen Rogan
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Adult/All ages Program: Edison's Miracle - The History of the Phonograph
Saturday, January 14th
1pm in ALD
Join internationally touring musician & recording artist Bob Ferrel and recording engineer & phonograph expert Michael Devecka to experience the world of acoustical recording techniques. "Edison's Miracle" helped create the world of recordings that we now take for granted, and we'll take a fascinating dive into its beginnings.
We'll be part of a live wax recording session of a musical performance, and learn details about the developments and technology behind the evolution of the phonograph and its competitiors. We'll have live demos of a number of different models and have a rare opportunity to hear works by luminaries including Arthur Pryor, John Phillip Sousa, Enrico Caruso, Louis Armstrong, and Glenn Miller, using original equipment.
Ferrel and Devecka have demo'd and recorded several times for the Thomas Edison National Historical Site, showcasing the cutting edge of late 19th-century recording technology.
Please join us for this free performance and recording, and learn more about "Edison's Miracle".
For more information, contact ref@plfdp.info or call 908 757-1111 ex.112.
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Our annual Food For Fines Drive is nearing the final lap as we write just before Christmas, with a total weight of donated food apporaching 250lbs. Thank you for your generosity!
Food for Fines is your chance to have overdue charges waived in exchange for food items, which will be donated to local non-profit StarFish Food Pantry to share with those in need. You can also make food donations to the drive if you do not have any fines to clear. Food for Fines is in support of pets too! You can make donations of items for pets (e.g. can/bag/box of food, cat litter or pet treats). These items will be donated to the Plainfield Area Humane Society. Thank you for your generosity!
For each item donated, you will receive $1 off of overdue charges.
Please note that we are unable to accept donations in lieu of lost item charges or collection fees, and we will accept a maximum of 20 items per cardholder in lieu of overdues.
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Adult/Teen Program: Smartphone Smarts for iPhone or Android
Wednesday, January 18th
3:30pm-4:30pm in Computer Lab A
Your smartphone is a remarkable device with lots of features many of us don't take full advantage of. Learn how to get more out of them with technology buff Erik Stephenson.
For iPhone and Android-based phones. Beginners are especially welcome! |
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More Programs for Adults
Looking for more programs that include adults? As well as our Genealogy and Local History programs, be sure to also check out our listings for Teen and Children's programs below - many of them are Family or All Ages programs. Alternatively, head over to our online calendar and peruse the listings for programs that include Adult or Everyone as their Age Group. |
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Local History, Genealogy & Special Collections
The Plainfield Room is open for historical and genealogical research. Our hours are Monday-Friday, 9am to 4:45pm and Tuesdays from 9am to 7pm. Please contact us to schedule an appoinment. We are offering two virtual programs in January. The Memoir Writing Club returns on January 12th; the writing topic is, what your mother was like when you were a child.
Currently on display in the Anne Louise Davis Gallery is, "A Photographic Journey through Union County History" with photography by Nancy J. Ori. If you missed her virtual program, you can watch the recording on our YouTube channel.
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January Children's Programs
It's still cold out there, so come in where it's cosy and check out our range of activities for kids at the Children's Library in January!
Appropriately enough then, that we'll be showing the popular movie Frozen on Monday, January 9th at 1pm in the ALD Room.
We'll also have kids' Science Experiments on session on Wednesday January 11th at 3:30pm (Room 2) and Children's Craft on the 19th at 3:30pm (Room 2).
Kicking off a new regular club feature, we're starting up our own Chess Club on Saturday, January 21st at 1:30pm. For kids and their families of all chess abilities, bring your best game and be prepared to learn your pawns from your rooks from your knights!
Don't miss our special information session on financial literacy for children, covering how to introduce kids to various financial skills, like saving and budgeting. Full of advice on those first steps! Come along to Money & Kids: How to Introduce Financial Literacy to Children on Thursday, January 26th at 6pm and Saturday 28th at 1pm, both in Room 2.
We'll also have our usual Baby and Me and Children's Storytime sessions, regularly through the month alongside our special programs. And, as always, we're here to help you find fun and educational library materials of all kinds for you and your family.
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The Return of Girls Who Code
Kickoff event, January 10th, 4-6pm Room 2
Girls Who Code Clubs are FREE after-school programs for girls ages in grades 3-5 and 6-12, who learn how to "use computer science to change the world." Girls will learn the fundamentals of computer programming in a safe and supportive environment, and go on the design a "Girls Who Code Project" to solve a real-world program through code.
We will be holding and kick-off and signup meeting for the Girls Who Code Clubs on Tuesday, January 10th, with pizza, in Room 2.
The Clubs will meet on Tuesday afternoons starting January 24th, between 4 to 6pm, in Computer Lab A.
Pre-registration for the club (participants can pre-register at the kickoff event) is expected in order to join the activities.
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Rizzo's brings a Touch of Wildlife to the Library
Chinchilla, Corn Snake, Alligator, Scorpion, Bearded Dragon, Ball Python - all of them took the stage in the ALD Room on Dec 27th, when a diverse group of patrons experienced the Rizzo's Wildlife presentation. All learned fascinating facts about mammals, reptiles and insects, and everyone got a chance to touch most of the animals. It was judged "very cool!" by adult and younger attendees alike.
Thank you to Rizzo's Wildlife, and especially to their demonstrator Stefan for a wonderfully wild experience.
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For general information, please contact the Reference Department. For department-specific information, you can contact those departments.
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Library Hours
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Please note that the Library will be closed in lieu of the New Year's Day holiday, on
Monday, January 2, 2023.
The Library will also close for the day in observance of the birthday of
Dr. Martin Luther King, on Monday, January 16, 2023
Library Opening Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9am-9pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 11am-3pm
Sunday: CLOSED
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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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