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Plainfield Public Library January 2024 |
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From the Desk of the Director...
2024 is upon us and we at the Library are looking forward to implementing ideas from our Strategic Plan. We will be improving signage around the Library by adding bilingual directions and handouts for the public. We will also be ordering comfortable seating in some of the open spaces in the Main Reading Room.
Two additional study rooms will be completed this year as well as a small multi-person conference room, all on the first floor adjacent to the Passport Acceptance Facility office. In total there will be 4 study rooms and a small conference room on the main floor for public study and meetings. All of these will replace the study rooms that had been available on the lower level before COVID. As always, our meeting rooms on the lower level continue to be available to the public.
We will be changing the configuration of our main floor service desks to create one area that will serve as reference, tech and circulation services. This will be renamed information services and will be one service point. Completion date is yet to be determined.
We'll have more passport acceptance facility appointments available soon, as we are hiring a a part-time replacement reference associate for both reference and passport services for evenings and weekends. They should be starting in January.
I want to thank all of you for your dedicated support of the Library. The services we provide could not happen without your ideas and support. The results of the Strategic Planning surveys are testament to that.
Here’s hoping that 2024 is a banner year for the Library and for Plainfield.
Happy New Year!
Mary Ellen
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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 appointment. The Memoir Writing Club meets on January 11, 2024; the writing topic is "adult education." All are welcome!
Current Exhibition: Plainfield Black Tennis History: 1916-2023
Stop by the Anne Louise Davis room to view this photography retrospective on the history of Black tennis in the Queen City. Presented by the Plainfield Division of Parks & Recreation and curated by historian & Black History Consultant, Ethel M. Washington, this exhibit features 60 images from 1916 to 2023. From famous greats like William Mayes and Eyre Saitch to notable contemporaries Westry Horne, Donald Van Blake, and John T. Chandler, the photos show the people and events that shaped the history of tennis today! The exhibit is open during regular library hours (when the room is not in use), and will run through January 2024.
History & Genealogy Program Recordings
Did you miss one of our past Saturday Morning History Chats or Genealogy Club programs? Maybe it was recorded. You can watch (or re-watch) recordings of many past programs on the Library's YouTube channel. We have a Local History & Genealogy playlist with 47 videos for you to enjoy! Topics include "Exploring Your Roots: African American Genealogy," "Getting Started with Puerto Rican Genealogy," "Hamilton's Army in Plainfield: The Union Camp of 1799-1800," "Archaeology and the Delaware Nations," and many more!
These programs are co-hosted by Plainfield Public Library and the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum
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Our programs are made possible in part by operating support grants from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State - additionally through a grant administered by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation; and by a 2023 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
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Adult Programs for January |
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Adults aren't left out when it comes to fun programs for January. You're super welcome to join the teens-to-adults Paint On! program on the 3rd (we're making Gazing Balls and Cube Boxes - see the teen section, below), as well as some events just for grown-ups: |
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Come along and learn the basics on creating a Google Calendar for the whole family to use to help keep things organized, and later in the month, come and let us know what you think about our latest Adult Book Club read (we'll be discussing "The President's Daughter".) There'll also be a special Adult Craft night on January 9th, making sugar scrubs.
Looking forward to seeing you for more fun and useful programs in 2024! |
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January at the Children's Library - Bring in the New Year with Fun!
It's a great time to try something new, whether it's crafts, cooking, or trying out some new books to build literacy as part of the 1000 books before kindergarten challenge. Our Children's library has fun activities for every kid!
As always, you can check in to our live Library Calendar to see what's going on at the Library, or take a peek at the programs coming up as part of our ongoing stream of fun educational things for kids and their grown-ups to enjoy together. |
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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 on
New Year's Day:
Monday, January 1, 2024
MLK Day:
Monday, January 15, 2024
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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