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Plainfield Public Library November 2020 |
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From the Desk of the Director...
Things are progressing slowly and steadily as we open up services. I am sure you are all aware that as the weather gets colder, the cases of Covid 19 are increasing. To that end I ask you all to follow our rules when you come to the Library for services. As long as things remain safe we will continue to keep our doors open.
Our hours are 10am to 4pm for our available services. Computers are also available for over 14-year-olds for a daily session up to 1 hour. Browsing of the new books section is available and popular. Family appointments can be made in the Children’s Room for family group appointments and virtual meeting rooms are available by appointment through our new Zoom accounts.
For full details of our current in-person services and frequently-asked questions, please refer to our website here. Our Reference servces continue to be available virtually via phone (908) 757-1111 ext.112, email ref@plfdpl.info or live online chat, and access to the majority of our books continues to be available through our Curbside service.
Our GED testing center is open. We have had success stories with Plainfield students passing both sections as well as getting their GED diplomas. Computer classes are conducted virtually and our classes have been full. Call (908) 757-1111 ext. 122, if you want to register! More detail on training opportunities is available via the Adult Literacy page and the Computer Training page.
Our YouTube channel has a variety of story times and projects for children and Andrew Eason, Head of Adult and YA Services, is doing his daily live adult book readings on Facebook at 2 PM. Halloween saw a special appearance from Fluffy to read Washington Irving's Sleepy Hollow.
Local History has both the Memoir Club and the Genealogy Club via Zoom on the scheduled days. Virtual appointments with an archivist or genealogist are available. Virtual lectures cosponsored by the Drake House are becoming the norm. In November we will have a reenactor with a presentation on Sojourner Truth. Call or send an email to find out more.
As always, please let us know what we can do to help and make our services work for you during this unprecedented time.
Mary Ellen Rogan
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Understanding Pancreatic Cancer
Tuesday, Nov 17th, 12-1pm
Presented in collaboration with Hackensack Meridien Health, and Regional Cancer Care Associates
Please join us for a free online presentation.
In this multidisciplinary talk conducted virtually, Dr. Richard Schuman, along with Dr. Alexander Itskovich, will conduct a comprehensive review of the diagnosis, treatment and management of pancreatic cancer.
Topics include:
• Where is the pancreas and what does it do?
• Presenting signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancers
• Environmental and genetic risks
• Screening
• Treatment options
• New developments
LOCATION
The talk will take place via Zoom. To register your place please visit
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Virtual Program:
How to Get Sued By Anyone and Everyone
With Mitchell C Beinhacker, Esq
Friday, November 20th
1pm, via Zoom
Presented in collaboration with U.S. Small Business Association, SCORE, MetroNJ, and Unity Bank
Join Mitchell, an attorney and the creator and host of T
he Accidental Entrepreneur podcast, for a fascinating discussion on the right and wrong way to handle your business dealings and avoid common mistakes.
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Virtual Program:
Just Say Yes to Fruits and Vegtables Continues
Thursdays, 6-7pm
In these Zoom workshops you will learn about meal planning, shopping on a budget, food safety, the nutrition facts label, how to store fruits and vegetables and so much more. Classes will be taught bilingually by SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educators Ashley Policastro and Cecilia Gomez.
This series of workshops continues on November 5th with
Beans.
LOCATION
The class will be held on the Plainfield Public Library's Zoom account.
To register please visit: http://ow.ly/MtaQ50B8tTN
CONTACT/REGISTRATION
rsvp@plfdpl.info, 908-757-1111 x132
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Children's Library
For more information on Children's activities, or to arrange a Family Visit in person, please get in touch with us at (908) 757-1111 ext.129.
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Thursday, November 12th
10:30am via Zoom
The next meeting of the Memoir Writing Club is Thursday, November 12th at 10:30am via Zoom.
The optional topic for November is "A class you took at any point in the past".
Write about whatever strikes your fancy, and then come share it with the group.
New members are always welcome!
This program is free and open to the public. Call 908-757-1111 x136 for more information.
Learn more here. |
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Victorian Christmas Traditions
Saturday, November 14th
10:30 to 11:30am via Zoom
Ever wonder why people kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime?
Lady of History, Alisa Dupuy, as her 19th-century character Eliza Blackwell Dupree, will explain this and other Victorian Christmas traditions such as holiday ornaments, Christmas cards, candy canes, and poinsettias. She will also discuss Victorian fashions and sing Christmas carols. Why not pour yourself a nice cup of tea and enjoy this welcome to the holiday season!
Presented by Alisa Dupuy & The Ladies of History
This program is co-hosted by the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.
This is a FREE program. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Remembering Plainfield’s WWI Soldiers
Saturday, November 21st
10:30 to 11:30 am via Zoom
Join Plainfield historian Nancy Piwowar for her presentation about Plainfield during World War I and the influenza pandemic, based on the Drake House exhibit. In commemoration of Veterans Day, we dedicate this program to the memory of the 45 soldiers and their Gold Star Families from Plainfield and the surrounding area who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during WWI. Some were born in the United States and others were immigrants, but all served their country with courage, bravery, and valor.
Presented by Nancy Piwowar, President of The Historical Society of Plainfield.
This program is co-hosted by the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.
This is a FREE program. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Join us for Live Readings every Weekday at 2pm.
Great Expectations continues
Each weekday from 2 to 2:30pm we run a series of live episodic readings of books for adults and teens. This has gone on since roughly the beginning of the Coronavirus-related interruptions to service and is planned to continue at least until normal service can be restored.
We're currently continuing
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, but it's almost time to set something up for a seasonal read for Fall and the Holidays. Join us in the comments section to respond to the readings and maybe offer suggestions on what you'd like to see.
please note that we can only keep recordings of older, public domain materials - more recent books must be live-only. This basically means that older books make it easier for people to join the reading after it has happened, since we can make the recordings available.
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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. |
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GED Test Center Up and Running
On September 16, the Plainfield Public Library reopened its Pearson-Vue GED test center. Due to the pandemic, we are now among the very few sites available anywhere in the state. Our center is crucial to people looking for training in order to go back to work. It provides a route to a state-issued diploma which is vital to the future of both our clients' and the state’s own economic and employment recovery.
According to Scott Kuchinsky, Director of Literacy Services, “The test sites were booked to capacity, and they are expected to remain so throughout the rest of 2020. We had testers come from as far as Hudson and Atlantic counties, because of the lack of site accessibility elsewhere.”
The Library’s own local clients made good use of the program with several GED prep students either passing their final test or completing many sections. All of these students are expected to complete their GEDs by the end of the year. “These clients’ lives were put on hold because there was nowhere to go for testing,” said Rosa Nicks, Literacy Office Manager. “I’m just glad our program was able to provide support, coaching and some extra motivation when they needed it.”
“We checked every box for Covid-19 safety measures to make sure our clients were as safe and comfortable as possible,” said Peter Rajcevic, Chief Technology Officer. Students were separated 7 to 10 feet; were given regular temperature checks; agreed to mandatory mask wearing; and all equipment and surfaces were diligently and frequently sterilized.
Anyone coming to the Plainfield Public Library’s GED test center, should feel physically safe and academically challenged as they strive to create a better future for themselves and their community.
For more information, please visit our website www.plainfieldlibrary.info or email literacy@plfdpl.info.
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Library Hours
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Please note that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, most Library services are virtual.
Currently, the exceptions to this are our Curbside Pickup and limited Computer and Browsing services providing access to specific and limited services.
Services for family visits to the Children's library are available by appoinment only.
Please see details at
http://www.plainfieldlibrary.info/Departments/Childrens/childrens_appointments.html
Please refer to http://www.plainfieldlibrary.info/Services/InPersonService.html for full details of currently-available, in-person services and additional information.
For all other services, staff are available by phone, email, and online during the following hours:
Monday - Friday / 9am to 5pm
(In-Person services are currently 10am-4pm)
The Library - including virtual assistance - will close
in observance of the public holidays on:
Wednesday 11/11/2020,
Thursday 11/26/2020 - Saturday 11/28/2020
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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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