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Plainfield Public Library October 2020 |
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From the Desk of the Director...
Bridging the Digital Gap
Today the Library’s services are more important than ever before to Plainfield and the greater surrounding area. In this age of Covid, the digital divide and economic factors for many of our clients has only grown more and more significant and challenging.
To combat these obstacles, our ongoing services represent the only access many patrons have to critical educational and training opportunities. These include vital and basic needs such as public computers and Wi-Fi.
The Library, through its partnerships with the Union County Workforce Development Board, New Jersey Department of Labor, and of course the City of Plainfield, has throughout this difficult time not only been able to provide GED prep and testing, but also continue ESL courses and Digital Literacy training and Certification - all free of charge - as always.
I am very pleased and proud that our staff is waiting to assist you in realizing your goals. Do not hesitate to call on them. They are ready to help you. Stay safe everyone!
For more information about these Plainfield Public Library programs, you can visit our website www.plainfieldlibrary.info or email us at literacy@plfdpl.info
Mary Ellen Rogan
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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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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 October 1st with
Stretching Food Dollars.
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
Hispanic Heritage Month is ongoing to 10/15
Spanish and English storytimes continue on Mondays and Wednesdays on YouTube
For more information on these or other Children's activities, or to arrange a visit, please get in touch with us at (908) 757-1111.
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Perfect Together: Facebook & Genealogy
Saturday, October 3rd
10:30 to 11:30am via Zoom
Over the decades, genealogists have communicated with fellow researchers using whatever tools were available, from newsletter queries to online message boards. Enter the 21st century and social media! Learn tips and techniques to use the newest genealogical tool -- Facebook -- from document translations to research questions to connecting with family. Michelle will show you how to effectively use Facebook for your genealogical research without getting lost in your newsfeed or overrun by notifications. You will learn about joining Groups and following Pages for your areas of interest, whether it is a specific ethnicity or a geographic area, and learn tips for managing your level of interaction.
This is a FREE program. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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Thursday, October 8th
10:30am via Zoom
The next meeting of the Memoir Writing Club is Thursday, Octber 8th at 10:30am via Zoom.
The optional topic for October is "A place from your past you would like to revisit".
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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When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807
Saturday, October 17th
10:30 to 11:30am via Zoom
Presented by the Museum of the American Revolution
Millions of American women were granted the right to vote with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which marks its centennial in 2020. But more than a century earlier, white women and free people of color legally held the vote in New Jersey for more than thirty years.
Join a Museum Educator for an exciting look at the Museum of the American Revolution’s newest exhibition,
When Women Lost the Vote: A Revolutionary Story, 1776-1807. Learn the little-known history of the nation’s first women voters and get a virtual peek at artifacts that tell their stories. This experience also includes a Q&A session.
This program is presented by The Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, and co-hosted by the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.
This is a FREE program. Email us or call us at (908) 757-1111 x136, to register and we will email you the webinar link.
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Haunted Transportation: Ghostly Sightings via Air, Land & Sea
Saturday, October 24th
10:30 to 11:30am via Zoom
You thought security was a nightmare at the airport! Wait until you hear about the ghostly results of Eastern Airlines flight 401 and phantom planes from Wales to Ohio to Pennsylvania.
Prefer rail travel? Think twice! From Gettysburg, PA to Pattenburg, NJ; there are tragic events that still travel along these forgotten rail lines.
Long before Princess Cruises, the "Gray Ghost" floated on the ocean waters. Today the Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach, California along with her ghostly passengers. All along the American seaboard lovely lighthouses dot the landscape providing the guiding light to ships in the night and foggy air. However, some lighthouse keepers aren't corporeal, but are still at work keeping the light lit!
Presented by the NJ Ghost Hunters Society.
This program is co-hosted by the Historical Society of Plainfield / Drake House Museum.
This is a FREE program. PRE-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 and a special spooky read-through of
Sleepy Hollow
Each weekday from 2 to 2:30pm we run a series of live episodic readings of books for adults and teens.
We're currently
Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, (Pip now resides in London but is at the time of writing, revisiting Miss Havisham's house for the first time since his change in circumstances...) but we'll
also record a special spooky read-through of
Sleepy Hollow in time for Halloween!
Most of the books we've read/will read are available as e-books from eLibrary NJ or via our Curbside Service. 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! |
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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
The Library - including virtual assistance - will close in observance of the public holiday on Monday 10/12/2020.
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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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