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This year marks the occasion of Plainfield Public Library becoming a Book Sanctuary. A Book Sanctuary is a place - it can be a library or somewhere else - which has made a determination to support the right to read books, even when others may be calling for the books' suppression. If you do not wish to receive any more emails, you can unsubscribe here.
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Plainfield Public Library September 2024 |
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Banned Books Week starts September 22
This year marks the occasion of Plainfield Public Library becoming a Book Sanctuary. A Book Sanctuary is a place - it can be a library or somewhere else - which has made a determination to support the right to read books, even when others may be calling for the books' suppression.
We'll join more than 30 other libraries and municipalities across New Jersey in solidarity with the purpose of protecting citizens' right to read.
You can read about book sanctuaries and how the library is choosing to support citizens' equitable access to information, in our leaflet What is a Book Sanctuary? (click the picture at right).
We'll also be supporting awareness of Banned Books Week with a display of banned books (all of which library patrons may borrow and read freely) and an interactive banned books quiz highlighting the history of book banning from Colonial times to the present day.
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Adult Programs for September
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September brings lots for adults at your library too
.
Check out our upcoming programs including adults:
- Create a hand painted zipper pouch - our popular Paint On! series continues. Wednesday September 4, 4-6pm in Room 2
- Adult Craft - Tuesday, September 10, 5:30-7pm in Room 2
- Outdoor Mariachi Concert -
Mariachi Sones de mi Terra, Saturday, September 14, 12pm in Library Park (see details below)
- Blood Drive - Your chance to save a life. Monday September 16, 12:30-6:30pm in ALD. Create an appointment here.
- Family Board Game Night - Wednesday, August 21, 6-7:45pm in Room 2 (Please register to attend this program - it helps us plan the right amount of snacks to get in.)
- Creative Shrink Plastic Jewelry - a fun creative program - September 19, 3-5:30pm, outside building by Library steps.
- Adult Book Club -
Demon Copperhead - Wednesday, August 28, 7-8:30pm in Room 2
- Save the date for our upcoming free live Jazz concert with the James Austin Jr. Trio on Tuesday, November 7, 7-8pm in the ALD room.
We can't wait to see you, and remember, all our programs are free, and everyone is welcome!
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Put Your Mark on Plainfield and Sticker Up for Your Neighborhood
September 28 is National Good Neighbor Day, but Plainfield Public Library is celebrating Plainfield Good Neighbor
Month all September this year.
As you enter the library, you can't help but notice a giant map of the city is mounted on the wall exhibit case just to your left.
We’re asking every visitor to the library to get a dot sticker from the Circulation desk or the Reference desk and place it on the map, in their neighborhood. By the end of the month, we’ll see which neighborhood has the most library visitors!
Do your bit to represent your neighborhood and sticker up our giant map to show your your visit! |
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Outdoor Mariachi Concert -
Mariachi Sones de mi Terra
Saturday, September 14, 12pm in Library Park
Come help celebrate the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month with a free outdoor concert featuring Mariachi Sones de mi Terra, right by the library in Library Park. Bring along a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy this great free entertainment for friends and family alike!
(In case of inclement weather, we'll bring the party indoors and host the concert in the library's ALD room, downstairs.)
... And don't miss our October Local History session on Hispanic Family History, too! (See details in our Local History listings, below.) |
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Save the Date: Live Jazz with The James Austin Jr. Trio
Tuesday, November 7, 7-8pm in ALD
Mark your calendars
now for our upcoming
free live jazz concert, coming November 7th at 7pm to the Anne Louise Davis Room. We'll be joined the James Austin Jr. Trio, presenting jazz versions of the songs of Stevie Wonder.
The soulful stylings of James Austin Jr. reveal his jazz pedigree and gospel roots. James, originally from Chicago, is an accomplished pianist and bandleader. He honed his craft under the tutelage of a number of legendary musicians, including extensive study with renowned jazz educator, Barry Harris. In recognition of his highly skilled musicianship, James has received numerous accolades and awards, including the honor of being selected as a semi-finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Jazz Piano competition. |
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Blood Drive with New York Blood Center
Monday, September 16, 12:30-6:30pm in ALD
We're partnering with New York Blood Center to begin offering Blood Drives right here in the library. Patrons will have an opportunity to come and donate blood in the convenience of their local library. If you've never given blood before, it's safe, pretty easy to do and just one visit could help save several lives. Check out the NYBC frequently-asked questions for an overview.
If you are interested in taking part, NYBC are always grateful if you could register with them (so they know roughly how many people to expect & when). To find out all about the donation process, as well as register to take part, please head to the NYBC website. You will be able to create an appointment here. Please note that donors must be at least 16 years of age and weigh at least 110lbs.
Get the satisfaction of knowing that your blood donation can be used to make others lives better and could mean the difference between life and death for someone. |
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Become an Informed Voter
In Cooperation with the League of Women Voters of Plainfield & the Union County Board of Elections
Thursday, September 26, 6:30-7:30 - Outreach Table on Main Floor
Do you know
for certain that you are registered to vote?
Do you know how to check, and what to do if you find anything wrong?
Do you know the deadlines for setting up various kinds of voting methods, like postal voting?
Do you know
how,
where and
when you can vote in person?
Come and get the information you'll need to answer all these questions and more, and get yourself ready to cast your vote.
As well as answering questions about registering and checking your voter registration, you'll be able to:
- Explore different voting methods
- Learn how to find information about candidates
- Meet with Board of Education Candidates
- And remember, if you ever have questions about any of the above, you can always get in touch with the Library's Reference and Information service to help guide you finding out the information you need.
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Adult Book Club
Featuring:
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Wednesday, September 25, 7-8:30pm, in Room 2
Interested? New members are always welcome - whether you've read this month's book and want to share your thoughts, or just want to try us out. |
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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 4:30PM and Tuesdays from 9AM to 7PM. Please contact us to schedule an appointment. The Memoir Writing Club returns on Thursday, September 12th. This month's writing prompt is "How I Spent My Summer." New members are welcome!
Post 1850 Family History Research at the New Jersey State Archives
With Bette Epstein
Wednesday, September 4, 2024
10:30AM via Zoom (registration required)
Vital records, such as birth, marriage, and death records, offer crucial information for your family history research. New Jersey State vital records begin in May 1848. Learn how to access these records at the New Jersey State Archive. We will also cover some helpful resources with
Ancestry.com.
Bette Epstein was employed at the New Jersey State Archives for 45 years, and was head of Reference Services from 2002 to 2019.
NEW DISPLAY :
Lorenzo Lynch, Plainfield Artist & Book Illustrator
Lorenzo Lynch is an accomplished artist and author & illustrator of children's books, whose career spanned over 60 years. Some of his books include:
The Hot Dog Man (1970) author and illustrator;
Bottle of Pop (1972) illustrator; and
Big Sister Tells Me That I’m Black (1976) illustrator. The latter title continues to be used in classrooms throughout the country to teach perseverance, determination, and self-esteem/Black awareness.
Please come into the main-floor Reading Room and check out the children's book illustrations by Plainfield's own Lorenzo Lynch (until mid-October). And, in room 5 (lower level) see a selection of his fine art pieces, including a portrait of Ray Charles (when room is not in use, thru 2024).
SAVE THE DATE - HISPANIC HERITAGE FAMILY HISTORY
Finding Your Latin American Ancestors in Ancestry.com & FamilySearch.org
With Irisneri Alicea Flores, professional genealogist
Saturday, October 5th @10:30AM via Zoom
LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE
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 2024 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners.
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September Fun for Children!
We hope the little ones have had a great Summer (and we hope we were a part of it!). We can keep fun and reading and learning going with lots of forthcoming programs for children and their library grown-ups to enjoy.
Check out our program flyers (below) in English and Spanish for upcoming fun, and you can always check in to see the latest programs for children on our live Library calendar.
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Teen Programs for September
Ease into the change in seasons through September
with our line up of fun and fascinating programs for teens.
You'll be able to...
► jump into the pizza-rich-environment of our Teen Advisory Board and help us plan future programs.(Grades 6-12, 9/25)
► show off your videogaming skills at our Video Game Hangout (Tweens and Teens, snacks 9/28)
For all this and more, please check out the Library Calendar for full details of all our upcoming programs, and drop us a line with any questions! Looking forward to seeing you there!
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Teen Fashion Sew EZ
Introductory Meeting for Multi Week Course
Saturday, September 21, 11:30am in Room 2
This free multiweek course is the perfect chance to learn the skills you'll need to design and create simple garments from scratch.
About the Teacher:
Ionia Dunn Lee Cisse is passionate about giving back to the youth of the Plainfield community. She is a Plainfield resident and a Fashion Design teacher at the High School of Fashion Industries in New York City.
This course for 13-17 year olds requires registration to participate, and participants will need to attend all 6 classes as well as the introductory meeting to gain the most from the course.
Free, all materials provided.
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For general information, please contact the Reference Department. For department-specific information, you can contact the relevant departments:
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Library Hours
________
Please note that the Library will be CLOSED
on Saturday, August 31, though Monday, September 2
in observance of Labor Day
______
Fall Hours: Library Opening Hours from September 5:
Monday - Thursday: 9am-8:45pm
Friday: 9am-4:45pm
Saturday: 11am-2:45pm
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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