Welcome to the United States! We know that life in strange country can be overwhelming, and we have chosen these websites to help you get settled in your new home. We have tried to choose the most useful sites available, but due to the changing nature of the internet, we cannot be responsible for their accuracy.
IMPORTANT! Before submitting any personal or financial information over the Internet, first be sure that the company or organization is reputable, and the internet connection secure.
The library cannot guarantee the privacy or security
of personal information transmitted via library computers.
> > PLEASE USE ALL INFORMATION FROM THE INTERNET WITH CAUTION < <
Call 2-1-1 when you need to find state or local resources to address urgent needs or everyday concerns, including health & mental health services, food banks, shelter, rental or utility assistance, adult day care, Meals on Wheels, transportation, childcare, crisis intervention services, job training, education, and more. 2-1-1 is free, confidential, multi-lingual, confidential, TTY accessible, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 2-1-1 resource specialists will guide callers to the most helpful available resources. Visit the website for more information. NOTE: 2-1-1 calls are generally toll-free; however, if you are calling 2-1-1 from your cell phone, please check with your cell phone service provider first to find out whether you will be charged for the call. You can also reach 2-1-1 by dialing 877-652-1148. (United Way, in partnership with the State of New Jersey)
Government Benefits, Programs & Offices
See more on:
GOVERNMENT
LAWS
POLITICS & ELECTIONS
TAXES
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL: Política, Leyes, y Gobierno
WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES : A GUIDE FOR NEW IMMIGRANTS - Available in English, Arabic, Chinese, French, Haitian Creole, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese. (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; an official government publication)
WELCOME TO USA.gov
- WelcometoUSA.gov is the primary gateway for new immigrants to find basic information on how to settle in the United States. The website presents a wealth of federal government information organized into helpful categories, and highlights new resources available to immigrants and the organizations that serve them. (An official government website)
GUIDE FOR REFUGEES [UPDATED LINK!] - This guidebook tells you what to expect as you find a place to live, look for work, meet Americans, and adjust to American culture and society. You can download the guide in PDF format in any of the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, English, Farsi, Karen, Kirundi, Nepali, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, or Tigrigna. (2007 - 2012;
Cultural Orientation Resource Center - funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration)
Family Services Hotlines (N.J.) - A list of toll-free phone numbers for families needing assistance in New Jersey, including hotlines for food stamps, family violence, energy assistance, legal services, child care, child support, mental health and other programs (Official New Jersey government website). You can also telephone 2-1-1 for help finding state or local health and human service resources in New Jersey to address urgent needs or everyday concerns.
Foreign Consular Offices in the United States - A complete list, with addresses and phone numbers, of foreign consular and related offices in the United States. (U.S. State Department; an official government website)
Foreign Embassies in the United States - Links to all known web sites for foreign embassies in the United States. The Diplomatic List provides a complete and frequently-updated list of the accredited diplomatic officers of foreign embassies within the United States. (U.S. State Department; an official government website)
Forms from the Feds - Links to U.S. government websites offering printable and/or downloadable forms for all kinds of purposes, including financial aid, passports, taxes, social security, copyright, housing, immigration, etc. (University of Memphis)
Government Benefits (Benefits.gov) - If you need government benefits but aren't sure which ones are available or how to find them, search this website; it includes both state and federal benefits. (An official government website)
Government Loans (GovLoans.gov) - A gateway to information on obtaining Federal loans, including business loans, education loans, and more. (An official government website)
Immigration Services and Benefits - Information on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS) such as naturalization, citizenship, green cards, international adoptions, emergency travel, and more. The site also includes information on the Diversity Visa Lottery Program. See also Immigration Fraud. (Official government websites)
New Americans New Jersey - 'The mission of the New Americans Program is to provide resources, guidance, and educational opportunities that will enable New Americans to become economically self-sufficient members of, and to make positive contributions to, our communities.' Includes a helpful Resource Handbook for Middlesex County. In English and en Español. (Supported by United Way of Central Jersey)
New Jersey Home Page - Links to the Governor's office, state departments and agencies, tourism information, education, and business resources for the state of New Jersey. (State of New Jersey; an official government website)
New Jersey State Legislature - Find the legislators who represent your district in the N.J. Assembly and N.J. Senate. The site also includes information about legislative committees and leadership, current bills, statutes, state constitution, and legislative calendar. (State of New Jersey; an official government website)
Social Security Administration - Whether you are a student or a teacher, a farmworker or a businessperson, a refugee or a temporary resident, if you are authorized to work in the U.S., you need a Social Security number. If you don't have authorization to work, you may need a Social Security number for other reasons. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a new process for noncitizens to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration process. There is now a Multi-Language Gateway for Social Security information in 15 languages: Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. (An official government website)
USA.gov - This directory of all online U.S. federal government resources can help you with everything from researching at the Library of Congress or tracking a NASA mission to buying stamps, checking local air quality, applying for student loans, checking Social Security benefits, comparing Medicare options, and government grants and contracts. The site also includes links to state and local governments. There are also links to some federal resources in other languages. (An official government website)
U.S. House of Representatives - Links to websites of each member of Congress, as well as Congressional committees, leadership, etc. Enter your zip code to find out who represents you in Congress. (An official government website)
U.S. Senate - Connect to Senators' official websites, search for a bill by number or keyword, or check the Senate schedule. Choose your state from the drop-down menu to find out the names and contact information for your senators. (An official government website)
U.S. State Department - Forms and application information for visas, passports, and other State Department services. (An official government website)
Housing
See more on:
HOME & GARDEN
RELOCATION
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL : Casa y Familia
Government Housing Loans - Information about housing assistance, housing rehabilitation loans, property improvement loans, and other home-related financing available from the federal government. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development et al.; an official government website)
Housing Department - This website from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers guides to buying or selling a home, as well as information on mortgage programs, renting, and public housing. (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; an official government website)
N.J. Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency - New Jersey Homeownership Programs offer residential mortgage financing for low, moderate and middle income first-time home buyers and urban home buyers, plus links to information for renters, seniors, and people with special needs. The agency now also offers a toll-free telephone number providing consumer information for home buyers : 1-800-NJ-HOUSE. See also Real Estate Information for Consumers. (Official N.J. government websites)
New Jersey Housing Resource Center - Search this site if you are looking for affordable housing, or housing options for people with special needs. Also offers information on Home Mortgage Foreclosures & Subprime Lending. (Official N.J. government website)
Tenants' Rights in New Jersey - If you rent your home, this site explains your rights under New Jersey law, and offers legal assistance to low-income renters. (Legal Society of New Jersey)
Disaster Preparedness & After a Disaster [UPDATED LINK!] - Links to advice on what to do before and after floods, hurricanes, winter storms blackouts, and other disasters. Covers food safety, water treatment, thawing frozen pipes, cleaning, and more.
Home Energy Assistance - A program to help low-income residents with the costs of home heating (N.J. Housing Resource Center; an official government website). For links to more information on how to save money and energy in your home, see Energy Saving Tools & Tips. (U.S. Department of Energy; an official government website). Additional resources are listed on our Home Energy & Water Conservation page.
Winter-Wise Tips - Tips for protecting your family's safety and keeping your home comfortable during the winter (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; an official government website). For more on coping with winter, see Winter Weather and Winter Driving, below.
Transportation
See more on:
AUTOMOBILES
TRAVEL
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL : Autómoviles y Turismo
Automobile Insurance (N.J.) - Information on selecting car insurance in New Jersey, comparing premiums, filing a complaint, etc. (N.J. Department of Banking & Insurance; an official government website)
MapQuest and Rand McNally - Printable maps and driving directions to help you find out how to get where you need to go. See also Google Maps.
Motor Vehicle Commission (N.J.) - Information on how to get a driver's license, permit, vehicle registration, plates, etc., in New Jersey. The site includes sections on Licenses for Non-U.S. Citizens, Visitors with Foreign Driver Licenses, and Registering your Foreign Vehicle. (An official government website)
N.J. Transit - Schedules and fares for trains and buses, plus information on connecting services and handicapped access.
Passports - This site explains how to get a passport or renew one, as well as what to do if your passport is lost or stolen. You'll need Adobe software to print passport applications from this site. See also Visas. (U.S. State Department; an official government website)
Travel Security [UPDATED LINK!] - This site explains current security rules and procedures at U.S. airports. (U.S. Transportation Security Administration; an official government website)
U.S. State Department - Travel publications and travel warnings, international adoption, and other State Department services, plus links to related sites, and forms & application information for visas and passports. (An official government website)
US-VISIT [UPDATED LINK!] - These pages explain new procedures for non-U.S. citizens who wish to visit the United States from another country. 'US-VISIT currently applies to all visitors (with limited exemptions) entering the United States, regardless of country of origin or whether they are traveling on a visa or by air, sea or land.' (U.S. Department of Homeland Security; an official government website)
Winter Driving - Tips to help you drive safely in winter. (Car Talk radio show, National Public Radio)
Learning the English Language
See more on:
ENGLISH LANGUAGE and ESL RESOURCES
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL : Inglés y ESL
Transparent Language Online (formerly Byki) : 'Web-based Language Learning that's easy, fast, and effective! Transparent Language Online is packed full of pronunciation, speech, grammar, writing, and vocabulary building lessons for over 80 languages, including ESL... the most complete language-learning system available to library patrons.' Also includes access to the mobile apps for iPhone and Android devices for language learning on the go! NOTE: New users will have to set up a personal username and password by clicking on the 'Sign Up Now' button. If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started. From Recorded Books.
Petersons Testing & Education Reference Center - Free practice tests, study tips, test prep eBooks and related resources for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication). You must type in your name, the barcode number from your library card, and your PIN (Personal Identification Number) to get started. Once you have entered the site, go to the 'INTERNATIONAL TOOLS' section of the website.
UNIVERSAL CLASS offers free online non-credit courses in ESL and many other subjects. Courses are accessible 24/7 via the Internet. You will have up to 6 months to finish each course, and each course has a real instructor you can communicate with by email! If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started.
English Language and ESL Resources - Links to many good websites for learning English. (South Plainfield Public Library)
English Online : Materials for Teaching & Learning - A large set of links to useful ESL (English as a Second Language) materials covering grammar, quizzes, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening, speaking, and much more. (By an ESL teacher)
ESL Links - Links to lots of English quizzes, games & puzzles, plus vocabulary, reading, grammar, and more. Separate sections for students and teachers.
Interesting Things for ESL Students - Word games, puzzles, quizzes, slang, proverbs and more, for students of English as a second language.
Literacy Volunteers of Plainfield - This group will provide a local tutor to teach you English. Middlesex County Literacy Services offers an online directory of literacy programs in Middlesex County. Printed brochures are also available in Spanish, Russian, Gujarat, Korean, Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese; please call 732-745-3970 to obtain copies.
Literacy Programs of New Jersey and Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey provide information about other local and county literacy programs throughout the state. See also Adult Basic Education & Literacy Programs in New Jersey (N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development).
TOEFL® - The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) may be required for admission to American colleges and universities, or for exchange and scholarship programs. Many government, licensing, and certification agencies also use TOEFL scores to evaluate the English skills of non-native speakers. This site tells you how to register for the TOEFL, explains more about the test, and includes free practice tests & advice for test-takers. There is a related page on the TOEIC®, Test of English for International Communication.
USA Learns - A free site to help you learn English, and improve basic reading, writing, speaking, and life skills. In English and en Español. (Sacramento County Office of Education)
Getting a Job or Starting a Business
See more on:
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
JOBS
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL : Empleos y Negocios
PETERSON'S TESTING & EDUCATION REFERENCE CENTER - Free practice tests, study tips, and test prep eBooks for all kinds of standardized employment & education tests, including civil service and licensure exams (Accountant/Auditor, Caseworker, Correction Officer, Firefighter, Parole Officer, Police Officer / promotions, Postal Worker, Probation Officer, Real Estate, State Trooper, Treasury Enforcement Agent, and others), GED (high school equivalency test), NCLEX (nursing), PRAXIS (teaching), Officer Candidate, and ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) tests. If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started.
FERGUSON'S CAREER GUIDANCE CENTER 
- Comprehensive and easy-to-use career research database offers information on more than 3,300 jobs and 94 industries, plus advice on applying for a job, acing an interview, behaving professionally in the work environment and more. More than 90 sample resumes and cover letters included! The Resources section contains over 50,000 entries on scholarships, internships, and other opportunities. Includes more than 290 videos present essential career information on both specific jobs and industries and on skills. If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started.
JOB & CAREER ACCELERATOR - An easy-to-use online resource for finding the job that's perfect for you! Whether you're looking to find a new job in your current field, or eager to pursue a career in an exciting new industry, Job & Career Accelerator will guide you through every step of the process and help make your career goals a reality! (LearningExpress, LLC)
NJ NEXT STOP - Resources to help NJ teens, parents, and counselors learn more about career interests, career options, and the world of work. It also provides information about industries, occupations and skills that are in demand in New Jersey, as well as real people's stories that give you first-hand information from New Jerseyans with a variety of careers on how they made it, and practical advice on how you can be successful too. (State of New Jersey)
NJCAN - The New Jersey Career Assistance Navigator (NJCAN) provides accurate, comprehensive, current, and relevant occupational, post-secondary school and financial aid information. NJCAN contains the latest national, New Jersey and local labor market data and projections. NJCAN also includes information on job interview preparation, resume and cover letter creation, how to keep a job, self-employment, and military occupations. NJCAN is designed to support lifelong career exploration, and career planning and decision-making through easy to use, straightforward search and sorting utilities, and an online portfolio for saving information from all system components. (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development & University of Oregon)
America's Career InfoNet - An excellent place to start your job search, this site links to job banks in each state; to Career One Stop, offering a wide range of career information and job search tools; and to America's Service Locator, a list of local service centers offering services and equipment for job hunters, including PCs, faxes, and copy machines. (U.S. Department of Labor; an official government website)
Career Support for Immigrant Workers - Basic advice for job seekers. See also Market Your Bilingual Skills and related links at the bottom of the articles. These articles are mainly for Hispanics/Latinos. (Monster.com; site includes advertisements)
Licensed Professions & Occupations in N.J. - An alphabetical listing of all professions and occupations for which the state of N.J. requires a license or other certification, with links to the appropriate licensing board (N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs; an official government website). If you want to obtain a professional license in another state, search Licensed Occupations by state, keyword, or licensing agency (U.S. Department of Labor; an official government website).
Literacy Link - Online lessons, practice tests, and other materials to help you learn basic workplace skills and prepare for the GED (high school graduate equivalency test). Free registration required (WKET-TV).
See also Adult Basic Education & Literacy Programs in New Jersey (N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development).
To learn more about the GED exam, see the official GED website [UPDATED LINK!], which is now a for-profit business (American Council on Education & Pearson Education, Inc.).
N.J. Business - A great place to begin learning about how to start, relocate, or maintain a business in the Garden State, as well as how to do business with the state government. (State of New Jersey; an official government website)
N.J. Department of Labor - Information on labor law, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, minimum wage, disabilities, safety, workplace training, and other information useful to workers as well as business owners and managers. (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development; an official government website)
N.J. Jobs : Workforce NJ - Search for jobs in New Jersey (civil service or other), or post your resume online. You can also see a variety of job-related information, including education, training opportunities, job fairs, labor market information, and social services. (State of New Jersey; an official government website)
N.J. Small Business Development Centers - Contact information for offices in each county, which offer a wide variety of services designed to help businesses expand, relocate, or retain jobs in New Jersey (Small Business Administration / Rutgers University; an official government website). Many additional business resources are linked on our Useful Websites : BUSINESS & INVESTMENT page.
Social Security Administration - Whether you are a student or a teacher, a farmworker or a businessperson, a refugee or a temporary resident, if you are authorized to work in the U.S., you need a Social Security number. If you don't have authorization to work, you may need a Social Security number for other reasons. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a new process for noncitizens to apply for Social Security number (SSN) cards as part of the immigration process. There is now a Multi-Language Gateway for Social Security information in 15 languages: Arabic, Armenian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian-Creole, Italian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. (An official government website)
School (For You or Your Children)
See more on:
EDUCATION
HOMEWORK LINKS
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL : Educación
Petersons Testing & Education Reference Center - Free practice tests, study tips, online courses and test prep eBooks for all kinds of standardized employment & education tests, including the SAT, CLEP, PSAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and much more. If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started.
UNIVERSAL CLASS - Free online non-credit courses in many subjects. Courses are accessible 24/7 via the Internet. You will have up to 6 months to finish each course, and each course has a real instructor you can communicate with by email! If you're logging on at home, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN to get started.
College Savings Plans Network - This site provides information on federal-tax-exempt college savings plans, also called 529 Plans.
Colleges & Universities directory (U.S.) - A directory of links to the home pages of U.S. colleges, universities, and community colleges, arranged alphabetically or by state.
ETS - The Educational Testing Service Network - This site offers information, registration, test-taker guidelines, and practice tests, for many standardized tests (such as the SAT, AP, GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and PRAXIS) which may be required for college or graduate school admission, or for professional certification or advancement. See the College Board website to register online for the SAT and practice with actual SAT test questions, or to identify and search for suitable colleges, apply to college online, explore career options, and learn about college costs and financial aid.
Literacy Link - Online lessons, practice tests, and other materials to help you learn basic workplace skills and prepare for the GED (high school graduate equivalency test). Free registration required (WKET-TV). To learn more about the GED exam, see the official GED website, which is now a for-profit business (American Council on Education & Pearson Education, Inc.).
N.J. Statewide Testing - This site gives information and sample questions for parents of elementary, middle, and high school students who will be taking standardized tests such as the ASK and HSPA. (An official government website)
South Plainfield Public Schools - This site gives information on all the South Plainfield public schools. (Official site)
Student Aid on the Web - This site gives information on obtaining Federal Student Aid (FSA) including grants, loans, and work-study funds. (U.S. Department of Education; an official government website)
Student Guide to Financial Aid - Printable guides for the current / upcoming year. In English and Spanish (PDF documents). (U.S. Department of Education Student Aid publications; an official government website)
Managing your Money & Paying Taxes
«««« Click here for FINANCIAL CRISIS ASSISTANCE »»»»
See more on:
CONSUMER INFORMATION
HOMES - Buying & Selling
JOBS
MONEY MANAGEMENT
TAXES
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL : Consumidores y Gerencia de Dinero
y Politica, Leyes, y Gobierno
TAXES
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) - Printable federal tax forms and publications. Click on 'e-file' to file your taxes electronically from your home computer. (An official government website)
New Jersey Division of Taxation - To print NJ tax forms or instructions, click on Forms or Publications from the menu bar near the top of the page. Click on File/Pay from the righthand menu to file your state taxes electronically from your home computer. (Offical site)
Tax Fraud Alerts - Advice on how to avoid tax schemes, scams, and frauds. (Internal Revenue Service; an official government website)
Taxpayer Advocate [UPDATED LINK!] - An IRS office set up to help you resolve problems with your federal tax returns. (Internal Revenue Service; an official government website)
Tax Tips 4U 
- Helpful, up-to-date information and links on taxpayer rights and responsibilities, both for individuals and small businesses. (American Bar Association)
MONEY MANAGEMENT & CONSUMER INFORMATION
Building Wealth 
- This useful interactive site will help you set financial goals, live on a budget, track expenses, and save and invest your money (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas). See also MyMoney.gov (Official U.S. government website).
Federal Citizen Information Center (USA.gov) - Free U.S. Government publications provide advice about cars, computers, education, jobs, family, food, health, housing, money, small business, travel, and other topics. You can read the publications online or order printed copies by mail (there is a charge for some printed documents). USA.gov also posts alerts on product recalls and scams & frauds. More consumer information from the federal government is available from the Consumer Guides and Protection section of USA.gov. (Official government websites)
Financial Education - Consumer tips, videos, calculators and other resources on money management & savings, credit, insurance, housing, retirement, and bankruptcy (National Foundation for Credit Counseling). The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of San Francisco offers free online
financial education publications to help you learn how to manage income, handle a budget, read a credit report, buy a house, and achieve your economic goals.
Financial Information for Consumers - Selected links to advice on bank accounts and services, consumer credit, identity theft, leasing, mortgages, and personal finance. (Federal Reserve Board; an official government website)
Middlesex County Consumer Affairs Department - Do you have a problem with a business in Middlesex County? On this website, you can file a complaint online or download a printed form. The website also offers seasonal consumer alerts. (An official government website)
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - An A to Z index of consumer information from the state of New Jersey. (An official government website)
New Jersey Online Licensee Search - Before you choose a doctor, lawyer, dentist, accountant, or other professional or business, check this site to find out the current status of his or her professional license (active, inactive, suspended, or expired). The directory includes practitioners of more than 80 professions and occupations in the state of N.J. (New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs; an official government website)
On Guard Online - 'Practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.' (An official government website)
Shopping for Credit - Explains what you need to know to get the best credit card terms at the lowest cost. You should also read the updated information on New Credit Card Rules. (Federal Reserve Board; an official government website)
Immigration and Citizenship
See more on:
GOVERNMENT
LAWS & REGULATIONS
POLITICS & ELECTIONS
TAXES
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL : Inmigración
y Politica, Leyes, y Gobierno
BECOMING A UNITED STATES CITIZEN
Petersons Testing & Education Reference Center - Information about immigration and naturalization, test-taking tips and strategies, and practice tests. You must type in your name, the barcode number from your library card, and your PIN (Personal Identification Number) to get started. Once you have entered the site, click on 'INTERNATIONAL TOOLS'.
U.S. Citizenship Resource Center - 'A Web-based portal that centralizes citizenship resources for immigrants, educators and organizations. This free, easy-to-use website will help users better understand the naturalization process and gain the necessary skills to be successful during the naturalization interview and test. (Official government website)
Immigration Services and Benefits - Information on U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly INS) such as naturalization, citizenship, green cards, international adoptions, emergency travel, and more. The site also includes a Guide to Naturalization and information about taking the U.S. Naturalization (Citizenship) Test, plus sample questions and other study materials for the naturalization test, as well as information on the Diversity Visa Lottery Program. See also Immigration Fraud. (Official government websites)
Legal Topics : Immigration - Information about asylum, citizenship & naturalization, deportation, InfoPass, special visas for victims of violent crime, filing tax returns as a citizen or a non-citizen, and more. (Legal Society of New Jersey)
Preparing for the Oath - 'An easy-to-use study guide for the civics portion of the U.S. Naturalization test. Here you can learn about U.S. history & government, and practice for the test.' (National Museum of American History)
Preparing for the U.S. Citizenship Interview - Use this site to learn about U.S. history, the U.S. government, and about the questions asked in the USCIS citizenship interview, and take practice citizenship tests and quizzes (East Side Union High School District Adult Education Program, San Jose, CA).
U.S. Citizenship Resources - Multilingual guides, video, and exam practice questions for the new US Citizenship Exam, in English, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Russian, and Spanish. Additional resources are also provided, but most of these are relevant only to San Francisco, CA. (San Francisco Public Library)
LEARNING MORE ABOUT OUR GOVERNMENT
Ben's Guide to U.S. Government - This site is designed for elementary and secondary school students, but it will be useful for people of any age who want to learn about how our government works (U.S. Government Printing Office; an official government website). See also Congress for Kids (Dirksen Congressional Center).
Core Documents of U.S. Democracy - Links to online text of key U.S. documents such as the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Emancipation Proclamation, plus Supreme Court decisions, Presidential papers, and more. (U.S. Government Printing Office; an official government website)
Elections the American Way - Essays, photos, audio recordings, and other materials to help you explore the history of the American political system. Covers candidates, voters, party system, election process, and issues, mostly up to the year 2000. (Library of Congress)
Federal Budget [Link opens a PDF] - This online booklet explains basic economic concepts related to the budget of the federal government, exploring similarities and differences between the federal budget and the family budget. Includes discussion questions and resources for additional information. (Federal Reserve Bank of New York)
U.S. Constitution (Annotated) - For those who want to delve more deeply into the U.S. Constitution, this website gives the full text of the Constitution, plus historical background, commentary, and important court cases for each article, section, clause, and amendment. (Cornell University)
AFTER YOU BECOME A CITIZEN
See also:
Paying Taxes
Congress.org [UPDATED LINKS!] - An easy way to find elected officials (including the president, senators, members of Congress & state lawmakers), or contact federal lawmakers and state officials. You can also sign up to get email that tracks your Senators' and Representative's recent Congressional votes. (Part of CQ Roll Call; Publisher : Economist Group)
C-Span - Public affairs coverage from the C-Span Cable network to help you keep informed about government and political issues; includes video.
FactCheck - Monitors the factual accuracy of political statements in TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. NOTE : The learning resources formerly on FactCheckEd, designed to help people learn 'to see through the deceptions in the advertising and political messages that they encounter daily', have been moved to
Annenberg Classroom's Critical Thinking Lesson Plans [UPDATED LINK!] (Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania). See also Politifact Truth-O-Meter (St. Petersburg [FL] Times / Congressional Quarterly; site includes advertisements).
New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government - Information about who is eligible to vote, how you can register to vote, primary and election dates, communicating with elected officials, and more. (League of Women Voters of NJ)
Selective Service System - Explains who must register for potential military service, when and how to register, and related information. (An official government website)
Vote Smart - Information to help you become an informed voter. Biographies, campaign finances, issue positions, special interest group ratings, and voting records for federal and state candidates and officeholders. Biographical section includes addresses, phone numbers, email, and website links.
The South Plainfield Area
See more:
LOCAL INFORMATION
South Plainfield, N.J. - The official borough website, which includes information on the mayor and council, departments and agencies, municipal court, recreation, and more. Also offers the Community Bulletin Board and Senior Corner. (An official government website)
South Plainfield Public Schools - Information on all the South Plainfield public schools, including the adult education. (An official government website)
My Central Jersey - The new combined website for central New Jersey's two local daily newspapers, Courier-News and Home-News Tribune. NOTE: You must be a paid subscriber for full access. The site's Directory section includes listings for central NJ schools, businesses, services, arts & entertainment, clubs & organizations, and other local information.
Middlesex County - The official website for the county contains links to county officials and departments, plus information on population, economics, government, services, businesses, parks, etc.
Other Assistance & Information
See more
USEFUL WEBSITES
PÁGINAS en ESPAÑOL
SITES FOR SENIORS
Health Source (Consumer Edition) - Access to nearly 80 full text, consumer health magazines, with information on many health topics including the medical sciences, food sciences and nutrition, childcare, sports medicine and general health. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin. (An EBSCOHost Database)
Salud en Español - Reportes completos basados en evidencias y fichas de datos relacionados a todos los aspectos de la salud y el bienestar. Reportes específicos por tema que cubren todos los aspectos de la salud, dan información general importante en relación a enfermedades, afecciones y procedimientos de diversos tratamientos. Clic el ícono y entre su nombre, código de barras, y número de identificación personal. (Administrado por EBSCOHost)
Facts on File : Health Reference Center - Clear and comprehensive information on conditions and diseases, health and wellness, mental health, and the human body. Focusing on the high school health curriculum, Health Reference Center includes educational videos, color illustrations, and regularly updated health news articles. If you're logging in from your home, school, or office computer, you'll need to enter your name, library card barcode, and PIN to begin.
American Life - A collection of articles and related materials that describe various aspects of American life, embracing diverse ideas, traditions, cultures and religions. Some materials are available in English, French, Spanish, Russian, Farsi, Arabic, and/or Chinese. Scroll past the ''We've gone social!'' banner to see the articles. NOTE: The America.gov website is no longer being updated. (U.S. State Department; an official government website)
Area Code / Country Code finder - A list of telephone area codes for the US and Canada; first part of the list gives codes in numerical order, the second part is arranged by state (personal site; by Bennet Yee). See also International Calling Codes (Verizon; site includes advertisements), Country Codes (AT&T; site includes advertisements), and our DIRECTORIES page.
Conversion Maestro - Quickly converts measurements to or from metric units of length (feet / meters), area (square feet / square meters), mass / weight (ounces / grams), liquid volume (pints / liters), and temperature (Fahrenheit / Celsius); (from Mahidol University Thailand). Online Conversion offers many additional conversion calculators: 'over 5,000 units, and 50,000 conversions' (1997 - 2010; personal site by Robert Fogt, a website / software developer; site includes advertisements).
Easy-to-Read Health Information - Explains many health condtions in simple English, often with helpful pictures or diagrams and audio. Arranged by subect (Medline). See also EthnoMed Multilingual Health Information provides links to patient education materials in Amharic, Chinese, Hmong, Karen, Khmer, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese; formerly Health Brochures in 24 Languages (University of Washington). See also Healthy Roads multilingual health information.
Click here for more useful websites on HEALTH, or
Salud en español.
GCF Learn Free - Free tutorials, articles, and other learning materials aimed at helping you improve the technology, literacy, and math skills needed for success in both work and everyday life. Covers a wide range of subjects from operating ATMs and reading bus or subway maps to using computers & office software and running a home-based business. Free registration required. (Nonprofit organization: Goodwill Community Foundation)
N.J. Legal Services Directory - Legal Services of New Jersey provides free help for low-income individuals and families with civil law problems. Click here for information on LSNJ's telephone hotline, 1-888-LSNJ-LAW (1-888-576-5529).
SuperPages Global Directories - Links to directories of business and residential listings worldwide. (Idearc Media; site includes advertisements)
United States Postal Service - Comprehensive information about USPS shipping & mailing services for individuals and businesses, including postal rates & fees. You can also use the website to order stamps, schedule pickups, submit a change of address, or put your mail on hold. See also International Postal Address Formats (Columbia University), and Other International Mailing Information (BitBoost Systems).
Verizon Telephone Directories - Search Verizon residential and business phone directories (white pages and yellow pages) online. Covers New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and several other states.
Virtual Reference Shelf - Almanacs, associations, clocks, calculators, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, quotations, statistics, and other online reference books. (Library of Congress)
Winter Weather - Learn about winter weather and what you can do to stay warm, safe, and healthy in cold weather. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention )
