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revised 12/09 jd
Using our online catalog, you can browse the Library's collection, place or cancel holds, renew materials on loan, view a list of materials borrowed, find out what fines you owe, search the Community Organizations File, or explore the 'Fun Facts' database of interesting facts and trivia. You may use the online catalog at the library, or access it from your home computer: use the quick search box on our home page or click on the 'Library Catalog' link.
You can also use the online catalog to find out what's new in the library collection. From the catalog's home page, choose the 'Search' tab, then click on Bestsellers for lists of New Adult Fiction, New Adult Nonfiction, New DVDs, New CDs, and New Videos, as well as lists of our New York Times Bestsellers (fiction & nonfiction), a list of all DVDs, audiobooks on CD, and more.
NOTE: Internet Explorer version 6.0+ or Netscape version 6.0+ are recommended; also works with Firefox 2.0.
From the library catalog, click on the Multimedia tab to search for videos, DVDs, CD-ROMs, music CDs, and audiobooks. Our collection includes thousands of videocassettes and DVDs (available for a two-day free loan), over 1,000 books on tape or CD (available for a two-week free loan), and over 1,000 music CDs (available for a two-week free loan). For a full listing of our DVDs, see page 2 of the Bestseller lists in the online catalog.
In addition, the Library receives regional circuit collections of DVDs and music CDs. Circuit collections change every three months.
We also offer free audiobook dowloads and Playaway Ready-to-Go audiobooks: audiobook & player-in-one!
MLDV video downloads will be discontinued as of December 31, 2009.
We have hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books in Large Print (Large Type) format. A regional circuit collection, which changes every three months, gives you additional Large Print books to choose from.
To browse our Large Print book titles, search the term 'large print' in our online catalog. To find books in Large Print format by a specific author, or on a specific subject, search 'large print' plus the author's name or a subject keyword, e.g., 'large print grisham' or 'large print biography'.
We have a small collection of popular adult fiction in foreign languages (mostly Spanish). We also have children's books in foreign languages.
Instructional books, as well as audio and video resources, are available for those wishing to learn a foreign language, or for learning English as a Second Language.
The library subscribes to dozens of popular magazines for adults on subjects including news & current events, fashion, health, history, consumer, travel, automotive, do-it-yourself, crafts, and more, as well as local and regional newspapers, and magazines for children. Current issues of magazines must be read in the library, but back issues may be borrowed for two weeks. Come in and browse!
With Elvis, our automated telephone renewal and notification system, you can use your touch-tone phone to get a list of materials borrowed from the Library, to renew materials, and to know how much you owe the Library. Elvis can help any time, any day. (Sorry, Elvis cannot be used with a rotary-dial phone, cell phone, or beeper.)
Have your South Plainfield Library Card and the barcodes of the items you are renewing ready when you call 908-757-3280. Elvis will ask you to enter the barcode number printed on your library card. You only need to enter the numbers after the zeros. Then he will ask you to choose one of the following:
Listen carefully to the questions. Elvis is a synthesized computer voice; he is speaking as well as he can!
Elvis may also call you to let you know when your reserve books are in or if you have overdue library materials.
We can help you with your reference questions in person or by telephone! Whenever the library is open, a reference librarian is normally on duty to answer quick informational questions, advise you on researching a topic, or explain how to use library resources and equipment. We also offer a wide variety of free online databases (a library card is required for database access) and web directories on our home page. If you need reference assistance when the library is closed, please use the Q & A New Jersey online live reference service, available 24/7 (a library card is required for access).
The South Plainfield Public Library offers a wide range of fun and informative programs for all ages. In addition to our regular Story Time and Craft programs for young children (see the KidStuff page for more information), we also offer summer reading programs for kids and teens, and special programs of interest to adults. Be sure to check our homepage and library calendar of events regularly to find out about upcoming programs!
The Useful Websites page, selected by our staff, is a directory of the best Internet sites for Arts & Entertainment, Business & Investment, Consumer Information, Health & Fitness, Jobs & Careers, Travel, and much more! Websites of the Month links to timely information on holidays and other events and observances each month. Homework Links will assist students using the Internet for school assignments. We also offer these additional web directories:
We offer the NextReads e-newsletter to keep you up-to-date on the newest and best in your favorite fiction and non-fiction genres, including mysteries, thrillers, romance, sci-fi, biography, history, travel, business, do-it-yourself, kids' books, audiobooks, and much more!
Public Internet access and e-mail are available in the Library. Please be sure to read our Computer Use Policy if you or your children will be using the library's computers to access the internet. The library staff cannot offer extensive computer instruction except at library-sponsored computer classes.
You may also bring in your own laptop to access the Internet using the library's WiFi connection. The library assumes no responsibility for the safety of equipment, or for laptop configurations security or data files resulting from connecting to the library network (sorry, the library staff cannot provide technical assistance).
Public PCs at the library also offer word processing, spreadsheet, and other software, including Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Please be aware that the library staff cannot offer extensive computer instruction except at library-sponsored computer classes.
Printing is available at 10 cents per page; 50 cents per page for color prints.
Please be sure to read our Computer Use Policy if you or your children will be using the library's computers.
The Edith Goodrich Homebound Delivery Program provides, through volunteers, delivery and pick-up of Library materials to any South Plainfield resident who cannot come to the Library because of illness or disability. Items are selected based on your requests and preferences. We are also happy to try to obtain books that we may not own through our interlibrary loan system.
You will be paired with a volunteer who will select Library materials and then deliver and pick them up on a mutually agreeable schedule. The Library has a wide variety of materials available, including large print books and a large collection of videos, music CDs, and audio books. We also offer a cassette/CD player if needed. Please call the Library for an application form.
For an application to receive Homebound Delivery Service, click here.
For an application to volunteer to deliver Homebound library materials, click here.
revised 12/09 jd