Books & Other Materials

Online Catalog

Using our online catalog, you can search or 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 and more. To log in to your account, you will need to enter your name, library card barcode number, and PIN. You may use the online catalog at the library, or access it from your home computer: use the Encore easy search box or Advanced Search link on our home page, or click on the 'Library Catalog' link. Click here for a list of new items and bestsellers.

Audio & Video Collection

Our collection includes thousands of videocassettes and DVDs, over 1,000 books on tape or CD, and over 1,000 music CDs. To find DVD/VHS videos, CDs, and other audio/visual media, use the online catalog.

NOTE: We no longer receive regional circuit collections of DVDs and music CDs.

If you don't own an audio player or video player, check out out our Playaway Ready-to-Go audiobooks and Playaway View portable videos - audiobooks and video that come with their own portable player!

We also offer free audiobook downloads from eLibrary NJ!

Large Print Books

We have hundreds of fiction and non-fiction books in Large Print (Large Type) format.

NOTE: We no longer receive regional circuit collections of Large Print books.

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 title, or on a specific subject, search 'large print' plus the author's name, title or a subject keyword, e.g., 'large print grisham' or 'large print biography'. An alternate method for finding Large Print books is to search by author's name, title, or subject keyword; then when your results list comes up, go to the 'Location' section in the left hand column of the page, and click on 'Adult Large Type Fiction' or 'Adult Large Type Non-Fiction'.

E-Books

eLIBRARY NJ (formerly Listen NJ) now offers Adobe® EPUB eBooks for your e-Book reader, as well as audiobooks! Click here for more information.

Our new Freading™ eBook Servicenew offers access to tens of thousands of books for free download! Freading has its own apps for the iPad® and iPhone®, and its own apps for Android™ tablets and phones. It is also compatible with Kindle Fire (not compatible with earlier Kindles), Nook, and Kobo devices. Click here for more information.

Book Newsletters in your E-mail

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!

Foreign Language Materials

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.

Magazines & Newspapers

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!

To search for magazine and newspaper articles online, see Databases.

Local Newspaper Archive

The library now maintains a digital archive of local weekly newspapers : The Chronicle (2003 - 2007), Observer (1997 - 2010), and The Reporter (1990-1994, 2003). These newspapers are available online in PDF format on our Local Newspapers : Digital Archive page.

Video Games

The library now offers video games in Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii formats!

Programs and Classes

Programs for Kids & Adults

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 & classes of interest to adults. Be sure to check our homepage and library calendar of events regularly to find out about upcoming programs!

Information Services & Online Resources

Reference Desk

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.

Web Directories

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:

Computers & Internet Access

Internet Access & Wifi

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).

Word Processing and More

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.

Other Services

Homebound Delivery

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.

Recycling & Food Bank

Photocopier

Postage Stamps