PROGRAMS @ YOUR LIBRARY
Click here for our online CALENDAR OF LIBRARY EVENTS!
Featured programs:
All special programs:
LION DANCE WORKSHOP (ages 8 - 16) - Thursday, May 15 at 4:30 PM
Spaces limited; registration required. Click here to register.
CANCELLED! MUSICAL FRIENDS with Garden State Music Therapy Services (ages 3 to 7) - Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 AM
LEARN TO CROCHET (ages 14 and up) - Mondays, May 5 & 19 at 6:15 PM
Drop-in program; registration is not required!
BILINGUAL ENGLISH/CHINESE COOKING & STORYTIME WITH MS KITTY (ages 5 - 13) - Friday, May 30 at 3:30 PM
Spaces limited; registration required. Please register as a family. Click here to register.
More to come...
PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUR ONLINE CALENDAR FOR FULL SCHEDULE!
NOTE: See LMxAC Events List for additional ONLINE programs (select Category: Virtual)
BOOKS & eLIBRARY
«««« SEARCH THE LIBRARY CATALOG ... Get the mobile app »»»»
Audiobook and eBook Downloads: Young Adult Fiction (eLibrary NJ / Overdrive)
Audiobook and eBook Downloads: Young Adult Non-Fiction (eLibrary NJ / Overdrive)
Audiobook and eBook Downloads: Hoopla [NOTE: First you'll need to set up a Hoopla account]
Audiobook and eBook Downloads: eLibraryNJ & Libby app [Login in to see all titles available to South Plainfield borrowers]
Book Club for Kids podcast (middle grade books reviewed by middle grade readers) AUDIO
Books for Teens by Topic (Hennepin County Library, MN)
Comics on Hoopla [NOTE: First you'll need to set up a Hoopla account]
We Need Diverse Books: Resources
Great Books for Teens by Theme (AdLit.org)
The Hub: Your Connection to Teen Reads (American Library Association)
Teens Top Ten (American Library Association)
LitPick Book Reviews by Students (age 12 and up)
Magazines: eLibraryNJ [NOTE: Digital Magazines are also available on the Libby app]
No Flying No Tights: Graphic Novel reviews
NPR Best Young Adult Books of the Year (2013 - 2021)
NPR 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels (2012)
Planet eBook: Free classic literature for your device (EPUB, PDF, MOBI)
Reading Rants: Out of the Ordinary Teen Booklists
Recommended Reading Lists for Teens & 'Tweens (South Plainfield Public Library)
Select Reads Newsletters
(personalized recommendations of books, audiobooks, dvds, and music)
Teen and Young Adult Literature (New York Public Library)
Teen Book Suggestions (Pasadena Public Library, CA)
YA Books Central Teen Book Reviews
Young Adult Reading Lists by Topic (Ocean County Library, NJ) UPDATED LINK!
Young Adults' Reading Choices Archive and Favorites Awards UPDATED LINK! (International Literacy Association & the Children's Book Council)
«««« NEWS »»»»
«««« SCHOOL »»»»
SCHOOL
Click here for EBSCOHost
or EBSCOHost Mobile.
Brainfuse HelpNow offers live online tutors in math, science, reading/writing, social studies, PSAT/SAT, ACT, AP and state standardized tests. Other features include Personalized eLearning Tools, 24-Hour Writing Lab for constructive feedback, expert guidance on homework questions, Adult Learning Center, and Foreign Language Lab/Spanish-Speaking Support. Apps for Android or Apple mobile devices are available from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Homework Links (South Plainfield Public Library)
Research Databases & Premium Resources «Library card required»
College info links (South Plainfield Public Library)
AP Central (Advanced Placement exams)
See also: Peterson's Test and Career Prep «Library card required»
College Payoff: More Education Doesn't Always Mean More Earnings (Georgetown University)
For some alternatives to college, see:
Alternatives to College links
Americorps (National & Community Service) & Peace Corps
Building Trades: Earn While You Learn Apprenticeships and related links
Free Online College-Level Courses
Job Corps Career Training Opportunities (Edison, NJ) NEW!
College Readiness Resources (PTA)
College Success Skills: Study Tips (Park University)
Introduction to College Research (free eBook)
Studying 101: Study Smarter Not Harder (UNC)
Study Skills E-Guide To Academic Success (Dartmouth College)
Free Online College-Level Courses:
Class Central (Search Engine for Free Online Courses & MOOCs)
MOOC.org: Massive Open Online Courses
The Great Courses (on Kanopy «Library card required»)
Spark Notes and other Study Guides (on Freading «Library card required»)
Universal Class Personal Enrichment Courses «Library card login required»
«««« JOBS/CAREERS »»»»
CRISIS
Call or text 988 for the NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE
if you are in suicidal crisis or emotional distress
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, PLEASE CALL 911!
ASIF: Adolescent Self-Injury Foundation
Bullying: Are You Being Bullied?
StopBullying.gov: Get Help Now
Online Harassment Resources NEW!
NJ Coalition to End Domestic Violence Statewide Hotline: 800-572-7233
Dating Abuse Helpline: Love is Respect (live Chat, text LOVEIS to 22522, or phone 1-866-331-9474) (explains different Types of Abuse)
National Domestic Violence Hotline: Warning Signs of Abuse NEW!
Middlesex County Support for Victims of Sexual Assault: Sexual Assault Response Team, 732-745-3271
NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault Statewide Hotline: 800-601-7200
No More: Resources to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault UPDATED LINK!
LGBTQ youth: TrevorLifeline (live chat, text 'START' to 678-678, or phone 1-866-488-7386)
LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
Mental Health: Teen Central (Teen Help for Teen Problems)
Young Adults & Mental Health (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Mental Health Resources for Teens and related links
More Mental Health & Stress Management resources
NJ Youth Resource Spot Resources & programs for young people in NJ who have had some sort of involvement in the NJ Department of Children and Families (foster care, Transitional Housing, etc.)
Runaway Switchboard: 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929, plus email, or live chat)
Save a Friend: Tips to Prevent Suicide
«««« HEALTH »»»»
ACTIVISM
Points of Light (formerly Generation On)
Americorps (National & Community Service) & Peace Corps
Learn About Current Events & Issues
Find More Volunteer Opportunities:
BE A VOLUNTEER TUTOR!
«««« Click here for tutoring info & application. »»»»
BE A LIBRARY VOLUNTEER!
We've got a variety of volunteer opportunities for students in 7th grade and above!
«««« Please contact Ms. Audrey for more information! »»»»
«««« Click here for general volunteer application. »»»»
«««« NEWS »»»»
CREATIVITY
...ART......MUSIC......MEDIA......THEATER......WRITING......MORE...
See our annual Staycation Guide for information about art, music, and theater venues in the South Plainfield area.
ART STUDIO
Art 21: Twenty-First Century Art & Artists VIDEO
Art & Writing Awards (Alliance for Young Artists & Writers)
How to Draw Manga & Anime Characters
Making Mini-Comics [Archived page]
In the Studio: Art Tutorials (Museum of Modern Art; hosted on YouTube) NEW! VIDEO
New Moon Girls: Submit Your Work
OpenToonz Animation Production Software
River of Words Environmental Art and Poetry Contest
Tumbln' with Kiki Magazine (Jewelry, Fashion & Craft projects) [Archived page; expect broken links]
Universal Class «Library card login required»:
Adobe classes (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
Photography 101 - Beginner to Intermediate
MUSIC STUDIO
BBC Music Maker Advice VIDEO [Archived page]
Drummer World Drum Clinic AUDIO
From the Top Celebrates Disabled and Neurodivergent Musicians VIDEO
Gaiada Virtual Audio Loop Machine for DJs, Performers and Musicians
Guitar Basics lessons, plus Virtual Guitar Tuner, Scales & Chordbook VIDEO
Piano/Keyboard Lessons Online VIDEO [Free registration required; paid membership required for full access]
Universal Class «Library card login required»: Introduction to Music Appreciation
MEDIA STUDIO
Careers in Film UPDATED LINK!
Motion Picture Craft [Archived page]
Movieola Coffee Break Film School VIDEO
Multimedia Tutorials (audio, video, photography, web, and more)
Open Broadcaster Software for video recording and live streaming
Podcasting 101 (Book Club for Kids) AUDIO
Radio Diaries: DIY Radio Handbook
Transom Public Media Tools and Techniques
Universal Class «Library card login required»:
Youth Radio DIY: How to Make a Podcast and other DIY topics
THEATER
Actorama.com Monologues & Scenes
American Theatre Wing (AWT): Working in Theatre
National Theatre (UK): YouTube channel (includes How We Made It series) VIDEO
WRITING
Art & Writing Awards (Alliance for Young Artists & Writers)
BookTrust Writing Tips for Teens
NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) Resources for Young Writers
New Moon Girls: Submit Your Work
New Pages: Young Authors Publishing Guide (2022)
Polyphony Lit Magazine (poetry, fiction, and creative non-fiction from high-school-aged writers)
River of Words Environmental Art and Poetry Contest
Universal Class «Library card login required»:
Creative Writing for Beginners
MORE
ArtsEdge Creative Arts How-To Videos (Kennedy Center Education)
Copyright Law and Fair Use for Creative & Digital Artists & Filmmakers: Online Comic Book
Intellectual Property Law: Why Should I Care?
«««« TECH »»»»
«««« NEWS »»»»
DRIVING
First Driver License/ID (age 16) & Graduated Driver License (NJ)
10 Ways New Drivers Can Stay Safe
Parent-Teen Driving Agreement (American Academy of Pediatrics) UPDATED LINK!
Parent-Teen Driving Agreement (AAA) [Link opens a PDF]
FITNESS & SPORTS
Food, Fitness, Exercise & Sports (includes info on sports safety & sports injuries)
Mental Skills Training: Sport Imagery for Athletes
Nutrition: Eating for Sports (TeensHealth)
Sports Nutrition Webinar (Central Washington University, hosted on YouTube) VIDEO
Sports Fitness links (Medline)
Sports Injuries: Common Sports Injuries (American Academy of Family Physicians) NEW!
Steroids: Get Smart About Drugs (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)
Drug Facts: Steroids (U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Useful Websites: More Fitness links
Kids' Sports & Coaching Webfinder
«««« OUTDOORS »»»»
«««« HEALTH »»»»
HEALTH & SAFETY
«««« Click here for CRISIS LINKS »»»»
TeensHealth (includes Teen Nutrition & Fitness Center and Teen Safety)
Take Charge of Your Health: A Guide for Teenagers (U.S. National Institutes of Health)
Nutrition for Teens: My Plate (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
See also Nutrition: Eating for Sports and related links, above.
How food companies design ads to manipulate you
Ingredients in popular snack foods can make them addictive
10 Steps to Positive Body Image and related resources
Bullying: Teens Against Bullying
Webfinder: People with Disabilities
Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco:
Drug Facts (2017 - 2022, National Institute on Drug Abuse)
Just Think Twice Drug Info (U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration)
Alcohol and Health (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism), including Facts About Teen Drinking NEW!
Vaping: What You Need to Know NEW!
SmokeFree TXT for teens: text QUIT to 47848
Love is Respect: Healthy Relationships
Is this abuse? NEW!
How to Make Healthy Decisions about Sex
Trevor Project: Q & A on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and more (for LGBTQ Youth) UPDATED LINK!
Military Teens: Health & Wellness
Military Youth and Teen Programs
Pedestrian Safety: Heads up, Phones Down
Self-Help Brochures on Mental Health topics UPDATED LINK!
Webfinder: Meditation & Stress Reduction AUDIO VIDEO
Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Talking to Your Parents (Or Other Adults)
Dealing With Your Parents' Divorce NEW!
Dealing with Parents who have a Drug or Alcohol Problem
Coping with Mental Illness in the Family UPDATED LINK!
When Your Parents Have Mental Illness
Youth & Young Adult Books and Articles for people with LGBTQ parents [Archived pages]
Advice for teens with Alzheimer's Disease in their family
Helping teens understand dementia
TECH HEALTH & SAFETY ISSUES:
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Fire Safety
Log Off Movement: Social Media Awareness
Social Media Tips for Teens VIDEO
Online & Social Media: Why do I compare myself to others online? NEW!
How to find healthy online communities NEW!
USEFUL WEBSITES: Health & Fitness & HOMEWORK LINKS: Health
«««« CRISIS LINKS »»»»
«««« FITNESS & SPORTS »»»»
JOBS/CAREERS
«««« PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR IDENTITY & YOUR PRIVACY WHILE JOB-HUNTING »»»»
After you get a job offer: Apply for NJ Working Papers
Career Readiness Resources (PTA)
Employment Considerations for Youth With Disabilities
Disabilities: Resources for Job Seekers with Disabilities [Site was unavailable when checked 2/25]
Youth with Disabilities: Disclosure and the Workplace - Why, When, What, and How
More Career Resources for Students with Disabilities
Idealist.org Internships & Volunteer Opportunities
My Next Move: What Do You Want to Do for a Living?
Protect Yourself, Your Identity & Your Privacy while Job-Hunting
Teens 4 Hire: Top 10 Qualities Employers Want Most
Teens 4 Hire: Best Things for Teens to Do if You Can't Land a Job
Young Workers: You Have Rights! (OSHA Worker Safety)
Young Worker Safety & Health (CDC) UPDATED LINK!
Young Workers in NJ: Rights and Protections
More Resources for Young Workers (U.S. Department of Labor)
Babysitting Student Guide / Worksheets (2007) [Link opens a PDF; archived page, 2008] and Babysitting Instructor Guide (2020) UPDATED LINKS!
American Red Cross Babysitter's Training Handbook [Archived page, 2008]
Building Trades: Earn While You Learn Apprenticeships (Associated Builders and Contractors NJ)
Government Jobs & Internships for Students & Recent Graduates UPDATED LINK!
Seasonal Jobs: NJ State Park Service
Instagram Scam Alert for aspiring social media influencers
Best practices for social media influencers and content creators
NEWS
«««« Disinformation Stops With You! »»»»
Fake News & Fact Checking links
Bad News game INTERACTIVE
MediaWise: how to identify misinformation NEW! VIDEO
Online Hate and Misinformation: Explainers NEW!
Spot the Troll INTERACTIVE
Verification Handbook For Disinformation And Media Manipulation
DIY: How To Be an Ethical Journalist
Trusting News: Training and Resources to help journalists earn trust NEW!
Multimedia Tutorials (audio, video, photography, web, and more) [Archived page]
Story Craft: Nieman Storyboard UPDATED LINK!
Universal Class: Journalism 101 «UNIVERSAL CLASS Library card login required»
Homework Links: Current Events, Issues & Controversies
«««« TECH »»»»
«««« MEDIA STUDIO »»»»
«««« ACTIVISM »»»»
«««« WRITING »»»»
OUTDOORS
See our annual Staycation Guide for information about outdoor recreation in South Plainfield and the surrounding area.
Highland Wood Environmental Reserve
South Plainfield Environmental Commission Facebook page
South Plainfield Recreation Department
Other local parks and recreational facilities
Middlesex County Youth Conservation Corps (seasonal jobs for ages 16 and up) NEW!
Staycation Guide: Things to do in the South Plainfield area
Summer Safety Center for Teens
«««« FITNESS »»»»
MONEY & SHOPPING
Be a Smart Consumer: Common Deceptive Marketing Tactics
Consumerpedia Podcast: Whatever Happened to Truth in Advertising? AUDIO
Elements of Money VIDEO
Hit the Road: A Financial Adventure Game INTERACTIVE
Money Talks: Financial Literacy Videos for Teens VIDEO
Next Gen Personal Finance Arcade Games & Interactives VIDEO INTERACTIVE
Reality Check: Calculate the Cost of Your Dream Life
The Story of Stuff videos VIDEO
So Kind Gift Registry (from Center for Biological Diversity)
Clean Clothes Campaign: Where Can I Buy 'Clean' Clothes?
More Green Living, Green Shopping, and Recycling links
«««« JOBS/CAREERS »»»»
TECH
«««« CYBER SAFETY: Online Safety Tips for Teens, Connect Safely: Quick Guides, and Online Privacy & Security »»»»
«««« CYBER PRIVACY: Privacy Tips for Teens, 8 Creepy Things Your Smartphone Knows About You, and Apps & Privacy links »»»»
UPDATED LINK!
«Library card login required»
More COMPUTER & TECH RESOURCES
NOTE: Most of the sites below include VIDEOS INTERACTIVES
FIERO CODE learn-to-code software is designed to turn you into a coding pro! Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to enhance your skills, Fiero Code offers a comprehensive curriculum in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Python, and more! [Library card required]
Introduction to Computer Science (Harvard)
Khan Academy: Computing Lessons VIDEO
More free Computer Science courses (listed on ClassCentral.com)
Alice: Learn Computer Programming in a 3D Environment
Blender: Open Source 3D Content Creation Software
Cognitive Class: Free Data Science and Cognitive Computing Courses
Free Code Camp (Learn to code HTML, CSS, Javascript & more)
The Coding Train: Beginner-friendly creative coding tutorials & challenges
Inkscape: Free Vector Graphics Software
Thonny: Python IDE for beginners
Invent Computer Games with Python & Scratch (eBooks are free to read online)
Scratch: Create and Share Interactive Stories, Games, Music & Art
Sketchup Free 3D Modeling Tool [NOTE: Free registration required]
