South Plainfield Public Library
USEFUL WEBSITES

General & Multi-Subject Sites

South Plainfield Outreach and Referral Resources - Phone numbers for local, county & state resources such as emergency shelters, crisis hotlines, counseling, employment, unemployment, and more. See also South Plainfield Social Services - Welfare Department (Borough of South Plainfield) and Community & Social Services brochures & resources.

Call 2-1-1 when you need to find state or local resources to address urgent needs or everyday concerns. 2-1-1 is free, confidential, multi-lingual, confidential, TTY accessible, and available 24/7. 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)

COVID-19 RESOURCES [Archived page]

Reference: Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, etc.

Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia [SP library card required] - Over 25,000 encyclopedic entries covering a variety of subject areas (EBSCOHost). EBSCOHost's Explora databases also include articles from Funk & Wagnalls. See also Encyclopædia Britannica Online, below.

Facts on File Reference Databases [SP library card required] - A diverse collection of reference databases on American History, American Women's History, African-American History, American Indian History, Modern World History, Ancient & Medieval History, World Geography & Culture, Science, Health Reference Center, Blooms Literary Reference, Fergusons Career Guidance Center, Curriculum Resource Centers.(Facts on File / Infobase)

World Almanac for Kids [SP library card required] - Online reference on a wide range of topics, including the arts, biography, geography, health, language, math & science, social studies, and sports; written for students in 4th - 8th grade. (Facts on File / Infobase)

Acronym Finder - Need to know what acronyms like GPS or VDT stand for? Acronym Finder searchable database of more than abbreviations and acronyms about computers, technology, telecommunications, and the military.

Ask a Librarian - Before you use the Library of Congress's 'Ask a Librarian' service to get answers to your research and reference questions, first consult a librarian at the South Plainfield Public Library - we will often be able to respond more quickly, and are better able to identify and respond to your specific and ongoing needs. Once you have exhausted local resources, however, try the 'Ask A Librarian' service; you will generally receive a response within 5 business days. You can also chat online with subject specialists at certain hours. When using the 'Ask A Librarian' service, your message should explain what resources you have already consulted. See also N.J. State Library Information Center: Ask a Librarian.

Blue Letter Bible - An online Bible searchable by keyword, phrase, or chapter/verse. An alternate Bible site is Bible Gateway.

Calculators & Converters: Online Conversion - 'Convert just about anything to anything else. Over 5,000 units, and 50,000 conversions. Over 5,000 units, and 50,000 conversions.' (By Robert Fogt, a website/software developer). Martindale's Calculators Online offers links to many additional online calculators and converters (currency, weights & measures, time zones, etc.) (by Jim Martindale).

Data: Free Public Data - Explores the best free data sources covering business, politics, government contracts, charities, environment, health, education, and crime (2020, Poynter Institute, journalism school). Google Public Data Explorer provides access to state, national, and international data on a wide range of topics, including economy, health, environment, technology, and more. Data Universe NJ [Paid subscription required] is a portal to public government data, with links to property records & taxes, government payrolls, school performance report cards, crime reports, and more (Asbury Park Press / Home News Tribune / Courier News). For more US data, see U.S. Census Bureau, below.

DICTIONARIES: Farlex Free Dictionary AUDIO [CAUTION: This site includes links to Wikipedia articles] - 'English, Medical, Legal, Financial, and Computer Dictionaries, Thesaurus, Acronyms, Idioms Encyclopedia, a Literature Reference Library, and a Search Engine all in one.' Provides definitions from a variety of standard references including the American Heritage, Collins, and Random House dictionaries. See also Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary & Thesaurus AUDIO & Visual Dictionary AUDIO and Dictionary.com & Thesaurus.com (Random House Unabridged Dictionary) . Use the OneLook® Dictionary Search [CAUTION: This site includes links to Wikipedia articles] to search dozens of web-based dictionaries from one site.

Encyclopædia Britannica Online VIDEO [Full access available only to paid subscribers] - Free access to articles on featured topics. EB also offers a free trial period for full access. Encyclopedia.com provides 'reference entries from credible, published sources like Oxford University Press and Columbia Encyclopedia.' See also Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia, Facts on File Databases, and World Almanac for Kids, above.

Internet Archive AUDIO VIDEO - 'A non-profit library of millions of free books, movies, software, music, and more.' You can also search the site for obsolete web pages; many otherwise vanished web pages and similar 'born-digital' materials (or older versions of them) are still available at the Internet Archive.

NEWS: AP Fact Check - Associated Press items which examine the statements of public figures for accuracy, plus a weekly roundup of untrue headlines that have been shared widely on social media (Associated Press is an independent, non-profit news cooperative owned by its U.S. member newspapers). See also Fact Check & Fake News links.

Quote Investigator® - Online quotation sources are often INACCURATE, and/or WRONGLY ATTRIBUTED. Quote Investigator® traces the origins of thousands of quotes, though it is not comprehensive. A list of research sources is provided with each article (By Garson O'Toole [pseudonym]; site includes advertisements).

Shakespeare: Open Source Shakespeare - Use this site to find passages from Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. For more resources on Shakespeare, see our Shakespeare links.

Telephone Area Code / Country Code finder - A list of telephone area codes, mostly 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 Area Code Maps (North American Numbering Plan Administrator [NANPA]). You can search the Real Yellow Pages (formerly Dex Pages) for U.S. residential and business phone numbers (white pages and yellow pages), or view entire phone directories in electronic format; now covers most states; replaces Verizon Telephone Directories; also provides a link if you want to Customize or Opt-Out of Directory Delivery (Thryv, Inc.). International White and Yellow Pages provides links to directories of business and residential listings worldwide (Wayp Internet Group; based in Norway). See also International Long Distance Calling Made Simple (FCC), International Calling Codes (International Telecommunication Union) and AT&T Access Codes.

Time of Day - The official time in all U.S. time zones. For a link to synchronize your computer clock via the Internet, go to NIST Internet Time Servers (National Institute of Standards and Technology). See also Daylight Saving Time Rules & FAQ (National Institute of Standards and Technology). Time and Date provides times for cities around the world, plus dialing codes and related information.

TRANSLATORS: Bing Translator and Google Translate - Type words or a website URL in the space provided, use the dropdown menu to choose from among dozens of 'from and to' languages, and these translators will translate for you - but not with perfect accuracy.

U.S. Census Bureau - Official source of statistics on population and demographics, as well as economic data. The Census Bureau's American FactFinder was retired in 2020; use data.census.gov to access Census Bureau data. For statistics related to noteworthy events such as holidays, see the Facts for Features homepage. Fast Facts: U.S. History provides a historical portrait of the United States, highlighting census-related statistics, innovations, events, and icons for each decade from 1790 - 2010 (U.S. Census Bureau). See also Data links, above.

USA.gov - Online guide to government information and services on all topics, including benefits, grants & loans, disasters, environment, health, housing, jobs, money, travel, immigration, laws, military & veteran services, and voting & elections, as well as Government Agencies and Elected Officials, which provides contact information for federal, state, and local government agencies & elected officials (USA.gov, official U.S. government website). See America's Founding Documents and related links for online texts of key documents such as the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Emancipation Proclamation, and more. See also Government & Law links.

U.S. News & World Report Rankings - Rankings for topics in education, health, money, travel, and autos. See also Time Magazine Best & Worst UPDATED LINK!.

U.S. Postal Service - The Customer's Guide to Mailing explains postal rates and fees, different shipping options, and other services. You can also buy stamps, track packages, and arrange for shipping with carrier pickup. Includes a chart of current prices and a postage price calculator for domestic and international shipping. The U.S. Postal Service FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) answers common questions about postal services, including an annual list of Postal Holidays. Enter an address or zip code in the Post Office Locator [Click on the post office name to bring up more details about that post office, including the ***LOCAL PHONE NUMBER***] to search for addresses, phone numbers, hours, and maps for individual post offices. You can also use the Locator to find collection boxes, self-service kiosks, passport locations, and more. Use Zip code+4 look-up to find 9-digit zips, or look up a zip code to find out what town(s) it covers (Official site, U.S. Postal Service).

Vital Records: Replace Your Vital Documents - Information on how to replace lost or stolen documents, including birth, marriage, or death certificates, immigration papers, driver's licenses, passports, tax returns, social security/Medicare cards, and even damaged money (2020; USA.gov). See also Overseas Records and Authentications (U.S. State Department) and Where to Write for Foreign Vital Records (2015, some info may be outdated; CDC/National Center for Health Statistics).

World Almanac - See World Almanac for Kids, above.

How-To Sites

Universal Class [SP library card required] - Free online non-credit courses for your personal enrichment. Courses are accessible 24/7 via the Internet, and are offered in a wide variety of subjects, including business, computers, cooking, crafts & hobbies, do-it-yourself, health, history, home & garden, office skills, parenting & family, personal care, psychology, real estate, self-help, religious & spiritual studies, web development, writing, and more. You will have up to 6 months to finish each course, and each course has a real instructor you can communicate with by email! (From Recorded Books) NOTE: Once you have registered on the site, you can go directly to the Login page.

Pronunciator Personalized Language Learning [SP library card required] - The world's most comprehensive language-learning service. 164 languages to learn, 144 languages to learn them in. Years of learning activities within each language. Start right away with Instant Access, or build a course customized to your interests or profession. Simply select the topics you love, the skills you want to build, and how much you want to study each day, and Pronunciator will build a robust and effective personalized course just for you - in a matter of seconds. Use the Bluebird app on your mobile device.

Testing & Education Reference Center [SP library card required] - Taking a college entrance or licensing exam? Looking for a college or graduate school? Need help finding scholarships? Use this database to search thousands of college and graduate school entries, identify scholarships, take practice tests, and use test prep eBooks. From Gale.

Genealogy Resources [SP library card required] - Links to Heritage Quest Online and Ancestry Library Edition databases as well as other selected resources for discovering your ancestry. PLEASE NOTE: Ancestry Library Edition is available only inside the library building! Outside the library, please use Heritage Quest Online. Heritage Quest Online offers access to over 20,000 family and local histories, U.S. Federal Census records, 1790-1930, thousands of genealogy and local history periodicals, bank records, and more, plus research aids with tips & tricks to get your research moving.

Due to lack of use and increased cost, Rosetta Stone, Learning Express Library and Job & Career Accelerator, and Method Test Prep have been discontinued. Please use Pronunciator Personalized Language Learning, Universal Class, Brainfuse JobNow, and Testing & Education Reference Center instead.

GCF Learn Free VIDEO INTERACTIVE - 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 life. Over 750 free lessons and 250 videos, covering a wide range of subjects from operating ATMs and reading subway maps to using office software and running a home-based business. Free registration required. (Non-profit organization: Goodwill Community Foundation)

Business - See our Useful Websites: BUSINESS RESOURCES page.

Computers & Internet - See our Useful Websites: COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY page.

DotDash Meredith - A collection of websites offering expert content on a wide range of subjects, including health, money, style, technology, travel, and more. Health information labelled ''Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician'' is reviewed by a Medical Review Board. (Part of IAC/InterActiveCorp)

Dummies.com VIDEO - The home page from the publisher of the popular 'For Dummies®' books offers a selection of how-to articles, videos, and step-by-step features on technology, money, lifestyle, careers, health, travel, hobbies, and more. 'For Dummies' videos are hosted on YouTube.

Etiquette Advice - Advice on correct behavior when dealing with friends & family, special occasions, and work & business (Emily Post Institute). The Spruce: Etiquette and Advice is another collection of etiquette tips for your home, family, friends and work life (part of DotDash Meredith). The Perfect Apology offers suggestions on 'the most effective and creative ways to apologize' in a variety of personal and business situations (authors unknown). For the correct way to address public officials, professionals, clergy, and others, see Protocol Resources (Protocol School of Washington) or Official Forms of Address (Emily Post Institute). For additional tips on correct behavior, see Etiquette for Children Friends with Disabilities & related links, and Technology Etiquette: Digital Manners & related links.

Evaluating Web Pages - See Evaluating Websites & related links.

Health & Fitness - See our Useful Websites: HEALTH & FITNESS page.

iFixit - 'A wiki-based site that teaches people how to fix almost anything. Anyone can create a repair manual for a device, and anyone can also edit the existing set of manuals to improve them.'

Instructables VIDEO [Some features are available only to members] - Illustrated, step-by-step, user-contributed instructions for a wide range of projects in crafts, technology, food, home & garden, outdoor recreation, and more. 'Instructables is a place that lets you explore, document, and share your DIY creations.' See also WikiHow, below.

Job Hunting - See our Useful Websites: JOBS & CAREERS page.

Life Kit - A podcast and newsletter offering practical information & advice on health, money, parenting, and life skills. (NPR)

Online Security - See our Useful Websites: COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY page.

Parenting - See our Useful Websites: PARENTING & FAMILY RESOURCES page (includes Grandparents/Elder Care and Pet Care).

Research: Digital Libraries and Archives [Archived page; expect some broken links] - This list contains over 250 libraries and archives that focus mainly on localized, regional, and U.S. history, but it also includes larger collections, eText and eBook repositories, and a short list of directories to help you continue your research efforts. (2013 - 2018, Online Education Database; now part of part of Red Ventures). The Library of Congress E-Resources Online Catalog NEW! is a large selection of links to online databases, e-Journals, e-Books, websites, and more; includes licensed resources (subscription or fee required) and free resources on the Web. The Library of Congress Gateway to Library Catalogs NEW! links to hundreds of online library catalogs in the U.S. and around the world. See also WorldCat.

WikiHow - Features 90,000 academically researched articles and 1000+ expert co-authors across 50,000 articles, covering a wide range how-to topics. See also Instructables, above.

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