Have you checked out all the new stuff at the Jersey City Free Public Library?

Submitted by edwinblanco201 t3_zq498p in jerseycity

Hi Neighbors!

My name is Edwin; I’m the President of the Foundation Board for Jersey City Free Public Library, and I wanted to reach out to the JC subreddit to plug the library to neighbors who might not have checked out one of the ten local branches in Jersey City.

Borrowing books is just a fraction of what the JC Library has to offer. When the pandemic began, the JCFPL made it a priority to modernize and have since introduced not only borrowing eBooks, but also robust streaming services including:

  • Hoopla – for streaming movies, TV, comic books, audiobooks, and music.

  • Kanopy – movies and educational content.

  • PressReader – newspapers and magazines.

  • Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest for genealogy.

  • Udemy for online classes. (Kinda like Master Class)

  • Rosetta Stone for language learning.

The JCFPL also offers so many services to JC residents including:

  • ESL classes, adult literacy, citizenship classes, finance classes, computer classes.

  • Amazing live music via the Community Awareness Series.

  • Museum passes to the Natural History Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and more.

  • Chess clubs, afterschool programs, community events.

  • WiFi hotspots.

  • Just another quiet place to study or work for free.

All of this and more is available for free to Jersey City residents with a Library Card. You can register for one for free online here: https://jepl.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/default/search/registration/$N/SYMWS/true

The Library is making an effort to provide even more services to the community while also maintaining and upgrading physical branches. (The Miller Branch just celebrated 100 years and needs some touch ups!)

But it needs your help! I know every charity is asking for donations during the holidays, but any amount given to support and expand these programs would go a long way. Please consider donating here: https://www.jclibrary.org/about/donate/

Be on the lookout for a happy hour fundraiser we’ll be hosting on January 19th at the Main Branch downtown on Jersey Ave! Details forthcoming.

But we’d also be thrilled if you just signed up for a Library card or told a friend about the JCFPL.

Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!

PS. LUXURY BOOKS

PPS. I also wanted to mention another way to donate would be to set your smile.amazon.com charity to the JCFPL!

If you shop with Amazon but haven't used Smile yet, simply shop Amazon as you normally would but use the address smile.amazon.com and Amazon gives a small percentage of your total purchase to a charity of your choice.

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Comments

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kokoromelody t1_j0w71fl wrote

Thank you for sharing! I'm a longtime JCPL subscriber and have definitely benefitted from all the new and expanded digital services that have been offered!

For those who are also looking to donate, please check with your employer if they offer donation matching!

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0waa0f wrote

Great point - thank you. And thanks for being a subscriber and spreading the word!

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FelixTaran t1_j0w776f wrote

I have a library card and because I am somewhat underemployed it has been great. So many audio books! For free! It’s amazing.

Please post about the fundraiser when you have details; I will definitely support to the best of my ability.

PS: not a plant.

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0wa7ke wrote

Thanks so much! Hiring you as a plant going forward.

You may have already checked it out but the library also offers some job placement assistance and counseling here: https://www.jclibrary.org/resources/employment-assistance/

Not sure about your industry but they will also be posting their own ads for jobs opening for various positions at the library periodically: https://www.jclibrary.org/about/employment-opportunities/

Will make a post in the new year with details about the fundraiser.

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GreenTunicKirk t1_j0wny7s wrote

Can I be hired as a plant?

I enjoy drinking water and sitting by a window in the sun. Preferably reading, which is something I understand libraries excel in?

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FelixTaran t1_j0xebpr wrote

Nobody in Jersey City is this nice. Are you actually the big blue Bigfoot character??

Thank you so much for the resources. I truly appreciate it!

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0z6ysw wrote

Shoutout to JC Bigfoot!! He is sometimes at the library or at community events!

Thanks for the kind words! Wishing you the best.

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BigAlOof t1_j0wc0ww wrote

i got a card just for the digital stuff (i can’t take out books that don’t automatically return, i have a book hoarding problem) and it’s been great. but the most unexpected thing was checking out pressreader and finding out they have Fortean Times. it’s my favorite magazine but it’s big and british and like 12$ a pop. based on that alone i’m gonna donate!

i am also not a plant but did want to be a librarian for a long time.

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RebeccaLoneBrook29 t1_j0ywnn7 wrote

Librarians are a civilization's heroes

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doglywolf t1_j0zehvc wrote

For sure! They don't get enough credit ! Modern one even do a great job at teach basic computer classes.

In my experience they have been the calmest nicest people excepct like one angry old lady at the central branch that seems to be annoyed when people even talk to her.

but 99 out of 100 are some of the best humans you will ever meet - i love people that are into books it says a lot about them too so im biased.

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SpicyMargarita143 t1_j0x1ubo wrote

I am the biggest fan of the library. A few of my favorites features:

  • Phone calls and emails when my books come in, such a kind and generous thing to do.

  • All the Children’s Activities. Miss Barbara and crew at the Main Branch are absolute gems.

  • LIBBY! I don’t feel like you guys hype Libby enough. Hoopla is cool and all for audiobooks, but I find their selection very limited. Your Libby selection is much larger (and compatible with the kindle so I get to check out eBooks and read them on my Kindle, it’s great!).

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0z79nv wrote

Thanks for sharing that! And you're right, I def should have put Libby first.

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chazthetic t1_j1gaw4p wrote

Libby is a godsend! I read so much on my kindle thanks to that app

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0w9g9n wrote

I also wanted to mention another way to donate would be to set your smile.amazon.com charity to the JCFPL!

If you shop with Amazon but haven't used Smile yet, simply shop Amazon as you normally would but use the address smile.amazon.com and Amazon gives a small percentage of your total purchase to a charity of your choice!

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grimache83 t1_j11rmnc wrote

Changing my smile donations to this now, didn't know it was an option!

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metalheart90 t1_j0wc4iv wrote

Thank you so much for posting this information! I moved to JC about a year ago and have been meaning to sign up for a library card. Thanks to your post I just did :)

Will definitely be changing my Amazon smile donation to the JC public library!

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cmc t1_j0wdllx wrote

Thanks for posting! I’m new to JC and keep meaning to get a library card, so I’ll sign up and make a donation today.

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Acceptable_Version57 t1_j0wmr8y wrote

The process was so easy to apply for my library card today. I emailed them a photo of my license to prove JC residency. They replied with my library number and mailed the physical card to my house. I was able to use their services immediately.

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0z7kb6 wrote

Thanks for sharing your story - that's exactly how I got mine too.

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KustyTheKlown t1_j0wrkox wrote

this is a dumb question, but are all of those digital services accessible remotely or do you need to be physically present at a library to use them?

great post by the way. thanks.

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0wrzye wrote

Not a dumb question - you can access all the streaming stuff on the first half of the post remotely.

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GoodLurker t1_j0xqpgh wrote

How can you access Rosetta Stone and Udemy? I tried searching on the library website but couldn’t figure it out.

PS: I use my JC library card on Libby and it’s been wonderful!

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0z6hhm wrote

Does this link work? https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,cpid&custid=s9148802&groupid=main&site=rosetstone&return=y

If not, they should be listed under the digital section of resources when you go to jclibrary.org.

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GoodLurker t1_j11bsfe wrote

That worked! Thanks so much - had no idea about this access :)

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j14pbn4 wrote

Enjoy it! Please let me know if you find something really good on udemy.

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mimosanj t1_j0wsosc wrote

Donated, and thank you for all you do. You were an essential resource for me before I could buy a computer and had to job hunt in a digital world. I am forever grateful.

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0wt761 wrote

Thanks so much for sharing that and for donating! That warms my heart, I'm glad the library was a resource for you.

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imaluckyduckie t1_j0w6y6e wrote

Would love to see JCPL catch up to some of the other public libraries in the area with 3D Printers

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0w9q78 wrote

Thanks for mentioning that! There will be 3D Printing available at the new Communipaw branch at 295 Johnston which should open next year. It will also have a maker space and recording studio!

Aside from that, they're also trying to have 3D printers available at some branches sooner. Let me get an update and I'll share it with you.

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sugarfu t1_j0wvmnx wrote

Having a maker space is fantastic! And the new branch would be a nice addition to our area.

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stf210 t1_j0wc5su wrote

Can't wait for that branch to open. Do you have a date or time frame? I'm also a media professional and could volunteer depending on services that are available.

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0ws7vh wrote

I'll get an update for you asap. And thanks for the offer of volunteering, that's very generous! Are you ok DM'ing me your contact info so I can pass it along to the right people please?

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0z7z0o wrote

UPDATE: 3D printing will also be available late January/early February the Miller Branch.

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joey_afa t1_j0wumip wrote

Do you have any volunteer opportunities to teach software development courses?

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0wxcb0 wrote

Sure! Thanks for offering - could you please DM me your contact info and I'll forward it along to the right people?

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xpaiged t1_j0zcgoe wrote

love the library!!!!!! hoopla is also wonderful

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kulgan t1_j0wxqo0 wrote

Is there any way to request a book be added to the ebook library?

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lizthelibrarian21 t1_j0wz8b9 wrote

If you use Overdrive, here are instructions on how to recommend a title.

https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/0860.html

Or you can tell me. I work there.

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kulgan t1_j0y2hew wrote

Thanks! Hmm. Since you asked, maybe some Martha Wells? I'm not caught up on Murderbot. Great series, by the way.

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lizthelibrarian21 t1_j0zfl2r wrote

Okay done! Added titles to the next order. I am not sure when they will be available on Overdrive/Libby but make sure to keep an eye out.

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Sybertron t1_j0xejaq wrote

Any desire for makerspace stuff like 3d printers and laser cutters?

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0z6mt9 wrote

Hi! Do you mean you have some you'd like to donate?

Or if you mean if there's interest in adding it to the library, they will have both at the new 295 Johnston location next year. Will also update about 3D printing at other branches soon as they are looking to add.

edit: UPDATE: 3D printing will also be available late January/early February the Miller Branch.

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Sybertron t1_j0zcblf wrote

Oh was just curious if you had started getting any of that capacity!

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0zdrt1 wrote

Yup 2023 will be your year for 3D printing and maker space at the Library! Get your card now and check in at the Miller Branch in a month or so.

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BassicApe t1_j0yz67h wrote

Thanks! I’m a teacher do you ever need any additional teachers for the classes you mentioned above? I have experience teaching all of those types of classes

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edwinblanco201 OP t1_j0z6clc wrote

Thanks so much for reaching out! Could you please DM me your contact info so I can pass it along to the right people?

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HobokenJ t1_j0zbwki wrote

Just registered for my card! Thanks for posting.

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worldlybedouin t1_j0zenp4 wrote

Huge props to the JC library. We go to the Main branch almost every Saturday morning like clockwork. The staff there is amazing, friendly, and we've gotten to know them well. They have been super helpful to my 8yr old and her finicky reading tastes and helped find books to keep her entertained this past 1.5yrs we've been going regularly.

While we've known about some of the above listed offerings, there's clearly more the library is doing which I wasn't aware of. This is a great list and lots more stuff to help keep our family entertained without being price gouged (cough inflation LOL) for everything. Hooray, less $ spent on entertainment and more for groceries!

Thank you to all the staff of JCPL for all your hard work and being so amazing.

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enron_scandal t1_j0zhfv7 wrote

Thank you for plugging this, I had been meaning to get my JC library card for a long time. Just registered for it!

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AJ_24601 t1_j10uxw0 wrote

Any plans to expand West Side's hours? Right now it closes at 5pm, while other branches are open to 6 or 8pm.

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literarytswift t1_j1740ts wrote

I live (and have lived) in JC for 8 years but still have an out of state license— I do pay taxes here tho! Can I still sign up? Thank you!

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lizthelibrarian21 t1_j19m5aw wrote

If you receive any bills or statements to your Jersey City address (they can be online as well), you can use that as address proof.

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