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Resources -
Special Collections
The Plainfield Public Library holds various important collections that are broad and diverse. This collection includes fine art, genealogy, diversity, the archives professional collection, NJ and US history, as well as the original library collection from the 1800’s. There is also an additional set of books that support our collections such as photography, art, architecture, and historic preservation. Our Special and Local History Collections are held in closed stacks. They can be accessed during our hours and by appointment with the our staff. Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding the use of these items.
New Jersey Reference Collection
(Jerseyana Collection)
The New Jersey Reference Collection comprises a broad selection of New Jersey materials containing 2260 monographs, pamphlets, periodicals and serials covering state, county and municipal history, government, education, genealogy, technology and literature.
|  | Our collection also includes New Jersey State Documents. As a partial depository for state documents since 1968, Plainfield Public holds many government items concerning our area and its population.
Parts of this collection are not catalogued including the New Jersey and the Plainfield clipping files. Other clipping collections are to be found in the original scrapbooks of the library. The originals of the Plainfield clippings can be seen in the Archives and copies in the Reference Department. The NJ clippings are located behind the Reference desk.
| | United States History Collection
This extensive collection contains unique missives and serials from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, War of 1812, World War I, and World War II. Serials and texts from both sides of the Civil
War give an interesting study of the period. |  | The collection includes broadsides of newspapers during the war.
Some books describe specific branches of the Armed Services and their involvement in the conflicts. Related items include recruitment posters for the first and second world wars. Periodicals from the 19th century through the middle of the twentieth century include Harper's, Railway Age, Scientific American, St. Nicholas, the Journals of the Continental Congress, War of the Rebellion and Antiques. | | Local Authors Collection
This collection includes a broad array of about 100 books of 35 local authors. A recent inventory showed that Plainfield has had authors since the early 1800's writing about everything from science to poetry to children's books. |  | | Local authors can be accessed by using keywords Plainfield-Local Authors database. Selected authors include: Van Wyck Brooks, Judy Blume, Adele DeLeeuw and many others. | | Genealogy Collection
Our broad genealogy collection provides one of the library's wealthiest resources, concentrating on New Jersey county, state and regional families. Frequently used sources include genealogies of single families and collective biographies, as well as biographical indexes. Reference material also covers emigrants and Mayflower descendants, published DAR records, and biographies of New Jersey residents. |  | | Searches are also possible by category of persons or by ethnic group, such as with Guide to Tracing Your African American Civil War Ancestor. Genealogical periodicals cover New Jersey, New York, New England and Pennsylvania. A subscription to the online resource HeritageQuest is part of the library's continued dedication to genealogical research in general, as well as the gathering of material regarding area families. | | Diversity Studies Collection
The Library began development of its Diversity Studies Collection in 2003 to gather and preserve research materials on the minority groups of Plainfield. |  | | Included in this focus are published and unpublished resources on the history, culture and literature of African-Americans, the Gay and Lesbian community, the Hispanic communityand the Caribbean community. Resources include monographs, periodicals, folios, sheet music, and photographs. | | Fine Arts Collections
The Library's Fine Arts Collection includes three original works by Winslow Homer, two early Audubon prints, two oils by John F. Carlson and one by Jonas Lie. |  | | The library also owns works by Plainfield artists Riva Helfond, Arnold Schmidt, and Alonzo Adams, as well as original sketches, drawings and watercolors by various noted children's illustrators. In all there are thirty important works. A Cloisonn and Porcelain Collection was donated by the library's founder Job Male. | | | Images of art or photographs found on this website are not to be used in any manner without the expressed written permission of the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees as delegated to the Library Director.
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