SPOTSWOOD, NJ - The Spotswood Public Library is joining forces with the Springfield Public Library to bring a series of four virtual writing classes to their patrons. Each workshop will be led by instructors from the Writers Circle. The Writers Circle is an organization offering creating writing workshops for adults as well as children. The writing workshops are free and are taught by published authors.

The workshops are set for Monday, February 22, Monday, March 1, Wednesday, March 10 and Wednesday, March 17. All four workshops begin at 7 p.m. and contain a different writing focus. Patrons can sign up for all or select workshops. The first two workshops discuss igniting personal creativity while the next two are focused on journaling.

The programs are open to Spotswood and Springfield residents 18 years of age and older. Class size is limited. Only 20 students will be registered per session. A waiting list will be created once the session is filled. Spotswood residents should email Spotswood Library Director C.L. Quillen at clquillen@spotslibrary.org to register. Springfield's residents should email Springfield Public Library Director Dale Spindel at dspindel@sfplnj.org to register.

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Spotswood And Springfield Public Libraries Partner To Present Series Of Virtual Writing Classes This Winter - TAPinto.net

Macomb County's rural communities will soon get a boost in gigabit-speeds.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund announced its recent efforts to ensure greater access to broadband and high-speed internet will include nearly $363 million in federal funding for Michigan over the next 10 years.

"It's absolutely wonderful," said Mary Barnes, an assistant librarian in Ray Township, which is among the rural communities that are likely to benefit from the expansion. "I can't imagine living the world we live in now, and not having it."

Claire Lopiccolo concurred.

"I think the high-speed internet is crucial," said Lopiccolo, Romeo District Library Graubner branch library director. "We were open for most of the summer and fall but have been closed since November because of the coronavirus pandemic. I know we have a lot of residents, especially in Bruce Township who don't have access to the internet."

Once libraries closed, they were cut off, and that really became a problem when children and young adults returned to school and college.

"We've had wifi available from the parking lot during the pandemic, so students working on their college projects would have access to the internet,' Lopiccolo said.

Throughout the pandemic, many libraries have made it possible for residents to check out wifi hotspots, which provide internet access wherever needed, expanding service beyond their walls. The hotspots allow those without internet to check it out from the library. It can be used to access and connect wireless enabled devices such as laptops, smartphones or tablets. They are portable and are available to borrow for 14 days and can carry a $1 a day late fee if not returned on time. Devices more than 24 hours late are sometimes deactivated.

And it is not just students who have had to rely on libraries for the internet. Many seniors and working adults require high-speed internet for everything from filling out medical forms and financial statements to communication outside the home.

Today, approximately 1,243,339 Michigan households do not have a permanent fixed broadband connection at home. Financial experts believe such deficiencies can result in $1.8 to $2.7 billion in potential economic benefit left unrealized, not to mention the problems it creates for families who have students that need access for learning opportunities.

"The Internet access divide is real and must be addressed to provide opportunity for all Michiganders to thrive," Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II said in a news release. Gilchrist, who is helping to lead the Connected Michigan Task Force amidst the ongoing pandemic, said strengthening Michigan's infrastructure remains a key component for the state's economic recovery, and broadband and high-speed internet are as foundational to our infrastructure as strong roads and bridges.

"Over the coming years, these broadband projects will have a major impact in making sure Michigan is a home of opportunity for all," he said.

There are nearly 250,000 locations to have expanded access to broadband, including 2,300 in Macomb County.

"We're real excited about expanding our services to Michigan," said Garrett Wiseman, CEO for Mercury Broadband, the Kansas City, Mo. based company that will be doing some of the work. "We're looking forward to working collaboratively with the communities."

The work being done will cover everything from residential to commercial properties, including homes and churches, businesses and schools.

Besides just having access to the internet, users will also benefit from technology improvements.

"The speeds will be a lot faster, and the internet will be more reliable," Wiseman said. "The networks that are built today are much more robust and able to serve a lot more people."

The improvements will also broaden the opportunities for those in Macomb County -- many of whom reside in it rural areas -- to participate in telehealth, virtual learning, telework, civic engagement and many other activities that internet users have access to every day.

This federal funding also builds on $12.7 million in Connecting Michigan Communities (CMIC) grants that have been given through the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget announced by the Whitmer administration this past October. Among those given grant recipients was Armada Township, which received $3.3 million for a project that will cost approximately $3.4 million.

"We are very grateful for this opportunity and grant," said Armada Township Supervisor John Paterak. "It's not like getting the first television on the block. High-speed internet is a necessity not a luxury, and the whole COVID situation really shined a light on that. It's a necessity for homes and businesses. It's access to communications and education."

It is a necessity for the world that we live in," added Paterak, who believes that in the past bringing high-speed internet to rural areas where everyone lives on farms and acreages, has made it too costly for companies to consider. After all, in a suburban area where houses are closer together you'll have twice as many customers as you would installing cable to farmers who are living between 10 and 20 miles apart.

But technology has improved, and it has become more cost effective.

"This is a huge step forward for us to bring Comcast cable to the community," said Paterak, who has a subcommittee working diligently to come up with a plan of use for its grant, which will provide high-speed internet to 450 homeowners. "Once they get a foothold, we're hoping that they will be encouraged to add more."

All projects have committed to closing the internet access divide and provide digital literacy training materials to residents and businesses in their proposed service area, and work with local CAIs and foundations to host events to promote e-learning, job, and workforce training.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has made access to broadband more imperative than ever and building and strengthening broadband infrastructure throughout Michigan will be a driver of economic recovery efforts statewide," said Amanda Bright McClanahan, CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. "The benefits of having access to the internet can have a tremendous access on a person's future success and our state's overall economic prosperity, making it absolutely vital that we get to work with our public service and private sector partners to create more equitable access to broadband infrastructure statewide."

Wiseman said any details regarding when the work will be started and completed is still being worked out.

For more information, visit michiganbusiness.org/broadband.

Everyone will benefit from improved internet services in rural Macomb County, and the Ray Township Public Library is going to make sure theyre prepared for it.

The library was recently selected as one of 200 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that helps library workers better serve their small and rural communities.

The competitive award comes with a $3,000 grant that will help the library have conversations on connecting to a digital world.

We are grateful for this opportunity. Our goal is to bring digital literacy and confidence to our community, said Mary Barnes, Ray Township library assistant noting that Ray Township seniors will be their primary target.

Barnes said the township sent out a survey to residents, and rather than filling it out online at home, many seniors who really should be staying home because of the pandemic -- were showing up at the library. Most of them were not sure how to get on the internet or did not have access to it at home, Barnes said.

As part of the grant, staff will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. Staff will then play host and/or have a Zoom conversation with residents about technology and use the grant funds to provide hot spots and iPads for circulation, along with classes.

More than 300 libraries applied for the grant, according to ALA.

Since 2014, ALAs Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.

If you are interested in getting involved or taking part in the conversation, contact Mary Barnes at mary@raylibrary.org

For more information, visit raylibrary.org

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Bridging the digital divide: Broadband boost coming for northern Macomb County - The Macomb Daily

LONG HILL TWP. - All are invited to join the Long Hill Township Library and the New Jersey Audubon Societys Stephanie Purnett for a virtual talk at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 3, via Zoom.

Attendees will learn some bird basics, what kind of birds one might see in northern New Jersey and when to spy them.

This year the library hopes to kick off local participation in the Great Backyard Bird Count, a global citizen science project that conducts a four day live count of the worlds birds. The Great Backyard Bird Count will take place this year from Friday to Sunday, Feb. 12 to Feb. 15.

This is a great entry-level citizen science project for individuals and families. Learn how one's participation, which can be as little as 15 minutes on one day, aids the understanding of the complex distribution and movement of bird species. Residents are encouraged to aid the library in learning how all can help the birds.

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Curious about birding? Join Long Hill Library for virtual discussion Wednesday night - New Jersey Hills

By Randy Pierce [emailprotected]

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS Beginning on Monday, February 1, of this week, the Fairview Heights Public Library is now open on a limited basis for both browsing and computer access four days a week.

For those who wish to visit the library and look at books or other items, a maximum limit of 30 minutes for doing so is required so that others will be able to have the same opportunity. The occupancy limit of visitors will be 20 which includes no more than five people in the childrens area at the same time.

The hours for browsing will be from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Lobby pick up of items will be offered during those times and also on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Protective face masks will be required for anyone age two and over inside the library. For those unable to wear face masks, library materials may still be borrowed through the lobby pickup process. Hold requests can be made by calling the library at (618) 489-2070, by using the online catalog at http://www.fhplibrary.org or by sending an e-mail message to [emailprotected]

In order to limit close contact among visitors because of the coronavirus pandemic, only four computers in the library will be available for a maximum limit of 60 minutes per person regardless of residency status during the aforementioned Monday through Thursday times except for shutdown occurring at 5:45 p.m.

Because of social distancing guidelines, library staff will not be present to assist computer users. Printing will be available from the computers or by using mobile printing.

Because of the need to reduce the potential for the spread of coronavirus, the library is continuing to not allow meeting room reservations or the use of the public restrooms inside the facility. Book donations are also currently not being accepted.

Continuing also is the practice of accepting returned materials only through use of the outside book drop instead of inside the building at the circulation desk. Books or other borrowed materials that need to be returned should be deposited in the book drop before entering the building. All returned items will be quarantined for three days before being considered checked in and available for recirculation. No overdue fines will be assessed while such items are in quarantine.

Anyone who is feeling sick, experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19 or having been directed to stay isolated as a result of exposure may not enter the library. Because of the constant state of change concerning the pandemic, the librarys policies in regard to access may change on short notice. The patience of patrons is recommended and appreciated because the safety, health and well being of staff and visitors is the top priority.

For further information, call (618) 489-2070 or send e-mail to [emailprotected] The library is located at 10017 Bunkum Road in the City of Fairview Heights Municipal Complex between the Interstate 64 overpass and Lincoln Trail/St. Clair Avenue.

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Limited Reopening of Fairview Heights Library Announced - Herald Pubs

The Bio-Rad Western Blot Learning Center, available on bio-rad.com, was created to provide researchers an online platform to learn about western blotting, leveraging Bio-Rads experience and expertise in western blotting as well as protein electrophoresis that spans decades. The center offers comprehensive information on the science of western blotting, best practices, tips and techniques, as well as guidance on how to troubleshoot experiments.

Were delighted to share our experiences with researchers to help them optimize their experiments and achieve more reliable results, said Ben Wang, Bio-Rad Global Product Manager of Electrophoresis and Western Blotting Products, Life Science Group. The Bio-Rad Western Blot Learning Center extends our support to researchers, offering insights and techniques on blotting from our experts, he added.

Electrophoresis and western blotting are standard research methods used to characterize proteins.Bio-Rad offers a complete workflow solution for protein detection and quantitation featuring proprietary stain-free imaging technology, primary and secondary antibodies, as well as fluorescent and chemiluminescent imaging systems.

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Bio-Rad Launches Its Western Blot Learning Center, an Online Multi-media Library of Resources on Immunoblotting - The Scientist

The John P. Holt Brentwood Library is the perfect place to be this week for those who love quilting, birding, yoga or helping the community by giving blood.

See below for the entire schedule of events, including a few that are ongoing virtually.

The Brentwood Library is located at 8109 Concord Rd. in Brentwood.

Monday, Feb. 1

Red Cross Blood Drive (additional dates Feb. 2, 4 and 5), 11 a.m.

The library is hosting emergency blood drives to battle current blood shortages. To schedule an appointment, log on to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code CityofBrentwood. Registration is required to give blood. Register online at redcrossblood.org.

Wednesday, Feb. 3

Birding with Stacy: The Great Backyard Bird Count, 6:30 p.m.

The Great Backyard Bird Count is Feb. 12-15. To learn how to participate in your backyard or outdoor community space, register for this program, and Stacy Elliott will present tips and tricks that you will be able to use. Register online at https://brentwood-tn.libcal.com/event/7451169.

Thursday, Feb. 4

Quilling Class

Curious to learn how to quill paper? Receive a paper quilling kit and instructional video on quilling basics by registering for this class. Youll also learn how to make two Valentine's Day cards with paper quilling. The fee for this class is $10. Register online at https://brentwood-tn.libcal.com/event/7426809.

Friday, Feb. 5

Gentle Yoga, 9 a.m.

With a focus on breath and mindfulness, this class, suitable for all levels, is appropriate for those who want a softer, nurturing, slow-paced, well-supported and relaxing practice utilizing blocks and straps. Register online at https://brentwood-tn.libcal.com/event/7389711.

Virtual programs you can view any time

Out and About

Put down the books and learn new things in the world. View the program athttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsxXNRxa3gapl8UpqsTYIeNav28-raABM.

Tutorial Tuesday

On Tutorial Tuesday, make a fun craft you can do at home. Find past episodes on the citys YouTube channel athttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpy4tA7ME8ra38IDTTAXHVw.

Fingerplay Friday

Help your child develop their gross motor skills with these short stories and rhymes. Find episodes on the citys YouTube channel athttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsxXNRxa3gary65ukVZsWY4viHl2Vp6yt.

The World Explained!

Take real-world concepts and break them down so they are easier to understand for elementary-aged children. Find episodes on the citys YouTube channel athttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsxXNRxa3gap0w3OKTWsksxKficgBpdZj.

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Birding class part of busy week at Brentwood Library - williamsonherald.com

When the Urban Library Leaders series launched in 2020, it created a space for urban library pioneers and innovators to share the successes, challenges. and the importance of libraries as community institutions.

The series now continues into 2021 when Jersey City Free Public Library Director Jeffrey Trzeciak hosts Urban Library Leaders #4: Documenting the Black Web on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m.

Trzeciak will be joined by guest Makiba J. Foster, manager of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) in Fort Lauderdale, FL, a branch of the Broward County Library. The webinar will be held on Zoom; advance registration is required at bit.ly/JCLibraryULL4.

Fosters project, Archiving the Black Web, is a digital archive documenting the diversity of Black culture and content found on the internet.

The project is a collaboration between the AARLCC and national partners representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) libraries and African-American cultural institutions at public libraries.

Archiving the Black Web aims to define the vision for a sustainable long-term discipline to preserve Black culture on the internet. Foster and Trzeciak also worked together on Documenting Ferguson, a digital media archive at Washington University in St. Louis. Documenting Ferguson was that was born out of the response to the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson, MO, police officer in 2014.

Past installments of the series have featured Shamichael Hallman, manager of the Cossitt Library in Memphis, TN, who spoke about the power of public libraries as agents of civic engagement, and Yesenia Lpez, who shared the story of the New Jersey Hispanic Research & Information Center at the Newark Public Library.

Participants in the webinar will have the opportunity to be part of the discussion by asking questions and sharing their comments; questions may also be submitted in advance to hello@jclibrary.org. All who register for the webinar will receive a recording of the event after it airs live.

Past Urban Library Leaders webinars are available for viewing at bit.ly/JCLibraryULLplaylist. Upcoming installments are planned for April and June, with featured guests to be announced.

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Preserving Black culture on the web is topic for JC Librarys Urban Library Leaders - nj.com

Meg Miller | Guest columnist

The Pflugerville Public Library will host its 13th annual Romance Readers Social at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, to celebrate the romance genre and Texas authors. We'll meet virtually via Webex for a live author chat and sun catcher craft tutorial. Register online to receive an event link and to submit questions for the authors atbit.ly/3sb5ZEH.

Through a generous donation by the Friends of the Pflugerville Library, the first 50 registered guests will be able to pick up a bag with craft supplies and other goodies using the library'scurbside service between Feb.8 and Feb. 20.

As with all library programs, theevent is free. You'll just need a device with access to audio and video, or you can call in for audio only. Anyone 18 and olderis encouraged to register. Hosting the event virtually allows the library to welcome romance fans from Pflugerville and beyond. If you arent already a fan of the genre, this is a prime opportunity to enjoy an afternoon with other readers and authors talking about stories they love.

Maybe you found comfort reading a romance in the past year or are a long-time fan of the genre. Perhaps you even have fond memories of previous Romance Readers Social events. Wesure do. This year wont have the traditional spread of cupcakes and signed copies, but our romance readers are getting an amazing lineup of authors representing a wide spectrum of titles. The authors range from Tracey Livesay and Sajni Patels fresh contemporary stories to the paranormal worlds of Kerrelyn Sparks to the historical charm of Lorraine Heath. Read on to find out a bit more about each of this years authors and join us on Feb.13.

Patel was born in vibrant India and raised in the heart of Texas, surrounded by a lot of delicious food and plenty of diversity. She draws on her personal experiences, cultural expectationsand southern flair to create worlds that center around strong Indian women. Once in MMA, shes now all about puppies and rainbows and tortured love stories.

Heath always dreamed of being a writer. After graduating from the University of Texas, she wrote training manuals and computer code, but something was always missing. When she read a romance novel, she became not only hooked on the genre, but quickly realized what her writing lacked: rebels, scoundrelsand rogues. She's been writing about them ever since. Her work has been recognized with numerous industry awards, including RWA's RITA. Her novels have appeared on the USA TODAYand New York Times bestseller lists.

Livesays latest release, "Like Lovers Do," was named one of the 100 Best Fiction Books of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews and one of the Top 10 Romances of 2020 by Entertainment Weekly. Shes the 2020 Emma Award winner for Best Interracial Romance for "Sweet Talkin Lover." In addition to being named to USA TODAYs list of 100 Black Novelists You Should Read, shes been featured inThe New York Times,The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribuneand onCBS This Morning.

Sparks apparently has issues with reality.After writing 16 books about vampires, she has now completely gone off the deep end and wound up on another planet.But how thrilling that she can share her magical world of "The Embraced" with her readers. Although she is best known (so far) for the "Love at Stake" series, which has hit as high as No. 5on the New York Times list and 22 on the USA TODAYlist, she hopes her readers will also love "The Embraced" series.

For more information on events at the Pflugerville Public Library, check us out on Facebook @PflugervilleLibrary or visit library.pflugervilletx.gov for event dates and times. The library regularly offers free programs and special events for all ages. We hope to see you soon.

Meg Miller is the adult services librarian at the Pflugerville Public Library.

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Guest column: Love is in the air at the Pflugerville Library - Austin American-Statesman

We have lots of great virtual programs to keep your children and teens busy at home. Here are some:

Music Play Patrol. Its Monday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. for ages 110 years. Music Play Patrol is art and movement education for children as young as 12 months old. Content includes sing-alongs, musical stories and interactive activities that teach students how to create music with ordinary objects in their home. New content is published every Monday and Wednesday at MusicPlayPatrol.com/dashboard.

Toddler Tales Storytime. This program is for children up to about 6 years old. A new program is posted on our YouTube page every Thursday. It is designed to improve listening and group interaction skills through stories, movement activities, music and dramatic play. A kit is available during the first week of each month with supplemental coloring and activity sheets and craft supplies for the months story time programs.

Fun Fridays. New episodes are posted on our YouTube page every Friday including Kids Craft, childrens book discussions, science lab and basic chess instruction.

Teen Tuesdays. A new program is posted online every Tuesday on our YouTube page for teens including crafts, chess instruction, book discussions, talks about helping your community and demonstrations of various table top games.

You can find all of these great virtual programs and more happening on the Charlotte County Community Services YouTube page, tinyurl.com/y26c8aoa. There are videos featuring local artists and authors, chess tutorials, book discussions, childrens and adult crafts and more.

If you need some books, movies or music, the Englewood Charlotte Library offers curbside pick of requested items at the library Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. You can place holds for materials online on our website, bit.ly/36lZaXd by logging in with your library card number and PIN number. Select the items you wish to have delivered to us or another desired location and we will call or email you when they arrive to let you know they are here ready for pickup.

You can pull up on the S.R. 776 side of the library during the designated hours and pick up your items contact free in the reading courtyard after you give us a call to let us know you are here. You can also browse and check out materials inside the library from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. We are at limited capacity inside and computer use is available by appointment only. Meeting rooms and study rooms are not currently available. If you are new to the area and need a library card, you can stop in when we are open or if you are more comfortable with a contactless transaction you can give us a call and we can set you up over the phone and mail out your new card

If you have any questions about using our online resources or putting items on hold please give us a call at 941-681-3736.

The Englewood Charlotte Library is at 3450 N. Access Road in the Tringali Recreation Complex off State Road 776.

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COLUMN: Library has virtual programs for kids and teens - yoursun.com

The Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library in Washington Township has received a $500 stipend from Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change, an initiative of the American Library Association to help libraries engage communities in programs and conversations on the climate crisis.

As part of ALAs Resilient Communities programs, the library will host a Zoom talk on Climate Change Fiction: Just for Fun or Forecasting the Future, 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, with Rowan University writing arts professor Edward Ted Howell.

The library will host a community read book discussion of The End of the Ocean by Naja Lunde on Zoom on Wednesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. The book is available in print and audiobook format through curbside pickup, or it can be downloaded as an ebook or audiobook using the Libby app.

In addition, there will be a screening and discussion of a portion of the Nova documentary, Decoding the Weather Machine, on Monday, April 19, at 7 p.m.

Advance online registration via the librarys event calendar is required for all events. A link to each event will be emailed prior to the start.

Resilient Communities strives to raise awareness and provide accurate information about the climate change crisis to the public through libraries. The pilot project has been funded by a grant from Andrew and Carol Phelps, the parents of a public librarian and a library masters student.

Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Library is located at 606 Delsea Drive in Sewell. Call 856-589-3334 or visit http://www.hegganlibrary.org for more information.

Send community news to south@njadvancemedia.com.

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Washington Twp. library gets funding to address climate change - nj.com