Staycation Guide 2023

• Click here to find related library materials: NJ GUIDEBOOKS
• Click here to find related library materials: NJ DESCRIPTION & TRAVEL
• Click here to find related library materials: FAMILY RECREATION in NJ

Thinking about keeping your vacation local this summer, or maybe just planning to do some exploring right here where we live? Maybe you’re new to the area, or just haven’t had a chance to get to know what’s in your own backyard? We have information that can help you find fun & family-friendly things to do in South Plainfield and the surrounding area!

Webfinder: Green Living

• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Sustainable Living
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Organic Living
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Green Products
• Click here to see all our GREEN LIVING WEBFINDERS

Baby Steps to Going Green provides practical green tips that can easily be introduced into your daily routine (Earth 911; site includes advertisements). See also 12 ways to save energy and money (America Saves), 10 Habits of Highly Sustainable People [NEW!] (Green America), How to Start Living a Zero Waste Lifestyle  (GreenerChoices.org),

Webfinder: Green Shopping

• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on green products
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on natural products
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on organic living

EPA’s Sustainable Marketplace aims at helping you choose safer, more environmentally-friendly, and often less costly products & services (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). NJ WasteWise Business Network can help owners of small businesses  learn how waste reduction, recycling, and recycled product procurement not only help the environment, but also your bottom line. Individuals can close the loop by buying products with recycled content (State of California).

EWG’s Skin Deep is an online safety guide for cosmetics and personal care products, launched in 2004 to help people find safer products, with fewer ingredients that are hazardous or that haven’t been thoroughly tested. EWG also has similar guides for Household Cleaners, Food,

Webfinder: Recycling

• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS about recycling

Recycled Items are Not Created Equal [Link opens a PDF] –  Despite what many consumers think, not all packaging materials are equally recyclable. This infographic shows you what happens to plastic, glass, and steel items when they are recycled (2019, Consumer Action).

Recycling in South Plainfield provides information for local residents on drop-off and curbside pickup, including yard waste, textiles, motor oil, paint, tires, electronics and more. See also

Webfinder: Green Lawn & Garden

• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Gardening
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Lawn Care
• Click here for Kids’ booklist: Let’s Plant a Garden
• Click here for Garden-based Learning links

Bug Review offers descriptions of some common home & garden insect pests, with photographs, habits, potential damage, and non-chemical control recommendations (University of Illinois). For information about ticks and how to deal with them, see Preventing Ticks in the Yard (U.S. CDC), Ticks and Tick-borne Disease & Prevent Tick Bites (Rutgers Cooperative Extension), Tick Bites (Medline),

Webfinder: Spring Cleaning

• Click here to find RELATED LIBRARY MATERIALS

STEP 1: Clear out the clutter! [NEW!] – The University of Illinois Extension Service offers basic advice on sorting and getting rid of stuff. You’ll find more clutter-busting tips at Live Simple: Rule Your Stuff, Simple Ways to Make Your Home into Your Sanctuary, Ultimate Guide to Decluttering [NEW!], and Podcast: Clutter vs Hoarding- How to Live Clutter Free [AUDIO].

STEP 2: Where to Donate Goods – If you’re doing spring cleaning, you may find things to get rid of that are too good for the trash. What to do with them? Our ‘Where to Donate Goods’ page can help! Includes recycling info, too. See also How to responsibly get rid of the stuff you’ve decluttered [NEW!], and Getting Rid of Your Unwanted Stuff.

STEP 3: Resell that stuff! – Thinking about having a yard sale to get rid of some of that extra stuff? Consumer Product Safety Commission laws and regulations apply to anyone who sells or

Webfinder: Adult & Continuing Education

• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS for Self-Instruction
• Click here to find GREAT COURSES CDs & DVDs in the library (also available for streaming on Kanopy)
• Click here for ONLINE CLASSES in Career Skills, Personal Growth, Language Learning, plus Research & Homework resources [Library card required]
• Click here to find more ONLINE EDUCATION RESOURCES

CAUTION! Before signing up or paying for any education program, please verify that the school or program is properly accredited. A complete list of recognized accrediting agencies may be found on

Webfinder: Kids’ Sports & Coaching

• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Coaching Youth Sports [UPDATED LINK!]
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Sports injuries in children [UPDATED LINK!]
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Baseball for Children [UPDATED LINK!]
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Soccer for Children [UPDATED LINK!]
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Basketball for Children [UPDATED LINK!]
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Football for Children [NEW!]
• Click here to find LIBRARY MATERIALS on Hockey for Children

You must Create an account on Universal Class and log in to take universal class courses for free. Otherwise you will be charged for the class.

Coaching Boys Into Men – Aimed at helping coaches to reduce disrespectful or dangerous attitudes and behaviors toward women, this site offers coaching tips, advice and useful anecdotes from great

Webfinder: People with Disabilities

• Click here to find RELATED LIBRARY MATERIALS
• Click here for Learning Disabilities resources
• Click here for local Community & Social Services
• Click here for HOMEBOUND DELIVERY SERVICE from the library

Disability.gov is no longer available. Benefits.gov offers a brief Overview of U.S. Disability Resources [NEW!] highlighting healthcare benefits, disability insurance, and the interactive Benefit Finder. Many employment-related resources, including Accessible Technology, Flexible Work Arrangements, Health Care, Housing, Personal Assistance Services, Transportation and more, are now linked at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. See also USA.gov: Disability Services, Federal ADA and Disability Resources, and Disability Assistance

Webfinder: Learning Disabilities

• Click here to find RELATED LIBRARY MATERIALS
• Click here for links on BOOKS & READING: SPECIAL NEEDS
• Click here for more links for FAMILIES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
• Click here for more links for PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Accessible Educational Materials – Resources to help you get started using accessible materials and technologies.

Additude Magazine – Information and practical advice for families and adults living with ADHD and learning disabilities. (WebMD LLC; site includes advertisements)

Disability Discrimination: Frequently Asked Questions – Explains federal laws Section 504