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A beginner’s mind
From our circadian rhythm to our “cicadian rhythm,” many life events follow naturally recurring cycles.
A few April favorites
One of the many pleasures of working in a library is seeing the latest books freshly unpacked from their boxes. I read glowing rev
A kind of paradise
Spotlight description goes here.
A long history
April is here, the sun is shining, the weather is warming and baseball is back. To me, nothing is more synonymous with spring and
A meal to build a dream on
Sometimes I dream of lavish dinner parties, themed summertime cocktail gatherings, tea parties, and picnics.
A place for preservation
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A snowy Princeton
As the holidays approach, I look forward to certain changes around town. Holiday décor and lights gradually get added. You hear th
A ‘third space’ for teens
If you’re a millennial you might be familiar with “third spaces,” spaces outside of home, work or school where people can gather
All the books: the minor miracle of interlibrary loan
We pride ourselves on having an extensive collection of books, audiobooks, and movies for all ages at the Princeton Public Library
Another kind of storytime
You’ve noticed the books, but we also share stories through our film and cultural festivals, oral history programs, and more.
April top 5 for under 5 – 2020
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April top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
August top 5 for under 5 – 2020
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August top 5 for under 5 – 2022
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
August top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
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Bake, bake, bake
It was when I was entering high school that I really got into baking. My younger sibling and I would take charge of all the family
Behind the scenes
Have you ever wondered what happens when you return a book to the library?
Behind the scenes
True to our vision, the library is a "vital cornerstone of community connection." We act as your office when you have important
Book shame
It’s time I made a confession. I, Dana Treichler, librarian and book nerd from Princeton Public Library, did not like “Where the C
Bookish playlists: the soundtracks of your reading life
Combining books and music isn’t a new concept, but it’s never a bad time to rediscover an enjoyable combination.
Bridging the past, present, and future
October is Family History Month, and we want to give you the tools to get started with, or continue, your own research.
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Celebrate self-love this Valentine’s Day
We’re all aware of the many romantic tropes that play out in the pages of young adult novels. For instance, there’s the misunderst
Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month
The library strives to celebrate and serve all of our community members. Each month, we work to highlight a distinct segment of ou
Change your view this summer
The stories that stick with you can change how you see yourself or the world around you.
Checking in
It’s time to take stock of my plans and goals. Naturally, some of those revolve around my reading life!
Comfort me with cookery
In some libraries of yore, the cookbook (or “cooking” as it appears in our collection) section was known as “cookery.”
Connect and enjoy
Non-traditional items can be checked out and used at home or on the go to help you connect to library resources.
Crochet and Creativebug
Over the years, I have started and then abandoned countless projects, hobbies and creative endeavors. Anything that took real time
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December top 5 for under 5 – 2022
We invite you to check out this month's PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources, and new books in the library
December top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
Down the rabbit hole
Almost everyone is guilty of falling into an online rabbit hole at some point or another.
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Embracing boundless adventures: my journey through South Africa and Zambia with my Princeton Public Library card
There’s an old saying that goes, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” Recently, I embarked on a li
Engaging with Women’s History Month
March marks the annual observance of Women’s History Month.
Every two minutes
Every two minutes, someone is forcibly displaced.
Exploring National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM) begins on Sept. 15 and ends on Oct. 15. This month offers an opportunity to explore the st
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February top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
February top 5 for under 5 – 2024
We invite you to check out this month's Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
Fifty, “Enchanted”
This blog began as a birthday tribute to beloved author Gail Carson Levine. After a decade of rejections from publishers, her firs
Finding oneself in Central Jersey, whether East or West
As a relative newcomer to the Garden State–I’ve lived in Princeton for only a little more than a year...
Finding the library connection
The library has something for everyone, and we hope everyone will take the opportunity to find what speaks to them.
Finding your perfect match
Whether the search is for the perfect job, home, car, or partner, the journey to find it will ultimately be lined with landmines b
Five on a theme: puzzles
If your love of puzzles runs deep, read more about the background of puzzles and the people who make and love them.
Five on a theme: the choices we make
It’s always a mixed consideration – for everything you might want to change, there are other things you’d hate to lose.
From Housing Justice to Democracy
In late 2022, Princeton Public Library launched its first Public Humanities Forum focusing on the housing crisis that many are
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Holiday music with Hoopla
Now that Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are all behind us, the holiday season is in full swing. Lights and decoratio
Hope and healing
As the anniversary of the Sept. 11th terrorist attacks nears, I find myself feeling off. Sad, solemn, uneasy, and down are all wor
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Inspiring the next generation of writers
A character study of a misunderstood tween demi-goddess living among normies. A comedy sketch mining laughs from an inept villain
Intentionally together: a discussion
Being human requires a wealth of fortitude and determination because, as we all know, life has its way with each and every one of
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January top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
Jersey fresh fiction
Since this is my debut as a blogger for the library, I’ve been thinking about the inspiration for “Sloppy Firsts,” my first novel
Job seeking tools for uncertain times
Looking for a new job, or thinking about a career change, can be both exciting and terrifying.
July top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library.
June top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
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Keeping TABs: a teen-led passion project
As the teen services librarian, when several of our Teen Advisory Board members approached me during the 2020 lockdown wanting to
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Let’s talk about books
You may already be a “book talker,” discussing books with friends and family, or in a book group.
Library resources for small businesses
If you’re a small business owner, are self-employed, or have a side gig, then you know that every little bit of support helps.
Living in your days
What makes a life? The concept of days being where we live is introduced by way of a Philip Larkin poem in Yiyun Li’s
Looking where you step
On a January weekend when the day was too unexpectedly beautiful not to get a bit of sand in our shoes...
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Make a change with the cottage spirit
Trends, styles, and aesthetics come and go over the years, and most of us grab bits and pieces of them to build our own.
Making the most of our digital collections
It’s clear that one of the things that keeps us connected in this time of quarantine and distancing is our love of stories.
Manga on the mind
Manga’s been on my mind since middle school.
March top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
March top 5 for under 5 – 2024
We invite you to check out this month's PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
May top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
Misadventures in AI
The library’s blog is filled with a variety of voices and unique perspectives, including my own, on books, reading, library servic
Music lessons with the Library of Things
“Things” is a broad term. The concept of a Library of Things has popped up throughout the country.
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Navigating your year of reading
Whose stories are you focusing on? What experiences are you missing? Whose voices haven’t you heard?
New to you
To keep yourself stocked with good books, let me encourage you to dive into the backlist and discover a wide world of reading joy.
November top 5 for under 5 – 2022
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
November top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
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October top 5 for under 5 – 2022
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
October top 5 for under 5 – 2023
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
Old school/new school
Part nostalgia, part ingrained feeling that fall can also herald new beginnings, this change of season always stands out to me.
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Paying attention
My hope is that a renewed sense of paying attention will expand rather than narrow your view, to build upon what you notice.
Poetry in parks
Last week, the Library of Congress, in partnership with the National Parks Service and the Poetry Society of America, announced a
Prompt for new beginnings
Traditionally, the onset of September brings to mind the return of school.
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Reading abroad
As a speaker of several languages (some with less fluency than others), I’ve frequently flipped through the library’s youth world
Reading the world
Books can help get you where you want to go, whether you’re in the car or on your couch.
Reading through 2022 and beyond
Do you ever wonder what your neighbors are reading? The library aims to create a diverse collection of materials across formats fo
Rediscover language
Song and poetry are siblings, both undoing our familiarity with language. One of my favorite bands, Sunset Rollercoaster is a Taiw
Reflecting back on resolutions
In 2023, my New Year’s resolution was to learn languages in order to connect more with the people in my life.
Resolving to do the thing
The best resolutions aren’t things we can achieve instantly; they'll demand ongoing effort.
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September top 5 for under 5 – 2022
We invite you to check out this month’s PPL Youth Services recommendations for activities, resources and new books in the library
Sharing for the summer
It’s joy enough to love a book, but there’s also something truly wonderful about sharing a favorite book or series with others.
Shivers in the summer heat
Everyone connects horror and Halloween, but summer is the perfect time to give yourself a fright.
Short stories for a short month
Anthologies and short story collections are a fantastic way to enjoy writers new and old and get a taste for their style...
Singing the “Library Card Song”
Nineties kids and their parents may remember the “Library Card Song” from "Arthur."
Starting a book group
Aside from the book groups that the library hosts for kids, teens and adults, Princeton is a town that has a healthy number of ind
Step by step
One of the ways I passed the time during the Covid lockdown was going on absurdly long walks with my son. It was during this time
Suburban flâneur
Cul-de-sacs, meandering peaceful roads, rows of houses, and the occasional shopping plaza–the suburbs are a peculiarly built space
Summer reading wrap-up
With PPL’s Youth and Adult’s Summer Reading programs coming to an end in less than a week, I find myself reminiscing and thinking
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Taking requests
An overview of the new browsable webpage of PPL's Storytime Songs and Rhymes video collection.
Tastes of the season
Food is at once so communal and so personal, and a scent or flavor can trigger a swirl of memories and emotions.
Teachable moments
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Testing the waters
It’s helpful to know that fiction (and even nonfiction) rarely stays in its lane; crossovers and bridges are everywhere.
The power of a school project
Earlier this month I stumbled upon a newspaper article about the exoneration of Elizabeth Johnson, Jr., the only remaining person
The Princeton Room: A treasure trove for the curious
My favorite thing about Princeton isn’t the picturesque walks on campus, the friendly faces or the abundance of good coffee shops
The sky’s the limit
Poet Maggie Smith posted “A wise person once told me to start each day by asking myself the same question: ‘What else is possible?
The tell-all
It has been about a week since “Spare,” the tell-all autobiography by Prince Harry, was released. It immediately broke the UK rec
There’s more to the story(time)
A few years ago, I was regularly attending dance fitness classes a couple times a week. Each session I would arrive, change into m
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Visiting art on the shelves
Among museum catalogs and monographs, the budding artist can find herself in good company.
Voices carry
The library’s main stairwell evokes a ship-like feeling. In fact, on a few occasions, patrons and staff members have reenacted par
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We can all use a pep talk
Poet Maggie Smith posted a piece called “Pep Talk: On Not Stopping” on her Instagram account. In it, she talks about her most
What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
A patron approached the desk and commented, “It’s like everyone just forgot what living with COVID was like and we’ve all just mov
When a little goes a long way
As much as I love to sink into a long novel, and even a series of long novels, sometimes a shorter tale is exactly what you need.
Wonderbooks are here
What I remember most clearly is the sound. It was a tinkly, bright, happy sound.
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Your own year’s best
The end of every year usually brings all sorts of wrap-up lists: “best of” collections of everything from cookware to influencers.
Your summer reading soundtrack
For anyone who came of age in the 70s or mid-80s, there is a nostalgia that has launched a vintage audio resurgence: yacht rock. M
Your voice matters
We are all living through a strange and uncertain time.
You’re invited to be present
Each month carries with it certain expectations and feelings. Just thinking about January can make one shiver, imagining the plumm