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A beginner’s mind

From our circadian rhythm to our “cicadian rhythm,” many life events follow naturally recurring cycles.

A bookish year in review

Like any other year, 2024 has had its share of ups and downs. In terms of the library world, there were the reports on book

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 few Fall titles

Fall is when publishers release their biggest titles of the year. If you prefer to focus on under-the-radar reads, here are five

A few new tricks

Here are some recent updates to help you find books you’ll love in any format.

A gift of time

Here are a few ways the library can help you give the gift of time this year.

A kind of paradise

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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 new (old) publishing trend

Centuries ago, the edges of the pages of a book were sometimes decorated in gold leaf, abstract designs, or even tiny paintings as

A pass to new discoveries

With a library card, patrons can get free access to a great assortment of museums in New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York.

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

A YA March preview

A preview of some exciting new young adult books arriving in March.

Adventure begins at the library for all ages

Stickers, coupons for ice cream and summer reading logs go together like barbecues and fireworks on the fourth of July. But, summe

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 groups and more

Winter is the perfect time to join a book club. Whether you are looking to expand your mind or social network, we have a group for

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.

Conquering the fall election daze

As we find ourselves deep in the days building up to the presidential election, it’s easy to either compartmentalize our fears or

Crochet and Creativebug

Over the years, I have started and then abandoned countless projects, hobbies and creative endeavors. Anything that took real time

Currently reading…

I wanted to become a librarian to help people, to make a difference and to be part of a larger community. I’m curious by nature,

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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

Democracy at your library

As the pace of election season picks up and the intensity of the campaign season settles upon us all, the library aims to serve

Disappearing ink

March 8 was International Women’s Day, though if you typically rely on Apple or Google’s calendar, you might have missed the

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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Facets of history

Over the next few months, we’re diving into family and local history at the library from a variety of perspectives.

Fall favorites

Fall is my favorite time of year, a time when I find myself the most inspired.

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: building community

Here are five books that offer perspectives on building community and strengthening relationships. 

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.

For teens, by teens: teen-led library programs

At the library, we are dedicated to creating an environment where teens can lead, collaborate, and make their voices heard.

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

Fumbling toward retirement

One moment you’re grounded in mid-life, juggling to pay mounting expenses and the next moment, your friends and family members beg

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Getting creative this spring

Spring is a time of inspiration and a great time to reinvigorate (or discover) your artistic sensibilities.

Getting to know public humanities fellow Sue Iseyen

Those who visit the library often have likely seen a new contributor to the programming team: public humanities fellow Sue Iseyen.

Give the gift of books

It is difficult to imagine a better gift than a book, particularly for a child.

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Happy birthday, Y2K!

Twenty-five years ago this week, the world exhaled a sigh of relief when clocks struck midnight…and nothing happened. 

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

Homecoming

When I first moved from Bangladesh to Brooklyn, nothing about my new life felt comforting.

Hooray for preschool and kindergarten

It's no secret Princeton is an extraordinary place for high-quality education at all levels. Preschool, pre-K and kindergarten are

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

Introducing our new piano

There has been a change to our setup in the Community Room, which may not be noticeable even to frequent visitors to our space.

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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

Knitting for others

Let me start with a confession: I have never knitted anything. I haven't even tried to learn to knit or crochet.

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Latin at the library

Among the plethora of languages inscribed on the tiles of the "Happy World" installation, Latin seems to blend in discreetly.

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.

Light in the dark

During dark times, it’s helpful to reflect on the people and organizations who provide relief, community, and support.

Living a creative life at the library

I started my career as an author for teens and tweens in 1999. My two decades in the book business swung wildly between periods of

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...

Love Data Week

A few months ago I received an email one of my colleagues at the library that read

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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.

Making the most of wherever you are

Travel is about enjoying the experience, whether you fly for hours to somewhere new or walk through your neighborhood.

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

Membership has its privileges

There’s an amusing line from a children’s song I’ve always enjoyed: “Having fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card.”

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.

New year, new reads

A new year brings new possibilities. It’s an odd mix of starting fresh and resuming the tasks you left behind last year.

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.

Organized books, organized mind?

There are seemingly endless ways to organize books; each system reflects a different way of thinking about books and organization.

Origin and meaning of Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month, which occurs every July, is an opportunity to celebrate and honor the lives, accomplishments, and

Our 2025 public humanities topic: Justice

Throughout 2025 the library's public humanities initiative has been exploring justice from multiple perspectives.

Oral history initiatives

The core team working on Voices of Princeton has been planning a couple special projects with its collaborators.

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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

Princeton Student Film Festival celebrates budding auteurs

A shapeshifter wakes up with wings and learns to fly. A newly elected dog Mayor serves his first term alongside Santa Claus. A tri

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."

Squirrel confidential

For a few days during National Library Week I had the pleasure of transforming into a squirrel.

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

Staying grounded on the ground beneath our feet

However one may feel the election, there is likely to be uncertainty about the future; but it can help to take a broader view.

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

Summer snacks

Summer is my favorite time of the year. The days are long, the weather is warm, and everything just feels fresh and new. During

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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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Teen summer volunteers

As we approach the midway point of summer reading, participants in our Teen Summer Volunteer Program are kicking it into high gear

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 spring on Spring

As I drive in and out of Princeton during my commute each day, I pass new businesses and shops on Nassau Street and buildings and

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

Those librarians

As a child, I was encouraged to read as much as possible, and to read as diverse as possible. I was intimately familiar with every

Top of the charts

Ah, the end of the year - a time when people who enjoy stats and data can really dig into how their annual activities stacked up

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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

Voices from Princeton and beyond

Everyone has a story to tell. Even if a person sees no great value in their own story or chooses not to share it, the texture of

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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 a library display can do

Many aspects of the library's physical presence only rarely change, others are in a near constant state of revolution.

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
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