502 Millbrook Avenue, Randolph, NJ 07869-3799
Tel: 973.989.7100 • Fax: 973.989.7076

Randolph Township Free Public Library

Randolph Township Free Public Library

library

Whether you walk through the library doors or use our online links, the library staff invites you to explore our offerings. Our mission is to provide services and resources to assist users in expanding their knowledge and talents, making informed decisions, enriching their leisure hours and enhancing their daily lives.

Announcements

Library Fines

All MAIN libraries including Randolph will remain fine-free through December 31, 2020.

Ways to Vote

The November 3rd general election will be conducted primarily via vote-by-mail ballots. Visit the Morris County Elections Center website for voting information.

Local Newspaper from the ‘60s

Did you know that Randolph had its own local newspaper from 1961 until 1963, covering local people and events? The Randolph Township Free Public Library has been the only place on Earth you could see and read these for the last 50 years. Now available digitally—full-access to the entire three-year run of the Home News of Randolph Township. Fully searchable…fun to read and explore!

Library Building Now Open

We are pleased to announce that our building is now open for limited services. Capacity and services will be reduced as per the statewide guidelines. OUTSIDE “PICKUP AND GO” SERVICES WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO PREFER THAT APPROACH.

To ensure we have a safe environment for our patrons and employees, the following will be in effect:

  • Masks will be required (exceptions made for children 2 & under only).
  • Everyone will be asked to sanitize their hands as they enter.
  • Only 25 patrons will be allowed in the library at any one time; a count will be taken at the door.
  • Social distancing (6 feet) will be requested at all times.
  • Public computers will not be available.
  • WIFI will be available outside from your car.
  • Bathrooms will not be available.
  • Newspapers will not be available.
  • Congregating or sitting will not be allowed.
  • Printing, copy machines or scanner usage will not be available.
  • Inter-library loans are not available.
  • Browsing is encouraged.
  • Librarians will be available to answer questions and help locate material.
  • Checking items out will be contactless.

We would like to thank everyone for helping ensure that the safety of our community and employees is a priority!

Antiracism Resources

The library has many resources addressing this issue. View a non-fiction booklist  or a fiction booklist  for adults/young adults or a booklist for children/young adults .

“Pickup and Go” Service Still Available

The Randolph Township Free Public Library is committed to the safety and well-being of our community. Our patrons may request Randolph Library items and pick them up outside the building.

Requesting Items: There are two ways to request items. 1) Call us to request up to six items per day and arrange for outside pickup. It’s important to have your library card number available when you call. We will respond to phone calls within 4 hours, if possible. We will only contact patrons if we cannot locate the item(s). 2) Place an online request for items owned by Randolph through our catalog. When an online request is ready patrons will be notified according to their profile settings, i.e., automatic phone call, e-mail or text.  All requested items will be held three days.

If help is needed in selecting an item, please call and ask to speak to a librarian. We are not receiving deliveries from other libraries at this time, so the requested items must be available in our library. Patrons interested in items available in another MAIN library, should call that library to check on their current status and their procedures. Randolph residents will not be able to place online holds on items that are owned by other libraries.

Picking Up Items: Call from the parking lot when you arrive. Materials will then be placed on the table next to the large bookdrop to left of the front door. Please practice social distancing when picking your items up.

Returning Items: Place all library returns in the outside drops or bring them inside the library. All returned items will be quarantined for at least 72 hours and will remain on your library card during that time. We are not accepting donations of materials. Please do not leave them outside the library or in our drops. Please return all Randolph items to Randolph Library since there is no transportation between libraries.

Library Cards

All Randolph residents are eligible for a Randolph library card. You can use it to download materials and access other online resources. If you do not have a card, please call us at 973.895.3556. We will make you a temporary card.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

The New Jersey State Library’s Information Center has put together a guide with all of the most current information regarding the spread of this disease and its impact. View guide

Upcoming Virtual Programs

Zoom Storytime

Join us on Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for a storytime for children of all ages. We’ll enjoy music, stories, puppets and other fun activities. In order to participate, please register in advance of the program. Zoom invitations will be sent out on Wednesday afternoons. If you don’t receive one, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this e-mail address).

Ongoing Virtual Programs

Birding: Identifying by Song

Northern New Jersey and southern New Hampshire share the same bird species. How many have you seen this summer? View video

Origins of Unusual Phrases and Expressions

Origins of unusual phrases and expressions—such as “dog days of summer” which has nothing to do with dogs, and “jay walker” which has nothing to do with blue-jays, and much more.

Comets! Asteroids! Meteors!

A newly-discovered comet dubbed NEOWISE will be visible this week to the naked eye. It’s the first visible comet of 2020. Learn more about the history of the solar system.

Henry “Hank” Shapiro

Hank is a regular performer at the library! Enjoy his weekly piano concerts.

Chair Yoga!

Everyone could benefit from some relaxation time. Try some chair yoga courtesy of Kitty Roma and the Randolph Library! You do not have to have a Facebook account.

The ABCs of Candy

Who knew? The history of chocolate and other candy in the Unites States, presented by Madison’s Museum of Early Trades & Crafts, including a little history of the unique building that houses the museum’s collection.

Amusement Park

There is nothing like an amusement park to bring on family fun!

Statue of Liberty

Did you know that when the Statue of Liberty arrived in the port of New York in 1885 it was in pieces (over 300!) and without the iconic arm which holds the torch?

Acadia National Park

The only national park to be made entirely of donated land.

Paterson Great Falls National Park

Alexander Hamilton made the case to President George Washington that industrialization was the future of the United States, and laid out a plan starting with harnessing the power of the Great Falls.

Artist Grant Wood’s Painting of an American Myth

George Washington cutting down his father’s cherry tree.

A Tour of Morristown with Joel Farkas

George Washington really did sleep here!

A Tour of Jockey Hollow with Joel Farkas

Did you know the British attempted to kidnap George Washington?

Ongoing Programs

Reading Groups

Highlights - Online Resources

Fact Checking Websites

It’s important to know the facts and identify fake news and fake social media posts. These websites are recommended by the American Library Association. Check out this short list of fact checking sites  as well as these relevant sites:
Berkeley Library
Middlebury Libraries
UCF Libraries
St. Louis Community College
American University

NJ Hope Line

Healthcare professionals say we are all experiencing a grieving process right now…isolation, loss of people, loss of social interaction. Even if you are not experiencing extreme distress, you can find support.

Career One Stop

Information on job searches, training, career exploration and interest. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

InstantFlix - Free Streaming Videos!

Enjoy unlimited access to over 7,000 high-quality shorts, features, documentaries, classic TV shows and Web series from 85 countries. Programming includes comedies, dramas, horror, documentaries, animations, classic TV, short films, and over 40 other channels and genres. InstantFlix also delivers films from major festivals all over the world, including Sundance, Cannes and Tribeca. This free service is provided by Morris County Library.

Universal Class - Free Online Classes

Access over 500 continuing education and personal development courses, both self-paced and instructor-led! This free service is provided by Morris County Library.

Test Preparation Materials

Mometrix provides materials and study guides for standardized exams including GED, GRE, Praxis, ACT, SAT, and many more. From home, you’ll need your library card number to login.