Monthly Archives November 2012

Westchester Readers, Come Meet Westchester Writers

Westchester Readers, Come Meet Westchester Writers

Every year the county's annual literary journal, The Westchester Review, hosts a couple hours of readings by local authors here at White Plains Library. Join us on Saturday, December 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. as we celebrate the 2013 edition of The Westchester Review, featuring authors from the Hudson to the Sound. Writers from the 2013 issue will read from their work and entertain with varied voices and visions. Editors will be present to answer questions, with Review copies available for sale and submissions for 2014 issue encouraged. Refreshments served.  
Read More

November 30, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults, author event, and books.

Upcoming Math Programs for Kids and Parents

Upcoming Math Programs for Kids and Parents

The White Plains Public Library is pleased to present two math programs next week. For Kids: Mixing in Math for Grades 3 – 6, December 4, 4:30 p.m. Math is all around us! Join us for math games in The Trove. Play, have fun, and keep your math skills sharp. For Parents: The New Math Curriculum, December 3, 7:00 p.m. Lisa Weber, K – 12 Mathematics Coordinator for the White Plains Public Schools, will provide an overview of the new elementary school math curriculum including demonstrations and hands-on activities. Join us for these educational and informative sessions.
Read More

November 27, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults, children, and The Trove.

Book Bunch – Book Discussion and Pizza for Kids

Book Bunch – Book Discussion and Pizza for Kids

Did you know that The Trove has a book discussion group for third through sixth graders? We read great books and talk about them over pizza at Uno Chicago Grill! Join us for our December Book Bunch. Third and fourth graders will be reading Chocolate Fever, by Robert Kimmel Smith and we will meet on Thursday, December 27th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Henry LOVES chocolate – he eats so much chocolate that he comes down with chocolate fever! He doesn't want to deal with doctors and hospitals, so he runs away and many adventures follow. Fifth and sixth
Read More

November 26, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, and The Trove.

Our New, Low Cost Experimental Online Catalog PC

Our New, Low Cost Experimental Online Catalog PC

In my position as manager of information technology here at White Plains Public Library, there are times when my job goes beyond being merely enjoyable, times when it truly becomes a source of excitement. This is one of those times. The reason for the excitement is a modest little device no bigger than four by seven inches. One that will set you back a grant–a $50 bill, that is, not one from a charitable foundation–and , when connected to a monitor, keyboard, mouse and the internet, is very well-suited to using cloud-based applications such as web-based email and other online
Read More

November 23, 2012 5:13 pm | by | 4 Comments
Categories: Homepage and Library News.
Tags: computers and technology.

The Use of a Raspbian-based APC as an OPAC Kiosk System

The Use of a Raspbian-based APC as an OPAC Kiosk System

Thanks to the good folks at VIA Technologies, we recently received an APC Android PC for evaluation. The device comes with a VIA 800MHz processor, 512MB of RAM, 2GB NAND flash RAM, VGA, HDMI, 4 x USB, audio in/out, 10/100 ethernet and a microSD card slot. All at a $49 list price and in a 170 x 85mm form factor (about 3.3 x 6.6 inches). It's also capable of 720p resolution video. We are currently evaluating its potential application as an Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC), said system needing only to provide a web browser running in fullscreen kiosk mode–nothing
Read More

November 23, 2012 12:19 pm | by | 8 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: computers and technology.

Can you read this?

Can you read this?

More than 30 million Americans over the age of 16 cannot read, write, or speak English at the 5th grade level. They struggle with even the simplest transactions of daily life, and most job opportunities are closed to them. Can you imagine what life would be like if you couldn’t: •Read the label on a medicine bottle? •Decipher directions? •Help your child with homework? •Fill out a job application? One-on-one, small group and classroom instruction from properly trained and certified volunteers and professional instructors can turn individual lives around. If you, or someone you know, has a few free hours
Read More

November 23, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults, literacy, and services.

Grace Paley: Collected Shorts

Grace Paley: Collected Shorts

Join us for the Hadassah Film Festival, four great evenings of documentary films celebrating Jewish women who impacted the world. On four Tuesday evenings this fall, the Westchester Region of Hadassah will host films and discussions on the lives of remarkable Jewish women. The third film is “Grace Paley: Collected Shorts“. Lilly Rivlin's intimate documentary is a rich, inspiring portrait of writer, activist and New York icon Grace Paley. Discussion to follow. This film will be shown on Tuesday, November 27th from 6:45-8:45 p.m., including a discussion after the film. Future Tuesday films and discussions will be held December 11th
Read More

November 22, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults and film.

White Plains Building Department Fast-Tracks Permits

White Plains Building Department Fast-Tracks Permits

The City of White Plains Building Department is fast-tracking the permit approval process for homeowners and businesses who come in for a permit to address storm-related damage. Residents and businesses that have work done should make sure they receive a City of White Plains Building Department Certificate of Compliance upon completion of the work. Without this certificate, there is no way for the resident or business to know for certain that the work was completed properly and to code. The Building Department is available to answer questions about the permit process for electrical, plumbing, building and sign permits, Monday –
Read More

November 20, 2012 1:18 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults and City of White Plains.

Friends Don’t Let Friends TXT & Drive: Part of the Allstate Readiness Series

Friends Don’t Let Friends TXT & Drive: Part of the Allstate Readiness Series

Teens and parents, join us for this vital program on preparing teens to become safe drivers. Monday, November 26, 7:00 p.m. Guest speaker Jacy Good will share her powerful story.  Just hours after her college graduation, Jacy and her parents were victims of a tragic accident involving a teen driver using a cell phone.  Jacy has become a nationally-recognized safe driving advocate educating people on the risks of distracted driving. Steve Mochel, owner of Fresh Green Light, an innovative driving school in Rye, NY, and Greenwich, CT, will present the facts on distracted driving, graduated licensing, and parental responsibilities Refreshments,
Read More

November 19, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Foundation, parents, teens, and workshops.

The Consulate General of Mexico Returns

The Consulate General of Mexico Returns

The Consulate General of Mexico will be processing passports and consular IDs for their citizens at the Library on Tuesday, November 27th through Friday, November 30th, 10am — 1:30pm. A limited number of appointments are available each day. To make your free appointment, use MEXITEL: – Phone 1-877-639-4835 – Online at http://sreweb.mexitel.com.mx/mexitel_web/ More information on requirements can be found at the Mexican Consulate website.
Read More

November 15, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults, español, and services.

The Art of Storytelling

The Art of Storytelling

Kids in grades 6-8, join Alex Barile, graduate student at the School of Visual Arts, for this 3-session drawing program. Participants will learn fundamentals of designing a character, figure drawing, how to create a layout, specific angle shots and their meaning, what not to do, and continuity. Snacks will be served! The Art of Story Telling – Tuesdays, November 13, 20, & 27 at 7:00 PM    
Read More

November 14, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: art, classes, and teens.

A Plan for the Library's Future

A Plan for the Library's Future

Interested in where the White Plains Public Library is headed the next few years? Then take a few minutes to look over our strategic plan. Many people in the White Plains community helped out with this plan, whether through interviews, focus groups, informal advice, or our morning-long planning retreat in May. Again, a big thanks to everyone for his or her time! A strategic plan is like a road map; it outlines the directions we will be taking, and the actions we need to take to reach our goals. This strategic plan covers the next three years, and is closely
Read More

November 12, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: all ages.

Smart $ for Teens: Part of the Allstate Readiness Series

Smart $ for Teens: Part of the Allstate Readiness Series

Join us on Saturday, November 17 at 2:00 PM or Wednesday, November 28 at 6:00 PM. This workshop developed for middle school and high school students, teaches smart-money behaviors. It provides an overview of the common money tools teens will use throughout their lives such as credit cards, checking accounts and how to budget their money. Because dumb money is not an acceptable form of currency.
Read More

November 9, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: classes, Foundation, teens, and workshops.

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg!

Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg!

Join us for our Hadassah Film Festival, four great evenings of documentary films celebrating Jewish women who impacted the world. On four Tuesday evenings this fall, the Westchester Region of Hadassah will host films and discussions on the lives of remarkable Jewish women.    The second film, “Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg” is the humorous and eye-opening story of the actor, writer and broadcasting pioneer, Gertrude Berg. This film will be shown on Tuesday, November 13th from 6:45-8:45 p.m., including a discussion after the film. Future Tuesday films and discussions will be held November 27th & December 11th.  Check upcoming blog posts
Read More

November 7, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults and film.

The Rock 'n' Roll Show

The Rock 'n' Roll Show

I've been booking concerts for the Library for nearly five years now. When I started, the tradition was to have popular music (in other words, “Great American Songbook”) in the fall and jazz in the spring. While this has always been popular, I started thinking about the audiences we get for these shows. Many attendees are seniors and I'm sure the American songbook concerts have touched upon some old favorites of theirs and introduced younger attendees to classic music. However, time marches on and my own parents are seniors now. While they know many American songbook songs, they grew up
Read More

November 5, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults, all ages, and concert.

Non-Fiction Comics

Non-Fiction Comics

When it comes to non-fiction books created in a comics style, the term “graphic novel” becomes a misnomer, although it is certainly still used. I prefer to say “graphic non-fiction.” Are you surprised that non-fiction material has been covered by comics? The one “graphic novel” to win the Pulitzer Prize was in fact non-fiction – Maus by Art Spiegelman. (In 1992 alone this book won Pulitzer, Eisner, and Harvey awards and Los Angeles Times' book prize for fiction. (!) This book tells the story of the artist's father's experience in the Holocaust as a Polish Jew and the artists' coming
Read More

November 2, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adults, books, collection, comics, and graphic novels.

Sleepover in The Trove

Sleepover in The Trove

Did anyone ever wonder what goes on in the library after the doors close at night? Well, we offer the chance for your child’s stuffed animal to sleep over and find out. Coming up in November, children ages 4 to 8 years may participate in the two-part Stuffed Animal Sleepover program in the Trove. On Friday, November 16, 2012 children can bring their stuffed animals friends to the library to listen to stories, make a craft, and tuck the animal friends in. On the following day, Saturday, November 17, 2012, children will return to pick up their animals, participate in
Read More

November 1, 2012 7:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: author event, children, storytime, and The Trove.