Monthly Archives June 2015

Poetry Slam with Gary Glazner July 1st

Poetry Slam with Gary Glazner July 1st

Our exciting “1st Wednesday” series continues on July 1st at 7:00 p.m. with an Open Mic, Slam competition and performance from guest poet Gary Glazner. As always, our Poetry Slam will be co-hosted by local poet and slam-master Eric ZORK Alan. Glazner is the founder and Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Poetry Project (APP). The APP was the recipient of the 2013 Rosalinde Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving Legacy Award. The APP was awarded the 2012 MetLife Foundation Creativity and Aging in America Leadership Award in the category of Community Engagement. PBS News Hour, NBC's “Today” show and NPR's
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June 26, 2015 6:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Library Foundation, and Teens.
Tags: Foundation, Gary Glazner, poetry, poetry slam, and Zork.

Every Hero Has a Story!

Every Hero Has a Story!

The Trove summer reading game begins Monday, June 29 and runs through August 14. Be a hero and READ! Each day you come in to report on books you have read, you will receive a prize. Bring your passport from school or get one from The Trove and get it stamped each time you come in. We will have summer reading suggestions displayed for all grades through grade six. Summer Reading Game
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June 24, 2015 2:18 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, reading, summer, and The Trove.

Battle of the Books in The Edge

Battle of the Books in The Edge

  All tweens and teens entering grades 6-9 in September 2015 are invited to join the Edge team for the Battle of the Books competition! Teams from libraries throughout Westchester will compete by answering trivia questions based on five different books. Participants will read the pre-selected books over the summer, attend team meetings, and compete (as a team) in the Westchester Library System Battle of the Books tournament. The tournament takes place on October 17, 2015, at Ossining High School. The first meeting takes place on June 23 at 4 p.m. in The Edge Media Lab. We will be discussing
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June 22, 2015 2:11 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Teens.
Tags: books, teens, and The Edge.

Hidden in Plain Sight Opens in The Gallery

Hidden in Plain Sight Opens in The Gallery

“Hidden in Plain Sight,” an exhibition of photographs by Barry Katzen of architectural details on buildings in White Plains, will go on view at The Gallery in the White Plains Public Library on June 19. The exhibition will be open to the public through August 2, 2015. Long-time White Plains resident Barry Katzen has spent the last decade recording architectural details throughout the city. “I sought out the interesting, the beautiful, the mysterious, and the downright strange.” Katzen has captured valuable visual treasures which are still embedded in our built environment. Opening reception will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 18. It is free and all
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June 15, 2015 6:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Gallery.
Tags: all ages, art, gallery, and photography.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Leola Bryant

People & Stories Oral History Project: Leola Bryant

Leola Bryant sat down with Teddy Lee and Ben Himmelfarb to record this oral history.  Bryant's memory and wit are crisp, and her stories about White Plains are highly informative. She recalls life for children in downtown White Plains and the distinct geographic and ethnic character of the neighborhoods. Bryant is especially insightful about how segregation and discrimination affected black citizens of White Plains. Although she recalls being discriminated against in her job, she feels the schools were free from the prejudice that affected so many other areas of her life. Eileen Johnson, daughter of a White Plains doctor, was
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June 13, 2015 4:53 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Local History and Oral History.
Tags: African-American History, Alexander's, Black History, civil rights, Employment, General Foods, IBM, Leola Bryant, local history, oral history, People & Stories, and white plains history.

People & Stories Oral History Project: The Landrys and Connie Brown

People & Stories Oral History Project: The Landrys and Connie Brown

Bob and Lucille Landry, joined by Connie Brown, recorded this oral history at the White Plains Public Library. Bob and Lucille are both lifelong White Plains residents who discuss everything from their education and professional involvements in White Plains to how they met (you'll have to listen to find out).  All three belong to the Westchester Hills Golf Club.  To accompany their oral history, the Landrys donated a number of pictures and documents.
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June 13, 2015 10:47 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Local History and Oral History.
Tags: Alan Alda, Archbishop Stepinac High School, Bob Landry, Catholic School, Connie Brown, local history, Lucille Landry, oral history, People & Stories, St. Bernard's, Westchester Hills Golf Club, and white plains history.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Teddy Lee, Jr.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Teddy Lee, Jr.

Theodore Jay Lee, Jr., better known as Teddy, is the owner of Lee's Funeral Home and a lifelong resident of White Plains. His father, Theodore Jay Lee, Sr., migrated north from Virginia, became a licensed undertaker, and began working in Westchester County. In the late 1920s, Lee Sr. moved to White Plains and opened a funeral home at 57 Brookfield Street. Lee remembers the pride and integrity with which his father operated the business, helping people with personal problems or their taxes in addition to funeral arrangements. Lee vividly recalls life for children in downtown White Plains during the 1930s
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June 13, 2015 10:22 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Local History and Oral History.
Tags: African-American History, Black History, Brookfield Street, business, history, local history, oral history, People & Stories, Teddy Lee, and white plains history.

People & Stories Oral History Project: John Kirkpatrick

People & Stories Oral History Project: John Kirkpatrick

As a city planner, lawyer, and common council member, John Kirkpatrick has a studied perspective on the City of White Plains. Originally from Alabama, Kirkpatrick remembers deciding to live in White Plains with his wife because they were attracted by the “ferment in culture” the diverse population creates. Always an active citizen, Kirkpatrick contributed to city comprehensive plans and continues to pay attention to the (sometimes small, sometimes big) details that ensure the development of White Plains creates a warm, accessible, pedestrian-friendly environment. With his nuanced perspective on the past, civic engagement in the present, and informed vision for the
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June 12, 2015 4:53 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Local History and Oral History.
Tags: City of White Plains, city planning, common council, government, history, John Kirkpatrick, local history, oral history, People & Stories, and white plains history.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Julie Cohan

People & Stories Oral History Project: Julie Cohan

Julie Cohan moved to White Plains when he was 14, and has lived in White Plains ever since. He recalls growing up in the Gedney Farm neighborhood, getting involved in the insurance business, and spending much of his career traveling between White Plains and Albany working in New York State government. Hav-A-Snak, Cohan's coffee shop, was on Main Street and Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains during the 1950s and 1960s. While we were recording, Greta Cohan, joined us and shared some stories of her own about life in White Plains.
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June 12, 2015 4:38 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Local History and Oral History.
Tags: business, Greta Cohan, Julie Cohan, local history, oral history, People & Stories, and white plains history.

Join us in Celebrating the Triumph of the Armenian Spirit

Join us in Celebrating the Triumph of the Armenian Spirit

On Sunday, June 14 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. we’re hosting a program of Armenian culture for all ages, “Emerging from the Shadows: The Triumph of the Armenian Spirit.” Come enjoy Armenian songs (instrumentals featuring duduk, oud, dumbeg and piano), Armenian poetry recitation, Armenian dance, and craft making for children. This is a rare opportunity to hear the ancient duduk (doo-dook), a woodwind instrument with double reeds and a haunting timbre. Musicians Mirijohn and Anoush Givelekian, Stamford residents, along with Richard and Connie Shelengian of White Plains, are two husband-wife couples seeking to preserve their culture and share it with the community.
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June 12, 2015 6:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Library News, and Uncategorized.
Tags: all ages and culture.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Andy Morzello

People & Stories Oral History Project: Andy Morzello

Andy Morzello's story is one of education, service, and commitment to White Plains.  As a teacher of adults and young people, he had a large impact on the people of White Plains.  In this oral history, he remembers growing up in the neighborhood surrounding Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, being encouraged to pursue higher education by a caring teacher, and running the adult education program in White Plains.  He remembers White Plains before urban renewal, discussing the people as much as the landscape.  Morzello continues to be active in White Plains, especially in efforts to keep Our Lady of
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June 10, 2015 4:41 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Local History and Oral History.
Tags: Andy Morzello, education, Fisher Avenue, Italian-American History, local history, oral history, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, People & Stories, and white plains schools.

3D Print Your Design for Free!

3D Print Your Design for Free!

The Library offers community access to new and emerging technologies such as 3D printers to inspire a new interest in design and help the community to bring their creations to life. Bring in your file (preferably in .stl or .obj format) to be printed using the library’s Makerbot Replicator 2 3D printer. Click here to make an appointment. *The Library reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request.
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June 8, 2015 6:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, Homepage, Library News, and Technology.
Tags: 3d print, 3d printing, obj, sketchup, stl, and tinkercad.

Take Movies, TV Shows and More on Vacation with You

Take Movies, TV Shows and More on Vacation with You

Want to keep the kids (or yourself) busy on vacation? Did you know you can get thousands of movies, television shows, music albums and audiobooks for mobile and online access through a partnership with hoopla digital? White Plains Library card holders can download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or iOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin enjoying thousands of titles – from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers – available to borrow for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets and computers. hoopla digital has a simple sign-up and attractive, easy-to-use interface, so it’s easy to get to your listening and viewing
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June 6, 2015 10:46 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage.
Tags: all ages, computers, eBooks, film, music, and services.

One-on-One Resume Help

One-on-One Resume Help

Need a resume? Have no idea where to start? The White Plains Public Library now offers, by appointment, personal one-on-one resume help. Help is provided by an experienced business educator. Trainees work at a computer with the instructor and leave with a completed resume. This service is free, confidential and open to anyone regardless of library membership. Stop by the information desk to schedule an appointment or go to our one-on-one training list. One-on-one training is also available for 3D printing, use of the library catalog, mouse and windows skills, basics of web browsing, basic research, use of our databases,
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June 6, 2015 9:10 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage and Library News.
Tags: resume help and services.

Board Meeting Documents for June 10th, 2015

Board Meeting Documents for June 10th, 2015

Approved Library Board Meeting Minutes – 06-10-15 06-10-15-Combined Agenda Docs 06-10-15-Library Board Agenda Agenda Item #1 – 05 13 15 Regular Library Board Minutes Agenda Item #2 – Budget Report Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 19 Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 20 Agenda Item #4 – Adult Services Report Agenda Item #4 – Assistant Directors Report May 2015 Agenda Item #4 – Children's Services Report Agenda Item #4 – Collection Management Report Agenda Item #4 – Community Outreach Report Agenda Item #4 – Library Systems Report Agenda Item #4 – Publicity Links Agenda Item #4 – Report of
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June 5, 2015 11:18 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Trustee Documents.

Board Meeting Documents for May 13th, 2015

Board Meeting Documents for May 13th, 2015

Approved Library Board Meeting Minutes – 05 13 15 05-13-15 Combined Agenda Docs 05-13-15 Library Board Agenda Agenda Item #1 – 04-08-15 Regular Library Board Minutes Agenda Item #2 – Budget Report – April 2015 Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 17 Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 18 Agenda Item #4 – Adult Services Report Agenda Item #4 – Assistant Director's Report Agenda Item #4 – Children's Services Report Agenda Item #4 – Collection Management Report Agenda Item #4 – Community Outreach Report Agenda Item #4 – Library Systems Report Agenda Item #4 – Report of Library Administration Agenda
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June 5, 2015 11:12 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Trustee Documents.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Brian Wallach

People & Stories Oral History Project: Brian Wallach

In the first oral history recorded for People & Stories, consummate storyteller and long-time White Plains resident Brian Wallach shares his memories and perspective.  This oral history was recorded at the offices of the Brian Wallach Agency. Wallach grew up just south of the city line in Scarsdale and remembered his mother's work in the real estate business in that area- including a story about her most famous client, Al Jolson.  He also spoke about changes in White Plains' physical and social landscape during his lifetime.  As a founding member of White Plains Beautification Foundation, much of Wallach's service to
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June 3, 2015 4:58 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Local History and Oral History.
Tags: Brian Wallach, history, local history, oral history, People & Stories, Urban Renewal, White Plains Beautification Foundation, and white plains history.