Monthly Archives January 2020

IRA Gifts

IRA Gifts

Making Your Contributions Tax Deductible – A Message from our Treasurer If you're over age 70 ½ and  plan to take the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA account—and you want to get a tax deduction for your charitable contributions—the new Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) requires that you rethink your tax planning. The TCJA increased the Standard Deduction for married couples to $24,000 ($12,000 for individuals) and limited itemized deductions for real estate and income taxes to $10,000. In practical terms, if you’re married and the total of qualifying mortgage interest plus medical expenses over 7.5% of
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January 31, 2020 3:55 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library Foundation.

Board Meeting Documents for February 5th, 2020

Board Meeting Documents for February 5th, 2020

Approved Library Board Annual Meeting Minutes – 02-05-20 Approved Library Board Meeting Minutes – 02-05-20 Combined-Agenda-02-05-20 02-05-20 Library Board Agenda Agenda Item #1 – 01-08-20 Regular Library Board Minutes Agenda Item #2 – Budget Report – January 2020 Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 12 Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 13 Agenda Item #4 – Adult Services Report – January 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Assistant Directors Report – January 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Collection Management Report – January 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Community Outreach Report – January 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Library Systems Report –
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January 31, 2020 3:49 pm | by | Comments Off on Board Meeting Documents for February 5th, 2020
Categories: Trustee Documents.

Coping With Disinformation Workshop

Coping With Disinformation Workshop

This post has expired and the event has already taken place. Overwhelmed with information? Hard to tell what’s true or false? Concerned about how disinformation is affecting our democracy? The League of Women Voters of Westchester is kicking off a second year of workshops to help address these issues, providing practical advice and tools to confront disinformation in the news and to discern what is fact and fake. Led by international journalism and communications veteran Andy Katell of White Plains, the 90-minute non-partisan workshop was developed by the League and will be held at the Library on Thursday, February 6
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January 30, 2020 4:15 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, and Library News.
Tags: disinformation and fake news.

Pointers 4 Parents

Pointers 4 Parents

Lauren's “Pointers 4 Parents” column features tips, tricks, and resources for caregivers with a specific focus on children with special needs. As an introduction to this column, let’s start with some tips for reading to or with your child(ren). An Ohio State University study suggests that children who have five books a day read to them enter kindergarten having heard about 1.4 million more words than children who aren't read to. Listen, I understand that life happens. There are days for every parent when there’s just no time for anything you want to do. Some days you may not get
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January 30, 2020 12:24 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Kids, and Library News.

Doing Good in the Edge: Project Linus

Doing Good in the Edge: Project Linus

Kathlyn's “Doing Good in the Edge” column highlights projects from the Do Gooders teen community service group agencies and organizations in the community Doing Good. The Allstate Foundation supports the Do Gooders in their work. Sewing handmade blankets for Project Linus has been one of the Edge’s longest-running service projects, even before the Do Gooders community service group formed. Project Linus is a nationwide, volunteer-led organization that collects handmade blankets and distributes them to children in hospitals and shelters. Adele Shapiro, Chapter Coordinator for Project Linus in Westchester, says the handmade blankets bring warmth, love, and security to children in
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January 30, 2020 12:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Evergreen, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: community service, Do Gooders, Project Linus, and volunteers.

Con Edison Maker Camp for Teens

Con Edison Maker Camp for Teens

Our first School Break Mini-Camp held at the end of December was a great success. Teens worked with Ashley Perez (engineering major at the University of Buffalo), and Louis Grassi (student at White Plains High School). They worked on a variety of projects showing different ways of creating energy, from bio-fuels to solar panels and wind turbines to perpetual motion. Our second School Vacation Maker Camp—held February 18-21—will focus on Robotics. Teens will participate in a variety of no tech to hi tech activities that will teach basic skills in Engineering, Coding, Design Thinking, and Computational Thinking. Some of the
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January 30, 2020 12:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Con Edison, Maker Camp, science, STEAM learning, STEM, STEM learning, and teen programs.

Black History Month

Black History Month

Take part in programs celebrating Black History Month throughout February. Black History Month Film series: Feb. 2, 2:00pm: Remember the Titans (PG, 114min) Feb. 4, 6:30pm: To Kill a Mockingbird (NR, 129 min) Feb. 5, 6:30pm: Dreamgirls (PG13, 129min) Feb. 6, 6:30pm: 42 (PG13, 128min) Feb. 8, 2:30pm: Queen of Katwe (PG, 124min) Feb. 9, 2:00pm: The Wiz (G, 133 min) Feb. 11, 6:30pm: Hidden Figures (PG, 127min) Feb. 13, 6:30pm: Selma (PG13, 128min) Feb. 16, 2:00pm: Ruby Bridges (NR, 120min) Feb. 18, 6:30pm: Red Tails (PG13, 124min) Feb. 19, 6:30pm: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse (PG, 117min) Feb. 20, 2:00pm:
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January 30, 2020 9:40 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: black history month, children's events, film screenings, Observances and Celebrations, programs, storytime, and teen programs.

2020 American Library Association Youth Media Award Winners

2020 American Library Association Youth Media Award Winners

Below find a selection of this year’s ALA Youth Media Award winners which represent the year’s best works for children and teens. The full list of this year’s winners, as well as video of the award ceremony, can be found here. John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature: New Kid written and illustrated by Jerry Craft. Newbery Honor Books: The Undefeated written by Kwame Alexander and, illustrated by Kadir Nelson Scary Stories for Young Foxes written by Christian McKay Heidicker and illustrated by Junyi Wu Other Words for Home written by Jasmine Warga Genesis Begins Again
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January 29, 2020 3:10 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Evergreen, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: ALA Youth Media Awards.

Changes to Trove Time and Mother Goose

Changes to Trove Time and Mother Goose

Mother Goose Play Time, the Trove’s early literacy program for little ones up to 24 months with a caregiver, and Trove Time, our storytime and socialization/play program for ages 2-4 with their caregivers, are two of our most popular programs. The demand for the Mother Goose program has far exceeded its current once per week scheduling, so in February some changes will be taking place. Mother Goose Play Time is now Trove Time: Tiny Tots and will take place on both Monday and Friday mornings at 10:30 a.m. It will be the same early literacy rich program with songs, finger
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January 27, 2020 5:06 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Mother Goose, Trove Time, and Trove Time: Tiny Tots.

Talkin’ Tech: Microchips Ahoy!

Talkin’ Tech: Microchips Ahoy!

Let’s talk about technology. Since the invention of the wheel, tools have become more and more complex – and today it can be hard to keep up! In the “Talkin' Tech” column, we will discuss the ever-changing trends in the modern digital arena. From artificial intelligence to Zuckerberg, join Austin in examining all things tech from our vantage point in the 4th industrial revolution: the imagination age!     A computer can only understand two things: “on” and “off.” It’s called binary, and it is the basis for all things digital. As the Digital Media Specialist at the library, it
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January 27, 2020 12:24 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Evergreen, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: binary code, digital technology, STEAM, STEM, STEM learning, tech tuesdays, and technology.

Weekly Tech Topics

Weekly Tech Topics

Keeping up with the rapid pace of modern technology is not easy. Luckily, starting Monday nights in January you'll have the chance to learn about the latest digital trends from our Digital Media Specialist, Austin Olney. In these one-hour, weekly sessions, a variety of topics relating to the so-called “Fourth Industrial Revolution” will be broken down. From self-driving cars to bitcoin, join in on learning something new! The January & February schedule of topics are listed below. Registration is recommended; click on the date(s) you wish to attend to register online, or call us at (914) 422-1480. Programs run from
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January 27, 2020 10:13 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: computers and technology.

Celebrate Chinese New Year

Celebrate Chinese New Year

This event has already taken place. To learn more about Chinese New Year, click here. Chinese mythology tells us the order of the animals on the Chinese Zodiac was decided according to the order of arrival on the Great Race, organized by the Jade Emperor a long time ago. The Rat won the race and earned first place on the zodiac. The Year of the Rat is then a year of beginnings and renewals. Join us as we welcome the Year of the Rat with a family storytime on Wednesday, January 29th at 7:00 p.m. For children 3+ and their
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January 26, 2020 10:26 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Chinese New Year and storytime.

Peculiar Picks: Peter McCarty

Peculiar Picks: Peter McCarty

Peculiar picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Picture books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Jeremy Draws a Monster // The Monster Returns by Peter McCarty I’m starting off this series with “one” of my favorite books, the Jeremy and the Monster duology by Peter McCarty. McCarty is best known for Caldecott Honor Books, Hondo & Fabian, and New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year Henry in Love. But his Jeremy Draws a Monster
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January 24, 2020 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, children's books, Peculiar Picks, Peter McCarty, picture books, and staff picks.

Fantastic Nonfiction for Fourth to Sixth Graders

Fantastic Nonfiction for Fourth to Sixth Graders

There are so many amazing books published for fourth to sixth graders. Each month in Ashley's column “So You Want Your Fourth to Sixth Grader to Read Fantastic Books,” recommendations of great stories will be given to caregivers that will have their kids begging to visit the library to check out more awesome books! If you'd like to place this book on hold, simply click on the title or cover. Freaking Fantastic Nonfiction: Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of “The Children's Ship” by Deborah Heiligman I’m surprised I picked a nonfiction book to start off
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January 23, 2020 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book review, Deborah Heiligman, SS City of Benares, and staff book review.

Reading Around the World: Chinese New Year

Reading Around the World: Chinese New Year

With Tata's “Reading Around the World” book picks, younger patrons and their families will enjoy reading about the different cultural celebrations around the world. Easy holiday Picture Books and easy Folklore stories will introduce young readers to the world outside the U.S. This month you can learn about Chinese New Year. Simply click on a title or cover to place it on hold. Chinese New Year is celebrated according to the Lunar Calendar and falls on Saturday, January 25 this year. This begins the Year of the Rat. The Rat is considered the first animal of the Chinese Zodiac. Therefore,
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January 22, 2020 9:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Evergreen, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, Chinese New Year, and Reading Around the World.

Book Reviews by Teens, for Teens

Book Reviews by Teens, for Teens

Below you'll find a book review of new or upcoming titles submitted by teens in the Edge. If you'd like to place a hold on the book being reviewed, click on the title or cover. Author: David Yoon Title: Frankly in Love Review: One of my favorite books of the year! It’s more than just a cute romance. It talks about race, a complicated family dynamic, academic standards and with humor as a plus. We get diverse characters throughout the book too! Everyone should read it! A 5 out of 5 star read. David Yoon has brilliant writing and I
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January 22, 2020 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, by teens for teens, David Yoon, and teen book review.

Barbara Wenglin’s Short Story Series

Barbara Wenglin’s Short Story Series

White Plains librarian Barbara Wenglin’s short story discussion series has been a popular fixture for years as the selections and their interpretations have produced a riveting give-and-take among the attendees. The spring series opens on Thursday, March 12th, at 2:00 p.m. with a discussion of “Islands on the Moon” by Barbara Kingsolver, taken from the anthology, Stories of Motherhood (Everyman’s Pocket Classics, 2012, edited by Diana Secker Tesdell). The flyer with dates and details is attached. The theme of mother-child relationships intersects with the screening and discussion (date TBA) of the Academy Award winning film, The Piano (Miramax, 1993) that
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January 21, 2020 11:45 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Events, and Library News.
Tags: book club, book discussion, book groups, and short story discussion.

Groundhog Day Books for Younger Readers

Groundhog Day Books for Younger Readers

Groundhog Day is observed on February 2nd each year. This date marks the midpoint between the Winter Solstice in December and the Spring Equinox in March. According to the Farmers' Almanac, “If he [the Groundhog] sees his shadow, we will have six more weeks of winter; if he doesn't, it'll be six weeks till spring.” Below you'll find a variety of books for younger readers to help them understand the holiday and what groundhogs have to do with the changing of the seasons. Will Spring Be Early? Or Will Spring Be Late? by Crockett Johnson “Misled by an artificial flower,
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January 18, 2020 10:05 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, Groundhog Day, and young readers.

Slow Reading Spring Session

Slow Reading Spring Session

Library users may wonder about one of our newest reading groups: Slow Reading. “Slow reading describes my practice of looking at a text very closely in order to appreciate nuances of language and hence of meaning,” says Ellen Lambert, author (The Face of Love: Feminism and the Beauty Question) and White Plains resident, who holds a Ph.D. in English from Yale University. Lambert taught literature at Manhattan’s Dalton School for over 25 years (and intends to start a tutoring service for high school students.) “In our discussions of short fiction, we often read particular passages out loud. We then examine
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January 16, 2020 11:15 am | by | 4 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, and Homepage.
Tags: book discussion and slow reading.

Film Screening: Mildred Pierce

Film Screening: Mildred Pierce

This post has expired. Visit our online calendar for current film screenings. “Film noir” was a 1940s-1950s Hollywood phenomenon that combined “Whodunit” mystery with intrigue and romance in a dark, black-and-white setting. Two fine examples of the genre were the Warner Bros. 1945 drama Mildred Pierce along with its star, Joan Crawford. Both will be featured with a screening on Thursday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. in Galaxy Hall on the second floor of the Library. The film, which is open to all, concludes the Library’s Fall 2019 short story discussion series led by librarian Barbara Wenglin, which explored selections
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January 16, 2020 11:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: film screening.