Monthly Archives April 2020

Resources for Seniors

Resources for Seniors

Supermarket Special Hours/Lanes Whole Foods—Customers over 60 can shop one hour early, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. each day. Stop and Shop (both on Westchester Avenue and on North Broadway)—Customers over 60 as well as customers with compromised immune systems can shop from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. each day. ShopRite in City Center—Customers over 60 can shop from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. each day. Trader Joe’s in Hartsdale—Seniors have a special shopping line from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. each day. Store is closed April 20th for a deep clean but will reopen on April 21st. Check this
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April 14, 2020 3:01 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: coronavirus, covid-19, and seniors.

Everyday STEAM: Bouncy Egg

Everyday STEAM: Bouncy Egg

Creating a bouncy egg is fun and easy. All you need is white vinegar, an egg, and a jar or a cup. The first part of the experiment has you simply placing the egg gently in the jar and pouring vinegar into the cup. Next, a caregiver can explain that the process of creating a bouncy egg will take twenty four hours. For that reason, it’s good to do this in the morning so that the child can be present for the experiment and experience of a bouncy egg.   After twenty four hours you can carefully take the egg
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April 14, 2020 2:55 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: experiment, STEAM, STEAM activities, and STEAM at home.

Poetry Prompt for Teens

Poetry Prompt for Teens

Dear White Plains Library Poets, In addition to sharing a daily poem of the day from our Poetry Slam archives, we want to have a separate program for teens to get us through these tough times by working together to form a collaborative poem. With that in mind, we would ask you to do the following if you are interested in participating: Write a list poem of things that make you smile. Find the subject noun in every item and ADD alliteration. Try to rewrite the list into something more “poetic”…use the above alliteration, rhyme, repetition, and any other poetic
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April 14, 2020 9:53 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: national poetry month, poetry, poetry prompt, and poetry slam.

Board Meeting Documents for April 15th, 2020

Board Meeting Documents for April 15th, 2020

Approved Library Board Meeting Minutes – 04-15-20 Combined-Agenda-04-15-20 04-15-20 Library Board Agenda V Agenda Item #1 – 03-11-20 Regular Library Board Minutes V1 Agenda Item #2 – Budget V Report – March 2020 Agenda Item #2a – March YTD for Board ExpensesV Agenda Item #2b – March YTD Revenue for BoardV Agenda Item #4 – Adult Services VReport- March 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Assistant Library Director VReport – March 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Collection Management VReport – March 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Community Outreach VReport – March 2020 Agenda Item #4 – Library Systems VReport – March
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April 13, 2020 3:54 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Trustee Documents.

NYT eBook Picks

NYT eBook Picks

A recent article from NYT Parenting highlights some great youth titles featuring kids stuck inside. All of these books are available with your library card on either Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla. Ages 3-7 The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, available on Overdrive/Libby Corduroy by Don Freeman, available on Overdrive/Libby Ages 8-12 Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, available on Overdrive/Libby The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner, available on Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, available on Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla The Doll People by Ann Martin, available on Overdrive/Libby The Long Winter
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April 13, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: eBooks, NY Times, and recommendations.

Safe at Home

Safe at Home

Some of the sites listed here may be offering some content free of charge or may be offering free access currently in response to the virus, but will move to a charge model again in the future. Please take care when using these sites to avoid unwanted charges. Previous Installments in this Series Stuck at Home Staff Picks 1 Stuck at Home Staff Picks 2 Stuck at Home Staff Picks 3 Stuck at Home Staff Picks: Teens Edition Great Ideas for Activities and Experiences Children’s Museum of Manhattan At Home Daily Activities Long List of Virtual Activities and Experiences for
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April 13, 2020 9:56 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Family CV, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: at home learning, covid-19, safe at home, staff recommendations, and stuck at home.

Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month

While browsing available ebooks on the Libby app, I was pleased to find a Big Library Read selection that complements Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. The current selection is a memoir: Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic, by comedian Michael McCreary. I enjoyed reading about McCreary’s experiences, beginning with his diagnosis at age five and continuing along his path to success as a stand-up comedian. McCreary shares hilarious anecdotes of relatable social awkwardness and moments of self-discovery. He also has a knack for explaining autism—at least, his experience of it—in an approachable way. As McCreary says, not every 22-year-old might feel
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April 9, 2020 1:54 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Autism, Autism Acceptance Month, book recommendations, Observances and Celebrations, staff recommendations, and YA literature.

Battle of the Books Announcement

Battle of the Books Announcement

By Ashley Bressingham, Kathlyn Carroll, Deb Gaffey, and Lauren Lichtenthal. – Youth Services staff. After all the reading that we did for the children’s and teen Battle of the Books book selection process, we’re pleased to announce the official titles for the next Battle of the Books competition. While we’re not sure whether the next competition will take place in October 2020 or 2021, we’re excited to get a head start on preparing for the tournament. Grades 4-6: New Kid by Jerry Craft The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Bob by Wendy Mass and
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April 8, 2020 3:04 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: battle of the books.

Tech Tips for Parents

Tech Tips for Parents

“Tech Tips for Parents” is a weekly, digitally-streamed series where Digital Media Specialist Austin Olney will give relevant tips and knowledge for incorporating technology at home. To register, click the relevant link for the event you wish to attend. Tech Tips for Parents: Offline Technology Ideas Tuesday, April 28 4:30 – 5:15pm This week, a variety of “offline” activities will be discussed that do not require digital technology, but nonetheless teach core concepts within the related field. A Q&A will follow. Register in advance here.
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April 7, 2020 2:05 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: tech tips for parents and technology.

Seashell Craft

Seashell Craft

By Caroline Reddy, Trove Librarian. Like many people living under strict guidelines during this global pandemic, I am finding new ways to be creative with what materials I have available. In addition, I have also become more conscious of how to conserve supplies and use leftovers: especially food. For a sandcastle craft, you will need a few items: a piece of blank paper a pencil with an eraser cereal (like the shredded ones) and seashells if you have them First, have your child trace a castle (you can find a picture online) or use the provided link. Next, gather the
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April 7, 2020 1:49 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: craft, seasells, and STEAM.

April 2020 Virtual Calendar

April 2020 Virtual Calendar

Yes, our beautiful building at 100 Martine is temporarily closed, but it turns out there are plenty of other ways we can keep the Library open and still serve White Plains. Join us on Zoom with a variety of virtual events presented by Library staff and local experts. Find a full listing of events below with details on registering. And don't forget, you can reach us Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at our new number 914-448-4859, by texting WPPL to 66746, or by emailing us anytime. Ideas for programs or activities? Send them my way. Take care,
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April 7, 2020 1:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: April 2020 and calendar of events.

Poetry for Children

Poetry for Children

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. In order to celebrate National Poetry Month, I would like to highlight the diverse poetry collections available on Libby and Hoopla for kids with a three-part series showcasing six great titles. What are Libby and Hoopla? Libby and Hoopla are both easy-to-use apps that allow you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks with your library card for free. Both apps have thousands of adult, teen, and children’s titles that you can borrow using your iPad, tablet, or phone by downloading the apps
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April 7, 2020 11:58 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's literature, national poetry month, Observances and Celebrations, poetry, Poetry Month, and staff recommendations.

Lynda.com for Teens

Lynda.com for Teens

By Kathlyn Carroll, Edge Librarian. As we enter week three (has it only been three weeks?) of quarantine, you may find yourself with some extra time on your hands. Now’s the time to get the hang of that new skill you’ve always wanted to learn, or spend some serious time on a project you’ve been hoping to finish. I’ve selected some beginner-friendly videos on a range of topics from Lynda.com. If you don’t see your specific interest here, feel free to browse the list of subjects. Once you login here, you can search for the courses listed below. Photography Photography
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April 6, 2020 3:48 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: lynda.com, tutorials, and youtube.

Middle Grade Fiction for Autism Acceptance Month

Middle Grade Fiction for Autism Acceptance Month

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. April is Autism Awareness & Acceptance month. In the United States, the Autism Society held the first National Autism Awareness month in April of 1970, and World Autism Awareness Day takes place on April 2nd every year, a date chosen by the United Nations General Assembly. To mark Autism Awareness and Acceptance month, enjoy the following middle-grade books that present unique and compelling kids on the autism spectrum: A Boy Called Bat (also: Bat and the Waiting Game & Bat and the End of Everything) by Elana K. Arnold All 3 titles available as eBooks
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April 3, 2020 4:24 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Autism, Autism Acceptance Month, book recommendations, middle grade fiction, Observances and Celebrations, and staff recommendations.

Picture Books for Autism Acceptance Month

Picture Books for Autism Acceptance Month

By Raquel Cavalcanti, Trove Librarian. April is Autism Acceptance Month. The following notable picture book titles about children on the autism spectrum have all been deftly written by authors who are on the autism spectrum themselves or are parents or siblings of family members who are on the autism spectrum. For some more recommended titles, I found this May 2019 Book Riot article, “Understanding the Spectrum: 7 Great Picture Books About Autism,” by Rachel Rosenberg to be worthwhile. A Friend For Henry By Jen Bailey & Mika Song E-book on OverDrive Libby E-book on Hoopla “A boy on the autism
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April 3, 2020 4:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Autism, Autism Acceptance Month, book recommendations, Observances and Celebrations, picture books, and staff recommendations.

Poem a Day

Poem a Day

April is National Poetry Month! To celebrate, we'll be sharing a poem a day from Zork's archived footage of our monthly Poetry Slam, which started in 2004. Check back here or on Facebook and Twitter each day for the latest poem added to the archive. First up is Shannelle the Artist with her poem “Intuition,” which she performed for us back in January.   Day 2 is AJ with her reading from March 2015.   Day 3 is James Larkin with his Slam performance from July 2015.   Day 4 is Connor Browne with his Slam performance from February 2015.
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April 3, 2020 12:15 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: national poetry month and poetry slam.

Battle of the Books Inspired Reading List

Battle of the Books Inspired Reading List

By Ashley Bressingham and Deb Gaffey, Trove staff. Your Westchester librarians are avidly working to pick amazing books for the Battle of the Books trivia competition for the fourth to sixth grade teams! Deb and I have picked some of our favorites from the nominations and these are all available in either audio or eBook format through the Westchester Library System. Save Me a Seat by Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks Hoopla: Audio Overdrive: eBook Ravi has just moved to America from India and is entering the fifth grade in the town where Joe has lived all of his life.
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April 3, 2020 11:53 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: battle of the books and book recommendations.