Monthly Archives August 2020

JazzFest 2020

JazzFest 2020

For its ninth year, JazzFest White Plains is going virtual! Beginning on September 8 with the ArtsBash Virtual Mixology Party and continuing with a series of online JazzFest events running through September 11, prepare to celebrate established Jazz greats, meet its rising stars, and learn more about this wonderful musical genre. The Library is partnering on two events, find out more below: Tuesday, September 8th – 8:00 p.m. | Westchester Jazz: Then and Now Presented by the White Plains Public Library and ArtsWestchester Broadcast on Zoom and Facebook Live Show your Westchester pride by tuning in to this program that
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August 31, 2020 2:35 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Art Bennett, ArtsWestchester, Jazz Fest, Jazz Fest 2020, music, and White Plains Jazz Fest.

She Writes: Graphic Novels

She Writes: Graphic Novels

This week we launch the first collection of titles for our “She Writes” series. First up, we're featuring graphic novels for a variety of ages, all written and illustrated by women. Below you'll find available formats, but we also have a curated list with additional titles in OverDrive that you can checkout here. For Children (and up) Phoebe and her Unicorn series by Dana Simpson Grade 4+ Library Collection OverDrive and Libby “A pink, bubble-gum bonbon of a tale spun of a likable, albeit self-centered, fourth-grader and her magical, self-obsessed, although sometimes-kind, unicorn.”–Kirkus Click series by Kayla Miller Grade 3-7
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August 27, 2020 6:35 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: books by women, comics, female authors, graphic novels, She Writes, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

medici.tv for Classical Lovers

medici.tv for Classical Lovers

If you love classical music, then you probably feel that the Library has been giving you short shrift. And you're right. As the circulation of our Classical CDs has continued to decline, we've invested less and less in that area. With the result that even fewer Classical CDs circulate. It's a vicious cycle. Fortunately, medici.tv–a streaming website–should go a long way to remedying this situation. Described as “the closest thing to a classical Netflix” by The New York Times, medici.tv offers a dazzling collection for classical music fans. Warning: it's hard not to get lost–for hours!–sampling medici.tv's holdings. There are
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August 27, 2020 4:05 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: classical music, medici.tv, and resources.

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Today’s Peculiar Picks titles are from the Fox & Chick series written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier: The Party and Other Stories and The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories. Fox & Chick are kind of like a modern Frog and Toad, with quirky humor and plenty of heart. As a “comic book” styled easy reader, these are great
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August 27, 2020 11:11 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, Library News, and Uncategorized.
Tags: children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Going to School in the Time of COVID-19

Going to School in the Time of COVID-19

A new school year is here bringing with it new challenges. We have prepared a sample of titles dealing with going to school under difficult circumstances. If you are considering homeschooling as an option for your family, please check out Lauren's post which includes information and resources. Going to School: Mae’s First Day of School, by Kate Berube. (eBook on Freading) A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to School, by Davide Cali. (eBook and Read-Along on OverDrive) The Name Jar, by Yangsook Choi. (eBook on OverDrive) First Day Jitters, by Julie Dannenber. (Read-Along on Tumblebooks) Pete The Cat Too
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August 27, 2020 10:56 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: back to school, children's books, picture books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and virtual book display.

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 3

Great Graphic Novels for Kids: Part 3

What’s not to love when it comes to graphic novels? They’re a ton of fun and I’ve noticed that the majority of kids absolutely adore reading them! From Dog Man by Dav Pilkey to Smile by Raina Telgemeier, I am constantly being asked if we have some of the most popular graphic novels currently in the library. The kids get this look of pure joy when they find out that we do! Our graphic novel section is a well loved area and I enjoy recommending various books to eager readers. Without further ado, enjoy some of these great graphic novel
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August 27, 2020 10:49 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: graphic novels, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Homeschooling Reading List

Homeschooling Reading List

Many parents are choosing to homeschool their children this year given the current pandemic. To be clear, choosing to follow a full virtual model provided by your school district is NOT to be confused with homeschooling. Homeschooling is where you are completely responsible for both the curriculum and reporting your child’s progress to the state. Homeschooling is an involved process that must follow certain guidelines.  New homeschooling parents need resources to help them. We at the Library have many items available to make your journey easier.  In addition to physical titles in our Parenting section, we have many eBook and
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August 27, 2020 10:44 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, COVID-19, Featured, Homepage Family CV, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: at home learning, eBooks, Homeschool, homeschooling, parenting, parenting in a pandemic, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Announcing Project LIT Community Chapter

Announcing Project LIT Community Chapter

Great news! The Library has become a chapter in the Project LIT Community and is in the process of organizing both teen and middle grade Project LIT Book Clubs, contacting community organizations, schools, and authors, and connecting to students in White Plains. Our Project LIT goal will be to “read, discuss and celebrate books that affirm and value all students.” What is Project LIT Community? It is a national grassroots literacy movement that is dedicated to increasing access to culturally sustaining books and promoting a love of reading. Dr. Jarred Amato and his Maplewood High School (Nashville, TN) students founded
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August 27, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Antiracism, book discussion, book group, Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds, One Book One White Plains, Project Lit, Project Lit Chapter, and Project Lit Community.

STEAM at Home: Bubbles

STEAM at Home: Bubbles

Kids are fascinated by bubbles because blowing bubbles is a fun activity, especially in the summer. You can blow bubbles in a bathtub, outdoors, or when you are doing the dishes. Even adults love popping bubbles! One fun STEAM activity to do this summer is creating bubbles, and experimenting with different sizes, shapes, and number of bubbles. Materials: Four cups of warm water Half a cup of dish soap Half a cup of sugar Bowl Spoon For this project, we’ll follow the instructions from this video. First, pour half a cup of sugar into the bowl. Next, carefully mix in
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August 26, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

STEAM at Home: Balloon Rockets

STEAM at Home: Balloon Rockets

This week’s STEAMonday project introduces some basic concepts of rocket science by turning a balloon into a rocket. Supplies: Balloon Origami Paper First step is to take your balloon, blow it up, and release it. Watch it fly through the air with a random trajectory. What is a rocket? A rocket is simply a container full of fuel, with a nozzle that will slowly release the fuel, sending an object in the air. Is a balloon a rocket? Absolutely! It is a container, full of fuel (your hot air to be exact, or CO2 which is a gas), with a
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August 25, 2020 9:50 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

Staff Picks: IndieFlix

Staff Picks: IndieFlix

White Plains Cardholders just gained access to another video streaming resource with the addition of IndieFlix. IndieFlix brings engaging stories to movie lovers around the world. It provides access to over 7,000 high-quality shorts, features, documentaries, classic TV shows and Web series from 85 countries. You can watch movies on any Internet-enabled computer, smartphone, or tablet with a Web browser! Also available on Roku, Xbox, and Apple TV. If you're unsure where to start, check out these recommendations from Adult Services Librarians Tim Baird, Kristy Bauman, and Sharon Rothman. Valdez Goes Extreme If you love extreme skiing movies a la
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August 18, 2020 3:10 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: IndieFlix, movies, rbdigital, short films, staff picks, staff recommendations, streaming, and video.

100 Years of Suffrage: Slide Show

100 Years of Suffrage: Slide Show

On August 18, 1920, a twenty-three year old representative in the Tennessee state legislature cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” Tennessee became the 25th state to ratify the amendment, giving it the three-fourths of the states needed to become the law of the land. This was the culmination of over 70 years of work by thousands of women in the U.S. to win
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August 18, 2020 1:55 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Local History.
Tags: local history, slide show, video, and Women's Suffrage.

September Book Club for Teens

September Book Club for Teens

Calling all middle and high school students for a monthly virtual book club for teens. Each month, join librarians Kat and Lauren to discuss the featured book and compete against friends in a mini trivia game. Our next virtual meeting has been rescheduled and will take place on Friday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m. This month, we’re reading Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy, which has also been made into a Netflix movie. Willowdean, nicknamed Dumplin’ by her mother, feels comfortable in her plus-size skin. But she faces constant criticism from her mom, a former beauty queen who still runs the annual
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August 18, 2020 11:57 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Teens, and Library News.
Tags: book club, book discussion, book group, events, teen book club, and teens.

Race Consciousness Workshop

Race Consciousness Workshop

If you’re a parent or caregiver of young children and you’re looking forward to Ibram X. Kendi’s upcoming event, get ready to mark your calendars for this workshop in October. Sachi Feris, of Raising Race Conscious Children, will help parents and caregivers become more comfortable discussing race with young children. The virtual workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 21st, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Register for the workshop here. Recommended Readings, Part 1 Recommended Readings, Part 2 Recommended Readings, Part 3 Recommended Readings, Part 4 A couple of years ago, I came across some racially stereotypical illustrations while reading
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August 17, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Antiracism, caregiver, children, parenting, parents, raising race conscious children, The Trove, and White Plains Library Foundation.

STEAM at Home: Origami Cube

STEAM at Home: Origami Cube

I am continuing my theme of paper cubes this week because I am running out of ideas and supplies, so more origami! This week’s video gives instructions on how to make an origami cube that can hold up a significant amount of weight. Supplies: Paper – 6 pieces Scissors Something heavy Instructions: You will need 6 square pieces of paper to make the cube. Why? Because cubes have 6 sides. Follow the instructions in the video to fold the pieces of paper and see how to connect them to make the cube. Or go here and follow the instructions. Once
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August 17, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

Parenting in a Pandemic: The New School Year

Parenting in a Pandemic: The New School Year

Let’s face it, school is what is on every parent’s mind right now. With the official New York State announcement that schools may open according to district reopening plans and our schools recently publicizing their plans for the upcoming school year, it’s pretty much all parents can talk about.  The most up-to-date information on the reopening plans for White Plains Public Schools can be found here, including the recent announcement that a 100% remote learning option will be available for anyone who wants it. I have heard from so many people that if they don’t like the plans, they will
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August 14, 2020 10:46 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Family CV, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: back to school, home school, Homeschool, Hybrid learning, parenting, parenting in a pandemic, pointers 4 parents, Remote learning, and school.

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Behind Closed Doors Today’s Peculiar Picks share a common theme, traveling upwards through a building and discovering who, or what, is behind the doors on each floor.  Both books revel in the mystery of closed doors and the curiosity of all people, not just young people, about the inhabitants of those rooms. The Neighbors by Einat Tsarfati Also available
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August 13, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

STEAM at Home: Make Your Own Ice Cream

STEAM at Home: Make Your Own Ice Cream

There is nothing more satisfying than having a cool snack in the summer, especially when it is really hot. For example, you can mix granola in yogurt along with some fruit for a refreshing, healthy snack. You can also cut cubes of melon and place them in ice trays in the fridge; for a variation on melon pops you can try this Korean recipe. If you are craving ice cream, you can even make homemade ice cream. List of ingredients: 1 gallon size Ziplock freezer bag 1 quart size Ziplock freezer bag 1/2 cup half-and-half or whole milk 1 tablespoon
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August 12, 2020 10:34 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 3

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 3

I love audiobooks and I enjoy having the eBook or print version of the story in front of me while listening to the audio. It just works for me! I find that my mind occasionally wanders if I’m only listening to the audio and having the eBook or print version of it helps me to focus. I also have noticed that I tend to read too quickly if I’m just reading an eBook or print version. Whether you’re a fan of audiobooks or have never tried them before, I hope you’ll give a listen to my audiobook recommendations that you
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August 12, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: audiobooks, children's books, children's literature, digital audiobooks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Trove StoryWalk: The World is Waiting For You

Trove StoryWalk: The World is Waiting For You

Get ready to explore the world as you take a walk along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the Library Plaza. Read The World is Waiting for You written by Barbara Kerley and follow a series of National Geographic photographs that highlight present day and future explorers as they seek out their world from above and below. We also have kits that contain a list of suggested STEAM activities along with a craft. Families can pick up these kits from the vestibule on the first floor of the library while supplies last. Are you ready to explore huge crystals
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August 12, 2020 9:58 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: activities, library plaza, storywalk, and The Trove.