Monthly Archives May 2022

June Harriet Tubman StoryWalk

June Harriet Tubman StoryWalk

Opal Lee and What it Means to be Free By Alice Faye Duncan & Keturah A. Bobo Wednesday, June 1st to Thursday, June 30th, 2022 Sculptor Wesley Woffard’s 9-foot monument honoring Harriet Tubman (entitled “The Journey to Freedom”) is in White Plains. The sculpture is on display at the Renaissance Plaza until June 30th, and the City and the White Plains Public Library will be honoring Harriet Tubman with a wide variety of programs throughout its stay. A full listing of the Library’s events can be found here. To celebrate, from June 1st-30th the Library will have on display the
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May 26, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Harriet Tubman, Harriet Tubman sculpture, Harriet Tubman StoryWalk, library events, Observances and Celebrations, outdoor events white plains, storywalk, Trove StoryWalk, White Plains Harriet Tubman, and White Plains Harriet Tubman Events.

Slow Reading Book Discussion Winter/Spring 2022

Slow Reading Book Discussion Winter/Spring 2022

Whether the text is a short story or a novel, the Slow Reading group is dedicated to reading great works of literature slowly, in order to more fully appreciate what makes them excellent. In this year's spring sessions, we'll be discussing stories by two great Russian writers: Anton Chekhov (often said to be the inventor of the modern short story) and Chekhov's own talented predecessor Leo Tolstoy. Leading the discussions is Ellen Lambert, who has a Ph.D. from Yale in English and taught high-school English at The Dalton School for over 25 years. Readings are: January 10: Tolstoy’s “Master and
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May 23, 2022 9:00 am | by | 4 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized.
Tags: book discussion, book discussions in westchester, book discussions in white plains, and slow reading.

The Castle: A Space for Tweens in Grades 4-6

The Castle: A Space for Tweens in Grades 4-6

Starting on May 16th, The Castle in the Trove will open as a new, refreshed space for students in grades 4-6. This will be a space just for youth in Grades 4-6 to hang out, talk to friends, do homework, and work on school projects together. In addition, the Castle will have a variety of activities available: tabletop games, puzzles, LEGOS, arts & craft projects, and STEAM activities, and more! Librarians will also be available right outside to help with their homework and will sometimes run programs in the Castle to engage their interests.  **Note: for Homework Help, also be
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May 20, 2022 11:41 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Evergreen, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: library updates, programs for tweens, The Castle, The Trove, and tween programming.

Middle Grade Pick of the Month

Middle Grade Pick of the Month

Middle grade is a term that refers to books written for readers between the ages of eight and twelve. In this column, Ashley will recommend great books for children in this age group! Making Friends by Kristen Gudsnuk Libby Library Catalog I can’t remember exactly when I discovered the first book in Kristen Gudsnuk’s Making Friends series. What I can recall is being immediately drawn to its bright cover as well as how loud I cackled while reading it. A few of the other youth services librarians at the White Plains Public Library can attest to this as many of
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May 19, 2022 10:32 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: middle grade, middle grade fiction, Middle Grade Pick of the Month, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

New in the Edge: May 2022

New in the Edge: May 2022

One of the best parts of my job is ordering new books for the Edge–reading the reviews, seeing what popular authors come up with next, or finding out about an upcoming sequel to an old favorite. Read on to find out about some of the new YA fiction titles coming to our shelves this month. Some Mistakes Were Made by Kristin Dwyer Grades 9 and up Library Catalog “After a year away, Ellis returns home to confront her past. Graduating from high school far from everything familiar was not part of Ellis Truman’s original plans, but she nevertheless ended up
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May 19, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: new books, new in the Edge, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA Fiction, and YA literature.

Upwardly Global Job Coaching

Upwardly Global Job Coaching

Thursday, May 19th, at 7:00 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Please join us to learn about Upwardly Global's Free Job Coaching Program, which provides tools for finding professional-level jobs in the US! For the last 20 years, Upwardly Global has worked with newcomers to the U.S. who have college degrees or professional training and are looking to get back into their professional career fields. Upwardly Global offers a unique blend of online job search training, one-on-one job coaching with industry focused advisors, skill building opportunities, and professional networking. We help jobseekers find positions in their professional fields such
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May 18, 2022 9:18 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: job coaching, job help, job services, and Upwardly.

TONIGHT: Anti-Asian Hate

TONIGHT: Anti-Asian Hate

Thursday, May 19th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. A discussion of past Anti-Asian sentiment in this county up to the present, the causes, and how we can promote understanding. Presenters: William Kaung, Vice President of Advocacy at OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter and Tejash V. Sanchala (he/him/his), Executive Director, Westchester County Human Rights Commission
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May 18, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Uncategorized.
Tags: aapi hate, anti-asian hate, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, history, and Observances and Celebrations.

Navigating by the Stars

Navigating by the Stars

From April 1st through June 30th, the Harriet Tubman – Journey to Freedom sculpture by Wesley Wofford will be on display in Renaissance Plaza in downtown White Plains. In conjunction with this historic visit by the sculpture, the Library and many other community partners organized events related to Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and more. Find the full listing of the community-wide programs and events here. Navigating by the Stars Tuesday, May 17th, 6:00 p.m. (virtual) Grades 4+, Teens, Adults Have you ever wondered how ancient people told time? Or traveled from point A to point B without a smartphone
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May 17, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events and Library News.
Tags: adults, all ages, Black History, children's events, edge events, events, events for families in White Plains, events for kids in White Plains, families, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Tubman sculpture, library events, live music, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEM, teens, trove events, White Plains events, and White Plains Harriet Tubman Events.

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Hair Scrunchies

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Hair Scrunchies

Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, May 16th in the Library lobby. This month we're making hair scrunchies. The kit includes fabric, elastic, blue thread, a sewing needle, sewing pins, safety pins, and a loop turner. We'll follow a video tutorial from creativebug, a database with thousands of arts and
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May 16, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: arts and crafts, arts and crafts for teens, creativebug, Grab & Go, and Grab & Go kits.

Roots of Black Music in America

Roots of Black Music in America

Wednesday, June 1st, 7:00 p.m. (virtual) Children, Teens, Families, Adults Note: All of our youth-focused virtual programs require a registered Zoom account to attend. Sign up for a free Zoom account here: http://zoom.us/signup. Music is a language that students of any age can understand and appreciate. It connects us, elevates our awareness, and deepens our learning beyond reading the words of a textbook. Audiences will sing, dance, use percussion, and practice call and response as they journey back in time to learn about and experience the music of the most influential Black musicians in American history. Join musician, producer, arts
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May 15, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: adults, all ages, Black History, children's events, edge events, events, events for families in White Plains, events for kids in White Plains, families, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Tubman sculpture, library events, live music, Observances and Celebrations, performances, teens, theater, trove events, White Plains events, and White Plains Harriet Tubman Events.

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. I loved The Addams Family as a kid, the original TV show and the 90s movies (ok, I admit, I still love them now). Just the mention of The Addams Family also immediately brings to mind the original show’s infectious theme song: “dada duh dum snap snap dada duh dum snap snap they’re creepy and they’re kooky, The Addams
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May 12, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Addams family, children's books, children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, Spooktober, staff picks, staff recommendations, and the addams family.

Harriet Tubman: Union Scout, Spy and Freedom Fighter

Harriet Tubman: Union Scout, Spy and Freedom Fighter

Tuesday, May 10th, 7:00 p.m. (virtual) Click here to register. Well known for her Underground Railroad activities leading enslaved people to Freedom, Tubman also served as a valuable scout, spy and fighter for the Union Army. Cultural historian John Vorperian will discuss the rarely shared stories of Tubman's successful military exploits in disrupting Confederate outposts and supply lines during the Civil War. This program is supported by the White Plains Library Foundation.
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May 10, 2022 9:00 am | by | 3 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: adults, Black History, events, Harriet Tubman, Harriet Tubman sculpture, history, library events, Observances and Celebrations, White Plains events, and White Plains Harriet Tubman Events.

TONIGHT: Small Houses with Author Sheri Koones

TONIGHT: Small Houses with Author Sheri Koones

Small Houses: Bigger Than Tiny, Smaller Than Average Wednesday, May 11th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. The mass shift away from expensive urban living has resulted in people searching for smaller, more affordable homes. In this presentation, Sheri will provide examples of small-house options around the country, including ADUs (accessory dwelling units). She'll discuss a range of topics from heating and ventilation systems, to flexible spaces, wet rooms, and prefabrication. SHERI KOONES is an expert on the subject of small houses and sustainable building, having written nine previous books on the topic. She has written numerous articles about home
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May 9, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: author events, author visits, housing, small houses, and tiny houses.

Political Redistricting

Political Redistricting

Monday, May 9th, 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. Every ten years, states redraw their political maps to reflect population changes based on Census data. But often the newly formed districts reflect racial or partisan gerrymandering that strengthen some groups at the expense of others. This program will discuss how to ensure that redistricting allows for equal representation. Presented by David Imamura, Chair of NYS Redistricting Commission and Co-Chair of the Westchester Asian American Advisory Board and William Kaung, Vice President of Advocacy at OCA (Organization of Chinese Americans) Westchester & Hudson Valley.
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May 6, 2022 10:00 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized.
Tags: history, political redistricting, political science, politics, and white plains.

Board Meeting Documents for May 11th, 2022

Board Meeting Documents for May 11th, 2022

Approved Library Board Meeting Minutes – 05-11-22 Combined Agenda 05-11-22 05-11-22 Library Board Agenda Agenda Item #1 – 04-13-22 Regular Library Board Minutes Agenda Item #2 – Budget Report – April 2022 Agenda Item #3 – Claim List 9 Agenda Item #4 – Adult Services Report – April 2022 Agenda Item #4 – Assistant Directors Report – April 2022 Agenda Item #4 – Collection Management Report – April 2022 Agenda Item #4 – Community Outreach Report – April 2022 Agenda Item #4 – Digital Media Specialist Report – April 2022 Agenda Item #4 – Library Systems Report – April 2022
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May 5, 2022 2:54 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Trustee Documents.

AAPI Heritage Month

AAPI Heritage Month

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (AAPI Heritage Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the historical and cultural contributions of individuals and groups of Asian and Pacific Islander descent to the United States. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from the entire Asian continent—including East, Southeast and South Asia—and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. AAPI Heritage Month 2022 will take place from Sunday, May 1 to Tuesday, May 31. Here are some titles to help us get to better know and understand our AAPI neighbors. Enjoy! Tiny feet between the mountains, by Hanna Cha. (Library Catalog) The
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May 5, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: AAPI, AAPI Heritage Month, Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

What You Need To Know About: Doctor Strange

What You Need To Know About: Doctor Strange

It’s kitchen sink time! From what we have seen in the trailers, Marvel is throwing everything they have into the second Dr. Strange movie: Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness (out May 6th). Following up from destroying the fabric of reality in Spider-man: No Way Home, Dr. Strange has to fix the multiverse. Marvel has decided to add so many characters to this film that I don’t know where to start. Yes I do, America Chavez or Miss America, which means the MCU is finally showing signs of diversity, maybe. We also saw Defender Dr. Strange, Zombie Defender Dr.
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May 5, 2022 9:21 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange Into the Multiverse, Marvel, Marvel Studios, and What You Need to Know About.

May Poetry Slam

May Poetry Slam

Join Zork and Kristen for the First Wednesday Poetry Slam on Wednesday, May 4th at 7:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required to try and accommodate as many poets as possible. Register here to attend or perform. Please be sure to provide an active email address as we will contact you to confirm whether you will be performing or just attending. All are welcome! Remember, you can find the SLAM on Facebook AND YouTube.   This program is supported by the White Plains Library Foundation.
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May 4, 2022 10:15 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events and Library News.
Tags: poem, poetry, Poetry Open Mic, poetry slam, White Plains Library SLAM, and Zork.

May 2022 LibraryReads

May 2022 LibraryReads

Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love. Book of Night by Holly Black Library Collection: Print Libby: eBook / Audiobook “Charlie is a hot mess. The more she tries to get on the straight and narrow, the more things fall apart. Due to childhood trauma, she trusts only herself, and maybe her shadow. But in a world where shadows can be altered, stolen, and weaponized, she has to be wary. Lots of atmospheric world building and stage setting, and perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, Neil Gaiman, and V.E. Schwab.—Emily Plagens, Allen Public Library,
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May 4, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, librarian recommendations, Library Reads, LibraryReads, and staff picks.