Posts by Kathleen Degyansky, Assistant Director

February 7th: Sustainable Westchester

Sustainable Westchester will be tabling in the Library's Lobby from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 7th. Sustainable Westchester is a nonprofit organization offering ways for renters and owners to save money on their energy bills, prioritizing low and moderate-income households. Right now, they are looking for Con Edison customers to sign up for their Community Solar opportunity to save up to 20% on their monthly electricity bills. Subscribers do not install solar panels on their homes. They will be subscribed to a Community Solar project that will provide guaranteed savings on their Con Edison bills. To subscribe,
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Categories: Library News.

Artist Juliana Lemin Display

A display by artist Juliana Lemin is on view in a case outside the entrance to the Edge, our space for teens. Juliana Lemin is a 15-year-old Sophomore at Edgemont HS. She expressed her creativity in art since she was very little. When Juliana was five, she started taking art lessons with a Russian art professor Elena Nenastina. Later she began to study with another artist and renowned art teacher, Leonid Shoshensky. Juliana uses various media including chalk pastel, oil on canvas, watercolors, and graphite pencil. She is a published artist. Her works were represented in “Celebrating Art” catalog for several years. In
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Teens.

Metropolis Sunrise Sewing Project

Amanda Browder Metropolis Sunrise Sewing Project Monday, August 22nd, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Auditorium Are you ready to sew? Artist Amanda Browder Browder is creating a 10,000-square-foot fabric sculpture that will be installed on ArtsWestchester's building in downtown White Plains this Fall in conjunction with Serious Fun, a major public arts festival. This project will be created through community sewing days like the one scheduled at the White Plains Public Library. Since 2020, ArtsWestchester has hosted about 30 sewing days throughout the county with over 450 volunteers. No registration necessary. Come for an hour or the whole day. All are welcome.
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Categories: Library News.

Jamaica 60 Art Exhibit

As Jamaica celebrates its 188th year of Emancipation on August 1st and 60th Anniversary of Independence on August 6th, the Jamaican Emancipendence Committee will host an Art Exhibition at the Library, curated by renowned Jamaican artist, Michael Escoffery, with his paintings and those of other artists, including the Denzel Washington School of Arts, Mt. Vernon.  A closing reception will be held in the Library's Museum Gallery on August 31st, 5:30-8:00 p.m.  The exhibit will be on view through Wednesday, August 31st. The Jamaican Emancipendence Committee was founded three years ago to commemorate Jamaica's Emancipation (August 1, 1834) and Independence (August
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Categories: Events, Gallery, Homepage, and Library News.

An Exhibition of Artist books by Marc Shanker

The Library will host an exhibition of Artist Books by self-taught artist Marc Shanker. The show runs from Monday, December 6th, 2021 through Friday, February 4th, 2022. “My books are words extended by images, and images extended by words. The physicality of books focuses attention and adds to their significance. Whether large or small, books exert a power unlike any other object,” states Shanker. The exhibition includes over thirty prints and eleven Artist Books. Shanker’s books include collage and mixed media adaptations of Aeschylus’ The Orestian Trilogy, and Looking into the Eye of Doom, The Diary of a Greek Soldier
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Categories: Featured, Gallery, Homepage, and Library News.

Blood Pressure Monitor Loaner Program

Blood pressure management is more important than ever during the pandemic. The Library will begin loaning blood pressure monitors on March 15th. The monitor comes with a cuff, instructions, and a log the patron may keep for recording daily readings. The monitors can be placed on hold by any Westchester County library card holder in good standing and may be kept for 14 days. Patrons may pick up and return the device to White Plains Public Library only. Cuffs can be placed on hold here. High blood pressure is often the first domino in a chain or “domino effect” leading
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Categories: Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Register Now: Pause and Reflect Writing Workshop

Pause…and Reflect: Stories from Your Side of the Window. Join us for this 8-session online creative writing workshop beginning October 6th. Through exercises and supportive evaluations, you’ll learn techniques that will help you get at the heart of your stories from the pandemic. At the conclusion of the workshop, you are invited to have your story recorded and preserved on film (see the last workshop's film below) to show us how, for all the distance, the walls and windows, the lack of touch, we are still intimately connected. This workshop welcomes all writing levels. Ultimately, these stories will become part
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Categories: Classes, COVID-19, Events, and Library News.

Pause…and Reflect Writing Workshop

Pause…and Reflect: Stories from Your Side of the Window. Join us for this 8-session online creative writing workshop beginning June 2nd. Through exercises and supportive evaluations, you’ll learn techniques that will help you get at the heart of your stories from the pandemic. At the conclusion of the workshop, you are invited to have your story recorded and preserved on film to show us how, for all the distance, the walls and windows, the lack of touch, we are still intimately connected. Ultimately, these stories will become part of the new collection, Documenting COVID-19: White Plains Experiences, created by Library
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Categories: COVID-19, eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

George Latimer Public Forums

Members of George Latimer's transition team will hold a series of open public forums in the Library Auditorium this week. Share your views on a wide range of topics at the following events: Wednesday, December 13, 6pm. Topic: Criminal Justice Thursday, December 14, 6pm.  Topic:  Social Services/Human Rights Tuesday, December 19, 7pm.  Topic:  Operational Services Can't make it?  Email your comments to LatimerTransition2017@gmail.com
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Categories: Events.

Meet Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno

The next time you visit the Library, you might see a new face sitting at one of our public service desks.  Kristen joined the Library team in mid-July as an Adult Services and Marketing Librarian.  She will be responsible for creating our newsletters, fliers, social media posts, and other marketing/outreach efforts.  I sat down with her last week to learn a little bit more about her. Thornton-De Stafeno grew up along the East Coast: New York to Florida and then on to North Carolina before returning to Orange County, NY to attend high school. After graduating, she attended Dutchess County
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Categories: Uncategorized.

New York Historical Society Museum Passes Now Available

The White Plains Public Library is pleased to announce the addition of the New-York Historical Society Museum at 170 Central Park West to the Museum Pass Program.  The Library pass provides free admission for two adults and all accompanied children under eighteen years of age. The New-York Historical Society’s museum is the oldest in New York City and predates the founding of the Metropolitan Museum of Art by nearly seventy years. Its art holdings comprise more than 1.6 million works. Among them are a world-class collection of Hudson River School paintings, including major works by Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Local History.

Pace University Women’s Justice Center Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary

Domestic violence toward a spouse, parent or child is probably the most unreported crime in the United States. “Victims transcend all socioeconomic levels, and there are many reasons why they may not feel comfortable or able to report the abuse, including fear of retaliation, concerns regarding children and their custody and safety, cultural concerns, financial concerns, and immigration and deportation concerns among others,” says attorney and Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) director of training, outreach and education Susan Carroll.  “That’s why the Women’s Justice Center was formed in 1991 as the first of its kind in the nation.”   Originally
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Categories: Events.

Zika Virus Information from Westchester County

County Executive Robert Astorino wants you to be aware of the steps the County has taken and will be taking to prevent mosquitoes from multiplying.  With the growing news reports on ZIka, many of you may become concerned about the potential risks of mosquitoes at home and around your neighborhood. This update provides information on the steps the County is taking to reduce the mosquito population, Westchester County has a robust plan that includes education, surveillance, and mosquito control. Education: Look for the flyer “Keep Healthy and Get the Facts” in the Library that provides information on Zika and includes
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Categories: Featured and Library News.

Fifth Annual Harlem Fine Arts Show Comes to White Plains

The Harlem Fine Arts Show will celebrate its 5th Annual Event, showcasing artists and authors on Tuesday, March 29 at the White Plains Library, 6 – 9 p.m. The event showcases African American artists and authors from the New York metropolitan area. This year’s special recognition honorees will include the acclaimed R&B and pop singing group Atlantic Starr and youth phenom Julius Rodriguez. Featured authors include: Flo Anthony, David Banks, Dr. Martia Goodson, Monica Michelle and Carol Hill Mackey. Over 200 Children enrolled in the White Plains Youth Bureau’s After School Connection program have been busy creating beautiful pieces of
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Categories: Events, Gallery, and Uncategorized.

Digital Photography Exhibit

Participants of the Library's eight-week digital photography class for seniors will display their work in the Library Gallery from Wednesday, March 16, through Wednesday, March 23, 2016. Professional photographer and arts educator Lori Adams presented the workshop in which students learned the fundamentals of composition and use of light and color to create portraits and still life images. A reception is planned for Tuesday, March 22nd from 2:00-4:00 p.m.  Refreshments will be served. This program was made possible by Creative Aging in America's Libraries, supported by a National Leadership Grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services in
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Categories: Events and Uncategorized.

Digital Photography Workshop for Seniors

Professional photographer and arts educator Lori Adams will present an 8-week digital photography workshop for seniors. The first session is Tuesday, January 5, 2016, 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m. Using their own cameras, participants will learn the fundamentals of composition, and use of light and color to create portraits and still life images. A basic understanding of camera settings and photo editing will also be covered. The workshop will culminate in an exhibit of participants' work. Participation is limited to fifteen students aged 55 and better.  Participants should plan to attend all sessions. Pre-registration is required and can be submitted
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Categories: Classes and Uncategorized.

CITY OF WHITE PLAINS 3RD ANNUAL WELLNESS WEEK

The White Plains Youth Bureau, in cooperation with the White Plains Cares Coalition and the Coalition for Living Wellness, will host the City’s 3rd Annual Wellness Week Celebration September 19 through September 28. Wellness Week will begin with a free outdoor Kick-Off Festival on Saturday, September 19, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., on Court Street between Martine Avenue and Main Street. The kick-off event will feature musical performances, health and wellness vendors that attendees will be able to interact with games, food and more! The kick-off celebration will be followed by a week of wellness events, to be held at locations
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Categories: Events.

On the Homefront — Families of Veterans Writing Workshop

White Plains Public Library and Veterans Writing Workshop are pleased to offer a free creative writing workshop for family members or caretakers of a veteran or active duty service members. The free workshop is open to all writing experience levels. The workshop will take place ten Wednesdays beginning September 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Learn the skills that will help you write your stories. Get valuable feedback and guidance from a published writer. Become part of a supportive community of writers. Publish your writing in the Families of Veterans anthology. Class size is limited and registration is required.
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Categories: Classes.

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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Categories: Homepage and Library News.

Storywalk in the Park

The City of White Plains Recreation and Parks Department, in partnership with the White Plains Public Library, is pleased to introduce StoryWalk at Bryant-Mamaroneck Park. The StoryWalk combines a children's story with a popular walking route. Children's books are selected, the pages separated, laminated, and placed along a walking path at regular intervals so readers can follow the story as they walk the route. The StoryWalk is a great opportunity for parents, teachers, and caregivers to provide a fun and healthy activity for young children. Mayor Roach said, “We hope that families will return to the park regularly to enjoy
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.