Posts by Kristen, Adult Librarian

Spanish Adult Literacy Classes

Spanish Adult Literacy Classes

The White Plains Public Library will be offering an adult basic education program that teaches reading, writing, math and life skills to native Spanish speakers. Classes begin Wednesday, September 25th and run until Wednesday, December 18th at 6:00 p.m. Class will not be held on November 27th. For more information please call Mariel Perez, 914 422.6982. Instructor Rocio Lopez has more than 20 years of experience teaching adult literacy in Spanish. She has been an Instructor for the last 6 years at the Community Resource Center.
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September 14, 2019 10:41 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, eNewsletter, Events, and Homepage.
Tags: spanish literacy.

Library Plaza Grand Opening

Library Plaza Grand Opening

This post has expired. Take a look at photos from the grand opening here. You won't want to miss the grand opening of the Library Plaza, this Saturday, September 14th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. There will be live music, activities for kids, and the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, new public space. Look for the folks from the Pollinator Pathways movement, who will be discussing ways to support bees, birds, and butterflies. And a big thanks to the White Plains Beautification Foundation for the terrific plantings in the front of the Library. With so much work from so many,
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September 11, 2019 4:45 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, and Library News.
Tags: library plaza and renovations.

A Year in Review

A Year in Review

Sometimes it's good to pause and take a look at where you've been—and where you're going. In June, at the end of the Library's fiscal year, we put together a Year in Review that summarizes many of the changes the Library has gone through in the past year, from the completion of The Hub, the opening of the Everyday Healthy Cafe, to new programs and services. Download and view the PDF here, or if you prefer to read in print, pick up a copy the next time you are in the Library. Thanks go to the Mayor and Common Council
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September 4, 2019 3:12 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: annual report.

One Book, One White Plains

One Book, One White Plains

This September and October, White Plains will come together as a community to read Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You. A gripping page-turner and striking family portrait, the novel follows a Chinese American family in 1970s small-town Ohio as they try to understand the death of the oldest daughter, Lydia. It explores “alienation, achievement, race, gender, family, and identity” (Amazon.com). Writes the New York Times Book Review: “If we know this story, we haven’t seen it yet in American Fiction, not until now.” How to participate? If you have a book group, make Everything I Never Told You your
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September 3, 2019 9:00 am | by | 3 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Events, and Library News.
Tags: book discussion and One Book One White Plains.

Fall Do Gooders Schedule

Fall Do Gooders Schedule

Thanks to everyone who volunteered at the Library this summer! Overall, 80 volunteers completed 661 hours of community service in the Trove and the Edge in July and August. Our Do Gooders group made 55 dog toys for the Paws Crossed Animal Rescue center in Elmsford, 15 baby blankets for Project Linus, 128 paracord bracelets for military charity Operation Gratitude, four ziploc bags full of earrings for a women’s shelter, and countless birthday cards and placemats for Meals on Wheels. Thank you to the Allstate Foundation for the continued support of our various volunteer programs for teens. We can't wait
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August 30, 2019 2:14 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Events, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Do Gooders and teen volunteers.

Book ‘Em Fall 2019-Spring 2020

Book ‘Em Fall 2019-Spring 2020

Book ‘Em, our Mystery Book Group returns select Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. beginning September 11th. This year we’re reading contemporary women authors—both first time novelists as well as the most acclaimed crime writers—with books that take us from Canada to Ireland to Japan. See the full list of dates below: September 11 (USA) Celeste Ng: Everything I Never Told You A huge mystery eats away at the center of the Lee family. October 16 (Ireland) Jo Spain: With Our Blessing Could a recent murder be linked to the notorious Magdalene Laundries? November 13 (Australia) Jane Harper: The Lost Man A
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August 28, 2019 5:16 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Book 'Em, book discussion, and mystery.

July 2019 LibraryReads

July 2019 LibraryReads

Here are the top ten books published in June that librarians across the country love. Just click on a title or book cover to place it on hold. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman Published: 7/9/2019 by Berkley “Nina likes her bookish life just fine. She works in a bookstore and is on a highly competitive trivia team. She is funny and snarky and great company (says this reader). Suddenly, a father she never knew dies and leaves her with a pack of brothers and sisters and Nina may be forced out of her comfortable reading chair.
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August 1, 2019 2:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations and Library Reads.

New Playaway Launchpads

New Playaway Launchpads

We just added over 30 new Playaway Launchpads to the Trove's collection. The new ones are in two types – video content (blue Launchpads) and apps (orange Launchpads) on various themes. We added several that are language-learning focused (ESL, learning Spanish, and learning Chinese), STEM concepts, and early literacy. Every Playaway Launchpad is pre-loaded with high-quality, ad-free learning apps and games, providing hours of interactive learning and play. Apps are grouped onto Launchpads by subject area, theme, grade level, and age. Featuring popular characters and brands, apps content spans subject areas from math and science to critical thinking and creativity,
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July 30, 2019 5:51 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: launchpads.

One Book, One White Plains

One Book, One White Plains

This post has expired. For the latest information on One Book, One White Plains and to register for a pop-up discussion group, visit this post. We are excited to announce that Everything I Never Told You, by Celeste Ng, has been selected as our choice for One Book, One White Plains. A moving exploration of family, history and the meaning of home, Everything I Never Told You is both a gripping page-turner and an examination of the rifts that keep us apart. “One Book, One White Plains is an opportunity for White Plains residents of all backgrounds to come together
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July 28, 2019 3:25 pm | by | 6 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Director's Corner, eNewsletter, and Events.
Tags: book discussion, Celeste Ng, and One Book One White Plains.

Donations for Children & Teen Events

Donations for Children & Teen Events

The Trove and Edge are asking for donations of items to be used in their upcoming programs. All items need to be in good condition. Donations can be brought to the Trove any time during our hours of operation. Items needed: Barbies, Kens, and similar sized dolls, as well as doll clothes that fit those dolls Matchbox or Hot Wheels type cars Action Figures – any kind Board Games and RPG manuals Construx, Mega Blox, KNEX, always accepting LEGOs
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July 15, 2019 4:32 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: donations.

Ransomware? Not Us.

Ransomware? Not Us.

You may have read in the media that the Westchester Library System has been attacked by a ransomware virus. Unfortunately, this is true. However, the White Plains Public Library is on a separate network from the Westchester Library System and our data has not been affected in any way. Access to the catalog and all other resources is unchanged.
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July 10, 2019 3:50 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

June 2019 LibraryReads

June 2019 LibraryReads

Here are the top ten books published in June that librarians across the country love. Just click on a title or book cover to place it on hold. Evvie Drake Starts Over: A Novel by Linda Holmes Published: 6/25/2019 by Ballantine Books “Relationships are hard, whether with a spouse, a best friend, a new love interest, or ourselves. Evvie navigates all of these after a life-changing series of events. An engaging novel that explores relationship nuances without being too dark or too cutesy. For fans of Jenny Colgan, Cecilia Ahern, and Sophie Kinsella.”—Maribeth Fisher, Scotch Plains Public Library, Scotch Plains,
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July 3, 2019 2:42 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations and Library Reads.

Welcome to Summer Reading

Welcome to Summer Reading

This post has expired. Check back next June for information on our 2020 Summer Reading programs. The Library's 2019 Summer Reading Game kicks off July 2 and runs through August 9! In the Trove, families with children up to Kindergarten age will take part in a bingo-style game – reading, coming to Library programs, and completing activities to fill out their bingo board. Completed boards will enter families into raffles for fun grand prize packages in August. Children in Grades K-6 will use a game board, keeping track of their reading and attendance at Library programs, to get to the
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June 26, 2019 2:21 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Events, and Library News.
Tags: summer reading.

Summer Maker Camps for Teens

Summer Maker Camps for Teens

This post has expired. Check back in June 2020 for next summer's camps or visit our teen calendar for current events. Our Summer of Making with the EDGE-ucators returns next month. Register today! Monday-Thursday (except where noted), 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For teen entering grades 7-12 in fall 2019. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. There is a $5 materials fee that will be collected on the first day. Session 1: Constructing a City – July 1-3 All those curious how a city is designed and built from bridges to dams and buildings, come build a city with a
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June 17, 2019 4:02 pm | by | 6 Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, and Library News.
Tags: Argus, STEAM, STEM, and Summer of Making.

May 2019 LibraryReads

May 2019 LibraryReads

Here are the top ten books published this month that librarians across the country love. Just click on a title or book cover to place it on hold. The Bride Test by Helen Hoang Published: 5/7/2019 by Berkley Jove “On the autism spectrum, Khai doesn’t feel anything for anyone. His mother recruits Esme, a young Vietnamese woman, to marry him. A realistic, humorous romance that reveals the slow path to love and a meaningful relationship. For those who loved The Kiss Quotient, The Rosie Project, and The Wedding Date.”—Jessica C. Williams, Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, Tiffin, OH The Book Woman of
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June 12, 2019 2:29 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations and Library Reads.

Do Gooders Summer Registration

Do Gooders Summer Registration

This post has expired. Check back next June for information on our Summer 2020 volunteer opportunities or visit our post on fall 2019 volunteer opportunities. It’s time to make plans for this summer. When it comes to volunteering at the library, the Do Gooders community service group will be working on a variety of different projects. Do Gooders Teens in grades 7-12 can earn community service hours on Tuesdays from 3-5 pm, from July 9 through August 13 in the Edge Media Lab. Each week we'll work on a different project to benefit a local organization. Registration recommended; space is
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May 30, 2019 10:00 am | by | 14 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: community service, teen volunteers, volunteer, volunteer opportunities, and volunteering.

Citywide School Art Show

Citywide School Art Show

Join student artists and their families for a reception celebrating the art of White Plains City School children, grades K-12, on the second floor of the Library on Thursday, May 30th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display through June 6th. (Images below are from last year's art show.)  
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May 24, 2019 9:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Gallery, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art exhibit, art reception, citywide school art show, and student art.

AR Sandbox

AR Sandbox

We have a very cool temporary addition to the Edge, an augmented reality sandbox that one of our patrons built and is making available to us for a week or two. We will hold a drop-in session where you can explore the sandbox features on Wednesday, May 29th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. White Plains resident Aaron Couts has generously made his Augmented Reality sandbox available to the Library. The AR sandbox, an open source project developed at the University of California, Davis (https://arsandbox.ucdavis.edu/) is made up of a video projector, a Microsoft K'nect 3D sensor, and of course
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May 22, 2019 2:23 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: AR Sandbox, Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Sandbox, and teens.

Free Comic Book Day Photos

Free Comic Book Day Photos

On Saturday, May 4 the Library celebrated Free Comic Book Day, an annual event promoting reading through comic books. During the event, Library staff and volunteers distributed 256 free comics to kids and teens. As part of the event, the Library showed the Academy Award winning animated feature, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, which one attendee remarked, “was a great movie!” We also had a presentation about the life and career of Marvel Comics creator, Stan Lee. In addition, there were superhero mask crafts, fun comic book coloring, and a photo booth. Summing up the general feeling of the event, one
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May 9, 2019 4:31 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Free Comic Book Day.

New Books Perfect for Book Groups

New Books Perfect for Book Groups

If you’re in a book group, you are always looking for a great book that can stand up to the scrutiny of your friends. Not too long, not too short. Richly detailed but not too slow. Challenging but not Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake. Well here are five books—all published in the past few months—that are perfect for a book discussion: complex, nuanced and full of issues that reverberate with the present. Oh, and none are over 350 pages! The Only Woman in the Room: A Novel by Marie Benedict In her rousing historical novel, Benedict imagines lesser known aspects of Hedy
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March 27, 2019 9:34 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations.