Posts by Kristen, Adult Librarian

January Adult Technology Events

January Adult Technology Events

This January we have a wide variety of technology sessions for adults, read on to find out more and to register. If you're looking for a one-on-one training, see our training reservation page here. Virtual Tech Help (Evening) Tuesday, January 12th 6:00-7:30 p.m. Need help with a general computer issue or have questions about a particular piece of technology? Ask Digital Media Specialist Austin Olney in this virtual assistance program. Whether a beginner or advanced user, all are welcome. Click here to register. Library Resources for Smartphones (Morning Digital Learning) Wednesday, January 13th 10:30-11:15 a.m. Join Digital Media Specialist Austin
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December 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: 3D design, 3d printing, digital technology, technology, and technology training.

COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

The following information is taken from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Reports on the release of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the year are promising, but plans for distribution are still being worked out. Here’s what we know currently: The vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech has been authorized for Emergency Use while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving towards finalizing the Emergency Use Authorization of Moderna’s vaccine. Additional vaccine manufacturers are expected to apply for FDA authorization in 2021. The distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to federal- and state-approved locations has begun. For most people living in the U.S.,
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December 18, 2020 10:08 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid scams, covid vaccine, covid-19, COVID19, scam, scams, vaccine, and vaccines.

She Writes: Short Stories

She Writes: Short Stories

This month's collection of titles for our “She Writes” series focuses on short story collections. Too distracted by current events to focus on long reads? Try short stories. Join librarian Barbara Wenglin's Short Story Discussion Series via Zoom, featuring 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories, on Thursday 12/17, 1/7/21, and 1/14/21. Click here for details. Below you'll find short story collections all written or edited by women and their available formats, but we also have a curated list with additional titles in OverDrive that you can checkout here. Find last month's post on historical novels here. 100 Years
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December 16, 2020 10:19 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: books, She Writes, Short stories, staff picks, staff recommendations, and women authors.

2020 Staff Favorites

2020 Staff Favorites

The White Plains Library Staff have assembled their picks for the year, featuring cookbooks, DVDs, music, audiobooks, and plenty of plain old books. It's a wonderfully wide-ranging list, full of lots of surprises, and should help with your holiday shopping or just some entertainment for yourself. Enjoy! Below you'll find a list with links to the catalog or resource where they're available as well as a blurb on why staff enjoyed it. Books: Peace Talks by Jim Butcher Library Catalog OverDrive and Libby: eBook and audiobook Harry Dresden is a wizard living in modern day Chicago. Think of this book
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December 16, 2020 9:32 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Director's Corner, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: best of 2020, book recommendations, books, music, staff picks, staff recommendations, and television.

December Daily Poetry

December Daily Poetry

Every 1st Wednesday for 16 years we Slam at the Library with an Open Mic, Open Slam, and World Famous Slam Poet Feature. We started this all on January 26, 2004. During the 2020 virus outbreak we are posting 1 poem a day from our archives until we can share our poetry in public and proximity again. December 11th: Isabella December 10th: Gustavo December 9th: Francesca December 8th: Esiyem December 7th: Cye December 6th: Brando December 5th: Anya December 4th: Adrianna December 3rd: Mikey December 2nd: Taye Vaughn December 1st: Beth
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December 2, 2020 4:57 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: daily poem, poem a day, poetry, poetry slam, slam poetry, videos, and Zork.

She Writes: Historical Novels

She Writes: Historical Novels

This month's collection of titles for our “She Writes” series focuses on historical novels. Had it with 2020? Transport yourself to a different time and place with historical fiction all written 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. Find last month's post on nonfiction science here. Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Library Collection: Print OverDrive and Libby: eBook and audiobook “When the Igbo people of eastern Nigeria seceded in 1967 to form the independent nation of Biafra, a bloody,
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November 16, 2020 1:28 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, books by women, She Writes, staff picks, staff recommendations, women authors, and women writers.

Fall Short-Story Discussion Series

Fall Short-Story Discussion Series

Join Librarian Barbara Wenglin to explore compelling stories from an exciting, rich, and bold new anthology: 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories Edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2015) Marking the centennial of the Best American Short Stories annual series, this collection celebrates the diversity of the genre and the American experience from 1915-2015. Available in print collection through our Catalog and as an eBook in Hoopla, as well as OverDrive and Libby. Thursdays from 2:00 – 4:15 p.m. on Zoom The selected stories with varied settings deal with intriguing and edgy romantic relationships. Please
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November 8, 2020 11:16 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book discussion, book group, Short stories, and Short Story Book Discussion.

Hoopla Bonus Borrows

Hoopla Bonus Borrows

Due to popular demand, Hoopla Bonus Borrows are back for the month of November, starting November 1 and running through November 30! How it works: When you borrow a Bonus Borrows title during the month of November you will be debited ZERO borrows from your monthly hoopla borrows. In addition to these titles, you will also continue to have access to hoopla's full collection of over 950,000 eBooks, audiobooks, movies, TV shows, music, comics, and more. The collection will be free from 11/1/20 to 11/30/20. Click here to view the entire Bonus Borrows collection. Read on below for some staff
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November 4, 2020 1:13 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, film recommendations, hoopla, hoopla Bonus Borrows, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

What Should We Read Next? Book Lover Event

What Should We Read Next? Book Lover Event

Sunday, November 8th 1:00–2:30 p.m. Get a heads-up on new books and refresh your reading list with books you might have missed with publishing insider Carol Fitzgerald. Back by popular demand, Carol will share news about the season’s buzzworthy titles and chat about what books groups have been doing since March when “the world went virtual.” Carol Fitzgerald is the President of The Book Report Network—a group of internet sites on books and authors that have become the gathering places for a large and devoted community of booklovers since 1996, and the host of the “Bookreporter Talks To” video/podcast series.
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October 23, 2020 11:38 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book discussion, book group, book recommendations, carol fitzgerald, reading, and The Book Reporter.

Book Groups for One Book, One White Plains

Book Groups for One Book, One White Plains

This October and November, the Library is facilitating conversations about Ibram X. Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist, which is quickly becoming an essential book for anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step of contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society. As part of One Book, One White Plains, we would like to join your book group to help lead the discussion, or perhaps, you can pull together a group at your job or among your friends just to discuss How to Be an Antiracist. Best of all, Dr.
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October 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Antiracism, book groups, How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi, Jason Reynolds, and One Book One White Plains.

Red Door Readers

Red Door Readers

In conjunction with Gilda’s Club Westchester, the Library will offer a book discussion group for cancer survivors, their families, and caretakers. The focus will be on literary fiction and all meetings will be held over Zoom. We meet the third Thursday of each month, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Registration is required and limited. Upcoming selections include: Thursday, November 19: How It All Began, by Penelope Lively. Click here to register. Physical Catalog: Book OverDrive and Libby: eBook Set in London, this novel examines the role of chance in people’s lives, exploring how our lives can be altered irrevocably by someone we
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October 10, 2020 2:35 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book discussion, book group, event, Gilda's Club of Westchester, Red Door Readers, and virtual event.

Horror Stories: Books & Movies

Horror Stories: Books & Movies

To celebrate Halloween and a favorite genre to read and watch in October, we've put together a list of recommended reading and watching available through our catalog and digital resources. Find our curated list of frightfully creepy reads for Halloween and beyond on OverDrive here. For something a little less scary, find our list for “Halloween Treats for a Spooky Night In” list here. Books The Year of Witching by Alexis Henderson Library Catalog OverDrive and Libby: eBook “Immanuelle’s mother dies in childbirth, proclaiming, with her dying breath, that her baby is ‘a curse.' Now a teenager, Immanuelle can’t find
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October 9, 2020 3:51 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, books, film, halloween, Halloween Books, Halloween Movies, horror, horror films, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

She Writes: Science

She Writes: Science

This month's collection of titles for our “She Writes” series focuses on the topic of science. We're featuring nonfiction science all written 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. Find last month's post on graphic novels here. The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History by Elizabeth Kolbert Library Collection: Print OverDrive and Libby: eBook and audiobook “The charm of this book (inasmuch as a book about extinction can have charm) lies in Kolbert's hands-on approach to her subject–searching for Panamanian frogs in the dark,
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October 5, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: science, She Writes, staff picks, staff recommendations, and virtual book display.

How to Vote in White Plains

How to Vote in White Plains

Unsure of how to vote or register to vote this year? We've compiled a quick guide below. For more in-depth information on registering to vote and voting locally, please register for one of two events we will hold in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Westchester. Events Vote 2020! Register to Vote! Thursday, September 17, 7:00-8:00 p.m. Is your voice being heard about the issues important to you? Are you registered to vote in Westchester County? Join us to learn why your vote is important and how to get ready for the 2020 General Election by completing the
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September 16, 2020 1:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: how to vote, league of women voters, register to vote, voter guide, and voting.

‘Virtual’ Short-Story Discussion Series Returns

‘Virtual’ Short-Story Discussion Series Returns

Barbara Wenglin’s short-story discussion series has been a mainstay at the Library for years, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 caused the format to change from in-person to virtual, via the Zoom platform. “What we lost in intimacy was made up by gaining participants from beyond White Plains. Through the Library’s website, newsletter, social media, and word of mouth, we were able to reach out around the region and around the country,” noted Librarian Wenglin. Virtual programs will continue in the 2020-2021 season, which has resulted in the choice of a new series anthology, available in
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September 16, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: Barbara Wenglin, book club, book discussion, short story discussion, and virtual book club.

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.

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.

Staff Picks: Qello Concerts

Staff Picks: Qello Concerts

White Plains Cardholders just gained access to another exciting resource with the addition of Qello. Qello Concerts by Stingray is the world’s largest collection of full-length concerts and music documentaries streamed on-demand to just about any digital device. It’s like a never-ending concert ticket, which means it's perfect for this time when many are missing going to live shows. If you're unsure where to start, check out these recommendations from Adult Services Librarians Austin Duffy, Mariel Perez, and Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno. The Highwaymen, Live American Outlaws The Highwaymen were a country supergroup consisting of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash,
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August 10, 2020 1:31 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: concerts, music, Qello, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

We asked our staff to pick two books or films that they recently enjoyed or are looking forward to enjoying this summer. Below is a list of wide ranging recommendations for adults. Books American Assassin by Vince Flynn This is a fast paced book about American operatives in the Middle East and the training of a select few who become American Assassins. A great summer read because the story is intriguing while not being overly complicated. Flynn does a great job of bringing all of the characters to life. For those who like the theme of Read the Book, See
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July 15, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: staff picks, staff recommendations, and summer reading list.