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COVID-19 Testing Sites

COVID-19 Testing Sites

What has been our most popular reference question this year? It's where to go for COVID-19 testing. Here's our list of local testing sites and the types of testing each location provides. Please note that schedules and availability of testing varies across these locations and are subject to change. Make sure to check a location's website or call before visiting. Do you know of another White Plains testing site not listed here? Or a change with any of the listed sites? Leave us a comment below or email tbaird@whiteplainslibrary.org so we can verify and update our list. Thanks to Librarian
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February 20, 2021 2:04 pm | by | 1 Comment
Categories: COVID-19, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid testing, covid-19, covid-19 testing, COVID19, and covid19 testing.

Trove StoryWalk: Steamboat School

Trove StoryWalk: Steamboat School

Get ready to step back in time as you take a walk along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and the Library Plaza. Follow the panels and read, The Steamboat School: Inspired by a True Story by Deborah Hopkinson. In 1847, the Missouri law stated that “No person shall keep any school for the instruction of negroes or mulattoes, reading or writing, in this State.” However, teacher, Reverend John Berry Meachum, and his students refused to accept discrimination based on skin color. Read how Reverend Meachum opened the “Floating Freedom School” on a steamboat in the middle of the Mississippi
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September 18, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: STEAM activities, Steamboat School, storywalk, The Trove, The World is Waiting for You, and Trove StoryWalk.

Virtual Spanish for Beginners

Virtual Spanish for Beginners

Participants will be introduced to simple everyday usage of vocabulary, grammar and conversation. Classes meet every Monday from October 5th until January 11th from 7:00-8:00 p.m. Registration is now open. Click here to register. Instructor, Naicy Petrill, is a native of Peru and currently teaches Spanish at Westchester Community College. She holds a New York State teaching certificate in Spanish.
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September 15, 2020 6:06 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter and Library News.
Tags: learn Spanish, Spanish, Spanish class, and Spanish for Beginners.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Summer Reading Highlights: Chapter Books

Summer Reading Highlights: Chapter Books

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. Stella Díaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez For children in grades 3-5. OverDrive: eBook Stella Díaz is in third grade and has been feeling a little lonely since her best friend Jenny is in a different class this year.
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July 28, 2020 11:15 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, staff picks, staff recommendations, summer reading, summer reading highlights, summer reading list, and The Trove.

2020 Summer Reading Game

2020 Summer Reading Game

The Library's 2020 Summer Reading Game kicks off Monday, July 6 and runs through Friday, August 14! With limited access to the library building this summer, we’re taking our Summer Reading Game completely online. Instead of visiting the Trove or the Edge, you’ll track your reading on the READsquared platform. Visit the READsquared website or download the app to create a free account and get started.  See below for more information on getting started with READsquared.  Note: You can register in READsquared now and sign up for the Summer Reading Game, however not all features will be live until July
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July 28, 2020 10:04 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: books, children, families, reading, reading program, summer programs, summer reading, summer reading game, and teens.

White Plains Summer Reading Lists

White Plains Summer Reading Lists

Around this time of year, we’re usually busy buying and unpacking boxes of books to support the summer reading lists from the White Plains Public Schools. This year, we’re not sure when we’ll be able to order or receive those boxes of books. Instead, we’re offering digital versions of this year’s summer reading recommendations. We ask that everyone be mindful of an important difference between physical books and digital books. Paperbacks and eBooks check out the same way: a book can only be checked out to one person at a time. But eBooks are often four–or even six–times more expensive
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July 28, 2020 10:03 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, children's literature, reading, school reading lists, summer reading, summer reading lists, and teens.

Family Fun Fridays

Family Fun Fridays

Starting on Friday, July 10, the Library will be offering a great program for children and families every Friday morning at 11:00 a.m.! These programs will take place in Zoom, links below. July 10: The Turtle Dance Music Virtual Concert: A Music, Bubble and Comedy Show Wonderful classic and original children’s songs and tales. The show engages children with songs, comedy, bubbles, and music technology. It is designed to be a fun, unique way to meet new friends that you might not have met before. Join us for this novel 40-minute performance which will be accompanied by visual and sensory
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July 28, 2020 10:01 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events, edge events, family events, Family Fun Fridays, performances, summer programs, summer reading, teen events, The Trove, and trove 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. It’s summer. It’s hot. The Sun is shining. But, what IS that big ball of gas and flame that makes the summer hot and bright? Having read both of the following books with my daughter, I can attest that they are hilarious, informative, and will hold both your child’s attention and yours, while you learn all about the Sun.
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July 16, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, children's books, Nick Seluk, Peculiar Picks, picture books, Stacy McAnulty, staff picks, and They Might Be Giants.

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.

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 2

Amazing Audiobooks for Kids: Part 2

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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July 8, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: audiobooks, children's books, children's literature, digital audiobooks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Summer Reading Game Kick Off

Summer Reading Game Kick Off

The Library’s annual Summer Reading game starts today, Monday, July 6 and will run through Friday, August 14! Due to the impact of COVID-19 on services, the Summer Reading Game will be completely online this year via the READsquared platform, the READsquared website, or the READsquared app, available for iOS and Android. Get Started! Register and login to READsquared. Individual youth participants can register as themselves, or parents and caregivers can register all of their children at one time. This allows for the adult to also log reading and activities. Once registered, choose and join the appropriate Summer Reading Game
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July 6, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, families, summer reading, summer reading game, summer reading lists, teens, The Edge, and The Trove.

STEAM at Home: How Much Candy Do You Eat?

STEAM at Home: How Much Candy Do You Eat?

Have your parents ever asked you how much candy you’ve eaten after seeing you empty a bag? Today you will learn how to calculate that amount into cubic centimeters, which should be enough to confuse them and get them off of your back. Materials: Bag of M&Ms Measuring cup in milliliters (mL) Clay or bread Ruler with centimeters (CM) Paper, pencil, and calculator Measure Volume: We are going to take three measurements to find the Volume. 1st Measurement: Water Count out 100 M&Ms. Fill your measuring cup to 100mL with water. Poor your M&Ms into the water and write down
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July 6, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and videos.

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. Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin Also available as an eBook on Overdrive. Brian Selznick is very well-known for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the 2008 Caldecott Medal. Baby Monkey, Private Eye, however, is both an Amazon and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year,
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July 2, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, Brian Selznick, children's books, Peculiar Picks, picture books, and staff picks.

STEAM at Home: Meteor Watch Day

STEAM at Home: Meteor Watch Day

Sky gazing can be a fun experience-whether you are outside in your backyard, camping or simply looking up at the sky. You can start by becoming familiar with the constellations in the sky-such as The Big Dipper (which for me is the easiest to spot). There are also some wonderful free apps that you can use on your phone to become better at sky gazing. According to NASA “a meteor is a space rock—or meteoroid—that enters Earth's atmosphere. As the space rock falls toward Earth, the resistance—or drag—of the air on the rock makes it extremely hot. What we see
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July 1, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Meteor Watch Day, meteors, NASA, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

International Day of Friendship: Picture Books

International Day of Friendship: Picture Books

On April 27, 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations officially established July 30th as International Friendship Day. The United Nations’ website writes regarding International Friendship Day that, “Our world faces many challenges, crises and forces of division — such as poverty, violence, and human rights abuses — among many others — that undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the world's peoples.To confront those crises and challenges, their root causes must be addressed by promoting and defending a shared spirit of human solidarity that takes many forms — the simplest of which is friendship.” To celebrate International
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June 30, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books, children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, families, International Friendship Day, and Observances and Celebrations.

International Day of Friendship: YA Fiction

International Day of Friendship: YA Fiction

In honor of the International Day of Friendship on July 30, I read When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk, a new release that I’d been looking for an excuse to read. Somewhat ironically, the friendship at the heart of this book actually goes up in flames… but its true value becomes painfully clear through its absence. High school sophomores Cleo and Layla have been best friends for years. But when Layla realizes her dream of joining the school choir and gains a new group of friends, Cleo’s left behind. Flashbacks reveal the initially subtle rift in the girls’ friendship
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June 30, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, International Friendship Day, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, teens, and YA Fiction.