Archives for Featured

Join Us for a Live Klezmer Music Concert

Join Us for a Live Klezmer Music Concert

Get ready for an afternoon of vibrant and traditional Klezmer music on Friday, April 4th at 2 p.m. at the White Plains Public Library Auditorium! Featuring talented performers Susan Gordan and Jordan Shapiro, this program promises to be an unforgettable cultural experience. Whether you're a fan of lively, toe-tapping music or looking to discover something new, this Klezmer performance will transport you with its rich history and spirited rhythms. Bring your friends, family, or anyone who enjoys great music and a fun atmosphere. Registration is encouraged, click here for more information!
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March 26, 2025 3:36 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, and Homepage.
Tags: klezmer, klezmer music, and live music.

Empowering Caregivers: Talking to Your Child About Their Autism Diagnosis

Empowering Caregivers: Talking to Your Child About Their Autism Diagnosis

Empowering Caregivers: Talking to Your Child About Their Autism Diagnosis 6:30pm on Thursday, April 24, 2025 Library Auditorium Michelle Gorenstein, PsyD,  is a clinical psychologist at the Center for Autism and the Developing Brain. She will provide caregivers with evidence-based strategies for discussing their child's diagnosis with them. She will share essential tips and resources to help caregivers feel more confident when having this conversation with their child. There will be a panel of parents and self-advocates to provide their personal perspectives and answer questions.  Families will walk away feeling more confident and prepared to have this critical conversation.  The target
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March 24, 2025 1:56 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes and Featured.
Tags: Autism, autism awareness month, caregivers, and events for parents in White Plains.

March Nonfiction Pick of the Month

March Nonfiction Pick of the Month

Nonfiction books are written to present the facts on a wide range of topics, for a wide range of ages. In this column, Erica will recommend new and/or notable nonfiction from the Trove collection! Queens of the Jungle by Dr. Carly Anne York and Kimberlie Clinthorne-Wong All available formats here York and Clinthorne-Wong have collaborated on a wonderful volume packed full of information and beautiful illustrations, with so much to enjoy both visually and educationally – certainly I learned a number of things! Enjoy learning about the matriarchs of the animal queendom in this amazing book written for ages 8-12
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March 24, 2025 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, and Kids.
Tags: juvenile nonfiction, nonfiction, Nonfiction Pick of the Month, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

April Events for Adults

April Events for Adults

  April showers, bulb plants emerging through soil, Earth Day celebrations…April is also the home of National Library Week, and we've been busy planning a plethora of enjoyable activities for you. From literary occasions to lunchtime meditations to book discussions to informal crafting circles, you'll find plenty of ways to love life with your library this April.     FEATURED EVENT: An Afternoon with Author Esmeralda Santiago Sunday, April 6, 2pm Auditorium Join us at the White Plains Public Library for a special afternoon with award-winning author Esmeralda Santiago! Known for her powerful memoirs, including When I Was Puerto Rican
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March 21, 2025 5:25 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, and Homepage.
Tags: 3d printing, adult events, author events, knitting, poetry slam, and short story discussion.

Irish Heritage Month

Irish Heritage Month

Ireland is an island nation on the westernmost edge of Europe, known for its wide expanses of lush, green fields. In fact, its nickname is the Emerald Isle. But there are also large areas of rugged, rocky landscape. Ireland is a nation of storytellers. The tradition dates back to Celtic bards, who would record and recite the country's history. Many famed writers come from Ireland, including several winners of the Nobel Prize for literature. St. Patrick’s Day—observed internationally every March 17—is packed with parades, good luck charms, and all things green. The event started as a religious holiday, but over
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March 12, 2025 11:55 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Irish folklore, Irish heritage, Observances and Celebrations, St. Patrick's Day, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

An Afternoon with Bestselling Author Esmeralda Santiago

An Afternoon with Bestselling Author Esmeralda Santiago

Join us at the White Plains Public Library for a special afternoon with award-winning author Esmeralda Santiago! Known for her powerful memoirs, including When I Was Puerto Rican and Almost a Woman and most recently Las Madres, Santiago has captivated readers with her vivid storytelling and rich cultural narratives. Don't miss this chance to meet one of the most influential voices in contemporary literature! This program is sponsored by the White Plains Library Foundation. Event Details: The author talk will begin Sunday, April 6 at 2pm with a Q&A and book signing to follow. Library Auditorium Registration is encouraged, sign
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March 6, 2025 2:59 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Homepage.
Tags: author talk, books for adults, esmeralda santiago, peurto rican author, and una discusión de libro.

Celebrate Women’s History Month With Us!

Celebrate Women’s History Month With Us!

     Even though women gained the right to vote in August of 1920, the legislators who proposed that Congress establish a Women's History Week (the precursor to Women's History Month) in 1980 chose a week in March. Taking into account the heat of August, they envisioned March's cooler weather and cherry blossoms for their marches. Also in March's favor was the existence in March of International Women's Day, celebrated since 1910. The founders' image of marching especially resonates with the theme of this year's commemorative month, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” Though women helped found and build
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February 28, 2025 4:56 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, and Homepage.
Tags: celebrate womens history and womens history month.

March Events for Adults

March Events for Adults

We have many exciting educational and entertaining events for adults in March. Read on for event details, or click here for a month-view of all of our programs. If you have any questions, feel free to call 914-422-1400 or email librarian@whiteplainslibrary.org. FREE AARP Tax-Aid Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:00am – 3:00pm Auditorium Come in to have your taxes done by an AARP volunteer. No need to be a member of AARP. Prior-reservation required. English Conversation Group Thursdays & Saturdays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm Community Room Have fun practicing your English conversation skills! Future is Female: Book Discussion Group Monday, March 3, 2:00pm
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February 28, 2025 3:08 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book club, crochet, events for adults, poetry, and virtual reality.

What’s Next in the Edge: March 2025

What’s Next in the Edge: March 2025

Read on to find out about the activities we've planned for grades 7-12 this spring. As usual, we have a lot going on. Stop by anytime during Edge hours to say hello and find out more about the Edge. Edge Hours Monday – Thursday: 3:00-8:00 p.m. Friday: 3:00-6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 1:00-5:00 p.m. Drop-in Activities No registration is required for these ongoing programs for grades 7-12. Video Game Time Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Edge hours. Tech Tuesday Youth in grades 4-12 will learn about new technology topics on select Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. Creative Time Take time for
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February 26, 2025 3:02 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: events for teens in Westchester, events for teens in White Plains, The Edge, and what's new in the Edge.

Kids in the Kitchen 6

Kids in the Kitchen 6

Welcome to Kids in the Kitchen. This blog series highlights great cookbooks for kids. Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple Library Catalog Fairy Tale Feasts is more than collection of stories and recipes. In it, Caldecott-winning author Jane Yolen and her daughter, Heidi Stemple, imagine their readers as co-conspirators. About the creation of the stories and the history of the foods they share fun facts and anecdotes designed to encourage future cooks and storytellers to make up their own versions of the classics. From the earliest days of stories,
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February 24, 2025 2:02 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books for kids, cookbooks, Kids in the Kitchen, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

New WLS Mobile App is Now Live!

New WLS Mobile App is Now Live!

The new WLS mobile app has launched and is ready for you to use! Enjoy the convenience of using the catalog from your mobile device. Be sure to remove the former WLS mobile app from your device. Then go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to find WLS Mobile (published by ByWater Solutions), and download. Log in with your library card number and your pin (the last 4 digits of the phone number we have on file for you, unless you have changed it to something else). Experience the seamlessness of having the library catalog with you wherever
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February 21, 2025 11:04 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

American Girl at the Library – March 2025

American Girl at the Library – March 2025

American Girl Dolls have been all the rage for years. Check out the upcoming events in our American Girl Doll related programming! Circle of Friends: An American Girl Doll Musical Sunday, March 9, 2:00pm Seven girls throw a surprise sleepover birthday party for their best friend Laura. The party turns out to be a lesson for them all. Throughout the party they each travel back in time and tell their American Girl Doll story and they all learn the true meaning of friendship. American Girl Book Club: Josefina – Sunlight and Shadows Saturday, March 15, 11:00am Grades 1-6, signup required.
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February 14, 2025 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Featured, Homepage Kids, and Library News.
Tags: American Girl, American Girl Dolls, book group, children's events, and musical performances.

Burkina Faso Portraits: 3 Families, 50 Years

Burkina Faso Portraits: 3 Families, 50 Years

White Plains Public Library is pleased to present a new exhibit in the Museum Gallery titled Burkina Faso Portraits: 3 Families, 50 Years by Beryl Goldberg. The exhibit will be on display through the end of March. Photographer Beryl Goldberg presents this photo essay of three families from Burkina Faso: “I first met the founding generations—the parents—in 1972. They were true entrepreneurs. They moved from rural villages to the cities, where they found opportunities that were only possible in the urban environment: schools, financial (economic) possibilities, and different standards of living. They all had connections to the city markets, where
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February 13, 2025 3:06 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Gallery, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: African Diaspora, Beryl Goldberg, Burkina Faso, museum gallery, Photo Essay, and Photography Exhibit.

AARP Tax Assistance 2025

AARP Tax Assistance 2025

The AARP Tax-Aide program will once again offer free tax preparation services at the White Plains Public Library from February 3, 2025, to April 14, 2025 (excluding February 17, 2025). PLEASE NOTE: THIS SERVICE IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. Appointments will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with the last appointment scheduled at 2:00 PM. To schedule an appointment online, please visit the Tax-Aide Appointment Scheduler. Be sure to enter your email address to receive confirmation and reminders. Alternatively, you can call 914-348-3467 to schedule your appointment. Before your appointment, please pick up and complete
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January 14, 2025 10:10 am | by | 6 Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: aarp, adults, senior services, tax assistance, and tax help.

Short-Story Book & Film Series – Winter/Spring 2025

Short-Story Book & Film Series – Winter/Spring 2025

Join White Plains Librarian Barbara Wenglin to explore compelling selections from the rich anthology Stories of Books and Libraries, (ed. Jane Holloway, Everyman’s Pocket Classics, 2023). These vibrant and varied readings by diverse authors pay tribute to the written word in works published throughout history, to their readers, and to the intriguing spaces that house them. This group meets on Zoom — all are welcome! Click here to sign up and receive the zoom link. Schedule: Thursdays, 2pm-4pm February 27: “Forewarned” by H.H. Munro writing as “Saki” (p.341) & “Three Kinds of Association” by Michel de Montaigne (p.275) March 13:
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January 2, 2025 1:38 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Book Discussion, Events, Featured, and Homepage.
Tags: book discussion, events for seniors, film discussion, and Short stories.

Exciting Software Updates

Exciting Software Updates

White Plains Public Library is rolling out some exciting software updates to make your library experience even better! Streamlined Museum Pass, Wi-Fi Hotspot, and Room Reservations We’ve updated our system for reserving museum passes, Wi-Fi hotspots, and meeting rooms, making it easier for you to book these services online. Check out our fantastic selection of museums, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Guggenheim Museum, Westchester Children's Museum and more, all available with your library card! Reserve now here! New Westchester Library System Mobile App In January, the Westchester Library System mobile app will be replaced with a new
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December 31, 2024 11:19 am | by | 6 Comments
Categories: Featured.
Tags: museum passes, new software, technology, and WLS app.

2024 Staff Favorites: Music and Movies

2024 Staff Favorites: Music and Movies

The White Plains Library Staff have assembled their favorite movies, music and television. It's a wonderfully wide-ranging list 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. On the Screen: The Booksellers  This documentary presents a lively view of New York’s antiquarian, rare-book scene and the fascinating, passionate collectors and dealers who inhabit it. The film is directed by D.W. Young and narrated by actress Parker Posey, with insightful comments
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December 10, 2024 3:08 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: 2024 staff picks, movies, music, and staff favorites.

2024 Staff Favorites for Adults

2024 Staff Favorites for Adults

The White Plains Library Staff have assembled their picks for the year, featuring literary fiction, audiobooks, fantasy, music, and more. 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 as well as a blurb on why staff enjoyed it. Adults AI Prompt Writing by Emma Grimberg Whether you’re creating stories, art, or music, this guide shows you how to harness the power of AI prompts to bring your ideas to life in a whole new
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December 10, 2024 3:07 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, books for adults, staff favorites, and staff picks.

2024 Staff Favorites for Kids and Teens

2024 Staff Favorites for Kids and Teens

The White Plains Library Staff have assembled their picks for the year for kids and teens! It's a wonderfully wide-ranging list 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. Kids: Elephant and Piggie Series and more by Mo Willems My first-grade son, who recently switched from a frustrated reader to an excited reader, devours Mo Willems' books – especially the Elephant and Piggie Series. He insists nightly that he reads one Elephant and
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December 10, 2024 3:07 pm | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Homepage Kids.

‘Wicked’ at Your Fingertips

‘Wicked’ at Your Fingertips

Are you off to see the Wizard?  Or have you already seen Wicked, and now you can't stop humming Defying Gravity? Never fear, you can fully immerse yourself in all things Wicked for free with your library card on hoopla!  Listen to the film's soundtrack starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, or reminisce with the original Broadway cast recording featuring Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. Read or listen to the book by Gregory Maguire that the movie is based on, and get ready for the forthcoming sequel by reading Maguire's Son of a Witch.  They even have a documentary about the stage production,
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December 5, 2024 11:53 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: hoopla, movie soundtrack, and wicked.