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Library Reopening April 29th

Library Reopening April 29th

We are very pleased that the Library will be reopening on Thursday, April 29th. A huge thanks goes to all of our patrons for their patience as we navigated this past year. Some facts about our reopening: We will reopen with the exact same level of service we offered over the summer: Patrons will be welcome to browse the first floor collections and check out material. The Trove will be open for 45-minute appointments, one family (no more than four people) at a time. Call (914) 422-1476 or visit our online reservation system here and schedule an appointment. You must
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April 15, 2021 12:13 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: covid-19, COVID-19 update, COVID19, library hours, library reopening, and library services.

A Conversation with James McBride

A Conversation with James McBride

The White Plains Library Foundation is thrilled to welcome (virtually) award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter, James McBride to discuss his latest novel, Deacon King Kong, named one of the Top Ten Books of 2020 by the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, and TIME magazine. Please join us on May 4th, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Click HERE to Register* and you'll receive a Zoom link unique to your email. “Shouldn’t we just get it over with and declare McBride this decade’s Great American Novelist?” asked the Los Angeles Times. “McBride has a way of inflating reality to comical sizes, the better for us
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April 15, 2021 11:37 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Foundation, Library Foundation, and Library News.
Tags: author event, Deacon King Kong, James McBride, library events, and meet the author.

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Earth Day

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Earth Day

As part of our Earth Day celebration, we’ve put together a special kit to help you grow a few seeds. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, April 19th. When you arrive at the Library to pick up a kit, just call 914-422-1490 and ask for the Grab & Go Earth Day kit. The kits include newspaper, potting soil, and a few each of basil and purple coneflower seeds. You’ll need to provide scissors, tape, a shallow plastic container, and a cylinder (an empty toilet paper tube or small can will work.) Both plants are
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April 15, 2021 11:27 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Earth Day, gardening, Grab & Go kits, Observances and Celebrations, and sustainability.

YTI Performing Arts Video Classes

YTI Performing Arts Video Classes

Courtesy of Youth Theater Interactions (YTI) in Yonkers, below is a selection of free performing arts video lessons in the categories of Acting, African Dance, African Drumming, Ballet, Keyboard, Music Theory, Tap and Vocals. These are video series of previous YTI virtual semesters. YTI has provided these video lessons to the Library free of charge to encourage the White Plains community to “Take a chance and learn a new form of artistic expression on your own schedule, and from the safety of your own home.” Acting Spring 2020 Virtual Class Series Fall 2020 Virtual Class Series African Dance Spring 2020
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April 14, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: acting, ballet, dance, music, performing arts, theater, and Youth Theater Interactions.

Lynda.com is Becoming LinkedIn Learning

Lynda.com is Becoming LinkedIn Learning

Starting Wednesday, April 14th at 9:00 a.m., the Westchester Library System will begin migrating library patrons from Lynda.com to LinkedIn Learning. The migration is expected to complete in a few days. There will be no access during this process. After the migration is complete, you will be able to login using your library card number and PIN without needing to create a new profile. If you use Lynda.com and have never used the library card number and PIN access method before, your account information will not migrate. Before Wednesday at 9:00 a.m., your account must be accessed using your library
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April 13, 2021 3:17 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: library resources, LinkedIn, LinkedIn learning, and lynda.com.

World Art Day

World Art Day

World Art Day is an international celebration of fine arts held by the International Association of Art. The first World Art Day was held on April 15, 2012, a date chosen to honor Leonardo Da Vinci’s birthday. To learn more about World Art Day, check out this page from the International Association of Art. To celebrate World Art Day, I will highlight some wonderful art books that are biographical, educational, and delightful. Among these books young readers will learn about different art movements, such as impressionism, visit museums, and read about creative children and creative crayons! Art is a wonderful
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April 9, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, Observations and Celebrations, picture books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and World Art Day.

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. My daughter and I love music. Jazzy mornings playing; sing-alongs in the car; country, classic rock, reggae, 80s and 90s cookouts and backyard fun; headbanging rock and punk after dinner dance parties; a 70s soul-funk-R&B soundtrack for baking and cooking… Music is a constant in our lives. Here are some picture books filled with positivity based on classic songs
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April 8, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, music, Peculiar Picks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

The Importance of Wordless Books

The Importance of Wordless Books

“Wordless picture books are often quickly dismissed as being too easy. But they are a powerful tool in developing literacy skills. Understanding books without words involves interpreting the illustrations as there is no text to rely on. This promotes comprehension, vocabulary, and listening skills and an understanding of story structure and character development.”–Children's Library Lady Return, by Aaaron Becker Library Catalog A father and daughter duo embark on a great adventure. Spot the Cat, by Henry Cole Library Catalog An open window is Spot’s opportunity to experience a day full of adventures. Unspoken: a Story From the Underground Railroad, by
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April 7, 2021 9:04 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, picture books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and wordless books.

Reading to End Racism Book Group

Reading to End Racism Book Group

Continuing on the theme of courageous conversations, the YWCA has partnered with the White Plains Public Library for the Reading to End Racism book club. For details on upcoming discussions, see below: In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende April 22nd, 6:00 p.m. Click here for information on attending. Library Catalog: Print / CD audiobook OverDrive & Libby During the biggest Brooklyn snowstorm in living memory, Richard Bowmaster, a lonely university professor in his sixties, hits the car of Evelyn Ortega, a young undocumented immigrant from Guatemala, and what at first seems an inconvenience takes a more serious turn
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April 6, 2021 11:50 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: Antiracism, book discussion, book group, Common Ground, Racism, reading against racism, Stand Against Racism, and YWCA.

Financial Literacy for Middle Graders

Financial Literacy for Middle Graders

Tuesdays: April 6, 13, 20, & 27, from 5:00-6:00 p.m. Local student, Varun Bansal, will teach a four-part workshop on financial literacy for students in grades 4-8. Financial literacy is a passion of Varun’s and he is happy to share everything he has learned with younger students to get them on the path to financial wellness. He will be covering basic concepts of earning, spending, and saving, how to develop better money habits, basics of investing, banking, credit, and debit cards – how to open bank accounts, the difference between checking and savings accounts, card options, interestrates, borrowing, etc., and
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March 30, 2021 4:51 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: edge events, financial literacy, The Edge, The Trove, and trove events.

Stand Against Racism

Stand Against Racism

This year, the Library is a sponsor of the YWCA's annual campaign Stand Against Racism. The theme is “Racism is a Public Health Crisis,” something we all witnessed this past year and which has been driven to the forefront of our national consciousness partly by the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice. Understanding and addressing systemic racism from a public health perspective is crucial to eliminating racial and ethnic inequities, and to improving opportunity and well-being across communities. You can show your commitment to eliminating racism by participating in this year’s Stand Against Racism campaign in several different ways.
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March 29, 2021 4:50 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Antiracism, covid-19, COVID19, public health, Racism, Stand Against Racism, and YWCA.

Earth Day

Earth Day

Celebrated each year on April 22, Earth Day is a time to think more mindfully about caring for our planet. Earth Day brings awareness to the environmental issues that can be hazardous to the planet as well as our livelihood and health. Learning about Earth Day and caring about our environment allows us to take small actions. Recycling, reusing shopping bags, composting, and carpooling are small ways that we can protect our planet and ourselves. By raising awareness we can begin to see the interconnectedness of all living things and work together within our own communities, and globally. To celebrate
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March 29, 2021 4:41 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children's programs, Earth Day, Grab & Go kits, Observances and Celebrations, programs, staff picks, staff recommendations, and sustainability.

Meet Authors Laurie Ruettimann and Lindsey Pollak

Meet Authors Laurie Ruettimann and Lindsey Pollak

Authors Laurie Ruettimann & Lindsey Pollak in Conversation Thursday, April 22nd 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register for this virtual event. White Plains Public Library, Bedford Hills Free Library, Harrison Public Library, and Book YaYa present: CNN's top business coach Laurie Ruettimann, author of Betting on You: How to Put Yourself First and Take Control of Your Career, in conversation with New York Times bestselling writer and leading business expert Lindsey Pollak, author of Recalculating: Navigate Your Career Through the Changing World of Work. Betting On You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career (Library
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March 28, 2021 9:33 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: author event, book discussion, Book Ya Ya, business, career panel, Laurie Ruettimann, Lindsey Pollak, and meet the author.

STEM Program Facilitators

STEM Program Facilitators

The White Plains Public Library is looking for Program Facilitators to develop and lead interactive making programs for teenagers in the White Plains area. Programs will be hosted virtually on Zoom, Monday – Thursdays, for ~2.5 hours each day, throughout July and August. Salary will be based on experience. Each facilitator will plan and develop a 1 or 2 week program focusing on STEM skills for students in grades 6-10. Some examples are Coding, 3D Printing & Design, Digital Art, Videography, Video Game Design, Hacking and Cybersecurity, Paper Engineering and Sculpture. We are open to all ideas. Facilitators will also
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March 25, 2021 11:55 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: job posting, program facilitators, summer programs, and The Edge.

U.S. Citizenship Application Process

U.S. Citizenship Application Process

Understanding the Process of Becoming a U.S. Citizen Tuesday, April 27th at 2:00 p.m. Registration is required; click here to register. Officer Shyconia Burden will be discussing the naturalization application process. What the eligibility requirements are before you apply and how you may qualify for any exceptions and accommodations. She will answer any questions about citizenship and the naturalization process.
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March 25, 2021 11:54 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: adult events, citizenship, events, naturalization, U.S. citizenship, and workshops.

April Events for Younger Kids

April Events for Younger Kids

Some great regular events for younger children take place all month long. See below for times and access. Note: All youth-focused virtual programs require a registered Zoom account. Creating an account is free and easy at http://zoom.us/signup. Grab & Go: Kits Grab&Go: Kits are fun and educational activities to do at home. Kits are available in a variety of age ranges throughout the month, including AtoZ and special themed PreK level Kits. Dates that new Kits are available for pickup can be found on our online calendar. Trove Storytimes Ages 2-6, families Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. – April 6, April 13,
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March 24, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, and Library News.
Tags: April 2021, children's events, dance, kids, live music, music, performances, programs, storytime, The Trove, trove, and trove events.

Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month

April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day, and the month of April has been deemed Autism Acceptance Month. Let’s Light it Up Blue and support acceptance and inclusion of people with autism! Unfortunately, despite its prevalence in today’s society, many people still don’t understand this spectrum disorder. So what is Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)? It is a range of conditions typically characterized by challenges with social skills and communication difficulties. It affects 1 in 54 children in the United States today. Since it is a spectrum, people with autism can range anywhere from needing significant support in everyday life to
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March 24, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Autism, Autism Acceptance Month, book recommendations, children's books, Observances and Celebrations, picture books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and YA books.

TaleWise: Revenge of the Toxic Robot

TaleWise: Revenge of the Toxic Robot

Talewise presents: Earth Day: Revenge of the Toxic Robot Thursday, April 22, 3:30 p.m. Grades K-8 Access the program here. Note: a free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. When the town’s park is suddenly gated and locked, a group of friends decides to investigate. Their adventure leads them deep into the woods, where they are chased away by an eccentric robot powered by toxic sludge! Join the gang on their quest to clean up the act of a despicable polluter and save their park from being destroyed. Along the
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March 24, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children, children's events, performances, programs, Talewise, and The Trove.