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Celebrate Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month

Celebrate Black History Month this February with one of our upcoming events, and with our list of recommended books and films. For a list of recommended reads for children, see Raquel's nonfiction picks here. Events Black History Month StoryWalk February is Black History Month. Come view the Library’s StoryWalk featuring Molly, By Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree, illustrated by Kathleen Kemly. In addition to the StoryWalk, there will be some photos related to the history of firefighting in White Plains on display. The StoryWalk will be available for viewing in the Library’s
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February 1, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Black art, Black History, black history month, library events, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Short Story Book Series: Winter/Spring 2023

Short Story Book Series: Winter/Spring 2023

Join White Plains Librarian and Fulbright Scholar Barbara Wenglin via Zoom to explore compelling selections from the rich anthology, Stories of Fatherhood, edited by Diana Secker Tesdell (Everyman’s Pocket Classics, c2014).  In varied settings and cultures, the collection gathers more than a century of timeless stories about having, becoming, loving and losing fathers. A copy of the book is on hold at the Hub/Reference Desk for reading in the Library with circulating copies available to borrow through the catalog. Zoom Register Here for full series and attend when you can! Thursdays from 2:00 – 4:15 p.m. February 16 “My Father’s
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January 31, 2023 11:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Barbara Wenglin, book groups in Westchester, book groups in White Plains, Short stories, short story book discussion series, and short story discussion groups.

Pokémon Club

Pokémon Club

Pokémon Club Grades 4-6 Mondays, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – February 6, 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27; April 3, 10, 17, 24; May 1, 8, 15, 22; June 5, 19 In the Trove Calling all Pokémon trainers!  Do you play the Pokémon Trading Card Game or do you want to learn how to play? Join the Library’s new Pokémon Club! Professor Jeremy will be available to teach how to play the game using decks owned by the library. There will also be discussion of strategy and friendly competition. In addition, there will be other Pokémon themed activities and time
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January 31, 2023 10:00 am | by | 4 Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Activities for children in Westchester, activities for children in White Plains, Pokemon, The Trove, and trove events.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Valentine’s Day can be a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about interpersonal relationships. Whether it is their relationship with their siblings & parents, classmates & teachers, or the children's librarian at your local public library! This can be a great learning experience for kids to understand and appreciate these different relationships. Please check out the books and videos listed below for suggestions. Valentine’s Day Grab & Go Kit Available in the Library Lobby starting Monday, February 6th at 10:00 a.m. while supplies last. Valentine’s Day-themed Grab & Go kits for children in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. Valentine’s Day Stories &
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January 26, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: events for children, Observances and Celebrations, and Valentine's Day.

Graphic Novel Book Club

Graphic Novel Book Club

Starting Monday, February 6th, Youth Services at White Plains Public library will offer a Graphic Novel Book Club for children in grades 3-6 at 5:00 p.m. in Galaxy Hall. The first meeting will be a chance for the children to get to know each other, discuss the graphic novels they have read – what they liked and disliked about them, and what graphic novels they would like to read as a group going forward. If you would like to join us, please send an email to Donna Gehlmann – dgehlmann@whiteplainslibrary.org. Why Read Graphic Novels? If you ask most librarians, we
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January 25, 2023 4:19 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Book discussion for kids, book discussion for middle grade students, book discussion for teens, books for children, and juvenile fiction.

This Month in the Edge: February 2023

This Month in the Edge: February 2023

This month, we have several activities going on in the Edge. Drop-in activities have more open availability during the month. Scheduled programs take place at specific times, linked below. Please join us for one or all! Drop-in Activities: Nintendo Switch We'll have our Switch available to play during Edge hours on Tuesdays and Fridays in February. Scheduled Programs: Poetry Slam and Open Mic Wednesday February 1 at 7:00 p.m. Virtual Teens, Adults Join Zork and Kristen for our monthly Poetry Slam! If you plan to perform and are performing for the first time, please email Kristen with a short bio
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January 25, 2023 1:58 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, teen programs, and The Edge.

February Programs for Younger Kids

February Programs for Younger Kids

Great programs for younger children take place all month long, every month, at the Library. See our online calendar or stop in the Trove for location information. Black History Month StoryWalk February is Black History Month.  Come view the Library’s StoryWalk featuring Molly, By Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree, illustrated by Kathleen Kemly.  In addition to the StoryWalk, there will be some photos related to the history of firefighting in White Plains on display.  The StoryWalk will be available for viewing in the Library’s Gallery through February 28. Winter StoryWalk Come enjoy
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January 25, 2023 1:54 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Activities for children in Westchester, activities for children in White Plains, children's events, dance, February 2023, kids, live music, music, performances, programs, storytime, The Trove, trove, and trove events.

Afro-Fusion Performance with Amanda Armenteros

Afro-Fusion Performance with Amanda Armenteros

Black History Month: Afro-Fusion Performance with Amanda Armenteros Saturday February 18th, at 3:00–4:00 pm For: Children & Families Location: Auditorium The Library will be celebrating Black History Month with a performance by Amanda Armenteros and students from Just The Place Dance Studio. Amanda's focus is in African derived movements fusing traditional and modern day African dance. Afrobeats combines a fusion of modern dance along with traditional African rhythms. This event will be held in the auditorium on Saturday, February 18th at 3:00 p.m. Before the performance, we will read Firebird, by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers. Afterwards, we
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January 24, 2023 2:12 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: African Dance, black history month, events for families in White Plains, and events for kids in White Plains.

Edward Steinberg Photo

Edward Steinberg Photo

Edward C. Steinberg (1942-2018) worked for White Plains from 1970 to the mid-1990s in the Urban Renewal Agency and later as Commissioner of Planning. He helped build the Galleria, the Transportation Center, the Public Safety Building, the Westchester Mall, and the Federal Courthouse. He was also a photographer, and recently his widow donated three of his photographs to our local history collection. One is of the Transportation Center, one shows workers pouring cement, and the other the demolition of a building.  Part of the pouring cement photo is shown below (it doesn’t say what building it was for, unfortunately). Feel
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January 24, 2023 10:59 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Local History.
Tags: local history and white plains collection.

New Books in the Edge

New Books in the Edge

One of the best parts of my job is ordering new books for the Edge–reading the reviews, seeing what popular authors come up with next, or finding out about an upcoming sequel to an old favorite. Read on to find out about some of the new YA fiction titles coming to our shelves this month. The Davenports by Krystal Marquis Grades 8 and up Library Catalog “Set in 1910, this novel offers readers a glimpse inside the lives of a wealthy Black family from Chicago, the titular Davenports. This novel centers around three teens in the family: Olivia, John, and
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January 24, 2023 10:40 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: new books, new in the Edge, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA Fiction, and YA literature.

Black History StoryWalk

Black History StoryWalk

Black History StoryWalk Molly, By Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter Written by Dianne Ochiltree & Illustrated by Kathleen Kemly Begins Monday, January 23, 2023 and runs through Tuesday, February 28, 2023 For Families & Children Location: The Gallery Stroll through the Gallery on the second floor of the Library, and follow the story of Molly Williams, the slave who became America’s first female firefighter! The Black History StoryWalk is based on the book, Molly, By Golly!: The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree and Kathleen Kemly. In the book, New
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January 24, 2023 10:38 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Black History, black history month, Black History StoryWalk, Observances and Celebrations, and storywalk.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide

Volunteers from AARP will prepare taxes free of charge on select dates beginning February 1st through April 17th. Appointments are required. Just one appointment is needed. To make an appointment, call 914-348-3467 or email 500177589@aarpfoundation.org (please note: if you call and leave a message, when the call is returned the number will not say AARP so please pay attention to the above number and answer the call). At your scheduled appointment time, please bring the following: 1. Copy of last year's federal and state tax return 2. W-2 forms showing income from your employer 3. 1099-R forms showing pension or
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January 24, 2023 10:25 am | by | 4 Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: AARP Foundation Tax Aide, AARP Tax Aide, tax help, tax prep, and tax preparation.

English Conversation Group

English Conversation Group

English Conversation Group Thursdays 2:00–3:00 p.m. Community Room Our English Conversation group returns in February. The Library is offering adults who speak English as a second language the chance to meet and converse in English. This program is free and open to learners age 18 and up who want to improve their English conversation skills. Attendees are welcome and encouraged to bring conversation topics. Refreshments will be provided. No registration required. For more information, contact Austin at 914-422-6922. Grupo de conversación en inglés Los jueves a la 2:00 p.m. La Biblioteca Pública de White Plains ofrece a los adultos que
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January 24, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Español, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: english as a second language, English Conversation, english conversation group, and Grupo de conversación en inglés.

February Tweens Talk Banned Books

February Tweens Talk Banned Books

February Tweens Talk Banned Books Grades 4-6 February 23 at 4:30-6:00 p.m. Virtual Registration required. Register here. Note: All of our youth-focused virtual programs require a registered Zoom account to attend. Sign up for a free Zoom account here: http://zoom.us/signup. As cases of censorship have grown more widespread throughout the U.S., the Library has kicked off a year-long celebration of banned books – #WPFreedomToRead – that started during Banned Books Week (September 18-24 2022.) The Library’s celebration of banned books will feature a variety of programs for adults, teens, and children throughout the year. Join us at the Trove for
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January 23, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: #WPFreedomtoRead, banned books, Book discussion for kids, book discussion for middle grade students, book discussion for teens, books for children, and juvenile fiction.

February Book Bunch

February Book Bunch

Thursday, February 16th at 4:30 p.m. Click here to register for our Book Bunch Join Caroline for a book discussion and trivia game for 4th through 8th graders! We will be reading Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia. This is a perfect book to read during Black History Month! Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is a book about a boy who is grieving the loss of his friend Eddie. The only memories left behind are in a journal full of stories written by Eddie. Tristan is sent to a farm in Alabama
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January 23, 2023 9:23 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book bunch, book discussion, Book discussion for kids, book discussion for middle grade students, and The Trove.

January Middle Grade Pick of the Month

January Middle Grade Pick of the Month

Middle grade is a term that refers to books written for readers between the ages of eight and twelve. In this column, Erica will recommend great books for children in this age group! Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer Library Catalog: Print Libby: eBook Shirli Berman is so excited for her school’s play this year, Fiddler on the Roof. She has high hopes for the female lead role, but those hopes are dashed – she’s playing the role of the older mother character instead. Shirli is soon distracted from her discontent with the role when she discovers secrets
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January 19, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: middle grade, middle grade fiction, Middle Grade Pick of the Month, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Lunchtime Meditation 2023

Lunchtime Meditation 2023

Our popular Lunchtime Meditation series returns to Zoom this January. This wellness program includes brief beginning instruction followed by meditation. No experience is needed. A variety of guest instructors will lead the program from 12:00–12:45 p.m. on the following Wednesdays: January 25: Sharon Lewis February 1: Seth Segall February 8: Daniel Lauter February 15: Sharon March 1: Seth March 8: Andrea Deierlein March 15: Russ Michel March 22: Sharon March 29: Dan Cayer April 12: Seth April 19: Andrea April 26: Sharon May 3: Andrea May 10: Seth May 17: Sharon May 24: Dan June 7: Seth June 14: Andrea
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January 18, 2023 9:36 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: lunchtime meditation, lunchtime meditation at the library, Meditation, meditation classes in White Plains, mindfulness, Wellness, wellness classes in white plains, Wellness programs, and Wellness Wednesdays.

Foundation Gala

Foundation Gala

The Foundation’s 2023 Gala, Celebrating the Freedom to Read, will take place on Saturday, March 25th, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Please join us for a lively and entertaining evening, (finally) together in the Library! The Foundation is honoring White Plains resident Oren J. Teicher, former CEO of the American Booksellers Association, Board member of National Coalition Against Censorship, and 2019 recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. In keeping with the theme, the Foundation is thrilled to welcome special guest Kerri Maher. She’ll be talking with us about her new book, The
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January 18, 2023 8:59 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Foundation, Library Foundation, and Library News.
Tags: author events, author events in White Plains, Foundation, Foundation Gala, fundraising, gala, White Plains Library Foundation, and White Plains Library Foundation Gala.

Most Popular 2022 Checkouts

Most Popular 2022 Checkouts

Below is a list of the 2022 top five most popular fiction, nonfiction, films, children's books, and YA titles based on the number of times they've been checked out from our collection. We told you what our staff loved last year, well, here's what was most popular among your fellow Library patrons. I'm sure you'll notice a few trends – our patrons really love Colleen Hoover, memoirs, Dog Man, and Disney! Fiction The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles (Library Collection / Libby) It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover (Library Collection / Libby) Verity by Colleen Hoover (Library Collection / Libby)
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January 17, 2023 1:58 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, books, end of year lists, film, patron favorites, top checkouts, and tv.

The Trove’s Winter StoryWalk

The Trove’s Winter StoryWalk

The Trove’s Winter StoryWalk: Winter, Winter, Cold and Snow By Sharon G. Palermo & Christina Song Tuesday, January 10th – Tuesday, February 28th, 2022 Come to the Trove on the second floor and enjoy our winter StoryWalk book, Winter, Winter, Cold and Snow written by Sharon Gibson Palermo and illustrated by Christina Song. Join Chickadee, Bear, Rabbit and a host of other friendly forest animals on a quiet journey through a winter day. The colorful cut-paper illustrations present a joyful depiction of the forest critters and their winter habits! Suggested Winter Activities: 31+ Winter Activities for Kids 100+ Winter Activities
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January 15, 2023 10:19 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: storywalk, The Trove, Trove StoryWalk, winter, and Winter 2023.