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2019 Staff Picks

2019 Staff Picks

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 (simply click on the title) as well as a blurb on why staff enjoyed it. Gluten-free Baking at Home by Jeffrey Larsen (Cookbook) “Why I liked it: Because of the mix of classic recipes like carrot cake and
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December 11, 2019 3:30 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: best books of 2019, book recommendations, books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Barbara Wenglin’s Short Story Series Returns

Barbara Wenglin’s Short Story Series Returns

White Plains librarian Barbara Wenglin’s short story discussion series has been a popular fixture for years as the selections and their interpretations have produced a riveting give-and-take among the attendees. The fall series opens on Thursday, October 17, at 2:00 p.m. with a discussion of the “One Book, One White Plains” selection, Everything I Never Told You, a novel by Celeste Ng that focuses on themes of identity, family, and motherhood. The readings that follow from October 31 through January 9, 2020, will be taken from the anthology, Stories of Motherhood (Everyman’s Pocket Classics, 2012, edited by Diana Secker Tesdell)
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December 1, 2019 11:45 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, eNewsletter, Events, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book club, book discussion, book groups, and short story discussion.

What is Slow Reading?

What is Slow Reading?

Library users may wonder about one of our newest reading groups: Slow Reading. “Slow reading describes my practice of looking at a text very closely in order to appreciate nuances of language and hence of meaning,” says Ellen Lambert, author (The Face of Love: Feminism and the Beauty Question) and White Plains resident, who holds a Ph.D. in English from Yale University. Lambert taught literature at Manhattan’s Dalton School for over 25 years (and intends to start a tutoring service for high school students.) “In our discussions of short fiction, we often read particular passages out loud. We then examine
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November 29, 2019 9:00 am | by | 4 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, Featured, and Homepage.
Tags: book discussion and slow reading.

Tech Wednesday for Adults

Tech Wednesday for Adults

Austin Olney leads Tech Wednesdays for Adults at 12:00 p.m. each Wednesday. Tech Wednesday is a weekly, hour-long meetup for adults who wish to learn about various digital technologies. Whether it is app design or Virtual Reality, beginners can explore a wealth of different topics relating to the modern digital revolution. Each week, a particular branch of computer technology is presented in the form of a quick workshop to give patrons knowledge about new technical trends and possibilities. Registration for each session is required; to register, visit our online calendar (you can click on each topic below) or call us
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November 27, 2019 9:30 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: digital technology and technology.

Macmillan, eBooks, and Access

Macmillan, eBooks, and Access

If you are looking for a new eBook published by Macmillan and can’t find it in our collection, it’s because the publisher, Macmillan, has taken the unprecedented act of limiting public library access to their eBooks. In response, the White Plains Public Library has decided to suspend the acquisition of all eBooks published by Macmillan. Macmillan, one of the country’s five largest publishers, includes such well-known brands as Farrar, Straus & Giroux, St. Martin’s Press, Picador, Tor, and more. This fall, Macmillan announced that it would make eBooks available to libraries under a new model: a library may purchase one
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November 20, 2019 2:54 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: eBooks, Macmillan, and publishers.

November Trove Movies

November Trove Movies

Movies continue in the Trove in November with a great selection of classic and new family friendly films! Here’s a quick look at the titles we’ll be showing in Galaxy Hall throughout the month of November. Coco (2017, PG, 109 mins.) Friday, 11/1 at 4:00 p.m. A boy journeys into the Land of the Dead to seek forgiveness from his ancestors and lift a curse. The Avengers (2012, PG-13, 142 mins.) Saturday, 11/2 at 1:30 p.m. Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Thor join forces in order to defeat Thor's brother Loki, who has obtained a mystical artifact of
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November 1, 2019 12:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: film screening and kids movies.

Spring Gala with Erik Larson

Spring Gala with Erik Larson

Save the Date! The White Plains Library Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Gala is March 14, 2020 with special guest Erik Larson, bestselling author of Dead Wake, In the Garden of Beasts, Isaac’s Storm, The Devil in the White City, and soon to be published, The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family and Defiance During the Blitz – book included with your ticket, hot off the press. Details about the Gala to follow in January. Sign-up for the Library's newsletter so you'll know when it's time to RSVP. According to Random House, “On Winston Churchill’s first day as prime minister,
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October 30, 2019 2:59 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Events, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Library Foundation, and Library News.
Tags: Churchill, Erik Larson, gala, and white plains.

New Service: Acorn TV

New Service: Acorn TV

Just in time for the cold weather, we’re launching a new streaming service: Acorn TV. Acorn is best known for their TV and film offerings from the United Kingdom, but they also host content from Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Spain. You’ll find cozy mystery series like Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, the droll Doc Martin, the hard-boiled London Kills, the classic Vera, and the popular Midsomer Murders, among others. Twenty-five degrees and three inches of snow? No problem. Just provide a couch, a dog or cat (or both), a pot of tea, plenty of flannel, and binge to your
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October 23, 2019 2:07 pm | by | 6 Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: acorn tv, murder mysteries, tv, tv streaming, and video streaming.

Book Club: The Future is Female

Book Club: The Future is Female

One of our newest book groups returns this month. The Future is Female, a mix of memoirs, short stories, novels, and poetry by and about interesting, talented, and inspiring women in history, the arts, sports, and everyday life. Led by Ellen O’Connell, the group will meet on the first Monday of every month, from 2:00-3:30 p.m. To place one of the readings on hold, simply click on the title. October 7: Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (2014) a Novel — As part of the One Book, One White Plains program. “A moving exploration of family, history, and
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October 2, 2019 9:00 am | by | 11 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book discussion, books by women, and feminist books.

Plaza Grand Opening Photos

Plaza Grand Opening Photos

Great news! The Library Plaza officially opened this past Saturday. Suddenly we have a new, beautiful space in downtown White Plains to enjoy. The Plaza offers great environments to spend time with friends, read and relax, explore the native plantings, or enjoy lunch from the Library's Everyday Healthy Cafe. View a collection of photos from the event below. If you have any photos you would like to share from the event, upload them here. Click on an image to enlarge and open the gallery.   Photos by Paul Schwarz and Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno
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September 17, 2019 3:36 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: City of White Plains and library plaza.

Leer, Escribir, Aprender

Leer, Escribir, Aprender

La Biblioteca Pública de White Plains abre sus puertas a un programa en español para adultos. Si desea terminar su educación primaria o secundaria, o si desea aprender a leer y escribir, venga y le ayudaremos. Las clases comenzarán el miércoles 25 de septiembre hasta el miércoles 18 de diciembre a las 6:00 p.m. No habrá clase el 27 de noviembre. Para más información favor de llamar a Mariel Perez, 914.422.6982. La instructora Rocío López tiene más de 20 años de experiencia en la enseñanza de la alfabetización de adultos en español. Ha sido instructora durante los últimos 6 años
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September 14, 2019 10:34 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Español and Featured.
Tags: aprender, escribir, español, and leer.

A Year in Review

A Year in Review

Sometimes it's good to pause and take a look at where you've been—and where you're going. In June, at the end of the Library's fiscal year, we put together a Year in Review that summarizes many of the changes the Library has gone through in the past year, from the completion of The Hub, the opening of the Everyday Healthy Cafe, to new programs and services. Download and view the PDF here, or if you prefer to read in print, pick up a copy the next time you are in the Library. Thanks go to the Mayor and Common Council
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September 4, 2019 3:12 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Kids, Library Foundation, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: annual report.

Book ‘Em Fall 2019-Spring 2020

Book ‘Em Fall 2019-Spring 2020

Book ‘Em, our Mystery Book Group returns select Wednesdays at 2:30 p.m. beginning September 11th. This year we’re reading contemporary women authors—both first time novelists as well as the most acclaimed crime writers—with books that take us from Canada to Ireland to Japan. See the full list of dates below: September 11 (USA) Celeste Ng: Everything I Never Told You A huge mystery eats away at the center of the Lee family. October 16 (Ireland) Jo Spain: With Our Blessing Could a recent murder be linked to the notorious Magdalene Laundries? November 13 (Australia) Jane Harper: The Lost Man A
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August 28, 2019 5:16 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Book 'Em, book discussion, and mystery.

New Playaway Launchpads

New Playaway Launchpads

We just added over 30 new Playaway Launchpads to the Trove's collection. The new ones are in two types – video content (blue Launchpads) and apps (orange Launchpads) on various themes. We added several that are language-learning focused (ESL, learning Spanish, and learning Chinese), STEM concepts, and early literacy. Every Playaway Launchpad is pre-loaded with high-quality, ad-free learning apps and games, providing hours of interactive learning and play. Apps are grouped onto Launchpads by subject area, theme, grade level, and age. Featuring popular characters and brands, apps content spans subject areas from math and science to critical thinking and creativity,
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July 30, 2019 5:51 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: launchpads.

Donations for Children & Teen Events

Donations for Children & Teen Events

The Trove and Edge are asking for donations of items to be used in their upcoming programs. All items need to be in good condition. Donations can be brought to the Trove any time during our hours of operation. Items needed: Barbies, Kens, and similar sized dolls, as well as doll clothes that fit those dolls Matchbox or Hot Wheels type cars Action Figures – any kind Board Games and RPG manuals Construx, Mega Blox, KNEX, always accepting LEGOs
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July 15, 2019 4:32 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: donations.

June 2019 LibraryReads

June 2019 LibraryReads

Here are the top ten books published in June that librarians across the country love. Just click on a title or book cover to place it on hold. Evvie Drake Starts Over: A Novel by Linda Holmes Published: 6/25/2019 by Ballantine Books “Relationships are hard, whether with a spouse, a best friend, a new love interest, or ourselves. Evvie navigates all of these after a life-changing series of events. An engaging novel that explores relationship nuances without being too dark or too cutesy. For fans of Jenny Colgan, Cecilia Ahern, and Sophie Kinsella.”—Maribeth Fisher, Scotch Plains Public Library, Scotch Plains,
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July 3, 2019 2:42 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations and Library Reads.

Citywide School Art Show

Citywide School Art Show

Join student artists and their families for a reception celebrating the art of White Plains City School children, grades K-12, on the second floor of the Library on Thursday, May 30th, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display through June 6th. (Images below are from last year's art show.)  
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May 24, 2019 9:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Featured, Gallery, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art exhibit, art reception, citywide school art show, and student art.

AR Sandbox

AR Sandbox

We have a very cool temporary addition to the Edge, an augmented reality sandbox that one of our patrons built and is making available to us for a week or two. We will hold a drop-in session where you can explore the sandbox features on Wednesday, May 29th, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. White Plains resident Aaron Couts has generously made his Augmented Reality sandbox available to the Library. The AR sandbox, an open source project developed at the University of California, Davis (https://arsandbox.ucdavis.edu/) is made up of a video projector, a Microsoft K'nect 3D sensor, and of course
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May 22, 2019 2:23 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: AR Sandbox, Augmented Reality, Augmented Reality Sandbox, and teens.

Free Comic Book Day Photos

Free Comic Book Day Photos

On Saturday, May 4 the Library celebrated Free Comic Book Day, an annual event promoting reading through comic books. During the event, Library staff and volunteers distributed 256 free comics to kids and teens. As part of the event, the Library showed the Academy Award winning animated feature, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, which one attendee remarked, “was a great movie!” We also had a presentation about the life and career of Marvel Comics creator, Stan Lee. In addition, there were superhero mask crafts, fun comic book coloring, and a photo booth. Summing up the general feeling of the event, one
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May 9, 2019 4:31 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Free Comic Book Day.