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Ready for Onyx Storm?

Ready for Onyx Storm?

Ready for Onyx Storm? Onyx Storm is book three of The Empyrean series by Rebecca Yarros and comes out January 21, 2025! Catch up on the series:  “After nearly eighteen months at Basgiath War College, Violet Sorrengail knows there's no more time for lessons. No more time for uncertainty. Because the battle has truly begun, and with enemies closing in from outside their walls and within their ranks, it's impossible to know who to trust. Now Violet must journey beyond the failing Aretian wards to seek allies from unfamiliar lands to stand with Navarre. The trip will test every bit
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January 21, 2025 5:19 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: BookTok, new adult literature, new books, and romantasy.

Catalog Spotlight: Reading History Option Now Available to You

Catalog Spotlight: Reading History Option Now Available to You

Do you keep a reading log? Maybe you jot down titles of novels you’ve enjoyed so you can recommend them to friends. Or maybe you refer to a list of cookbooks you've perused so you can re-find an interesting recipe. Or maybe it gives you a sense of accomplishment to see all the books you've read and revisit the thoughts that led you to them. It may interest you to know that our catalog now gives you the option to record your reading history! This is an optional service that you will need to opt into, as the default setting
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January 21, 2025 3:19 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage and Library News.
Tags: books, books for adults, reading goals, and reading history.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Friends of the Library Book Sale

The Friends of the Library are hosting a special book sale on Saturday, February 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Along with the already extensive selection that is always available in the Bookstore, the Friends will be featuring our wonderful collection of cookbooks and children's books. The sale will take place in the Friends Bookstore located in the Cafe on the first floor. Books will be priced at $1.00 for hardcovers and $.50 for paperbacks. Cash only, please.  Proceeds from the Friends Bookstore go directly to supporting the Library. The Friends’ core mission is funding programs for children and
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January 14, 2025 1:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book sale, children's books, cookbooks, Friends, and Friends of the Library.

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). We will also be scheduling appointments for Tuesday, February 20, 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
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January 14, 2025 10:10 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, 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, Homepage, and Library News.
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.

Local Food Pantries

Local Food Pantries

Below is a list of active local food pantries. Schedules vary. Alcance Latino 346 S. Lexington Ave, White Plains, NY 10606 (914) 458-5088   El Centro Hispano 295 Central Ave, White Plains, NY 10606 First and Third of the month 3:00 p.m. (914) 289-0500   Grace Episcopal Church 33 Church St, White Plains, NY 10601 (914) 949-2874   Ridgeway Alliance 465 Ridgeway, White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 949-3714 Make the Road New York 46 Waller Ave, White Plains, NY 10601 (914) 948-8466 Salvation Army 16 Sterling Ave White Plains, NY 914.949.2908   Ecumenical Food Pantry Thomas H. Slater Center 2
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November 27, 2024 2:33 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: food bank, food pantries, and food pantry.

Westchester Women: A Window into their Worlds Fiber Art by Heather G. Stoltz

Westchester Women: A Window into their Worlds Fiber Art by Heather G. Stoltz

Women often live multiple lives at once, trying to be the perfect mother, daughter, employee, boss, friend, and community member all while hiding challenges in one realm from those in another. Those carefully constructed walls came crashing down in 2020 when the pandemic forced everyone inside where those walls became windows and the different aspects of their lives began to merge together. This exhibition gives a glimpse of what was happening in some women’s lives during those tumultuous times. See how a women ranging from a priest to a doctor to a small business owner juggled the various aspects of
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November 19, 2024 10:46 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Gallery, Homepage, and Library News.

Featured Resource: Estante

Featured Resource: Estante

What video streaming platform do library patrons in Latin America use? They use Estante. And with your library card, you can too! Providing a plethora of Spanish language entertainment – from action-adventure movies to TV series (including telenovelas!) to recorded live performances to children’s cartoons, and more – Estante offers something for everyone and every viewing occasion. Use the “Advanced Search” to find content by country and subtitles, if desired. (The collection includes some content with English and/or Spanish subtitles.) Rely on Estante’s expertly curated collection for premium entertainment. Grab your library card and click here to take your viewing
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October 16, 2024 5:10 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage.

Short Story Book/Film Discussion – Fall/Winter 2024-25

Short Story Book/Film Discussion – Fall/Winter 2024-25

Join White Plains Librarian and Fulbright Scholar Barbara Wenglin for our Zoom Story and Film Series using the rich anthology, Stories of Books and Libraries (ed. Jane Holloway, Everyman's Pocket Classics, 2023). Copies of the anthology are available to reserve through the Catalog with one held at the Reference Desk for reading in the Library. These vibrant and varied selections by diverse authors pay tribute to the written word in works published throughout history, to their readers, and to the intriguing places that house them. Click on these remaining dates for story and film selections:  12/5, 12/19, 1/2/25, 1/23/25 (final film
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October 9, 2024 7:57 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Book Discussion and Homepage.

New Resource: The CIA’s World Factbook

New Resource: The CIA’s World Factbook

Are you looking to travel internationally or launch a product in another country’s market? The CIA’s World Factbook is a useful resource with which to begin your research. It provides basic intelligence on over 260 country/territory entities around the world, including population, demographics, government, economy, energy, geography, environment, communications, transportation, military, terrorism, and transnational issues. Though earlier editions were classified for U.S. policymakers and officials, the CIA now makes The World Factbook publicly available on the internet, where it finds widespread use among students and academic researchers. Go to Resource
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August 30, 2024 12:25 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Homepage.

Greater Mental Health of New York

Greater Mental Health of New York

Mental health is a vital component of overall well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, and act in their daily lives. Despite its importance, many communities face significant barriers in accessing the mental health care they need. Financial constraints, social stigma, and a lack of local resources often prevent individuals from seeking help, exacerbating the challenges they face. In response to these issues, the White Plains Public Library and Greater Mental Health of New York have instituted a weekly service that enhances community well-being through accessible mental health resources. Every Tuesday, from 12:30-4:00 p.m., two peer specialists are available in the
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July 1, 2024 10:18 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured and Homepage.

Forward & Out

Forward & Out

Forward & Out is composed of 49 episodes, was made for the LGBTQ+ community, and was produced by the White Plains Cable station. The show was produced from 1993 through 1996, and was broadcast from January 1994 through January 1997. At its peak, Forward & Out was broadcast via cable and over-the-air to 1.2 million households in primarily the NY/NJ/CT area and as far away as Philadelphia. The show’s mission was to stimulate pride and raise self-esteem within the LGBTQ+ community by promoting a positive image, and to encourage greater tolerance and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. Forward & Out hosted
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May 20, 2024 2:23 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Local History.
Tags: Forward & Out, Katharine Andriotis, LGBTQ+ history, and local history.

How to Fight Censorship & Book Bans

How to Fight Censorship & Book Bans

On Monday, April 24, 2023 the first national Right to Read Day was held. Organized by the American Library Association (ALA), and kicking off National Library Week, Right to Read Day was established as a call to action in response to the past few years of attacks on access to, and even the existence of, certain books – overwhelmingly those with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ characters, themes, and information (check out the top 13 challenged books of 2022 to see what I mean). While ALA’s Unite Against Book Bans, and other organizations, highlighted going to the library and checking out banned
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April 11, 2024 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, and Library News.
Tags: #WPFreedomtoRead, activism, banned books, book banning, book bans, censorship, community activism, fight for the first, first amendment, and freedom to read.

Artist Juliana Lemin Display

Artist Juliana Lemin Display

A display by artist Juliana Lemin is on view in a case outside the entrance to the Edge, our space for teens. Juliana Lemin is a 15-year-old Sophomore at Edgemont HS. She expressed her creativity in art since she was very little. When Juliana was five, she started taking art lessons with a Russian art professor Elena Nenastina. Later she began to study with another artist and renowned art teacher, Leonid Shoshensky. Juliana uses various media including chalk pastel, oil on canvas, watercolors, and graphite pencil. She is a published artist. Her works were represented in “Celebrating Art” catalog for several years. In
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January 17, 2024 9:38 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art, art display, and Juliana Lemin.