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Race Consciousness Workshop

Race Consciousness Workshop

If you’re a parent or caregiver of young children and you’re looking forward to Ibram X. Kendi’s upcoming event, get ready to mark your calendars for this workshop in October. Sachi Feris, of Raising Race Conscious Children, will help parents and caregivers become more comfortable discussing race with young children. The virtual workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 21st, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Register for the workshop here. Recommended Readings, Part 1 Recommended Readings, Part 2 Recommended Readings, Part 3 Recommended Readings, Part 4 A couple of years ago, I came across some racially stereotypical illustrations while reading
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August 17, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Events, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Antiracism, caregiver, children, parenting, parents, raising race conscious children, The Trove, and White Plains Library Foundation.

Staff Picks: Qello Concerts

Staff Picks: Qello Concerts

White Plains Cardholders just gained access to another exciting resource with the addition of Qello. Qello Concerts by Stingray is the world’s largest collection of full-length concerts and music documentaries streamed on-demand to just about any digital device. It’s like a never-ending concert ticket, which means it's perfect for this time when many are missing going to live shows. If you're unsure where to start, check out these recommendations from Adult Services Librarians Austin Duffy, Mariel Perez, and Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno. The Highwaymen, Live American Outlaws The Highwaymen were a country supergroup consisting of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash,
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August 10, 2020 1:31 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Evergreen, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: concerts, music, Qello, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Documenting COVID-19: Uplifting Rocks

Documenting COVID-19: Uplifting Rocks

Photo and text submitted by Ro Munns on May 30, 2020. An anonymous White Plains resident painted “uplifting rocks” and sprinkled them around WP neighborhoods. When people were out walking they could see and enjoy them. I saw this one on Mamaroneck Ave not far from my home. It certainly helped to put things back into perspective! Submit your own experience.
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July 24, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: community art, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photo, and white plains.

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

Summer Read, Watch, & Listen List

We asked our staff to pick two books or films that they recently enjoyed or are looking forward to enjoying this summer. Below is a list of wide ranging recommendations for adults. Books American Assassin by Vince Flynn This is a fast paced book about American operatives in the Middle East and the training of a select few who become American Assassins. A great summer read because the story is intriguing while not being overly complicated. Flynn does a great job of bringing all of the characters to life. For those who like the theme of Read the Book, See
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July 15, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: staff picks, staff recommendations, and summer reading list.

Documenting COVID-19: PBA Volunteers

Documenting COVID-19: PBA Volunteers

Photo and text submitted by Paul Schwarz, MOWWP Board President. In March, at the beginning of the pandemic crisis, we had a knock at the door of our office at Meals on Wheels of White Plains. We were surprised to find two members of the White Plains police force. “Don't worry,” they said. “We're here as the PBA and we want to know if you need help.” Weeks later, as more and more of our volunteers declined to go out, we took them up on their offer. At the height of the crisis, for several weeks in May, members of
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July 10, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, Meals on Wheels, PBA, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19: County Courthouse Flags

Documenting COVID-19: County Courthouse Flags

Photos and text submitted by Helen Jonsen, Director of Public Information, Westchester County District Attorney's Office. April 15, 2020–On a clear windy day, flags few at half-staff in White Plains to salute those who have died of Covid-19 in New York State. Photos were taken on the plaza of the Richard J. Daronco Westchester County Courthouse. Also on the plaza is a memorial to police officers who have died in the line of duty. At one angle, it looked like the statue was joining the flags in remembrance. There was silence save for the pinging of the hooks on the
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July 3, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photo, Westchester County Courthouse, and white plains.

eBooks to Help with the Job Hunt

eBooks to Help with the Job Hunt

Looking for a new job or interested in job training assistance? We're regularly adding new eBooks to our OverDrive and Libby collections on job hunting, careers, entrepreneurship, programming languages most often required by employers, Word, Excel, and more. When we're open, some of the most frequently requested titles are Passbooks Study Guides, but did you know many are available as eBooks? Below are just some examples of the titles we've recently added to our collection. Modernize Your Resume Modernize Your Job Search Letters by Wendy Enelow Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), Mathematics Passbooks Study Guide Admission Test by National Learning
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June 23, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, CSEA, eBooks, job help, job training, passbooks, and staff picks.

WLS on Systemic Injustice

WLS on Systemic Injustice

WLS Stands with NYBLC and BCALA in condemning violence and racism towards Black people and all People of Color. The Westchester Library System condemns both the recent violence and the systemic injustice against Black people and people of color in the United States. We are committed to anti-racist practice and will use our skills and resources to advance the production of knowledge for social justice. We stand in solidarity with the New York Black Librarians Caucus (NYBLC) and the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA). Read the NYBLC statement and BCALA statement to learn more.
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June 19, 2020 11:23 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: statements, systemic injustice, and WLS.

AARP Tax-Aide Update

AARP Tax-Aide Update

The Westchester County AARP Foundation Tax-Aide sites have determined that they will not reopen for this tax season. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is offering online options to assist taxpayers affected by the suspension of in-person services: A self-prep option, providing taxpayers with free access to software so they can prepare taxes on their own, is available at signup.aarpfoundation.org/preparing-your-taxes-online/ . If taxpayers would like help completing their own taxes, they can request the assistance of a volunteer to coach them through the process via phone or computer screen-sharing. Visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaide for information and updates.
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June 10, 2020 11:42 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: AARP Foundation Tax Aide and taxes.

Antiracism Resources for Teens & Adults

Antiracism Resources for Teens & Adults

This may seem irrelevant to the topic of antiracism, but I want to start by saying that I’m a knitter. In January 2019, the knitting community began a moment of reckoning with racism in the fiber arts industry. If you’re interested, you can read more about those conversations here, but suffice it to say that this event brought me to a new awareness of racism. After that, I thought a lot more consciously about my privilege, my place as a white librarian working with primarily teens of color, and my responsibility to teach my young children about antiracism. By no
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June 4, 2020 11:26 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Homepage, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Antiracism, Antiracism Reading List, Racism, staff picks, staff recommendations, and YA books.

National Trails Day

National Trails Day

One fun activity that has kept us grounded is hiking. Hiking is free, fun, and adventurous, so why not plan a trip for National Trails Day (June 6)? According to the American Hiking Society, spending some time outdoors is great for mental and physical health. Also, if you have children, you can make a day trip by putting together a wonderful picnic to take on your journey. I also love taking photos, so I decided to create a scrapbook of our hiking adventures since it has brought us so much joy during COVID-19. To create a scrapbook you need a
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June 2, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Hiking, National Trails Day, and Observances and Celebrations.

National Road Trip Day

National Road Trip Day

As spring and summer approach, it is becoming harder to stay at home. Even though the world is slowly opening up, a lot of zoos, museums, and national parks remain closed. Experiencing life to its fullest is the preferable way to live; however, we still have to be cautious about what we do. Why not celebrate National Road Trip Day (June 3rd) and try to do a virtual road trip with your family and friends? Museums, zoos, landmarks, aquariums, and national parks are all offering videos and tours that you can access from your home. This is a new reality
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May 29, 2020 1:24 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: National Road Trip Day and Observances and Celebrations.

Documenting COVID-19:
Corona Crisis Franken-Poem

Documenting COVID-19: <br />Corona Crisis Franken-Poem

Below is a “Dr. Covid Franken-poem” assembled by White Plains Library's Poetry Slammaster Eric “Zork” Alan. Assembled from pieces of far more fantastic source poems in our monthly poetry prompt [Poets: Romina [Age 46], Nicholas Kalaj [Age 28], Nava D. Pollak [Age 11], and anonymous. Dr. Covid Franken-poem Like a Frankenstein future made properly present Piece by piece Our scars will be seen for our next generations of usersLike wondrous wheels Socially spaced we carry heavy weight Together It’s a beautiful bicycle We ride in a worrisome winter Down empty streets Across sidewalks we are separated But somehow social Dirty
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May 27, 2020 2:34 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: community poem, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
“The Dirty Glove”

Documenting COVID-19: <br />“The Dirty Glove”

“The Dirty Glove” is a poem submitted by Nicholas Kalaj, age 28. The Dirty Glove I do my job to keep these hand clean, I protect these hand from bacterias and germs that can’t be seen. I sacrifice my cleanliness for it is my job to do so, Into the green container is where the trash will go. Keeping these hands clean is my sole purpose, To clean this building is indeed a good service. Being busy is a blessing than a curse, Optimism is good because things could be far worse. Submit your own experience.
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May 27, 2020 2:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
A Bicycle on the Move

Documenting COVID-19: <br />A Bicycle on the Move

A poem, “a bicycle on the move,” submitted by Romina, age 46. A bicycle on the move A bicycle on the move Maintenance, did you say? Tires are getting low Too many holes in the road Bumps have affected my shape And I am carrying a heavy weight The breeze feels refreshing but cold Cold gets into my inner emptiness Emptiness. Is that how it feels? What’s wrong? Other bikes are riding along… I have no clear path or freedom There is fog menacing my wisdom Sounds of nature are suddenly close I feel the soft soil embracing my rubbery
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May 27, 2020 2:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: community poem, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
“A Pen” Poem

Documenting COVID-19: <br />“A Pen” Poem

Poem submitted by Nava D. Pollak, age 11. A pen That never stops using words A unique fountain pen Who’s nib points flat down, Yet up To let ink out just right Fill it up in the color you want Make it yours Right now this pen feels alive So much extra time to write But this pen is so sad For in the wrong hands this pen Writes things learns things A poor pen shouldn’t have to know But this pen can be used by a child A child who finds the obvious topic EXTREMELY BORING In those hands
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May 27, 2020 2:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: community poem, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
Garbage Truck Story

Documenting COVID-19: <br />Garbage Truck Story

Story and photo submitted by Robin Cohen. During the 2020 pandemic my daughter, her husband, and two young sons moved out of the city to live with me. Every morning the seven year old has school at nine. I take the under two grandson for long walks. On our walks one of his favorite things to see is garbage trucks. Every time we pass one, the driver honks and the sanitation workers wave. It really feels like a connection. The attached picture is of a sweater I knit for him to always remember this. Submit your own experience.
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May 21, 2020 11:20 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photo, and white plains.