Archives for Library News

White Plains After Hours for Grades 9-12

White Plains After Hours for Grades 9-12

Friday, June 2, 2023 marked the launch of a new citywide initiative aimed at offering dedicated spaces and events in the evening for White Plains residents in grades 9-12. The Library came together with various City departments and White Plains based organizations after local teens expressed an urgent need for a place to hangout in the evening. White Plains Teen After Hours is a collaboration between ArtsWestchester, the City of White Plains, El Centro Hispano, White Plains Recreation & Parks, the White Plains Youth Bureau, and the White Plains Public Library. City agencies and other organizations are invited to submit their
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April 24, 2025 10:00 am | by | Comments Off on White Plains After Hours for Grades 9-12
Categories: Events, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: After Hours, events for teens in White Plains, White Plains After Hours, and White Plains teen after hours.

Calendar of Events for Children and Teens

Calendar of Events for Children and Teens

Below please find our monthly Youth Services calendars of events – one for Up to Grade 6 and one for Grades 7-12.   Of course, be sure to check our online calendar for the most up-to-date information on programs, including any changes or cancellations.  
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April 23, 2025 9:00 am | by | Comments Off on Calendar of Events for Children and Teens
Categories: Events, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children, events, families, kids, teens, and white plains.

Seed Library

Seed Library

The Edge Advisory Board received their second Youth Climate Action Fund grant this spring. They're using the funds to create a seed library here at the White Plains Public Library, where patrons can pick up packets of seeds to grow at home. In addition, they're planning a series of gardening programs this spring and fall. The seed library and associated programming are funded by the Youth Climate Action Fund grant, which is supported by the Bloomberg Action Fund, the City of White Plains, and the White Plains Library Foundation. Read on to find out more about this wonderful teen-led initiative.
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April 21, 2025 1:42 pm | by | Comments Off on Seed Library
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Edge Advisory Board, gardening, seed library, seeds, spring, and Youth Climate Action Fund.

Paws to Read

Paws to Read

Paws to Read is our popular “read to a dog” program during which children in grades K-6 can read with therapy dog Rufus. Paws for Reading takes place on Fridays – May 16 & 30 – from 4:00-5:00 p.m. Spots are very limited.  Sign up at the Compass Desk in the Trove starting 30 minutes prior.  Reading with a therapy dog has numerous benefits for children. Reading to a dog is therapeutic, calming and very rewarding. According to American Libraries Magazines.org, “…children read aloud to animals–usually dogs–instead of their peers, and the fear of making a mistake will subside, allowing
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April 15, 2025 12:29 pm | by | Comments Off on Paws to Read
Categories: Events, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: early literacy, Paws for Reading, Paws to Read, therapy dog, and therapy reading dog.

Talking to Your Child About An Autism Diagnosis

Talking to Your Child About An Autism Diagnosis

Talking To Your Child About An Autism Diagnosis 6:30pm on Monday, April 21, 2025 Library Auditorium NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center for Autism and the Developing Brain, in collaboration with the White Plains Library, will host a program designed to support parents and caregivers in discussing an autism diagnosis with their child. Michelle Gorenstein-Holtzman PsyD. will provide age-appropriate, evidence-based strategies and expert guidance to navigate these discussions with sensitivity and confidence. Resources and advice from a panel of parents and self-advocates will support the discussion. This program is for those with a child of any age with autism and have not yet disclosed his/her
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April 1, 2025 10:00 am | by | Comments Off on Talking to Your Child About An Autism Diagnosis
Categories: Classes, Events, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: Autism, autism awareness month, caregivers, and events for parents in White Plains.

Irish Heritage Month

Irish Heritage Month

Ireland is an island nation on the westernmost edge of Europe, known for its wide expanses of lush, green fields. In fact, its nickname is the Emerald Isle. But there are also large areas of rugged, rocky landscape. Ireland is a nation of storytellers. The tradition dates back to Celtic bards, who would record and recite the country's history. Many famed writers come from Ireland, including several winners of the Nobel Prize for literature. St. Patrick’s Day—observed internationally every March 17—is packed with parades, good luck charms, and all things green. The event started as a religious holiday, but over
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March 12, 2025 11:55 am | by | Comments Off on Irish Heritage Month
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Irish folklore, Irish heritage, Observances and Celebrations, St. Patrick's Day, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

March’s Kid Librarian of the Month

March’s Kid Librarian of the Month

Each month a kid is chosen to curate a display in The Trove with some of their favorite books. Are you interested in being next month’s kid librarian? Fill out a submission form available at The Trove Desk!  Name: Matteo Age: 9 Favorite types of books: Mystery and action fiction Why do you like to read? Because it takes you places you might never go. Check out Matteo’s recommended reads! The Wild Robot Series by Peter Brown All available formats Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island with no memory of where she is
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March 7, 2025 9:06 am | by | Comments Off on March’s Kid Librarian of the Month
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, Library News, and Uncategorized.
Tags: book recommendations, children's books, children's literature, kid librarian, Kid Librarian of the Month, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Teen Volunteer Opportunities – Spring 2025

Teen Volunteer Opportunities – Spring 2025

We know teens need community service hours, and we can provide a few different options. Below you’ll find a list of all the current ways to contribute to the library community and earn volunteer credit through the White Plains Public Library. If you have an idea for a library program you'd like to plan as a community service project, or if you have any questions, please contact YA librarian Kathlyn Carroll at kcarroll@whiteplainslibrary.org. Opportunities: Do Gooders Teens in grades 7-12 can earn community service hours by attending Do Gooders meetings. We'll work on projects to benefit local organizations and plan
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March 6, 2025 8:55 am | by | Comments Off on Teen Volunteer Opportunities – Spring 2025
Categories: Events, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: teen volunteers, teens, The Edge, and volunteer opportunities.

Librarian Faves: Adult LGBTQIA+ Books

Librarian Faves: Adult LGBTQIA+ Books

These are the LGBTQIA+ books that White Plains librarians enjoyed the most this year, collected for our upcoming PrideWorks tabling; covering a wide range of genres and identities, there’s something for everyone! Don’t Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban A swoon-worthy debut queer Victorian romance in which two debutantes distract themselves from having to seek husbands by setting up their widowed parents, and instead find their perfect match in each other–the lesbian Bridgerton/Parent Trap you never knew you needed! Sequel: You’re the Problem It’s You Two Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian Intent on nursing
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March 6, 2025 3:30 am | by | Comments Off on Librarian Faves: Adult LGBTQIA+ Books
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: LGBTQ+ Pride, LGBTQIA+, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

March Events for Adults

March Events for Adults

We have many exciting educational and entertaining events for adults in March. Read on for event details, or click here for a month-view of all of our programs. If you have any questions, feel free to call 914-422-1400 or email librarian@whiteplainslibrary.org. FREE AARP Tax-Aid Mondays & Wednesdays, 10:00am – 3:00pm Auditorium Come in to have your taxes done by an AARP volunteer. No need to be a member of AARP. Prior-reservation required. English Conversation Group Thursdays & Saturdays, 2:00pm – 3:00pm Community Room Have fun practicing your English conversation skills! Future is Female: Book Discussion Group Monday, March 3, 2:00pm
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February 28, 2025 3:08 pm | by | Comments Off on March Events for Adults
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Events, and Library News.
Tags: book club, crochet, events for adults, poetry, and virtual reality.

What’s Next in the Edge: March 2025

What’s Next in the Edge: March 2025

Read on to find out about the activities we've planned for grades 7-12 this spring. As usual, we have a lot going on. Stop by anytime during Edge hours to say hello and find out more about the Edge. Edge Hours Monday – Thursday: 3:00-8:00 p.m. Friday: 3:00-6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 1:00-5:00 p.m. Drop-in Activities No registration is required for these ongoing programs for grades 7-12. Video Game Time Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during Edge hours. Tech Tuesday Youth in grades 4-12 will learn about new technology topics on select Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. Creative Time Take time for
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February 26, 2025 3:02 pm | by | Comments Off on What’s Next in the Edge: March 2025
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: events for teens in Westchester, events for teens in White Plains, The Edge, and what's new in the Edge.

Kids in the Kitchen 6

Kids in the Kitchen 6

Welcome to Kids in the Kitchen. This blog series highlights great cookbooks for kids. Fairy Tale Feasts: A Literary Cookbook for Young Readers and Eaters by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple Library Catalog Fairy Tale Feasts is more than collection of stories and recipes. In it, Caldecott-winning author Jane Yolen and her daughter, Heidi Stemple, imagine their readers as co-conspirators. About the creation of the stories and the history of the foods they share fun facts and anecdotes designed to encourage future cooks and storytellers to make up their own versions of the classics. From the earliest days of stories,
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February 24, 2025 2:02 pm | by | Comments Off on Kids in the Kitchen 6
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books for kids, cookbooks, Kids in the Kitchen, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

New WLS Mobile App is Now Live!

New WLS Mobile App is Now Live!

The new WLS mobile app has launched and is ready for you to use! Enjoy the convenience of using the catalog from your mobile device. Be sure to remove the former WLS mobile app from your device. Then go to the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to find WLS Mobile (published by ByWater Solutions), and download. Log in with your library card number and your pin (the last 4 digits of the phone number we have on file for you, unless you have changed it to something else). Experience the seamlessness of having the library catalog with you wherever
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February 21, 2025 11:04 am | by | Comments Off on New WLS Mobile App is Now Live!
Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

American Girl at the Library – March 2025

American Girl at the Library – March 2025

American Girl Dolls have been all the rage for years. Check out the upcoming events in our American Girl Doll related programming! Circle of Friends: An American Girl Doll Musical Sunday, March 9, 2:00pm Seven girls throw a surprise sleepover birthday party for their best friend Laura. The party turns out to be a lesson for them all. Throughout the party they each travel back in time and tell their American Girl Doll story and they all learn the true meaning of friendship. American Girl Book Club: Josefina – Sunlight and Shadows Saturday, March 15, 11:00am Grades 1-6, signup required.
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February 14, 2025 10:00 am | by | Comments Off on American Girl at the Library – March 2025
Categories: Authors & Books, Book Discussion, Featured, Homepage Kids, and Library News.
Tags: American Girl, American Girl Dolls, book group, children's events, and musical performances.

Burkina Faso Portraits: 3 Families, 50 Years

Burkina Faso Portraits: 3 Families, 50 Years

White Plains Public Library is pleased to present a new exhibit in the Museum Gallery titled Burkina Faso Portraits: 3 Families, 50 Years by Beryl Goldberg. The exhibit will be on display through the end of March. Photographer Beryl Goldberg presents this photo essay of three families from Burkina Faso: “I first met the founding generations—the parents—in 1972. They were true entrepreneurs. They moved from rural villages to the cities, where they found opportunities that were only possible in the urban environment: schools, financial (economic) possibilities, and different standards of living. They all had connections to the city markets, where
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February 13, 2025 3:06 pm | by | Comments Off on Burkina Faso Portraits: 3 Families, 50 Years
Categories: Gallery and Library News.
Tags: African Diaspora, Beryl Goldberg, Burkina Faso, museum gallery, Photo Essay, and Photography Exhibit.

Black History Month Events

Black History Month Events

February is Black History Month and we've got a great lineup of events in celebration!  Be sure to also check out or great list of new and noteworthy reads for Black History Month! R&B / Soul Line Dancing  Every Saturday in February, 10:30-11:30am Line dancing has important cultural ties to the Black community in America. This program will break down easy line dances that allow everyone to learn at a comfortable pace while improving their memory and balance. Trove Trivia Book Club Tuesday, February 4, 4:30pm Grades 3-6.  Registration required. Discussion of the book The Parker Inheritance, which draws upon
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February 13, 2025 8:00 am | by | Comments Off on Black History Month Events
Categories: Events, Library News, and Uncategorized.
Tags: adult events, all ages, Black History, black history month, children, children's events, Observances and Celebrations, teens, and trove events.

February Nonfiction Pick of the Month

February Nonfiction Pick of the Month

Nonfiction books are written to present the facts on a wide range of topics, for a wide range of ages. In this column, Erica will recommend new and/or notable nonfiction from the Trove collection! The Mona Lisa Vanishes by Nicholas Day All available formats here You probably know that the Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings of all time, but do you know the story behind why? Day has done extensive research and written a fascinating dual narrative of the Mona Lisa being painted and what happened both during and after its infamous theft. Fans of true
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February 12, 2025 4:09 pm | by | Comments Off on February Nonfiction Pick of the Month
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: juvenile nonfiction, nonfiction, Nonfiction Pick of the Month, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

February’s Kid Librarian of the Month 

February’s Kid Librarian of the Month 

Each month a kid is chosen to curate a display in The Trove with some of their favorite books. Are you interested in being next month’s kid librarian? Fill out a submission form available at The Trove Desk!  Name: Evie Age: 7 Favorite types of books: Magic, adventure, & scary Why do you like to read? Because I like stories Check out Evie’s recommended reads! Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie All available formats One starry night, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell lead the three Darling children over the rooftops of London and away to Neverland – the island where lost
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February 7, 2025 4:01 pm | by | Comments Off on February’s Kid Librarian of the Month 
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, children's literature, kid books, kid librarian, Kid Librarian of the Month, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Celebrate Black History Month with Books!

Celebrate Black History Month with Books!

To celebrate Black History Month, we have gathered together a list of noteworthy new 2024-25 titles (from birth to adult!) in the Library – enjoy! For Wee Ones We Are Black History by Tequitia Andrews (Birth to 3 Years-Old) Library Catalog The We Are Black History board book from Mudpuppy is a wonderful introduction to the black leaders and trailblazers who have shaped our world! From the inspiring words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the incredible calculations of Katherine Johnson, celebrate the achievements of Black pioneers featuring colorful and vibrant illustrations by Tequitia Andrews. Black History: Little Legends
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February 1, 2025 8:00 am | by | Comments Off on Celebrate Black History Month with Books!
Categories: Authors & Books, Evergreen, and Library News.
Tags: Black Authors, black history month, books for adults, books for kids, books for teens, celebrate black history month, and reading.

New Books in the Edge: January 2025

New Books in the Edge: January 2025

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. -Kat, Teen Librarian A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson Grades 8 and up Library Catalog “As war looms between dragons and humans in an alternate 1923, one girl is forced to work as a codebreaker to save her family. Vivien Featherswallow loves languages: She’s
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January 29, 2025 10:49 am | by | Comments Off on New Books in the Edge: January 2025
Categories: Authors & Books, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: new books, new in the Edge, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA Fiction, and YA literature.