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Favorites From Best Books of 2023

Favorites From Best Books of 2023

Each year, we enjoy looking through the lists of best books of the year, looking to see which opinions we agree with (or not), and checking to see which gems we might have missed ordering earlier in the year. We rejoice when we discover many of the books already in our collection, although we always do end up finding a title or two to order. Read on to see which books on the “Best of 2023” lists were our favorites this year. Raquel’s Favorite 2023 Best Picture Book: Remember by Joy Harjo & Michaela Goade Library Catalog “As the modern
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January 11, 2024 4:34 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: best books of 2023, children's books, staff picks, staff recommendations, and YA Fiction.

Most Popular 2023 Checkouts

Most Popular 2023 Checkouts

Below is a list of the 2023 top ten 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, Karen M. McManus, Dog Man, and Disney! Fiction Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (All available formats) Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano (All available formats) It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover (All
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January 9, 2024 6:40 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book recommendations, books, end of year lists, film, patron favorites, top checkouts, and tv.

Meet Erika Peiffer

Meet Erika Peiffer

Please join me in welcoming our newest staff member, Youth Services Librarian Erika Peiffer. What interested you in becoming a librarian? I was working in television news for about four years, but I had the desire to have more of a direct interaction with the community (and maybe a work schedule that did not require me coming in at 3 in the morning). I was always passionate about information and news literacy and a good friend who was working on their Master in Library Science (MLS) encouraged me to look into librarianship. After starting my MLS and changing gears working
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January 3, 2024 12:51 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: library staff, Meet the Staff, staff bio, and staff interview.

Celebrate Three Kings Day

Celebrate Three Kings Day

Celebrate Three Kings Day Program! Saturday, January 6th from 1-4 pm For Families and Children Location: Gallery, Igloo, Auditorium & Rotary Room Families are invited to come celebrate Three Kings Day at the Library on Saturday, January 6th starting at 1 pm! Join the White Plains Puerto Rican Cultural Committee, Comite Noviembre & PRIDA and the White Plains Public Library for an afternoon full of family-friendly activities such as taking a 3D visit to a Puerto Rican Beach in the Library’s Igloo, and enjoying a special appearance by the Three Kings! At 3 pm, there will be a fun bilingual
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December 22, 2023 1:17 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: dia de reyes, events for children, events for families, and three kings day.

January Festivities

January Festivities

During the year, each month celebrates a variety of observances and celebrations that can include celebrations of food, cats, historical events, poets, etc. Observations in January include well known International days to lesser, funny (and downright strange) events celebrating things such as whipped cream, introverts and chickens.  I have highlighted a few holidays that are fun, a few that are educational and some that are cultural and historical: January 3rd is Tolkien Day The Complete Guide to Middle Earth by Rober Foster. Explore Middle Earth: a fantastical land full of Elves, Orcs, Dwarves and wizards. Who was J. R. R.
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December 22, 2023 10:13 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books for children, books for kids, children's books, January 2024, January Festivities, and Observances and Celebrations.

Celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day

Celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day

Celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day on January 16th! On January 16th, readers of all ages can celebrate one of the most magnificent creatures that has been a part of our imagination and mythology. Many books, films and shows center around dragons: from shimmering dragon eggs, to taming them, and becoming friends with them – dragons are a delight! Dragons also are known to protect treasure as illustrated in J.R.R Tolkien’s beloved classic The Hobbit.  Dragons can also represent the embodiment of enlightenment  in Asian mythology/spirituality. We can  learn more about dragons as we celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day and for some other
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December 21, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books for children, books for kids, children's books, Dragon Appreciation Day, dragons, and Observances and Celebrations.

Short Story Discussion Series: Fall 2023

Short Story Discussion Series: Fall 2023

Join Librarian Barbara Wenglin to explore compelling selections from the rich anthology, New York Stories, ed. by Diana Secker Tesdell, (Everyman’s Pocket Classics, c2011). These vibrant and varied works by acclaimed authors provide a colorful vision of “the city that never sleeps” in all its grittiness and glamour “from high life, low life, nightlife, and everything in between.” 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! Newcomers welcome. Thursdays from 2:00
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December 20, 2023 1:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: 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.

New Books in the Edge: December 2023

New Books in the Edge: December 2023

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. Salt the Water by Candice Iloh Grades 9 and up Library Catalog “A Bronx teen is compelled to explore a free, expressive life by any means necessary. In this novel in verse, Cerulean Gene, a nonbinary Black high school senior, is frustrated with school, especially
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December 20, 2023 10:00 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.

January Programs for Younger Kids

January 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. Some programs require advance registration, while others may require a ticket. If registration is required, details will be provided for how to register on our online calendar. If a program requires a ticket, tickets will be handed out on a first come, first served basis starting 30 minutes before the program. Tiny Tots! 0 – 24 months, with a caregiver Tuesdays, 11:00 a.m. – January 2, 16, 30 Fridays, 11:00 a.m. – January
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December 19, 2023 12:03 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Activities for children in Westchester, activities for children in White Plains, children's events, dance, January 2024, kids, live music, music, performances, programs, storytime, The Trove, trove, and trove events.

The Foundation’s Annual Appeal

The Foundation’s Annual Appeal

If you appreciate the Library, then now is the time to show your support by donating to the Foundation’s Annual Appeal. We count on community contributions to help fund new programs, updated technology, and timely opportunities like events with authors, genealogists, and historians. Have you noticed all the wonderful children’s events with musicians, dancers, magicians, and other performers? These types of interactive programs are funded by the Foundation and your gift ensures they keep happening! Your support also helps expand access to laptops, mobile HotSpots, 3-D printing, coding classes, language resources, craft workshops, and new software including tools for using
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December 19, 2023 11:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Annual Appeal and White Plains Library Foundation.

This Month in the Edge: January 2024

This Month in the Edge: January 2024

Read on to find out about the activities we've planned for grades 7-12 in 2024. From our College and Career Club to the monthly After Hours for grades 9-12, we have a range of options available. 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. Movie Monday Join us for a movie on Monday at 4:00 pm. January 8, 22, and 29 Winning Wednesday Play
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December 19, 2023 10:00 am | 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.

January Trove Book Groups

January Trove Book Groups

January Book Bunch Thursday, January 25th @ 4:30PM Click here to register Join Caroline and Erika for a book discussion and trivia for 4th-8th graders! We will be reading Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao. Zachary Ying always struggled with his identity as a Chinese American and Hui Muslim boy in a predominantly white town. To his surprise, he gets roped into assisting the spirit of the first Chinese emperor via his VR headset on a journey through China from ancient spirits. The Trove will provide a free copy of the book for the first eight
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December 17, 2023 10:57 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Book Discussion, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book bunch, book discussion, Book discussion for kids, book discussion for middle grade students, Graphic Novel Book Club, and The Trove.

Uncovering Westchester LGBTQ+ History

Uncovering Westchester LGBTQ+ History

Uncovering Westchester LGBTQ+ History Thursday, January 11 at 5:00 p.m. Teens, Adults Edge Media Lab Allee Manning, founder of the Westchester LGBTQ+ History Project, will give a presentation on her research of Westchester LGBTQ+ history and lead attendees in a game of trivia. For additional information and oral history interviews, see the project's website.
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December 15, 2023 4:12 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: events for teens in Westchester, events for teens in White Plains, LGBTQ+ events in White Plains, teen programs, and The Edge.

Beautiful Bilingual Books, Part 15

Beautiful Bilingual Books, Part 15

BEAUTIFUL BILINGUAL BOOKS, Part 15 LINDOS LIBROS BILINGÜES, Parte 15 The Library has a lovely collection of bilingual Spanish/English books. To celebrate reading in two languages, we are featuring our beautiful new books in a monthly blog – so enjoy practicing your Spanish and English skills with these picture books. La Biblioteca tiene una colección hermosa de libros bilingües en inglés/español. Para celebrar leyendo en dos idiomas, le presentamos nuestros lindos libros aquí. Así que disfrute practicando sus destrezas en ambos idiomas con estos libros ilustrados. Cinco monitos : Colección de oro / Five Little Monkeys : Storybook Treasury, by
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December 15, 2023 2:46 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Bilingual, Bilingual books, books for children, picture books, spanish books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

The Edge Turns 10!

The Edge Turns 10!

The Edge, the Library’s center for teens in grades 7-12, opened on December 14, 2013. We celebrated this tenth anniversary (or, tenth Edgeversary) at our December After Hours event. The White Plains High School Songwriters Club hosted a lively open mic event. We had games of many kinds, from chess to the PlayStation 5, and teens tested out a new racing setup with Austin in the Igloo virtual reality space. Local teaching artist Joan Lloyd led an earring-making workshop, with teens making pairs of earrings to donate to a women’s shelter–along with pairs to keep, of course. We were honored
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December 15, 2023 10:00 am | 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.

College and Career Edge Winter/Spring Series

College and Career Edge Winter/Spring Series

Join us in The Edge for our College and Career Edge series this winter/spring. We'll be using our new Igloo room to host a variety of virtual and in-person programs. In the Igloo, students can experience Virtual Reality (VR) without a headset in the library's newly installed panoramic content room. Views from 360° content and more will be provided in this fun series of programs. Technology installed by Igloo Vision and funded by the Library Foundation/Optimum. College and Career Edge Series: Stand Out for College We will be hosting the following programs in partnership with Stand Out For College. These
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December 15, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: career, college, college admissions, College and Career Edge, College Prep, and The Edge.

December Middle Grade Pick of the Month

December 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! The Trouble with Robots by Michelle Mohrweis All available formats here Evelyn is determined to do whatever it takes to lead her middle school robotics team to victory – no matter who she runs roughshod over. Allie is new at school and already gotten into fights – too many fights, according to the principal. Successfully working with the robotics team will be her last chance to prove
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December 11, 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.

2023 Staff Favorites

2023 Staff Favorites

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. Fiction Chain Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah All available formats From the opening page you are hooked, violently, by this book. In this dark, dystopian future, prisoners held within the privatized penal system fight to
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December 5, 2023 3:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: best books of 2023, book recommendations, books, music, staff picks, staff recommendations, and television.

One World Concert

One World Concert

One World Concert Thursday, December 28, at 2:00 p.m. Children, Families, All Ages Library Auditorium Chris Merwin's One World concert is a musical exploration of sounds and music from around the globe. Chris has spent decades learning instruments from all around the world, including steel drums, the Japanese shakuhachi flute, and a 10-foot Tibetan trumpet. Come learn about different instruments, dance, and take part in this fun, musical experience.
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November 29, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Activities for children in Westchester, activities for children in White Plains, children's events, kids, live music, music, performances, programs, The Trove, trove, and trove events.

Author Seth Zuiho Segall in Conversation

Author Seth Zuiho Segall in Conversation

Conversation with Author Seth Zuiho Segall and Rabbi Les Bronstein Tuesday, December 5th, at 7:00 p.m. Auditorium Come to this dynamic conversation to hear about Zen priest and clinical psychologist Seth Zuiho Segall's new book, The House We Live in: Virtue, Wisdom and Pluralism. He will be interviewed by Rabbi Les Bronstein of Congregation Bet Am Shalom in White Plains. About The House We Live In: Virtue, Wisdom, and Pluralism The values of liberalism, pluralism, and democratic governance are under sustained attack from right-wing Christian fundamentalists, white ethnonationalists, and economic populists. At the same time, liberal democracies are failing at
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November 28, 2023 1:35 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: author talk, Rabbi Les Bronstein, and Seth Zuiho Segall.