Archives for Library News

Good Trouble: Anti-Racist Art Activities for Kids

Good Trouble: Anti-Racist Art Activities for Kids

Among many important things, civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis was famous for using the term “good trouble” when speaking on fighting against injustice in this country. “Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” “What can you do to get into good trouble? There is a light inside of you that will turn on when you get into good trouble. You will feel emboldened and freed. You will realize that unjust laws cannot stop you. These laws cannot stop the truth that is in your
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August 11, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Antiracism, Good Trouble, John Lewis, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

8/15 2:00p.m. Intro to Opera for Youth

8/15 2:00p.m. Intro to Opera for Youth

Intro to Opera Ages 3-13 Tuesday, August 15th, at 2:00 p.m. Actors are needed to assist Anne Tormella, Opera Singer and Artistic Director of Manhattan Lyric Opera, to perform in three or four opera scenes! Learn about the opera and take part in the performance! No singing or prior rehearsal required, props and costumes are provided. Children are needed to play the parts of fairies, maidens, pirates, mad scientists, a mechanical doll and more! Parents and teenagers are welcome to participate and help out in scenes as well! This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library
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August 7, 2023 9:40 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events in westchester, events in White Plains, magic show, music, music performance, opera, performances, and performing arts.

People & Stories Oral History Project: Isabel Villar

People & Stories Oral History Project: Isabel Villar

Isabel Villar, 1948-2023 Isabel Villar, the founding Executive Director of El Centro Hispano in White Plains, died July 12 from ovarian cancer. In 2015, she participated in our library’s People and Stories oral history project. The link to her story is below. Isabel Villar is the Executive Director of El Centro Hispano, an organization that supports the Hispanic Community in White Plains. She is also a longtime resident of White Plains, arriving from Cuba in the late-1960s. In this oral history, Villar describes the experience of being a Hispanic immigrant in White Plains. She tells stories about her first educational
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July 30, 2023 10:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News, Local History, and Oral History.
Tags: Cuban-American History, El Centro Hispano, Hispanic-American History, Immigration, Isabel Villar, local history, oral history, People & Stories, and white plains history.

STEAM-Powered Summer in August

STEAM-Powered Summer in August

Our awesome series of summer programs continues! Join us for one or many. Read on for all the information. STEAM-Powered Summer A series of themed activities each week for teens in grades 7-12, in the Media Lab from 1:00-2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. For weeks marked Registration Required, teens must sign up through our online calendar and must be able to attend every session that week. Weeks marked Drop In are on a first-come, first-served basis; attend one day or all. This summer series is supported by ConEdison and the White Plains Library Foundation. July 31-August 3 Zines — Drop
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July 25, 2023 1:16 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Con Edison, ConEdison, programs for teens, programs for teens in Westchester, programs for teens in White Plains, STEAM-powered summer, summer in the Edge, The Edge, and This Month in the Edge.

July Middle Grade Pick of the Month

July 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! My Aunt is a Monster by Reimena Yee All available formats Safia was raised on tales of adventure, and when she is taken in by her aunt Whimsy, the (retired) greatest adventurer to have ever lived, Safia is determined that she will finally get to have her own adventure. But Aunt Whimsy and Safia’s friend Hebe have secrets; what will happen when they finally get out? This
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July 21, 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.

Big Shows & Performances in July/August

Big Shows & Performances in July/August

We have a wide variety of big shows and events for this summer at the Library, including a series of Thursday evening performances! Magic Rocks! with Illusionist Leon Etienne All ages Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – July 13 Illusionist Leon Etienne was a quarter finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, winner of CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us! and SyFy's Wizard Wars, and has astounded audiences on CW’s Masters of Illusion and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Leon has performed at Radio City Music Hall, headlined in Las Vegas, and blown minds at dozens of legendary venues around the globe. Wonka’s
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July 10, 2023 12:02 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events in westchester, events in White Plains, magic show, music, music performance, opera, performances, performing arts, puppet show, science, and STEAM.

Traveling Lantern Theater Co. Performance

Traveling Lantern Theater Co. Performance

Rhonda Appleseed & the Tree that Learned How to Speak Performance Children, Families Tuesday, August 8th, at 2:00 p.m. Traveling Lantern Theater Co. presents Rhonda Appleseed & the Tree that Learned How to Speak. Rhonda is a descendant of Johnny Appleseed, and everyone calls her Ronnie. When she learns about her great great uncle's story, she grows fascinated and then proud. Ronnie decides that she wants to follow in his footsteps. She decides she will protect nature and all the creatures on our planet from climate change. But how? She takes a journey to visit one of the beautiful, kind,
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July 8, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: children's events in White Plains, events in westchester, events in White Plains, performances, performing arts, and Traveling Lantern Theater Company.

Beautiful Bilingual Books, Part 11

Beautiful Bilingual Books, Part 11

LINDOS LIBROS BILINGÜES, Parte 11 The Library has a lovely collection of bilingual Spanish/English books. To celebrate reading in two languages, we will be featuring our beautiful new books in a blog – so enjoy practicing your Spanish and English skills with these books. La Biblioteca tiene una colección hermosa de libros bilingües en inglés/español. Para celebrar leyendo en dos idiomas, le estaremos presentando nuestros lindos libros aquí. Así puede disfrutar practicando sus destrezas en ambos idiomas con estos libros. Twinkle, Twinkle, You’re a Star! / ¡Estrellita, brillarás!, by John John Ballet. Library Catalog Sing and dance with Baby Shark,
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July 5, 2023 11:50 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Español, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Bilingual, Bilingual books, books for children, picture books, spanish books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

The Jester Jim Show

The Jester Jim Show

The Jester Jim Show All ages Thursday, August 10, at 6:30 p.m. The one, the only, Jester Jim returns for a juggling, balancing, beat boxing, astounding show! This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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July 4, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: comedy, events for children, events in westchester, events in White Plains, Jester Jim, music, performances, performing arts, and The Jester Jim Show.

Jumpin’ Jamie Concert

Jumpin’ Jamie Concert

Jumpin’ Jamie Concert Children, Families Thursday, August 3rd, at 6:30 p.m. Kindie rocker Jumpin’ Jamie returns for a super high-energy musical show with puppets and fun! This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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July 3, 2023 10:25 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events for children, events in westchester, events in White Plains, music, performances, and performing arts.

July-August Programs for Younger Kids

July-August 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. Be sure to also check out our listing of great Family/All Ages events throughout the summer. (link to post) AND! Sign up for Summer Reading! Storybook Dancing with Steffi Nossen School of Dance  Ages 2-6, Families Wednesdays, 11:00 a.m. – July 5, 26; August 9, A creative, movement-filled program for young ones to hear stories and then dance them to life! VR Storytimes in the Igloo Ages 2-8, Families Wednesdays, 2:00 and 2:30
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July 3, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Activities for children in Westchester, activities for children in White Plains, August 2023, children's events, dance, July 2023, kids, live music, music, performances, programs, storytime, The Trove, trove, and trove events.

Casey Carle’s BubbleMania!

Casey Carle’s BubbleMania!

Casey Carle’s BubbleMania! All ages Saturday, August 5th, at 2:00 p.m. BUBBLEMANIA! A bit of comedy, some jazzy music, and superior bubbling make Casey Carle’s one-man show a hit with the whole family. Among his tricks are a cube bubble, bubble Ping-Pong, fog-filled bubble sculptures, and enveloping an audience member inside a gigantic bubble. This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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July 3, 2023 8:00 am | by | 4 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: bubble show, Casey Carle's BubbleMania!, comedy, events for children, events in westchester, events in White Plains, music, performances, and performing arts.

Reading & STEM Buddies Return

Reading & STEM Buddies Return

We’re excited to announce the return of two popular programs:  Reading Buddies and STEM Buddies! Reading Buddies Grades 2-5 Tuesdays, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – July 11, 18, 25; August 1, 8, 15 Space is limited.  Sign up in the Trove starting at 4:45 p.m. Children can practice reading with a teen Reading Buddy. Reading Buddies will be available to read one-on-one with children for 15 minute sessions in the Trove. STEM Buddies Grades 1-4 Thursdays, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. – July 6, 13, 20, 27; August 3, 10 Space is limited.  Sign up in the Trove starting at 2:45
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July 2, 2023 12:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Con Edison, Reading Buddies, STEM Buddies, and summer reading.

Wonka’s Wondershow

Wonka’s Wondershow

Wonka’s Wondershow Children, Families Thursday, July 20th, at 6:30 p.m. Hilarious entertainer David Engel returns to the Library as the mysterious and eccentric inventor Wonka! Full of laughs, magic, audience participation and zaniness, don't miss Wonka's Wondershow! This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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July 1, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events in westchester, events in White Plains, magic, magic show, Magic Show in Westchester, Magic Show in White Plains, and magician.

Magic Rocks! with Illusionist Leon Etienne

Magic Rocks! with Illusionist Leon Etienne

Magic Rocks! with Illusionist Leon Etienne All ages Thursday, July 13th, at 6:30 p.m. Come be amazed as Illusionist Leon Etienne performs at the Library!  Leon was a quarterfinalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, winner of CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us! and SyFy's Wizard Wars, and has astounded audiences on CW’s Masters of Illusion and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Leon has performed at Radio City Music Hall, headlined in Las Vegas, and blown minds at dozens of legendary venues around the globe. This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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July 1, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events in westchester, events in White Plains, Leon Etienne, magic, magic show, Magic Show in Westchester, Magic Show in White Plains, and magician.

Green Golly and Her Golden Flute

Green Golly and Her Golden Flute

Green Golly and Her Golden Flute Performance Children, Families Wednesday, July 26th, at 2:00 p.m. Green Golly, a girl like Rapunzel, is locked in a tower, and is so enthusiastic that everything that whizzes by her window inspires her to sing! Unfortunately, she has a terrible voice –so the witch gives her a golden flute hoping to stop the racket. Being that the girl is stuck in the tower all day long with nothing to do – she practices – until she becomes an amazing flutist! Ultimately she escapes the tower and goes on tour – but not before practicing
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July 1, 2023 8:30 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events for children, events in westchester, events in White Plains, music, performances, and performing arts.

Monster Invasion Teen Improv Workshop

Monster Invasion Teen Improv Workshop

Monster Invasion Teen Improv Workshop Teens Tuesday, July 25th, at 3:30 p.m. In this exciting theater workshop for teens, Talewise uses fun games and activities to explore the foundations of improv — things like characterization, how to be a good scene partner, and how to be prepared for just about anything! The presenter will then guide the workshop participants through the collaborative process of devising their very own series of scenes all about a sci-fi monster invasion! Get ready to unleash your creativity! This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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July 1, 2023 8:01 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: events for teens, events for teens in White Plains, improv, improv events, improv events in westchester, improv for teens, improv workshop, and Talewise.

Science Heroes STEM Show

Science Heroes STEM Show

Science Heroes: Saving Earth Together STEM Show Children, Families Tuesday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. Talewise presents this action-packed story where two unlikely heroes work together to save their town (and the planet) from a super-polluting mastermind! Throughout the adventure, volunteers will help the performer conduct several exciting science experiments that bring this story to life! Together we’ll explore Newton’s Laws of Motion, air pressure, chemical reactions, and more! This program is made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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July 1, 2023 8:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: events for children, events in westchester, events in White Plains, STEAM, STEAM events, STEAM programs, summer reading, and Talewise.

Taikoza Japanese Drums and Flutes Performance

Taikoza Japanese Drums and Flutes Performance

Taikoza Japanese Drums and Flutes Performance All ages Thursday, 6:30 p.m. – July 27 Roughly translated, “Taiko” means “big drums” and that’s exactly what this performance brings. Experience the thunderous rhythms of the ancestral Japanese Taiko drums and the magical sounds of the bamboo flutes. Hear the 150 lb. Taiko drums give a thunderous voice to traditional and new compositions with big drums, powerful rhythms, and electrifying, room-thumping energy alongside the Shakuhachi and the Fue (Japanese bamboo flutes).beautiful, kind, wise old apple trees that Johnny planted so long ago to ask how she can help. The tree teaches her that
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July 1, 2023 8:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events for children, events in westchester, events in White Plains, music, performances, and performing arts.

Celebrate Disability Pride Month Storytime!

Celebrate Disability Pride Month Storytime!

Celebrate Disability Pride Month Storytime! Families, Children July 8th, 2:00 p.m. Location: Galaxy Hall Please join us in the Trove for our Celebrate Disability Pride Month storytime for stories, a craft and a treat on Saturday, June 8th at 2 pm! Disability Pride Month is celebrated every July to honor the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July, because the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed on July 26, 1990. The Act bars discrimination against people with disabilities – in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and
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June 22, 2023 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: books for children, children's books, Disability Pride Month, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, and storytime.