Archives for Library News

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Friendship Bracelets

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Friendship Bracelets

Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, March 21st in the Library lobby. This month's project is friendship bracelets. The kit includes four colors of embroidery floss and a couple of safety pins. You'll need to provide scissors, and you might also want to use some tape or a clipboard. We'll
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March 21, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: arts and crafts, arts and crafts for teens, Grab & Go, and Grab & Go kits.

Harriet Tubman, Herself

Harriet Tubman, Herself

Tuesday, April 5th, 7:00 p.m. (virtual) Grades 1+, Teens, Adults Click here for the Zoom link. Note: All of our youth-focused virtual programs require a registered Zoom account to attend. Sign up for a free Zoom account here: http://zoom.us/signup. An entertaining and educational one-woman show based on the life and times of Harriet Tubman. Harriet’s harrowing and dangerous life unfolds as she tells the moving story of how she brought hundreds of slaves – and her own family – to freedom during the Civil War. Actress Christine Dixon tells the story of Tubman’s life in this dramatic one-woman performance. The
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March 20, 2022 5:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News and Teens.
Tags: Harriet Tubman, Harriet Tubman sculpture, White Plains Harriet Tubman, and White Plains Harriet Tubman Events.

Books to Celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility

Books to Celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual event that occurs on March 31st. The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments and contributions of transgender and gender nonconforming people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people in the United States and worldwide. Sadly, injustices continue – Texas families are now fighting against recent efforts to harm transgender children and tear apart their families by Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton. For further information, you can read NPR’s website article, A Texas Judge Blocks the State from Investigating Parents of Transgender Youth. In support of those
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March 18, 2022 10:04 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, Dive into Diversity, International Transgender Day of Visibility, LGBTQIA+, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, staff recommendations, and transgender rights.

Middle Grade Pick of the Month

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, Ashley will recommend great books for children in this age group! Katie the Catsitter by Colleen A.F. Venable and illustrated by Stephanie Yue Libby Library Catalog I’m a big fan of graphic novels but I’d never heard of this delightful tale until it was selected as one of the books that the 4th-7th grade team will be reading for the Westchester Library System Battle of the Books Summer League! Battle of the Books is a book-based trivia tournament
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March 17, 2022 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.

New in the Edge: March 2022

New in the Edge: March 2022

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. Sunny G’s Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon Grades 9 and up Library Catalog / Libby “Dhillon’s debut centers on high-schooler and Sikh Sunny G, who is determined to make the most of his life after his brother, who battled alcoholism, passes away.
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March 17, 2022 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.

KnowlEDGE: Teen Services

KnowlEDGE: Teen Services

Welcome to KnowlEDGE, news and information about teens services at the White Plains Public Library. With cases of the Omicron variant dropping significantly and State mask restrictions being lowered we have made some changes in the Edge. The biggest change is video games. On Tuesdays you and your friends can come in and play the PS4, and on Thursdays you all can play the Nintendo Switch. Future changes are coming. Things to look out for are in-person programs with Kat, Austin, and Erik! More computers to use and easier printing. The biggest change will be enjoying snacks in the Edge
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March 16, 2022 9:32 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Edge updates, KnowlEDGE, teen events, teen programming, teen services, teen services news, and The Edge.

Outdoors with Kids

Outdoors with Kids

As spring approaches, we are all getting ready to reemerge into the great outdoors and hopefully get our children excited to be away from those screens we tend to rely on in colder weather. Below, find some great reads to help you in that endeavor. First and foremost, for those of us that are hesitant to let our children explore outside, check out Dirt Is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System, by Jack Gilbert and Rob Knight (Library Catalog). These scientists explain in a surprisingly straightforward and accessible way the advantages of exposing children to
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March 15, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: parenting, parenting collection, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Resources for Caregivers

Resources for Caregivers

Being the main caregiver for a loved one can be challenging for a variety of reasons, so it's important to know where to turn when you need assistance, or to simply feel heard. Check out these recommended resources compiled by Adult Services Librarian Sharon Rothman. BOOKS Already Toast by Kate Washington Library Collection / Libby The story of one woman’s struggle to care for her seriously ill husband—and a revealing look at the role unpaid family caregivers play in a society that fails to provide them with structural support. Floating in the deep end: how caregivers can see beyond Alzheimer's
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March 14, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: alzheimers, caregiver caregiving, dementia, and podcasts for caregivers.

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks

Peculiar Picks are a selection of odd, funny, interesting, curious, moving, irreverent, and otherwise wonderfully awesome, but perhaps not well known, reads. Peculiar Picks are books for younger readers and their grown-ups, handpicked by the Library's Youth Services Manager, Joshua Carlson. Who doesn’t love penguins? Here’s four Peculiar Penguin Picks. Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins Library Catalog I’d heard the term “penguin suit” for a tuxedo or black dinner jacket before, but had never once thought of a vampire, such as Dracula, as wearing a penguin suit, but once you do, as Lucy Ruth Cummins must have, the potential for
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March 11, 2022 11:56 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Battle of the Books Club: April, May and June

Battle of the Books Club: April, May and June

Join librarians Kat and Lauren for a new book club this spring. We'll meet each month for a book discussion and a game, in the beloved Battle of the Books (BOB) trivia format. Read some awesome books and then team up with your friends to show off your book knowledge in a fast-paced tournament. The May and June editions of the program will feature the official books for this summer’s 2022 Battle of the Books tournament. We're currently recruiting team members for our Battle of the Books team this summer, open to teens entering grades 6-12 in fall 2022. If
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March 11, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: battle of the books, Battle of the Books Club, book clubs for teens, book clubs in Westchester, book clubs in White Plains, and teen book clubs.

Genealogy: the 1950 Census

Genealogy: the 1950 Census

Genealogy: What to Expect from the 1950 Census Tuesday, March 15th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. Presented by Alan Steinfeld. After 72 years, the 1950 Census will be made public on April 1st. Come find out why this is a big deal for historians, genealogists, sociologists and the like. This presentation will address these and other questions: What questions did they ask? Why did they keep it private for 72 years? Am I in it and how do I find out? Why do we have a census anyway? This program is made possible with support from the White Plains
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March 8, 2022 3:41 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: census records, genealogy, and Irish heritage.

March 2022 LibraryReads

March 2022 LibraryReads

Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love. Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto Library Collection: Print “The Chan family is back! Meddy Chan is getting married, and the wedding planners are perfect–until Meddy overhears the wedding photographer talking about murdering someone at the reception. Her aunties spring into action, setting into motion a series of madcap misadventures intended to save Meddy's special day. A charming combo of close-knit family, humor, and light mystery; great for fans of Mia P. Manansala and Jade Chang.”—Nanette Donohue, Champaign Public Library, Champaign, IL A Brush
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March 8, 2022 3:29 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, librarian recommendations, Library Reads, LibraryReads, and staff picks.

Irish Lore and Folklore

Irish Lore and Folklore

In March, we celebrate Ireland – the Emerald Isle – famous for its luscious green landscapes and friendly people, an island full of enchantment and mystery, inhabited by Leprechauns, Fairies, Pookas, and Banshees. You could attend a Saint Patrick’s Day parade and later find yourself in a room full of shamrocks and friends telling stories of Finn McCool, Jamie O’Rourke, or even a Goat King! However you decide to celebrate Ireland & Irish heritage – FÁILTE! (Welcome!) Leprechauns & Irish Lore Grab & Go Kits will be available on March 7th, while supplies last. Shamrocks, harps, and shillelaghs: the story
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March 4, 2022 12:52 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Irish folklore, March, Observances and Celebrations, St. Patrick's Day, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Women in STEAM

Women in STEAM

For Women’s History Month, I will highlight some wonderful books that fall under a STEAM category: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. In celebrating Women’s History Month we will review a mixture of books, including biographies of an aviator, a mathematician and a Cherokee aerospace engineer. These books can be found in our print collection at The Trove and on Libby. At the end of the post, you'll also find some fun and educational websites for kids. Suggested Reads: Libby Loves Science by Kimberly Derting and Shelli R. Johannes Library Catalog / Libby Libby is a precocious child who loves
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March 1, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: staff picks, staff recommendations, STEAM, women in STEAM, and womens history month.

Tiny Tales: P-I-Z-Z-A

Tiny Tales: P-I-Z-Z-A

Tiny Tales are short “bite-sized” song and story videos. Watch one for a short early literacy break, or a few for a whole storytime! You can find our entire collection of Tiny Tales videos right here! Today’s video features Trove librarian Lauren presenting “P-I-Z-Z-A,” a delicious song to the tune of “B-I-N-G-O.” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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March 1, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: library storytime recording, library storytime video, online library storytime, storytime, The Trove, Tiny Tales, video, videos, virtual library storytime, westchester libraries, westchester library storytime, white plains library, and white plains new york.

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Creative Doodling

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Creative Doodling

Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the instructional video below to make the project. Or, you can find the materials around your home and follow the video to make the project. Kits are first come, first served, and will become available on Monday, February 21st in the Library lobby. This month we're practicing some creative doodling. The kit includes paper, a fineliner pen, and a set of markers. You may also want to use some different pens and coloring utensils from around the house. We'll follow a
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February 21, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: arts and crafts, arts and crafts for teens, creativebug, Grab & Go, and Grab & Go kits.

Project LIT Book Club for Kids & Tweens

Project LIT Book Club for Kids & Tweens

Wednesday, March 9th 4:30–5:45 p.m. Click here to register. Join librarians Ashley and Caroline for a virtual book discussion and trivia game for 4th to 8th graders! We will be reading the graphic novel version of The Crossover by Kwame Alexander and Dawud Anyabwile. We will provide a free copy of the book for the first five individuals to register for the discussion. When the books are available, we will email to arrange pickup; please list an email address when registering. You can place a hold on the print book with your library card using our catalog here. If you
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February 18, 2022 10:41 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book club, book discussion, kids book club, Project Lit, and Project Lit Community.

Hollywood’s Golden Age of Self-Censorship

Hollywood’s Golden Age of Self-Censorship

Tuesday, March 22nd 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. From the 1930s to the 1960s, Hollywood censored itself. The Production Code is often remembered as a quaint document that ensured married couples slept in separate beds on screen. But the Production Code was a more complex contract between Hollywood and its diverse global audience. It led filmmakers to create a code for representing sex, violence, and extreme politics. And it helped Hollywood navigate the depression, the rise of Nazism, Soviet communism, World War II, the Cold War, and the Sixties. In late 1960s, Hollywood could no longer make films to
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February 18, 2022 10:36 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Old Hollywood and Production Code.

Middle Grade Pick of the Month

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, Ashley will recommend great books for children in this age group! The Sea in Winter by Christine Day Libby hoopla Library Catalog This is author Christine Day’s second middle grade novel but it’s the first story of hers that I’ve read. I now definitely want to read her first book, I Can Make This Promise, as well as Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids, the anthology that she contributed to! I really loved The Sea in Winter and
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February 17, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: juvenile fiction, middle grade, middle grade fiction, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

New Young Adult Fiction

New Young Adult Fiction

Despite the supply chain chaos that seems to have followed us into 2022, we’re still frequently ordering and receiving new books for our collection. I love 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. At the End of Everything by Marieke Nijkamp Grades 9 and up Library Catalog “The young adults who inhabit private company–run Hope Juvenile Treatment Center in rural Arkansas
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February 17, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: new books, new in the Edge, staff picks, staff recommendations, YA books, and YA Fiction.