Archives for Library News

Turtle Dance Music: February

Turtle Dance Music: February

Turtle Dance Music presents: The Winter Wonderland Music, Bubble and Comedy Show! Thursday, February 24th, 11:00 a.m. Children, families, all ages welcome! Access the program here. Note: a free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. “Sleigh bells ring! Are you listening?” The Winter Wonderland Music, Bubble and Comedy Show is a snowy “turtle-riffic” musical experience that is designed to engage children through winter songs, movement activities, big giant bubbles, children’s stories, and interactive music technology! The show is crafted to be inclusive for all children, including children on the Autism
Read More

February 9, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events, dance, music, performing arts, trove events, and Turtle Dance Music.

Essential Cookbooks

Essential Cookbooks

Librarians love to create lists, and at the end of each year we publish lists ranging from the best picture books for children to the best audiobooks. But one of my favorites is Essential Cookbooks, a selection of cookbooks for public libraries. This wonderful list highlights titles for both avid home chefs and those just learning the rewards of making a meal. The list also supports those who appreciate the many joys of reading cookbooks, even if they rarely venture into the kitchen! These books are sure to become reliable favorites and nourish readers, today and for years to come.
Read More

February 8, 2022 3:56 pm | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Authors & Books, Director's Corner, and Library News.
Tags: cookbooks, staff interview, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

What You Need To Know About: The Uncharted Movie

What You Need To Know About: The Uncharted Movie

I think the first mention of the Uncharted movie was before the Edge was built, even before I started working at the Library. So yeah, this movie has been a long time coming. To put in the gaming timeline, this movie was first talked about when the Playstation 3 was still out, now we are on the PS5. In that time Uncharted has become insanely popular. There are four games in the series as well as four spin-off games, plus collections of the games. The movie has seen a change of cast and directors while the video game has reached
Read More

February 8, 2022 1:54 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: films, movies, Uncharted, videos games, and What You Need to Know About.

African American Children’s Authors

African American Children’s Authors

Enjoy these wonderful tales of triumph, challenges, hope and above all, love. Stacey’s extraordinary words, by Stacey Abrams Library Catalog / Libby How to read a book, by Kwame Alexander Library Catalog I am every good thing, by Derrick D. Barnes Library Catalog / eBook / Audiobook The king of Kindergarten, by Derrick Barnes Library Catalog / Libby Zuri Ray tries ballet, by Tami Charles Library Catalog When we say Black Lives Matter, by Maxine Beneba Clarke Library Catalog / Libby We shall overcome, by Bryan Collier Library Catalog / Libby Parker looks up: an extraordinary moment, by Parker Curry
Read More

February 7, 2022 10:01 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: African American atuhors, Black Authors, black history month, children's books, and Observances and Celebrations.

AARP Tax-Aide 2022

AARP Tax-Aide 2022

El programa White Plains AARP Tax Aide ofrecerá preparación de impuestos en la Biblioteca Pública de White Plains desde el 7 de febrero hasta el 12 de abril. Con las restricciones de COVID aún vigentes, no podemos ofrecer el tipo de servicio en persona al que los contribuyentes se han acostumbrado por tantos años. Las principales preocupaciones siguen siendo la salud y la seguridad de los contribuyentes y los preparadores, y la protección de la información confidencial de los contribuyentes. Debido a las restricciones de COVID, ESTE SERVICIO SERA SOLO CON CITA PREVIA. CITAS Se requieren 2 citas. Para hacer
Read More

February 5, 2022 2:01 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: AARP Foundation Tax Aide, AARP Tax Aide, tax assistance, tax filing, and taxes.

February 2022 LibraryReads

February 2022 LibraryReads

Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley Library Collection: Print “Foley hits it out of the ballpark with this solid thriller set in a Paris apartment building. Jess goes looking for her brother, but finds only the smell of bleach and a broken St. Christopher medal lodged in the floorboards. Written in short chapters with multiple points of view and delicious secrets dropped along the way, this gripping, wild ride is impossible to put down. If you like Liane Moriarty or Ruth Ware, pick this one up.—Douglas Beatty,
Read More

February 1, 2022 1:31 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, librarian recommendations, Library Reads, LibraryReads, and staff picks.

The World of Wordle

The World of Wordle

Please note that the current Wordle link has been updated since the game was purchased by NYTimes. The current link can be found here. Have you joined in the Wordle craze yet, or are you still wondering what: Wordle 227 3/6 means? If you haven't been solving this free daily word puzzle, it was created by Josh Wardle for his crossword aficionado partner (more on that here), and just yesterday it was purchased by the New York Times for a reported seven figures. It's unclear how long Wordle will remain free, but just in the last few weeks alone, we've
Read More

February 1, 2022 10:30 am | by | 5 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: crosswords, word puzzles, and wordle.

Black History Month STEAM Program

Black History Month STEAM Program

For Black History Month, we’re hosting a STEAM program that will include a LEGO Grab & Go kit. First, we’ll read about African American leaders in space exploration. Then we’ll learn about the constellations that helped with navigation on the underground railroad, and use LEGO pieces to create the Big Dipper. Join us on Tuesday, February 22nd at 4:00 p.m. Supplies are limited, so register through our online calendar here. Suggested Reads: Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty Library Catalog Ada had a lot of questions about the world around her. She asked her parents so many questions and they
Read More

February 1, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: black history month, Grab & Go kits, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM events, and STEAM learning.

Tiny Tales: Spider Rhymes

Tiny Tales: Spider Rhymes

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 Manager of Youth Services, Josh Carlson presenting two “Spider Rhymes,” – “Little Miss Muffet” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider.” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
Read More

February 1, 2022 9:00 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.

3D Printing and Design Class

3D Printing and Design Class

During the February Winter school break, Librarian Erik Carlson will be teaching a class on 3D printing and design for students in grades 4-6. We start on Tuesday, February 22nd and meet everyday until Friday, February 25th, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. You must be able to attend all of the sessions otherwise you will miss some important info. We will be learning to use three different 3D design software programs (CAD and Mesh). You can create free accounts for all of these, just follow the links: TinkCad SculptGL (no account needed) OnShape Education Each day will have a new lesson and
Read More

January 26, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: 3D design, 3D Design class for kids, 3D printer, 3d printing, STEAM, STEAM activities, and STEAM learning.

Pop Art Workshop with Michael Albert

Pop Art Workshop with Michael Albert

Join us on Thursday, February 24th at 4:00 p.m. to create some awesome collages with local artist Michael Albert. Albert’s use of recycling in art is truly inspirational, and we’re excited to look at the contents of our recycling bins in a new light during this program. We’re putting together kits that include a canvas, scraps of construction paper, old magazines and various cardboard pieces. You’re welcome to gather any art supplies or recycling from around the house to use during the program as well. This program is intended for grades 4 through 8. Supplies are limited so make sure
Read More

January 26, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art, art workshop, artists, arts and crafts, arts and crafts for teens, Grab & GO Kits for kids, Michael Albert, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM events, and STEAM projects.

2022 ALA Youth Media Awards Winners

2022 ALA Youth Media Awards Winners

On January 24, 2022 the American Library Association (ALA) announced its 2022 Youth Media Award winners. These awards are presented annually and recognize amazing contributions to the body of literature for children and teens. The entire awards presentation can be viewed here. Congratulations to all of the winners! Look for all of these great titles in the Library’s online catalog, as well as in eBook formats from Libby or Hoopla. John Newbery Medal For the most outstanding contribution to children's literature “The Last Cuentista” by Donna Barba Higuera Four Newbery Honor Books “Red, White, and Whole” by Rajani LaRocca “A
Read More

January 25, 2022 6:16 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: ALA awards, ALA Youth Media Awards, American Library Association, and book award.

The Year of the Tiger: Craft & Books

The Year of the Tiger: Craft & Books

Tigers are the third of the Chinese zodiacs. According to legend, Tiger was confident that no one could compete with its speed and vigor for the celestial race that would decide the order of the zodiacs. However, when Tiger climbed out of the river, thinking it was first, it was informed that Rat placed first for its cunning and Ox placed second for its diligence. This left the king of the jungle having to settle for third place. Tigers are courageous and active people who love a good challenge and adventure in life. Like their eponymous zodiac animal, people born
Read More

January 24, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, Chinese New Year, lunar new year, and Observances and Celebrations.

Announcing the Winter 2021 Project LIT Titles

Announcing the Winter 2021 Project LIT Titles

Since becoming a Project LIT chapter, we’ve enjoyed reading and discussing Project LIT books with kids and teens. Last month, we were thrilled to see the announcements of new titles in the Winter 2021 Project LIT book list. We’re excited to share the list with you, and to highlight a couple titles that are of particular interest to our librarians. You can find the full Project LIT book lists for Middle Grade and Young Adult on the Reading Lists page of our website. Middle Grade: Ashley’s Picks Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim Libby Library Catalog This book has
Read More

January 20, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: children's books, Dive into Diversity, diverse reads, new books, Project Lit, Project Lit Community, staff picks, staff recommendations, and YA books.

Project LIT Book Club for Kids & Tweens

Project LIT Book Club for Kids & Tweens

Wednesday, February 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 Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake. 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 prefer the eBook,
Read More

January 20, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: book club, book discussion, kids book club, Project Lit, and Project Lit Community.

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Handmade Envelopes

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Handmade Envelopes

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 Tuesday, January 18th in the Library lobby. This month's project is handmade envelopes. I wanted to make this kit available in plenty of time before Valentine's Day, for those who really want to put their heart and soul into their Valentine's cards. The kit includes
Read More

January 18, 2022 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News and Teens.
Tags: arts and crafts, arts and crafts for teens, Grab and Go, Grab and Go Kits, and Valentine's Day.

Learn Something New This Winter

Learn Something New This Winter

Winter is a great time to explore indoor activities. Winter during a pandemic is an even better time to explore indoor activities. I have curated a list of videos that will help you learn a new hobby or skill. All of these videos are available through the Library’s databases, make sure you have your Library Card ready and know your PIN to access these. There are plenty more videos than what I listed here, take a look through these resources to see what else you can learn – creativebug, Linkedin Learning, and medici.tv. Learning a new hobby or building your
Read More

January 14, 2022 12:53 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art, crafts, learning, self paced learning, technology, and tutortials.

Holocaust Remembrance Author Event

Holocaust Remembrance Author Event

The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this annual day of commemoration, the UN urges every member state to honor the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides. To find out more, click here. Find our OverDrive/Libby reading list here. Holocaust Remembrance Day Virtual Author Visit Thursday, January 27th 4:30–5:30 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Join us for a visit from author Michelle Bisson to discuss her book, Hedy's
Read More

January 14, 2022 10:01 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: Holocaust Remembrance, Holocaust Remembrance Day, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Observances and Celebrations.

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. While looking for dragon books for the October 14, 2021 Peculiar Picks, I discovered there are so many awesome dragon books, so, there will be more draconic Peculiar Picks, including this one, to come, some around certain recurring themes. This month, we look at dragons and their eating habits. What do you think dragons like to eat? The Yin
Read More

January 13, 2022 10:00 am | by | 1 Comment
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, dragons, Peculiar Picks, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Children’s Nonfiction Titles to Celebrate Black History Part 1

Children’s Nonfiction Titles to Celebrate Black History Part 1

The banning of children’s books on Black history (And children’s books on the LGBTQIA+ experience) has greatly risen recently throughout the United States. Students and teachers are fighting back. One student and teacher victory (for now) led to the rescinding of a book ban instituted by the Central York Pennsylvania School District board. Alyssa Shotwell wrote in her article in the Mary Sue, “Last year, heated school debates resulted in the York, Pennsylvania schools banning (and, in some cases, holding ongoing ‘reviews’ of) a four-page list of materials. In the list sent to teachers across the Central York District, books
Read More

January 12, 2022 10:46 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Black History, black history month, Dive into Diversity, Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Observances and Celebrations.