Archives for Library News

NaNoWriMo: November Writing Time Reminder

NaNoWriMo: November Writing Time Reminder

Are you a middle schooler or teenager who loves to write? Is writing the best way you can express yourself? If so, then you should join our NaNoWrimo (National Novel Writing Month) program. In September and October we brainstormed ideas, learned about conflict and worked on character sketches and writing prompts. If you missed our writing sessions for the months of September and October you can still sign up for our November writing sessions. This program is for anyone in grades 4-12 who is looking for some quiet time to write. Each week we will set an hour to write
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October 15, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: creative writing, NaNoWriMo, and National Novel Writing Month.

Fall Stories & Stuff

Fall Stories & Stuff

We’re excited to announce that our popular program, Stories & Stuff, will be returning virtually in September and October! Stories & Stuff is geared towards kids from ages 4-8. During Stories & Stuff, stories are centered around a theme and children listen and discuss the topic. The children create a craft project that ties in with the theme. We ask that caregivers join the virtual program as well to assist their children during the craft portion of the storytime. Stories & Stuff will be held on Thursday, September 30th as well as Thursday, October 28th and the program begins at
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October 14, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's events in White Plains, crafts for children, crafts for kids, Stories & Stuff, Stories and Stuff, storytime for ages 4-8, storytime for children, storytime for kids, and The Trove.

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. My last Peculiar Picks featured two girls who befriended dragons, but that was just scratching the surface of the many wonderful picture books with dragons. In this Peculiar Picks, find some fantastic draconic reads, that all share a similar quality: absolutely amazing artwork. If you like dragons, perhaps you’d like to check out some other Monster-rific Reads – there’s
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October 14, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, dragons, Peculiar Picks, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Great Podcasts for Kids 5

Great Podcasts for Kids 5

Here are some more Great Podcasts for Kids on a variety of topics and themes selected by Josh Carlson, Manager of Youth Services. All of these should be available on any service you use to listen to podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, etc. Be sure to also check out earlier entries in the series and if you have some great podcast recommendations of your own, leave them in the comments below! Podcast Potpourri Greeking Out From National Geographic Kids, Greeking Out is all about Greek mythology, told in a very funny, kid-friendly, style. My
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October 13, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Great Podcasts, Great Podcasts for Kids, podcasts, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

October Genealogy Workshops

October Genealogy Workshops

Benvenuti Italiani! Italian Genealogy Research and Dual Citizenship Wednesday, October 20th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Determine if you are eligible to obtain dual citizenship. Find out what documents you need and how to obtain them, including Italian records. Uncover potential roadblocks and resources to get around them. Learn how to get started and what to expect in the dual citizenship process. Sarah Gutmann returns with another informative presentation. Genealogy Research in Cemeteries Tuesday, October 26th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link. Cemeteries often get a bad rap, especially around Halloween. But for the genealogist,
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October 13, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: genealogy, genealogy workshop, genealogy workshops in westchester, and genealogy workshops in White Plains.

Forever Young Adult Book Club

Forever Young Adult Book Club

Forever Young Adult is a fun new book club for YA fans who are a little less “Y” and a bit more “A.” Whether you're a regular YA reader or you need a break from your usual “To Read” list, all are welcome! Each month, we will “meet” online to discuss the latest FYA HQ-chosen read. Keep your eyes peeled for special announcements such as themed pickup kits with crafts and goodies, author visits, and prerecorded author messages! Next session:   Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Thursday, October 28 @ 7:00 PM Click here for the zoom link. Click here
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October 8, 2021 10:32 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Aiden Thomas, book groups in Westchester, book groups in White Plains, Cemetery Boys, Forever Young Adult, Forever Young Adult Book Club, and young adult fiction.

SF/Fantasy and Horror on Audio

SF/Fantasy and Horror on Audio

This content is taken from the October issue of Booklist Reader. You can find the full issue here. Magic, mayhem, and menace are some of the building blocks of these enchanting sf, fantasy, and horror novels for adults. Masterful narrations, both from individual narrators and cohesive full casts, are another. Read more about each of these superb audiobooks below. For more spooky reads, see our “Witch, Please!” and “Horror Stories” collections on OverDrive. Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre. By Max Brooks. Read by a full cast. 2020. 10hr. Books on Tape. OverDrive & Libby: Audiobook A
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October 6, 2021 9:55 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: Booklist reader, fantasy audiobooks, halloween, Halloween Books, horror audiobooks, science fiction audiobooks, and staff recommendations.

Tiny Tales: Big Pumpkin

Tiny Tales: Big Pumpkin

Welcome to our new series of Tiny Tales videos! 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 all of our Tiny Tales videos, including the thirty six videos in the previous series, right here! Today’s video features Trove librarian Ms. Raquel presenting “Big Pumpkin.” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
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October 5, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: halloween, library storytime recording, library storytime video, Observances and Celebrations, 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.

Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Check out these staff selected titles to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this year: Children: Sonia Sotomayor: a judge grows in the Bronx = la juez que creció en el Bronx By Winter Jonah Library Collection OverDrive & Libby Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation's highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx. Justice Sotomayor didn't have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed — her mother's love, a will to learn, and her own determination. With bravery she became the person she wanted to be. With hard
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October 4, 2021 2:45 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: hispanic authors, Hispanic Heritage Month, latino authors, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Teen Volunteering: Fall 2021

Teen Volunteering: Fall 2021

We’ve had such a wonderful response to our current initiative for teen volunteers, writing original book reviews for books in our YA collection. However, we know teens are really looking for more volunteering opportunities, so I have a few upcoming projects for teens to earn some community service credit. These are pilot programs with a low beginning capacity as we test them out, but we hope to be able to offer more hours over time. Knitting for a Cause We’re working toward a goal of knitting handmade accessories to donate to Knit the Rainbow, an organization that donates warm clothing
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October 4, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: community service, knitting, teen volunteers, volunteer opportunities, and volunteering.

Mental Health Workshop for Teens

Mental Health Workshop for Teens

3 Amigos Of Mental Health Tuesday, October 5 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. For Teens in Grades 7-12 On the Library Plaza under the Big Tent Click here to register. Michael Weitzman, a professional mental health advocate and comedian, will lead a workshop on acceptance, wellness tools, and solutions to mental health challenges. He will share his own mental health story from discovery to recovery. Weitzman is a MHA trained and certified Peer Support Specialist and holds an Academy of Peers Services Provisional Certificate as a New York State Peer Support Specialist.   This program is supported by the White Plains Library
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October 1, 2021 4:28 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: events for teens, mental health, mental health awareness, peer support, teen events, and The Edge.

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons

Virtual Dungeons & Dragons Campaign For Teens in Grades 7-12 Starting October 6th, on the first and third Wednesdays of each month through January 4:00-7:00 p.m. Join us for a new Dungeons & Dragons campaign led by Dungeon Master Ben Seligson. Create your own character, give your character a backstory, then travel along with the group fighting monsters and saving the virtual world from impending doom. This campaign is open to new and seasoned veterans of D&D. We will be meeting on Wednesdays twice a month for 3 hours. You must be able to participate in all sessions, or your
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October 1, 2021 4:08 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Dungeons & Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons groups in White Plains, Library events for teens, The Edge, and Westchester Dungeons and Dragons.

Spooktober Book & Movie Pairings

Spooktober Book & Movie Pairings

Are you looking for something scary to read or watch this Spooktober? Adult Services Librarian Kristen compiled a list of books and movies that compliment each other's plot and/or themes. Some of these are sure to scare your socks off, so readers/viewers beware! If you're a fan of haunted houses… Read: Home Before Dark by Riley Sager Library Collection: Print / Large Print OverDrive/Libby: eBook / Audiobook Bells that ring themselves. Record players that turn on an play music to empty rooms. Ghosts that can climb out of wardrobes… Maggie Holt doesn't believe in these things, even though they are
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September 30, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: halloween, Halloween Books, horror, horror films, horror novels, Observances and Celebrations, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Let’s Draw Monsters

Let’s Draw Monsters

Kids, teens, and families are invited to join nationally syndicated award-winning cartoonist Rick Stromoski virtually on Tuesday, October 26th at 6:00 p.m. for a fun workshop to learn how to draw creatures, goblins, ghosts, and all things Halloweeny! All participants will need is a stack of paper and something they like to draw with! Let’s Draw Monsters! Tuesday, October 26th, 6:00 p.m. Grades 3+, teens, families Access the program here. Note: a free, registered Zoom account is required to join our youth-focused virtual programs. Sign up for a Zoom account is free and easy at http://zoom.us/signup. About Rick Stromoski Rick
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September 29, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: art, drawing, drawing workshop for children, drawing workshop for kids in Westchester, halloween, Halloween events in Westchester, Halloween events in White Plains, and Rick Stromoski.

Great SPOOKY Podcasts

Great SPOOKY Podcasts

Here are some great spooky podcasts to get your kids and teens (and you!) in the Halloween mood. All of these should be available on any service you use to listen to podcasts, such as Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, etc. If you have some great podcast recommendations, leave them in the comments below! For additional (non-spooky) podcast recommendations, click here! FOR KIDS & FAMILIES The Creeping Hour If your kids like Goosebumps, then The Creeping Hour horror anthology series from NPR is going to be a hit. Recommended for ages 8-12 and families, these are some
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September 29, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Great Podcasts, halloween, Halloween Books, Observances and Celebrations, podcasts, spooky podcasts, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

SBA Disaster Assistance

SBA Disaster Assistance

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) at the New York Power Authority, 123 Main St, White Plains, NY 10601. Customer Service Representatives will be available at the BRC to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help businesses complete their applications. Hours of operations are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (EDT), closed Saturday and Sunday. The center will operate until further notice. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA has established protocols to help protect the health and safety of the public. Visitors to the DLOC are encouraged to
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September 28, 2021 4:22 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: Disaster Loans, SBA, and small business administration.

What You Need To Know About… Ragnarok

What You Need To Know About… Ragnarok

Netflix has a fairly new TV series called Ragnarok (seasons 1 & 2 are available to watch). Don’t be confused by the title, this has nothing to do with Thor: Ragnarok from the MCU. No, this is actually based on Norse mythology, not just the popularized versions of Thor, Loki, Odin, and Freya from the Marvel movies. The show was filmed in Norway with an all Norwegian cast. It is a modern telling of Ragnarok, the end of the world, which will happen in the small coastal town of Edda. The Giants (the enemies of the Aesir (Norse Gods)) are
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September 28, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: netflix, Ragnarok, staff picks, staff recommendations, The Edge, tv shows, and What You Need to Know About.

Halloween STEAM

Halloween STEAM

Halloween is a wonderful time to learn about ghoulish goblins, bob for apples, visit Sleepy Hollow, and go trick-or-treating. However, if some of these activities aren’t an option, there are still plenty of fun things to do virtually to satisfy your need for creepy crawlies and menacing mummies! The Library will be hosting two fun and spooky STEAM projects: one for grades 1-6 and one for grades 4-8. Twelve kits will be available for each age group and patrons can register online through the library calendar to pick up their kits. Both kits will include items needed for the program,
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September 28, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: halloween, Halloween Books, Halloween STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

Diwali: A Celebration of Light

Diwali: A Celebration of Light

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India‘s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind
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September 28, 2021 9:13 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Events, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, diwali, Diwali celebration in Westchester, diwali celebration in White Plains, Grab & Go kits, and Observances and Celebrations.

Teen Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Teen Book Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

Title: To All the Boys I've Loved Before Author: Jenny Han Publisher: Simon and Schuster Library Catalog / Hoopla / OverDrive & Libby You've probably heard of the movie To All the Boys I've Loved Before, but little do most know it is based on the book by Jenny Han. In this page-turning book, the protagonist Lara Jean suffers the consequences when her younger sister sends off her most private possessions. Lara Jean wrote letters to every boy she'd ever loved describing intimate details and things she never wanted them to actually know. So, when one of the boys reaches
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September 27, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: book review, books, for teens by teens, Jenny Han, reading, teen book review, and teen volunteers.