Archives for Library News

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.

Most Popular 2021 Checkouts

Most Popular 2021 Checkouts

Below is a list of the 2021 top 5 most popular fiction, nonfiction, films, TV shows, 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 mysteries, intrigue, cookbooks, and Peppa Pig! Fiction The Affair by Danielle Steel (Library Collection / OverDrive & Libby) The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Library Collection / OverDrive & Libby) The Bounty: a
Read More

January 11, 2022 3:28 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, books, end of year lists, film, patron favorites, top checkouts, and tv.

Vanderbilt: The First Tycoon

Vanderbilt: The First Tycoon

Thursday, January 27th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. Join Professor Rick Feingold as he explores the life of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the first tycoon. Cornelius Vanderbilt began operating his own ferry in New York Harbor at the age of 16. He would work from dawn until dark ferrying passengers between Staten Island and the tip of Manhattan. The tiny business would grow into a massive steamship company. Vanderbilt would undercut his competitors by pricing his services so low that he would drive them out of business. Eventually he built a railroad empire from New York to Chicago and the First
Read More

January 11, 2022 2:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Anderson Cooper, Cornelius Vanderbilt, history programs, new york history, the Vanderbilts, and tycoons.

January 2022 LibraryReads

January 2022 LibraryReads

Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love. The Maid by Nita Prose Library Collection: Print OverDrive & Libby: eBook / Audiobook “As a maid in a posh hotel, Molly is very proud of her work and the care she takes of the guests, even though she often has difficulty navigating social cues. When she finds a wealthy guest dead, she never imagines she has the keys to uncover a killer, and finds, after the death of her beloved Gran, there are many people willing to help her. For fans of Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely
Read More

January 11, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, librarian recommendations, Library Reads, LibraryReads, and staff picks.

Battle of the Books Club

Battle of the Books Club

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. We kicked off the series with a fun discussion of It Ain't So Awful, Falafel with author Firoozeh Dumas in January… read on to find out what's next. In February, we're reading Luck of the Titanic by Stacey Lee. We'll meet on Monday, February 7th, at
Read More

January 11, 2022 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: battle of the books, Battle of the Books Club, book clubs in Westchester, book clubs in White Plains, teen book club, and YA books.

Acceso a través de Sora para los libros digitales (eBooks) de la biblioteca

Acceso a través de Sora para los libros digitales (eBooks) de la biblioteca

¿Sabía que los estudiantes de White Plains tienen acceso a los libros digitales (eBooks) de la Biblioteca de White Plains a través de su cuenta Sora de la escuela? Pueden hacerlo gracias a una nueva asociación entre el Sistema de Bibliotecas de Westchester y BOCES Westchester Sur. Todo lo que el estudiante necesita hacer es entrar la identificación o credenciales de su escuela en la aplicación Sora que ya tiene y ¡listo! Puede tomar prestado contenido apropiado a su edad de la colección digital (eBook) de la Biblioteca Pública de White Plains. Para poder buscar en la colección de títulos
Read More

January 8, 2022 3:07 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Español and Library News.
Tags: eBooks, español, and Sora.

International LEGO Day

International LEGO Day

International LEGO Day celebrates the day that a Danish carpenter, Godfred Kirk Christiansen, filed a patent for the original LEGO brick system in 1958. LEGO is one of the most beloved toys in the world. LEGO allows children to learn about building by playing with bricks and creating different structures, robots, castles and more. To celebrate National LEGO Day, I will highlight some books that include facts, cool creations, and information about the creators of Lego. For example, did you know that LEGO has been around for more than seventy years? To celebrate International LEGO day you can create a
Read More

January 6, 2022 11:45 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Grab & Go kits, Grab & GO Kits for kids, International LEGO Day, and legos.

Agatha is Missing: Murder Mystery Event

Agatha is Missing: Murder Mystery Event

Monday, January 10th 7:00–8:00 p.m. Click here to register. Join us for a fun-filled interactive murder mystery about the real-life disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926. Prudence Wright Holmes plays Detective Miss Clarissa Marbles and the audience members are all suspects who are called “on stage” to answer for their criminal pasts. Was it the cook, the butler? Maybe it was her cat-hating neighbor, Hortense Hopwell Hoggins, or her randy golf partner, Sir Reginald Horncastle, or maybe YOU! This program was made possible by a partnership between Tuckahoe Public Library, Warner Library, and White Plains Public Library.
Read More

January 6, 2022 10:08 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: adult events, Agatha Christie, murder mystery, and mystery.

Winter Short-Story Film Discussions

Winter Short-Story Film Discussions

Join Librarian Barbara Wenglin via Zoom to explore compelling film selections with the theme of “couples.” Register here for remainder of series and attend when you can. Thursdays from 2:00 – 4:15 p.m. on Zoom January 13 – Film Discussion Love Story (Paramount 1970, 1hr 40 min) Classic award-winning, heartrending feature with Ryan O'Neal as the old-money Harvard man, Oliver Barrett III, who is smitten by a no-money Radcliffe music student, Jenny Cavilleri, played by Golden Globe Winner, Ali MacGraw. Directed by Arthur Hiller, screenplay by Erich Segal, with Oscar score by Francis Lai. To view before meeting on Library's Kanopy
Read More

January 4, 2022 10:00 am | 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.

Tiny Tales: Colors We Know

Tiny Tales: Colors We Know

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 Ms. Ashley presenting “Colors We Know” Tiny Tales are made possible with support from the White Plains Library Foundation.
Read More

January 4, 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.

Turtle Dance Music: December

Turtle Dance Music: December

Turtle Dance Music presents: The Winter Wonderland Music, Bubble and Comedy Show! Thursday, December 30th, 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

December 22, 2021 9:39 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: children's events, dance, music, performing arts, trove events, and Turtle Dance Music.

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Snowflake Window Cling

Grab & Go Kits for Grades 7-12: Snowflake Window Cling

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, December 20th in the Library lobby. For this month’s project, we’re making snowflake window clings. The kit includes puffy glitter paint, Ziploc bags, and some printed snowflake templates. You'll need to provide tape and a flat surface (like a piece of cardboard.) This craft
Read More

December 20, 2021 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: arts and crafts, crafts for teens, Grab & Go kits, and winter crafts.

Battle of the Books… Club!

Battle of the Books… Club!

Join librarians Kat and Lauren for a new book club in the new year. 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. We have so much fun with our annual Battle of the Books tournament, and we're excited to be able to offer BOB events year-round. In January, we're reading It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas. We'll meet on Monday, January 3rd, at 5:00
Read More

December 15, 2021 3:20 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: battle of the books, book club, book clubs for teens, and book discussion.

Project LIT Book Club for Kids & Tweens

Project LIT Book Club for Kids & Tweens

Wednesday, January 12th 4:30–5:45 p.m. Click here to register. Join librarians Ashley and Caroline for a book discussion and trivia game for 4th to 8th graders. We will be reading When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. 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, you
Read More

December 15, 2021 3:13 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: book club, book discussion, kids book club, Project Lit, and Project Lit Community.

Feliz Navidad y Feliz Día de Reyes

Feliz Navidad y Feliz Día de Reyes

Se acerca la temporada navideña, y con ella, las reuniones con amigos y familiares. Entre bromas, recuerdos, nuestros platillos preferidos y varias generaciones alrededor de la mesa, recordamos lo mejor que la vida nos ofrece. Esperamos que disfruten de esta muestra de recursos en español y/o bilingües de la Biblioteca para ayudarles a festejar esta temporada tan especial. ¡Feliz Navidad, Feliz Año Nuevo, Feliz Día de Reyes! Celebra la Navidad y el Día de los Reyes Magos con Pablo y Carlitos, por Alma Flor Ada. La Biblioteca / eBook Las Navidades: popular Christmas songs from Latin America, por Lulu Delacre.
Read More

December 14, 2021 3:04 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, Christmas, dia de reyes, and Navidad.

December Break Week Programs

December Break Week Programs

The Library has some awesome virtual events planned during school break, December 27th-30th! A free registered Zoom account is required to access the Library’s youth programs. Get a Zoom account here. Note: The Library will be closed December 24, 25, 31 and on January 1, 2022. 3D Design & Printing for Teens Monday, December 27th – Thursday, December 30th, 1:00-3:00 p.m. Grades 6-12 Registration is required for this four-part workshop. Register here. Learn more about the program here. Storybook Dancing with Steffi Nossen School of Dance Monday, December 27th, 11:00 a.m. Children, families, ages 2-6 Access the program here. A
Read More

December 14, 2021 2:00 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: 3D design, 3d printing, cartoons, dance, drawing, drawing workshop for children, drawing workshop for kids in Westchester, music, programs for teens in Westchester, Rick Stromoski, The Edge, The Trove, and Turtle Dance Music.