Archives for Library News

Dive into Diversity: National Diabetes Awareness Month

Dive into Diversity: National Diabetes Awareness Month

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Diagnosed cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes are surging among youth in the United States. From 2001 to 2017, the number of people under age 20 living with type 1 diabetes increased by 45%, and the number living with type 2 diabetes grew by 95%.” According to the article, “New Research Uncovers Concerning Increases in Youth Living with Diabetes in the U.S.,” “The greatest increases in type 2 diabetes prevalence were seen in youth who are Black or Hispanic, and the
Read More

October 21, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, Dive into Diversity, National Diabetes Awareness Month, Observances and Celebrations, picture books, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Author Visit with Anita Hill

Author Visit with Anita Hill

Please join us for a virtual author visit with Anita Hill on Monday, November 1, 7:00–8:00 p.m. She’ll discuss her new book, Believing: Our Thirty-Year Journey to End Gender Violence, a combination of memoir, personal accounts, law, and social analysis. Anita Hill is University Professor of Social Policy, Law, and Women’s and Gender Studies at Brandeis University. After the 1991 Senate confirmation hearings for U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, Hill became a leading figure in the fight for women’s rights and against gender-based violence. Believing is a story of America's three decades long reckoning with gender violence, one that
Read More

October 21, 2021 9:58 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: Anita Hill, author event in Westchester, author event in White Plains, author visit, and meet the author.

October 2021 LibraryReads

October 2021 LibraryReads

Here are the books published this month that librarians across the country love. All The Feels by Olivia Dade Library Catalog: Print “Alex is an actor on a Game of Thrones-type TV show entering its final season. Lauren’s job is to keep him out of trouble. Their relationship develops over forced proximity, a road trip, and tons of fanfic tropes (only one bed!). This steamy romance, with flawed, genuine characters and sensitive treatment of mental health and body issues, is a delight from start to finish. For fans of Spoiler Alert, Girl Gone Viral, and One To Watch.” —Lauren Mitchell,
Read More

October 19, 2021 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, and Library News.
Tags: librarian recommendations, Library Reads, library staff picks, LibraryReads, October LibraryReads, and staff recommendations.

Turtle Dance Music

Turtle Dance Music

Turtle Dance Music presents: Spooky Halloween! A Virtual Music, Bubble and Comedy Show! Thursday, October 21, 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. The Spooky Halloween Show! engages children with comedy, singing, the itsy-bitsy spider, bats, goblins, ghouls, bubbles, music technology and a monster mash dance party for the kids! The show is crafted to be inclusive for children of all abilities and a great time for parents and caregivers. Each song in the 40-minute show is
Read More

October 18, 2021 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.

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Learn to Knit

Grab & Go Craft Kits: Learn to Knit

Teens in grades 7-12 can pick up a kit with project supplies at the Library, then follow along with the 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, October 18th in the Library lobby. This month's kit contains everything you need to learn to knit. The kit contains knitting needles and yarn. The goal with this kit is to complete the garter stitch square swatch. I’ve already done the cast-on and the first
Read More

October 18, 2021 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: crafting, crafts, Grab & Go kits, Grab&Go Kits, knitting, and teen volunteers.

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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,
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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, October, science fiction audiobooks, Spooktober, 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.
Read More

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, October, online library storytime, Spooktober, 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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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
Read More

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, October, Spooktober, 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
Read More

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
Read More

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, October, podcasts, Spooktober, spooky podcasts, staff picks, and staff recommendations.