Archives for Library News

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Picture Books

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Picture Books

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, takes place in May. It celebrates the culture, traditions, and history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Stanford University’s Asian American Activities Center website states that May, “was chosen because two important anniversaries fall during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad by many Chinese laborers on May 10, 1869.” To explore the history, traditions, culture and arts of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the Library of Congress has put together a useful
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May 12, 2020 10:41 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, and staff recommendations.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: YA Fiction

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month: YA Fiction

Having missed out on Star Trek as a child, I first heard of George Takei about ten years ago when he began posting hilarious memes on Facebook. More recently, he’s been known for his political activism and for sharing his childhood experience in an internment camp during WWII. This is the topic of his 2019 graphic novel They Called Us Enemy. Takei relates the circumstances of his family’s forced removal from their Los Angeles home and the four years they spent behind bars. He tells the story as he experienced it as a child, layered with facts he learned from
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May 11, 2020 4:35 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, staff recommendations, YA Fiction, and YA literature.

Jewish American Heritage Month: Chapter Books

Jewish American Heritage Month: Chapter Books

White Plains is a wonderfully diverse community! Parents, children, and teens have expressed an interest in titles that reflect the diversity in the community, and Ashley, Kathlyn, and Raquel's “Dive Into Diversity” column will spotlight noteworthy children's and teen titles that are inclusive, diverse and multicultural to fulfill that interest. Ashley's portion is aimed at readers in grades 4-6. May is Jewish American Heritage Month and I enjoyed reading the delightful My Basmati Bat Mitzvah by Paula J. Freedman, which Kathlyn suggested I try. Read on to find out more about why your child may have fun reading it as
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May 11, 2020 3:22 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Jewish American Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, and staff recommendations.

Jewish American Heritage Month: Picture Books

Jewish American Heritage Month: Picture Books

Jewish American Heritage Month is a month to celebrate the contributions Jewish Americans have made to America since they first arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654. The Library of Congress website states that, “On April 20, 2006 President Bush issued the first Presidential Proclamation which designated May 2006 as Jewish American Heritage Month.” The National Museum of American Jewish History has a great website to explore resources that highlight American Jewish history, art, and culture and their virtual resources can be explored here. Highlighted below are three notable picture books geared towards younger readers that explore the history and culture
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May 11, 2020 1:34 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Jewish American Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, and staff recommendations.

STEAM at Home: Creepy Candy

STEAM at Home: Creepy Candy

To celebrate Eat Anything You Want Day and Twilight Zone Day (May 11), I thought it would be fun to experiment with creating some creepy candies: dancing worms, growing gummy bears, and rainbow candy art. I have always been fascinated by creepy crawlies and I have a sweet tooth, so a project that combined experiments with candy sounded like lots of fun. I also love researching STEAM projects and learning the creative science behind the process. As an adult, it’s a really fun way to get in touch with your inner child. And as a parent or caregiver these experiments
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May 11, 2020 1:23 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

Jewish American Heritage Month: YA

Jewish American Heritage Month: YA

While making a list of potential titles for this month, I was drawn to In the Neighborhood of True by Susan Kaplan Carlton. It’s historical fiction, set in Atlanta in 1959 (rather than WWII, as many other YA historical fiction titles are). I just had to see what the author would do with this setting and time period. When Ruth’s father suddenly dies, her mother resettles the family in a guest house belonging to her own wealthy parents. Ruth’s grandmother is heavily invested in the local debutante scene and encourages Ruth not to mention her Jewish faith around her new
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May 11, 2020 10:32 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: digital audiobooks, eBooks, hoopla, Jewish American Heritage Month, Observances and Celebrations, OverDrive, and YA Fiction.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month began in the United States in 1949 by the Mental Health America organization. In her Publisher’s Weekly article, “Mental Health and Middle Graders,” Shannon Maughan writes, “A 2019 article in JAMA Pediatrics cites data revealing that one in six youths ages six to 17 experience a mental health disorder in a given year, and that in 2016, 16.5% of U.S. youths ages six to 17 (7.7 million people) experienced a mental health disorder.” To read her article in full click here. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I have gathered together noteworthy books for younger
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May 8, 2020 2:57 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: digital audiobooks, eBooks, hoopla, libby, Mental Health Awareness Month, Observances and Celebrations, OverDrive, and virtual book display.

Library Launches Documenting COVID-19 Collection

Library Launches Documenting COVID-19 Collection

We're living in unprecedented times. Many of us are working from home and adapting to shared living spaces, childcare demands, and social isolation. Others have had health challenges or find themselves unemployed. Meanwhile, we hear examples of adaptation and education, creativity and bravery. Our lives have continued in new ways. For these reasons, the Library—with your help—is creating a new collection: Documenting COVID-19: White Plains Experiences. The Library wants to hear about you, what you're doing, how you're doing, what you see outside your window. Contributions to the Library’s collection can be anything, from a three-line poem to a 200-page
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May 7, 2020 10:47 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Director's Corner, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: collection, coronavirus, covid-19, and local history.

Offline Technology Projects: Ideas for Parents

Offline Technology Projects: Ideas for Parents

How to Create a Phenakistoscope How to Make a High-Quality Flip Book How to Make a Holographic Illusion Pyramid Code a Lego Maze DIY Cipher Device DIY Chess Set DIY Maze for Kids to Make How to Make a 3D Topographic Map How to Make Collage Art Using Magazine Clippings Ultimate Beginner’s Perler Bead Guide Easy Graph Paper Art for Kids The 8-step guide to creating and publishing your own comic book How to Make a Storyboard for Film Printable PDF Version: Offline Technology Projects Ideas for Parents GRAPHIC DESIGN How to Make Collage Art Using Magazine Clippings
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May 7, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Homepage, Kids, Library News, Technology, and Teens.

Parenting: Sensory Needs at Home

Parenting: Sensory Needs at Home

Parents, teachers, special education service providers, and everyone who works with children are doing everything they can during these unprecedented times to help our children thrive. One thing many younger children are missing out on in this at home environment is sensory input. This is important for not only our children who have sensory issues (most common in children with autism spectrum disorder and ADHD), but also for typically developing children. As a parent whose son seeks sensory input constantly, I have been working with his service providers to give him as much as possible. I started out this quarantine
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May 7, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: parenting tips, sensory-friendly, special needs, and special needs parenting.

Hoopla Staff Picks: American Songbook & Broadway

Hoopla Staff Picks: American Songbook & Broadway

Possibly our most dynamic digital resource, Hoopla includes a variety of different formats from books to movies and music. In order to highlight some of these, we've gathered staff recommendations of just a few formats you can stream and download with your library card. Below are some album recommendations from Adult Services & Local History Librarian Austin Duffy and Adult Services Librarian Sharon Rothman. The Great American Songbook picks from Austin: Bing Crosby. Bing Sings the Great American Songbook. Short, breezy covers of classics like “Manhattan” and “I’ve Got A Crush On You.” Nancy Wilson. The Great American Songbook. Elegant,
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May 6, 2020 11:20 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: hoopla, music, staff picks, and staff recommendations.

Census: Not too Late to Count

Census: Not too Late to Count

During this time when it can be difficult to find a way to help our city, there is a very important thing you can do to support it – and the best part is that it can be done from your own home. If you haven't responded to the Census yet, take 10 minutes to shape our future for the next 10 years. Online, phone, and mailed self-responses continue through October 31st. Complete the Census online here or call (844) 330-2020. Have questions? Give us a call at (914) 448-4859.
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May 6, 2020 10:13 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter and Library News.
Tags: 2020 Census and census.

Hoopla Creative Writing Resources

Hoopla Creative Writing Resources

Writing can be a cathartic and stress-reducing activity, making it well suited to our current reality. Just as reading a good book can be a comfort right now, getting lost in a writing prompt can also be a portal into another world. Luckily, Hoopla offers a wealth of resources for writers of all ages, from children to adults. I’ll start by recommending a creative writing book by one of my favorite authors, Gail Carson Levine. I’ve loved her books since middle school, when I read Ella Enchanted, an original fairy tale about a girl who is cursed with the gift
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May 6, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: creative writing, hoopla, and writing.

STEAM at Home: Trove Kinetic Sculpture

STEAM at Home: Trove Kinetic Sculpture

I know there are a lot of people out there who are big fans of the kinetic sculpture in the Trove. The sculpture was created by Jeffrey Zachmann, a kinetic sculptor from Minnesota. Interested in knowing more about the creator of the Trove’s kinetic sculpture? Watch this interview where Mr. Zachmann discusses his work. At the end of each week’s What’s the Story? Safe At Home newsletter, I’ve been sharing videos of a variety of really cool kinetic sculptures and marble runs as an homage to the kinetic sculpture in the Trove. Those videos I have shared so far have
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May 6, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Jeffrey Zachmann, STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, STEM, and Trove Kinetic Sculpture.

Mother’s Day Book Display

Mother’s Day Book Display

Mother’s Day is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday in May, which falls on the 10th of May this year. Usually in the Spring, Mother’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world! The day honors mothers and grandmothers for their love, nurturing, and care. If you are interested in creating some lovely hand-made flowers for the special moms and grandma’s in your life join Lina Cavalcanti’s craft program by watching the video here. To celebrate the mothers and grandmothers in our lives, I have gathered a collection of fun and noteworthy titles below:  
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May 5, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Mother's Day, Observances and Celebrations, and virtual book display.

Make a Flower Gift for Mother’s Day!

Make a Flower Gift for Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day will be here soon! If you’d like to make something for your mom(s) or grandma(s), watch the video below as Lina Cavalcanti shows you how to create hand-painted, paper flowers for your special someone(s). Looking for some books to read with your loved ones? Then check out this collection of Mother's Day themed eBooks I recommended. Using a few basic materials, you can create a unique gift – and have fun in the process! In this craft program video you’ll learn how to hand paint the paper, cut out the petals, and embellish your flowers to make something
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May 5, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Mother's Day, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, and STEAM at home.

STEAM at Home: Lava Lamp

STEAM at Home: Lava Lamp

Make a Lava Lamp using materials found around your home. Then experiment with it. Materials: Clear glass cup Water Vegetable oil Food dye Alka Seltzer Light – flashlight or lamp Procedure: Fill the glass ¼ full with water. Add some food dye. Fill the rest of the glass with vegetable oil (but not all the way to the top). Break up the Alka Seltzer tablet into 4 pieces. Drop 1 piece of Alka Seltzer into the glass and see what happens. Once it has worked, turn off the rest of the lights in the room and place the glass over
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May 5, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: STEAM, STEAM activities, STEAM at home, and STEM.

National Paranormal Day

National Paranormal Day

As a kid, my journey into reading and loving books began with the paranormal. I devoured Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy books along with R.L Stine’s Fear Street. I quickly moved to comic books like The Maxx, horror books by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and my favorite author Robert R. McCammon. I also began to venture into manga, especially CLAMP, an all-female Japanese writing group that wrote Cardcaptur Sakura, xxxHolic, and Tsubasa. Most of their manga has elements of Japanese mysticism and the occult. With the popularity of Stranger Things, we can see that the paranormal can be a coming
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April 30, 2020 2:11 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: eBooks, Observances and Celebrations, Paranormal Day, and staff recommendations.

Free Comic Book Day

Free Comic Book Day

While Free Comic Book Day (usually celebrated on the first Saturday of May each year) has been postponed due to the virus, and the Library is unable to host our usual big celebration with fun activities and comics to give away thanks to Aw Yeah! Comics in Harrison, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy some comics at home! To get your comics fix, I do encourage you to check in with your local comic book shops (Find yours here!). Many are doing great virtual events, offering deals on comics to get physical books to you at home by pulling titles
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April 30, 2020 1:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: comics, Free Comic Book Day, graphic novels, and Observances and Celebrations.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, or the fifth of May, is a holiday that celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s May 5, 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Enjoy these books about the holiday and more books that celebrate Mexican culture. Books About Cinco de Mayo/May 5th: Celebra el Cinco de Mayo con un jarabe tapatío, by Alma Flor Ada, F. Isabel Campoy (Spanish) (OverDrive) Marco’s Cinco de Mayo, by Lisa Bullard (Hoopla) Cinco de Mouse-O!, by Judy Cox (Audio-Book) (Hoopla) Cinco de Mayo, by Rachel Grack (Hoopla) Cinco de Mayo, by M.C. Hall
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April 30, 2020 1:08 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Cinco de Mayo, eBooks, Observances and Celebrations, staff recommendations, and virtual book display.