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STEAM at Home: Earth Day

STEAM at Home: Earth Day

Earth Day is here, a day to work collectively to celebrate the planet we call home and improve the environment. Even though we are isolating ourselves, we can recycle, plant and garden, and make sure not to litter (especially masks and gloves!). Now, more than ever, small acts of love and kindness can make the world a better place. We can also spend time with our family and teach them how to become more self-sufficient and sustainable. For example, you can create a fun Earth Day tree STEAM project by using found items such as twigs, lentils, dry beans, rice
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April 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: Earth Day, everyday STEAM, Observances and Celebrations, STEAM, STEAM activities, and STEAM at home.

Celebrate Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day

Today is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and it is now celebrated annually on April 22 in over 193 countries as a way to show support for environmental protection. You can celebrate at home with: A project for adults and kids learning how to sustainably grow your own vegetables from scraps. Checking out some of Trove Librarian Raquel’s awesome recommendations for Earth Day eBooks on Hoopla or Overdrive/Libby! Taking part in Which Craft? Wednesday: Earth Day edition. Join Edge Librarian Erik to learn how to upcycle used snack bags into a decorative
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April 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Earth Day, Observances and Celebrations, and STEAM activities.

STEAM at Home: Plants from Scraps

STEAM at Home: Plants from Scraps

Today’s Earth Day! There’s a lot of discussion online these days about at home learning. There’s also a lot of discussion online about taking the scraps of vegetables and re-growing them, as a project but also as a way to get more usage out of foods you have purchased. Putting those two discussions together equals one great STEAM at Home project. This is a fun project that promotes sustainability, teaches about gardening, and provides yummy results! It would be great for Earth Day, or any day! What you need: The “ends” of vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, green onions/scallions, etc.
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April 22, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Earth Day, everyday STEAM, gardening, plants, STEAM activities, and STEAM at home.

Earth Day Book Picks

Earth Day Book Picks

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day – first celebrated on April 22nd, 1970. To mark the important event that underscores the need to care for our planet, here are some noteworthy titles you may enjoy: PICTURE BOOK: We Planted a Tree By Diane Muldrow & Bob Staake eBook on OverDrive/Libby Diane Muldrow’s book focuses on the importance of trees in the lives of people all over the world. Her poetic text focuses on two families – how they each plant a tree, and how each tree helps the two families. Bob Staake’s child-friendly illustrations depict the beauty and
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April 22, 2020 9:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: book recommendations, children's literature, Earth Day, eBooks, Observances and Celebrations, and virtual book display.

Poetry for Children

Poetry for Children

National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. In order to celebrate National Poetry Month, I would like to highlight the diverse poetry collections available on Libby and Hoopla for kids with a three-part series showcasing six great titles. What are Libby and Hoopla? Libby and Hoopla are both easy-to-use apps that allow you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks with your library card for free. Both apps have thousands of adult, teen, and children’s titles that you can borrow using your iPad, tablet, or phone by downloading the apps from your app store. Hoopla
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April 20, 2020 3:11 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, national poetry month, Observances and Celebrations, and poetry.

Books to Get Moving

Books to Get Moving

Being in isolation is no reason to just lounge around. Get up, move! Do some yoga! Take a walk through your neighborhood (with a mask on, of course)! Some exercise and fresh air will do wonders for your mood, health, and general well-being. Connect your physical activity to some reading activity. Here’s some picture books available through Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla to get you started with activities to take part in while moving. Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer (Overdrive/Libby) Daniel’s Good Day by Micha Archer (Overdrive/Libby) City Moon by Rachel Cole (Overdrive/Libby) Run Wild by David Covell (Overdrive/Libby) Wiggle
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April 20, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's literature and virtual book display.

Arab-American Heritage Month

Arab-American Heritage Month

For this month’s column highlighting titles by Arab-American authors, I leaped at the chance to open a book from my to-read list: Darius the Great is Not Okay, by Adib Khorram. When Darius’ grandfather is diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor, his parents take Darius and his little sister on their first trip to Iran. Even the pronunciation of Darius’ name is different in Iran, but the change frees him to try new experiences, discovering a talent for soccer and making new friends. The book addresses a range of issues in Darius’ life: the medication he takes to treat his
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April 17, 2020 12:30 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Arab-American Heritage Month, eBooks, Observances and Celebrations, YA books, and YA literature.

Poetry for Children

Poetry for Children

National Poetry Month was established by the Academy of American Poets in April 1996. In order to celebrate National Poetry Month, I would like to highlight the diverse poetry collections available on Libby and Hoopla for kids with a three-part series showcasing six great titles. What are Libby and Hoopla? Libby and Hoopla are both easy-to-use apps that allow you to borrow eBooks and audiobooks with your library card for free. Both apps have thousands of adult, teen, and children’s titles that you can borrow using your iPad, tablet, or phone by downloading the apps from your app store. Hoopla
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April 17, 2020 10:16 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's books, children's literature, national poetry month, Observances and Celebrations, and poetry.

Ramadan Virtual Book Display

Ramadan Virtual Book Display

“Ramadan is considered one of the holiest months of the year for Muslims. In Ramadan, Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Qur’an, and fast from food and drink during the sunlit hours as a means of learning self-control, gratitude, and compassion for those less fortunate. Ramadan is a month of intense spiritual rejuvenation with a heightened focus on devotion, during which Muslims spend extra time re-reading the Qur’an and performing special prayers. Those unable to fast, such as pregnant or nursing women, the sick, or elderly people and children, are exempt from fasting.”–ING Here are some books for you and
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April 16, 2020 11:17 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: children's literature, Observances and Celebrations, Ramadan, and virtual book display.

DIY Masks and FAQ

DIY Masks and FAQ

Over the past few weeks, recommendations on the use of fabric masks have evolved rapidly. At first, there was skepticism that homemade alternatives were effective. However, since the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that everyone should wear a fabric face cover in public, I’ve seen an explosion of mask-making information online. With Governor Cuomo's new decree requiring everyone to cover their mouths and nose in public, we will likely see even more. Sorting through the sheer number of patterns, and the contradicting information about the effectiveness of various filter materials, has been overwhelming and even
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April 15, 2020 11:00 am | by | 2 Comments
Categories: COVID-19, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: coronavirus, covid-19, mask tutorial, and masks.

Food Pantries

Food Pantries

The following food pantries are still open: Ridgeway Alliance 465 Ridgeway, White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 949-3714 Monday 10:00-2:00 p.m. Tuesdays 4:00-6:00 p.m. Wednesdays 10:00-2:00 p.m. Fridays 10:00-2:00 p.m. (Not every Friday, should call) First Baptist Church 456 North Street White Plains 10605 (914) 946-5207 (No set hours please call) White Plains Schools Food Distribution https://www.whiteplainspublicschools.org/ El Centro Hispano Operating from the Post Road School 175 W Post Rd, White Plains, NY 10606 April 16th, May 7th, May 21st, June 4th, June 18th at 3:00 p.m. Food will be distributed through the Soundview entrance. Make the Road New York 46
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April 14, 2020 5:16 pm | by | 3 Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, food bank, food pantries, and food pantry.

Resources for Seniors

Resources for Seniors

Supermarket Special Hours/Lanes Whole Foods—Customers over 60 can shop one hour early, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. each day. Stop and Shop (both on Westchester Avenue and on North Broadway)—Customers over 60 as well as customers with compromised immune systems can shop from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. each day. ShopRite in City Center—Customers over 60 can shop from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. each day. Trader Joe’s in Hartsdale—Seniors have a special shopping line from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. each day. Store is closed April 20th for a deep clean but will reopen on April 21st. Check this
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April 14, 2020 3:01 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: coronavirus, covid-19, and seniors.

Everyday STEAM: Bouncy Egg

Everyday STEAM: Bouncy Egg

Creating a bouncy egg is fun and easy. All you need is white vinegar, an egg, and a jar or a cup. The first part of the experiment has you simply placing the egg gently in the jar and pouring vinegar into the cup. Next, a caregiver can explain that the process of creating a bouncy egg will take twenty four hours. For that reason, it’s good to do this in the morning so that the child can be present for the experiment and experience of a bouncy egg.   After twenty four hours you can carefully take the egg
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April 14, 2020 2:55 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: experiment, STEAM, STEAM activities, and STEAM at home.

Poetry Prompt for Teens

Poetry Prompt for Teens

Dear White Plains Library Poets, In addition to sharing a daily poem of the day from our Poetry Slam archives, we want to have a separate program for teens to get us through these tough times by working together to form a collaborative poem. With that in mind, we would ask you to do the following if you are interested in participating: Write a list poem of things that make you smile. Find the subject noun in every item and ADD alliteration. Try to rewrite the list into something more “poetic”…use the above alliteration, rhyme, repetition, and any other poetic
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April 14, 2020 9:53 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: national poetry month, poetry, poetry prompt, and poetry slam.

NYT eBook Picks

NYT eBook Picks

A recent article from NYT Parenting highlights some great youth titles featuring kids stuck inside. All of these books are available with your library card on either Overdrive/Libby or Hoopla. Ages 3-7 The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss, available on Overdrive/Libby Corduroy by Don Freeman, available on Overdrive/Libby Ages 8-12 Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins, available on Overdrive/Libby The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner, available on Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, available on Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla The Doll People by Ann Martin, available on Overdrive/Libby The Long Winter
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April 13, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: eBooks, NY Times, and recommendations.

Safe at Home

Safe at Home

Some of the sites listed here may be offering some content free of charge or may be offering free access currently in response to the virus, but will move to a charge model again in the future. Please take care when using these sites to avoid unwanted charges. Previous Installments in this Series Stuck at Home Staff Picks 1 Stuck at Home Staff Picks 2 Stuck at Home Staff Picks 3 Stuck at Home Staff Picks: Teens Edition Great Ideas for Activities and Experiences Children’s Museum of Manhattan At Home Daily Activities Long List of Virtual Activities and Experiences for
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April 13, 2020 9:56 am | by | No Comments
Categories: eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Family CV, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: at home learning, covid-19, safe at home, staff recommendations, and stuck at home.

Autism Acceptance Month

Autism Acceptance Month

While browsing available ebooks on the Libby app, I was pleased to find a Big Library Read selection that complements Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month. The current selection is a memoir: Funny, You Don’t Look Autistic, by comedian Michael McCreary. I enjoyed reading about McCreary’s experiences, beginning with his diagnosis at age five and continuing along his path to success as a stand-up comedian. McCreary shares hilarious anecdotes of relatable social awkwardness and moments of self-discovery. He also has a knack for explaining autism—at least, his experience of it—in an approachable way. As McCreary says, not every 22-year-old might feel
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April 9, 2020 1:54 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Authors & Books, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage Teens, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: Autism, Autism Acceptance Month, book recommendations, Observances and Celebrations, staff recommendations, and YA literature.

Battle of the Books Announcement

Battle of the Books Announcement

By Ashley Bressingham, Kathlyn Carroll, Deb Gaffey, and Lauren Lichtenthal. – Youth Services staff. After all the reading that we did for the children’s and teen Battle of the Books book selection process, we’re pleased to announce the official titles for the next Battle of the Books competition. While we’re not sure whether the next competition will take place in October 2020 or 2021, we’re excited to get a head start on preparing for the tournament. Grades 4-6: New Kid by Jerry Craft The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan Bob by Wendy Mass and
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April 8, 2020 3:04 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Library News.
Tags: battle of the books.

Tech Tips for Parents

Tech Tips for Parents

“Tech Tips for Parents” is a weekly, digitally-streamed series where Digital Media Specialist Austin Olney will give relevant tips and knowledge for incorporating technology at home. To register, click the relevant link for the event you wish to attend. Tech Tips for Parents: Offline Technology Ideas Tuesday, April 28 4:30 – 5:15pm This week, a variety of “offline” activities will be discussed that do not require digital technology, but nonetheless teach core concepts within the related field. A Q&A will follow. Register in advance here.
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April 7, 2020 2:05 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: tech tips for parents and technology.