Archives for Library News

Fairy Houses – an Exhibit and a Play Workshop

An exhibit showcasing the lovely fairy houses and fairy realia of Joan Monk and Bev McAllister from the Westchester Children’s Museum: Museum Without Walls can be currently seen at the Library’s second-floor lobby and in the Trove. The display promotes the upcoming crafts program, Fairy Houses – a Play Workshop, that will be presented at the Library by staff from the Westchester Children’s Museum on Sunday, March 24th at 2 pm. Children in grades 1-6 will be creating fairy houses which will then be arranged into a village for parents and younger siblings to view at 3:30 pm. To make
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

National Poetry Month Events

April is National Poetry Month! In celebration of poetry, we're offering two inspiring programs. We hope you'll join us for one or both. Professor Lee Schlesinger returns to the Library on Sunday afternoon, April 7, from 2:00-4:00 PM, with a timely talk on ”The Power of Poetry and Literature in Troubled Times.”  Dr. Schlesinger defends the value and meaning of poetry and literature in our stressful, technology-driven world, with examples of enduring works that lift the spirit and illuminate the soul. (Special thanks to the Friends of White Plains Public Library for making this lecture possible.) Dr. Schlesinger is an
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Financial Goals and Personal Budgeting Techniques – Allstate Readiness Series Personal Finance Workshop I

Join us Tuesday, March 19, at 7 pm for the first session of our spring Personal Finance Workshop series. Financial awareness is becoming increasingly more important in every person's life.  The first step to becoming financially aware is to understand what goes into making a personal budget.  This seminar presented by financial educator Lew Tischler gently walks you through the process of personal budgeting and financial goal setting. Sponsored by a grant from The Allstate Foundation. Future events in this series: Workshop II:  Credit Cards, Credit Scores, and Debt Management–Tuesday, April 16 Workshop III: Basics of Insurance, Savings, and Investing–Tuesday, May 14
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Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Mini Golf in the Library: "Tee Off for Education"

On Saturday, March 16, experience the Library in a “hole” new way, as the Library is transformed into a miniature golf course!  Kids and adults get to play in two separate events, a free family fun afternoon and an adults-only evening fundraiser “19th hole” party.  Families and kids ages 3-11 can drop by anytime from 1-4:30 p.m. to play mini golf, and see the Balloon Man create amazing balloon animals.   To ensure the comfort and safety of patrons, timed tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning at 12:30 pm, in the Museum Gallery.  Refreshments will be
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Historic Firefighting Equipment on Display in The Trove

You don’t want to miss the collection of historic firefighting equipment on display in The Trove this month. Several items, on loan from the City of White Plains Local History Collection, have been incorporated into The Trove’s Black History StoryWalk®. Among the old firefighting hats on display is one worn by past White Plains Fire Chief Griffen. There’s also a wooden debris shovel which was used by Chief Griffen to clean up and scoop out after fires. If you look at the back of the shovel, you can even see the chief’s initials, H. A. G., carved into it. Be
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Campaign Finance Reform in New York State

The public is invited to a presentation, “We Need It Now! Campaign Finance Reform in New York State,” on Wednesday, March 13, 7-9 p.m., in the Auditorium.  Discussion leaders Laura Ladd Bierman, Executive Director, and Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director, of the New York State League of Women Voters, will talk about why we lose the very core of democracy if only candidates with big money run for office.  Co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters Westchester County, White Plains, and New Rochelle, and the Library.  
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Immigration Workshop

The Pace Community Law Practice will hold a two-hour presentation about immigration law on Saturday, March 9, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Workshop topics include family-based and humanitarian-based immigration remedies, such as: the new 601A waiver; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); asylum; and marriage filings. The session will provide a general overview of the New York State and federal public benefits for which non-citizens are eligible. After the presentation, the Pace Community Law Practice staff will be available for a general question and answer period. Any recent changes in immigration law before the presentation will also be briefly discussed. The new
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Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Library Foundation Presents New Video: "Transforming Lives, Every Day"

Libraries measure public service by collecting lots of data–number of books borrowed, hours of computer usage, how many people attend programs, etc. But numbers alone don't tell the story of how the Library helps people learn, build a career, find community, get inspired, have fun, and move on in their lives. The White Plains Library Foundation recently produced a video, “Transforming Lives, Every Day”, in which some of our patrons shared powerful stories of how the Library has benefited them, and we are proud to share it with you. Click here to view.
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

This Sunday: Brian Carter Quartet

Kicking off our 2013 jazz series is New Rochelle native Brian Carter and his renowned jazz quartet on Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m. The quartet will play traditional and fusion jazz, a delight for all ages. You may have seen Brian Carter Quartet previously at the White Plains International Food & Jazz Festival (September 2012) or White Plains summer lunch hour concert series (August 2012) – come enjoy their music again. Coming up in the series is Ladies' Day on Sunday, March 10 and “The Incomparable Ethel Waters” featuring jazz vocalist Shirley Crabbe on Sunday, May 19. (Both sponsored
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Black History StoryWalk® Opens Sunday, February 17

This month, we remember important people in Black History. Some are widely known while others are less known. However, the accomplishments by these people as a whole are significant and worthy of being shared. Join us in The Trove as we celebrate Black History. The Black History StoryWalk® will open in The Trove on Sunday, February 17 at 1:00 p.m. and run through Sunday, March 17 at 5:00 p.m. Along this Walk, children in grades 1 – 6 will learn about Molly Williams, a slave and cook for NYC’s Fire Company 11 in 1818. She is thought to be America’s
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Jazz in February: The Brian Carter Quartet

Kicking off our 2013 jazz series is New Rochelle native Brian Carter and his renowned jazz quartet on Sunday, February 24 at 2 p.m. The quartet will play traditional and fusion jazz, a delight for all ages. You may have seen Brian Carter Quartet previously at the White Plains International Food & Jazz Festival (September 2012) or White Plains summer lunch hour concert series (August 2012) – come enjoy their music again. Coming up in the series is Ladies' Day on Sunday, March 10 and “The Incomparable Ethel Waters” featuring jazz vocalist Shirley Crabbe on Sunday, May 19. (Both sponsored
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Celebrate Chinese New Year! Wednesday, February 13 at 4:30 pm

Celebrate the year of the snake with Chinese Language Development Center teachers. Hear stories, learn some calligraphy and Chinese paper cutting. This after school program is for children Kindergarten through 4th grade. Limited space – tickets distributed a half hour before program, so please arrive early.
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Library Closed for Lincoln's Birthday

In honor of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, the Library is closed on Tuesday, February 12. Some recent books the Library has acquired on President Lincoln include: Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty by Tonya Bolden (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2013) YA 973.71B Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O'Reilly (Henry Holt & Co., 2012) YA 973.7 O Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship by Russell Friedman (Clarion Books, 2012) YA 973.7 F Emancipating Lincoln: The Proclamation in Text, Context and Memory by
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Citizenship Workshop — Presented by Westchester Community College

On Saturday, February 16, from 1 p.m.-4 p.m., the White Plains Public Library will host a free citizenship workshop. This workshop will present an overview of the U.S. citizenship test; how it is set up and what is on it. It will also include an overview of the free test preparation materials that are available to the public. Participants will become familiar with the civics and English portions of the exam and will do some practice for both sections. The workshop is designed both for those who have already applied for U.S. citizenship and for those who are planning to
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Seeking Work? Join the Job Club!

Out of work? Underemployed? Looking to change career paths or just start one? This newly formed job club is for you. Each week professional career counselors will introduce a new significant topic to the job seeker such as interview skills and social media. Get support, exchange ideas or explore new strategies. Adults are welcome each Tuesday morning, 10:30-11:30, from now until April 30. (No club February 12 or March 26.) Come to all sessions or come when you can. For further information, contact Librarian Sharon Rothman (914) 422-6979 or SRothman@whiteplainslibrary.org
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Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

For Teens: Music Remix Through Hip Hop Elements

Have you ever wanted to make your own hip hop music or wonder how artists mix songs together? Then join us for this 6-week workshop where you will learn about hip hop and mix your own song. Saturdays, January 19 – February 23, from 2:30-4:30 PM. Registration is required, open to teens only. Register through our online calendar or by calling or visiting the 1st Floor Reference Desk.
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Categories: Classes, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.