We're living in unprecedented times. Many of us are working from home and adapting to shared living spaces, childcare demands, 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.
We want to hear about you, what you're doing, how you're doing, what you see outside your window. Contributions can be anything, from a three-line poem to a 200-page diary, from a photograph to an oil painting.
Documenting COVID-19: White Plains Experiences will remain a part of the Library's White Plains Collection and will be available for future students, researchers, and writers who seek to understand life in White Plains during this pandemic.
For more information, see the FAQs below or contact one of us:
Why should I participate?
When we think of history, we usually think of its major players and biggest moments. But when historians look back through historical accounts, they don’t just look for those big details – they also look for granular ones that teach us about the human condition. All of our stories matter.
In addition, the Library is committed to making your contribution accessible and preserving it for future generations.
Who can contribute?
Anyone who lives, works, studies in White Plains.
We hope that individuals will step forward with submissions, and that our many partners in the community will help by encouraging their members to contribute. Once the Library building is open, we can help with the creation of podcasts or other methods to collect people's histories.
Is this project just for adults?
No. We want to include the experiences of children and young adults, and hope that parents, caregivers, and educators will help by contributing work from young people.
Can I submit materials anonymously?
Yes, you can submit your materials anonymously.
What can I contribute?
Contributions can range from a blog post to diary entries, from letters and emails to photographs and drawings, from essays to audio or video recordings—pretty much any format you can imagine. The works must be original.
Donation Guidelines
Work must be original, no plagiarized materials will be accepted.
All donated materials will become property of White Plains Public Library for use by the Library.
What should I document?
When we think of history, we usually think of its major players and biggest moments. But when historians look back through historical accounts, they don’t just look for those big details – they also look for granular ones that teach us about the human condition. The average person’s perspective on any given day. Your story matters.
Can I submit materials anonymously?
Yes, you can submit your materials anonymously.
How do I submit videos?
- upload the video to YouTube
- enable the ability to download the video
- submit the link in the form below
-by submitting the link you grant us permission to download it and upload it to our channel
We will need to run the video off our channel to be able to maintain the links for permanent display.
Documenting COVID-19: White Plains Experiences – Release
I understand that the White Plains Public Library (WPPL) is collecting materials for the following project: Documenting COVID-19: White Plains Experiences. I understand that the content I submit may become part of WPPL's records and be made publicly available. I agree that WPPL may use my submission.
In consideration of my participation in this project, I hereby freely and voluntarily relinquish and transfer to WPPL all title and property rights that I have or may be deemed to have in the submitted material throughout the world. I understand that these rights include, without limitation, all rights, title and interest in any copyright. I understand that WPPL may assign, license, and sublicense these rights to other entities.
I understand that WPPL may, without further approval on my part, exhibit, distribute, edit, transcribe, publish, publicly perform and publicly display my work, or any portion thereof, with or without my name, in all media whether now existing or hereafter developed. I hereby waive any right to inspect or approve any uses of the submitted material.
I release, hold harmless and indemnify WPPL and its trustees, officers, agents, and employees from and against all claims, including but not limited to claims for defamation, invasion of privacy or right of publicity, liabilities, damages, and expenses including attorney's fees, court costs, and other such losses resulting from or related to the use of my work.
This release shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, without regard to its conflicts of law principles.
I understand this release is binding on me, my heirs, legal representatives, and assigns.
