We have some good news to share this week. The White Plains Public Library was one of 28 libraries—out of 400 applicants—to receive a grant of $25,000 to design and implement coding programs for young people. The grant is from Libraries Ready to Code, an initiative of the American Library Association sponsored by Google, with the mission of promoting computer science and computational thinking among youth.
We have some ambitious plans for the grant. “First, we’ll bring in people who use these skills in their professional lives so that teens can meet them and learn about real-world applications,” said Joshua Carlson, the Library’s manager of youth services. “Then next summer, we will hold an iOS development camp, something I haven’t seen any public library offer. Teens will learn coding and create apps to be submitted to the Apple App store where they will then be available for download!”
The Library will be working with youth groups throughout the city to involve their teens in the program. More on the grant is available here.
Brian Kenney |
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Battle of the Books
On October 21, Raging Pages and Team KnowlEDGE competed in the Westchester Battle of the Books, here's an update from Trove and Edge librarians on how their teams fared. Please join us in congratulating both teams on participating!
Trove librarian, Deb Gaffey: The Trove's Raging Pages team had a great day at the Westchester Battle of the Books! We won 3 of our 6 battles, winning the last two of the day. Our second to last battle was especially rewarding, as we beat a team that had been undefeated up to that point! We are so proud of all 8 kids on our team. They worked very hard preparing over the last few months, and really mastered the material from all 5 books that they read. They worked beautifully together, and demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship. We love this program, as we think it accomplishes, in the best possible way, one of our major missions - kids read, and have a great time doing it!
Edge librarian, Kat Carroll: Team KnowlEDGE represented the Edge and the city of White Plains in the teen division of this year’s Westchester Battle of the Books competition. The team consisted of ten students in grades 6-10. The teens read their five books over the summer and began weekly practices when school started. It was wonderful to watch them grow together as a team, quizzing each other and discussing their favorite parts of each book. At the last practice, they got creative and decorated distinctive team shirts to wear on Battle Day. Team practices were the highlight of my week this fall, and I am already looking forward to next year’s competition. |
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Sunday Cinema @ the Trove
Sunday Cinema continues at the Trove this month with a great selection of new and classic family films. Here’s a quick look at some of the titles we’ll be showing at 2:00 p.m. in Galaxy Hall throughout the month of November.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) – November 5
An animated family fantasy by the acclaimed Japanese master, Miyazaki, When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits, the Totoros who live nearby. Rated G, 86 minutes.
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017) – November 12
The DreamWorks animated comedy based on the wildly popular children's book series. Two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold hypnotize their principal into thinking he's a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dimwitted superhero named Captain Underpants. Rated PG (mild rude humor), 89 minutes.
Pocahontas (1995) – November 19
Come enjoy the Academy Award-nominated soundtrack in this animated classic from Disney’s 1990s Renaissance. In this film, an English soldier, Captain John Smith, and Pocahontas, the daughter of an Algonquin chief, share a romance during the period when English colonists invaded 17th century Virginia. Rated G, 81 minutes.
The Peanuts Movie (2015) – November 26
Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the "Peanuts" gang make their big-screen debut! Charlie Brown, the world's most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron. Rated G, 90 minutes.
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This Week in White Plains
In celebration of the centennial of Women's Suffrage in New York State, and in anticipation of Election Day next week we recommend the "Give Us the Vote" Exhibit at ArtsWestchester as well as The Art of Politics, a talk by Historian Louise Bernikow being held on Monday, November 6 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Both events will be held at ArtsWestchester's gallery. For more directions and more info, visit their website.
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Five Fab, New Book Group Choices: Fiction
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
“Nearly every page reflects the tangible impact of life during wartime—not just the blood and gunsmoke of daily bombardments, but the quieter collateral damage that seeps in. The true magic is how it manages to render it all in a narrative so moving, audacious, and indelibly human.”-- Entertainment Weekly
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
A riveting novel that traces the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and the enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives.
Manhattan Beach by Jennifer Egan
“…an enthralling work of historical fiction that weaves together beautiful imagery, an immersive story, and compelling characters into a single story of family secrets and unconditional love.”-- My San Antonio
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
"Hoffman delights in this prequel to Practical Magic as three siblings discover both the power and curse of their magic…The spellbinding story, focusing on the strength of family bonds through joy and sorrow, will appeal to a broad range of readers.”-- Publishers Weekly
Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin
"This sly, exhilarating novel takes on slut-shaming . . . and manages to be hilarious in the process."-- People
Watch out for our non-fiction recommendations next week.
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Fall Gala Photos
Thanks again to everyone who contributed to the Foundation’s fall Gala on October 21. Our fundraiser was a success because enthusiastic library patrons and local businesses stepped forward to support the event. To view photos and the Journal, please click here. You can also view the Journal slideshow on a monitor in the lobby of library.
Left: Gala Honoree Sloane Crosley
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Photo of the Week
We want your photos! In each issue of This Week on Martine we will feature one patron submitted photo that was taken in White Plains. To submit your photography for a chance to be featured, visit our photo submission page, upload one of your photos and fill out our form with a short description of the photo and your name.
Left: The wonderful volunteers from Food Bank For Westchester distributing food to community members at the Library Plaza. Photo by Kristen Thornton-De Stafeno.
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