I’ve recently jumped on the audiobook bandwagon, after resisting them—for no good reason—for years. Yes, I know, I’m late to the party. But it took David Sedaris reading his book Theft by Finding: Diaries (1977-2002) to do the trick. His wry, gentle voice lent so much more to the experience than merely reading the book in print. Since then I’ve enjoyed the very British, meta-mystery Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz and am about to start J. D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis.
Our Library has a great collection of audiobooks on CDs, over near the fiction collection. But we have even more audiobooks available in a digital format, available for download. While digital makes a lot of things easier—like not having to come to the library to borrow and return—there is a catch: our digital audiobooks are available over several platforms, and they’re all a bit different. Check out audiobooks on Overdrive, hoopla, the Cloud Library, and Total Boox (and if you like Overdrive, be sure to download Libby, their new app. It makes searching and borrowing so much easier!)
Sounds complicated? Relax. We’re here to help. If you’re just getting started with downloading  audiobooks call us at 422-1400 and make an appointment for a one-on-one session. We’ll have you listening in no time.
Brian Kenney
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Local History Room Grand Opening
 On December 7th, from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, we are having a combined White Plains History Roundtable and opening reception for the library's new local history room. Some will remember when a past version of the local history room was located on the first floor, and will be happy to know it's back. Our topic on the 7th will be women's suffrage. 2017 is the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in New York State and two amateur local historians have created presentations about women from Westchester County who were instrumental to the success of the suffrage movement. An exhibit created by Colleen Fay that documents the suffrage movement in Westchester will be on display and we will hear a presentation from Nate Levin about the historical narratives that compete to define the movement. We will have refreshments, interesting historical materials to view, and Levin's presentation will be followed by a discussion.
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Five Questions for Austin Olney
 Austin, who joined the Library in 2013 as a Digital Media Specialist, helps patrons to become digitally literate and provides them with technology skills necessary for the modern world. He was instrumental in developing the Edge—where he still conducts many workshops—but also works with adults in the Hub and even our youngest patrons in the Trove. He is well known for his Drop-In Computer Help sessions. Austin has a master’s in education, is a certified Social Studies teacher, and earned an A+ (Plus) Certification from CompTIA IT Industry & Association.
What's a digital media specialist?
I look at a Digital Media Specialist as someone who is not only an expert in all areas of computer-related technology, whether it is hardware knowledge or network troubleshooting, but one who is also able to relay that information to patrons and staff in an effective way. I strive to meet this ideal, and it means constantly learning!
What do you enjoy most about your work?
My favorite part of working at the library is the people. I love the daily interactions with patrons, of all ages, and staff. Libraries are a great place of learning and fun, and I consider myself a lucky person to be in such a position.
What happens during Drop-in Computer Help?
I run a frequent program called "Drop-in Computer Help," in which patrons (and sometimes staff) bring in whatever technical problem or challenge they have at the moment, and I try to help them with it. It is a group setting but each person gets individual attention. The issues patrons bring to the event range from email login troubleshooting to laptop optimization. My motto for each session is "no matter what happens, you will leave in better shape than you arrived."
I see you have a new program, Social Media 101. Why did you develop this?
I recently became aware that many patrons at the library are unfamiliar with the countless social media outlets available these days and would like help. As I spend a great deal of time assisting teenagers in the "Edge" teen room, I am up to speed with most of them, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and can shed light on the layered medium. Did you know that one hundred hours of video is uploaded to YouTube every minute? Note: the next class will be held December 13 at 11:00 a.m.
What new technology are you learning now?
The newest digital skill I am learning at the moment is application development for Virtual Reality (VR) systems. The library has two of the major VR headsets available, and I am able to test the technology and teach patrons how they can too! Check our library calendar to see what classes are coming up. There is always something new to learn.
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This Week in White Plains
Feeling in the holiday spirit or just need an extra dose of cheer to get you there? Then don't miss City Lights, Bright Holiday Nights in Renaissance Park on Sunday, December 3 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy music, refreshments, carousel rides, hands-on crafts and much more.
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New Books of Note
 Promise Me, Dad : A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Joe Biden (2017)
Grief and loss have not managed to level Joe Biden—neither in the past, nor more recently with his son Beau’s death from cancer. Resolutely carrying on his responsibilities as vice president while caring for his son and family, Biden promises his son that he will be all right. Vanity Fair calls this “a brisk, often uplifting read, a consequence of its author’s congenital jollity and irrepressible candor.”
 After the Fire by Henning Mankell (2017)
This last novel by the author most known for his Kurt Wallander Series is a sequel of sorts to his soulful Italian Shoes (2006). Elderly, recluse Fredrik Welin loses everything he owns to a house fire, is suspected of arson, and deals with complicated feelings about his daughter, inheritance, and death. Library Journal reviewer Patrick Sullivan describes the book as “a powerful celebration of life wrapped in a Swedish crime novel” and recommends it highly to fans of literary fiction.
 Nobu : a Memoir by Nobuyuki Matsuhisa (2017)
Take a look behind the noren into the life of one of the world’s most successful chef restaurateurs. From his start as an apprentice washing dishes in a sushi bar to his high-finance negotiations years later with Robert De Niro, Nobu holds fast to his standards of hard work, passion for excellence, perseverance, use of high-quality ingredients, and focus on customer satisfaction (“my guests’ smiles mean more to me than Michelin stars”). A plainspoken and inspiring memoir that is sprinkled with management advice (“always thank the dishwashers”) and snippets of wisdom.
Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward (2017)
“In her first novel since the National Book Award–winning Salvage the Bones (2011), Ward renders richly drawn characters, a strong sense of place, and a distinctive style that is at once down-to- earth and magical.” (Booklist July 2017). |
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Photo of the Week
Above: In filming of "The Americans" on Church St., a Dodge Coronet was used in one of the scenes. Photo by Jerry Schwartz.
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.
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