Hello, Library User!
 Next time you are in the Library, look for our new comment cards at all the service desks, self-check machines, and public catalogs. They’re a way for us to learn more about your experience using the Library—what works, what doesn’t, and what we could be doing differently.
Back in the day, libraries used to have “patron comment forms” that were held at the reference desk. The public would have to ask for one at the reference desk, then return it to the reference desk as well. Not much chance for anonymity there!
The new forms can be dropped off in the blue box in the lobby—there will shortly be another box near the second floor elevator, outside the Trove. We want to know if you’re “Impressed, Pleasantly surprised, Satisfied, A bit annoyed, or Really angry”—and why. The forms are called “Hello, Brian!” because the research shows that people are more likely to complete a form if they believe it’s going to be read by a real human (that’s me).
So have at it. We’ll be back in six months to report on the responses.
Brian Kenney
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We're Hiring!
 Be a part of one of the most exciting libraries in New York! The Trove is seeking Play Assistants to join our team of librarians in April 2018 to provide high-quality services in our new early literacy and play program, Trove Time!
This is a part-time position and you will be encouraging early literacy by modeling play and implementing innovative educational activities for children ages 2-4 years old and their caregivers. In addition, you will also be setting up and putting away library materials and toys as well as caring for the children while their parents and caregivers attend workshops at the library. Training will be provided.
To succeed in this position you will need to have:
• at least one year experience working with children or be a student of early childhood literacy/education
• a love of children and the desire to have fun while encouraging play and playful learning
• the ability to form warm relationships with children and their caregivers
• high-level verbal and written communication skills
• initiative and capacity to work with minimal supervision
• availability on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the day and other times as workshop schedules dictate
• Spanish language skills a plus
We offer $15.00 per hour for this position, 5-8 hours per week. The position will run April-May, with the summer off, and begin again in September. This is an excellent opportunity for college and graduate students in early childhood education, early literacy, or related fields or experienced caregivers considering a career working with children.
To apply, please email your resume, cover letter and references to Joshua Carlson, Manager of Youth Services, jcarlson@whiteplainslibrary.org. Please put “Play Assistant” in the subject line.
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Career Panel Series for Teens
Thanks to generous grants from the Allstate Foundation and the American Library Association, the Edge will be hosting a series of job panels starting next week. To kick-off our panels, we will have tattoo artist Guy Prandstatter and voice actor Michele Knotz (Pokémon). The other February panels will feature an architect, interior designer and game developers. Additional future panels will include medical associates and politicians, including State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. All of our panelists will talk about their respective careers, but more importantly what their interests were as teenagers and the path that led them to their careers.
Tuesday, February 6 at 4:00 p.m.: voice actor Michele Knotz and tattoo artist Guy Prandstatter
Wednesday, February 21 at 7:00 p.m.: architect Rai Fernandez and interior designer Jacqueline Hosford
Wednesday, February 28 at 7:00 p.m.: game designers Greg Trefry of Gigantic Mechanic and Asif Khan from Games for Change
 
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Celebrating Black Cinema
In celebration of Black History Month, the Library's Friends group is sponsoring a month-long film festival this February. Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m., we'll show a different feature film or documentary. All films are rated PG-13.
February 6 – Marshall (118 minutes)
About a young Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Supreme Court Justice, as he battles through one of his career-defining cases.
February 13 – Good Hair (96 minutes)
Chris Rock explores the wonders of African-American hairstyles.
February 20 – John Lewis Get in the Way (60 minutes)
The first major documentary biography of John Lewis, civil rights hero, congressional leader and champion of human rights.
February 27 – Fences (139 minutes)
A working-class African-American father tries to raise his family in the 1950s, while coming to terms with the events of his life. A film adaptation of the play by August Wilson. |
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Local History Office Hours are Open!
Want to do local history or genealogical research but with  someone there to guide you? On Mondays from 2-4 PM and Fridays from 10 AM - 12 PM, local history librarian Ben Himmelfarb will be in the local history room to provide assistance in your research. No prior appointment is necessary to come during these times, but it's always better to give advance notice if you can. Email Ben at bhimmelfarb@whiteplainsny.gov or call 914-422-6980 and share some details about the people, places, or things you want to learn about. We have lots of fascinating and obscure material in our collection, but finding some of it is more complicated than browsing the shelves, so don't hesitate to stop by during Ben's office hours to get some pointers on navigating our White Plains collection.
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Stressed Out?
Are you seeking a little more calm and focus in your life? Maybe one of your New Year's resolutions was to slow down and be less harried. If so, two library programs may provide some help.
 "Relax with Reiki" on February 8, at 6:30 p.m. is a chance to discover and experience Reiki (pronounced "ray-key"), a vibrational healing practice from Japan that promotes relaxation and wellness. Reiki practitioner and teacher Andrea Deierlein (pictured left) will invite attendees to participate in some breathing and meditation exercises. She will then speak about Reiki practice, answer questions, and end the program with Reiki mini-sessions for those who are interested. Andrea is a member of the International Association of Reiki Professionals and has led popular programs throughout the county. Seating is limited. To register for the program, go to the Adult Calendar on our website or call the Information Desk at 914-422-1400.
"Lunchtime Meditation @ the Library " is a weekly program held Wednesdays from 12:15-1:00 p.m. This is an opportunity to learn basic meditation techniques and to enjoy the benefits of sitting quietly in a group setting. A brief introduction is followed by two, 15-minute periods of meditation. Experienced meditation teachers lead the group the first Wednesday of each month, allowing one to learn different approaches and styles. As the saying goes, "Don't just do something—sit there!”
For questions about either program, contact Christiane Deschamps at 914-422-1496 or cdeschamps@whiteplainsny.gov.
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February 2018 LibraryReads
Here are the top ten books published this month that librarians across the country love.
 The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Published:2/6/2018 by St. Martin’s Press
“Leni and her troubled family embark on a new way of life in Alaska’s wilderness in 1974 – hoping this is finally the solution for her troubled, POW father. In Alaska, Leni and her family are tested and when change comes to their small community her father’s anger threatens to explode and divide the town. This is a beautifully written novel, descriptive and engaging with well-developed characters and a strong sense of place.” – Alissa Williams, Morton Public Library, Morton, IL
 An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Published: 2/6/2018 by Algonquin Books
“Celestial and Roy are newly married professionals leaning in to a bright future when Roy is convicted of a crime he did not commit. This is not a heroes vs. villains tale with a tidy resolution. It is a complicated, messy, moving, and thought-provoking story about love, family, and the wide-reaching effects of incarceration. Book clubs get ready!” – Jennifer Alexander, St. Louis County Library, St. Louis, MO
 The French Girl by Lexie Elliott
Published: 2/20/2018 by Berkley
“Six friends from Oxford University spend an idyllic week in the French countryside that ends with a missing neighbor, the enigmatic Severine. Fast forward ten years and Severine turns up. Or rather her skeleton does in a well on the property. All six friends are suspects. Will the loyalties hold and who put Severine in the well? This is a fun, taut thriller.” – Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, Darien, CT
 Force of Nature by Jane Harper
Published: 2/6/2018 by Flatiron Books
“When Detective Falk learns that an informant went missing during a corporate team building exercise in the bush, he realizes that she tried to call him in the middle of the night. Harper once again creates a compelling, fast-paced, and atmospheric mystery set in a remote wilderness area of Australia. Perfect for fans of Nevada Barr and Paul Doiron. Highly recommended.” – Vicki Nesting, St.Charles Parish Library, Destrehan, LA
 Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella
Published: 2/13/2018 by The Dial Press
“Kinsella’s newest heroine has met and married Mr. Right – now how to spend the next 68 years? When Sylvie launches Project Surprise Me, she just might find that there’s always more to learn about the ones you love. Told in Kinsella’s trademark charming, relatable style.” – Ariel Kurst, Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud, MN
 Tarnished City by Vic James
Published: 2/6/2018 by Del Rey
“Tarnished City, a contemporary fantasy with a healthy dose of world-building, is just as disturbing as its predecessor, Gilded Cage. I couldn’t resist diving deeper into the dark world of Equals and Slaves. James has pushed the characters in new ways, which makes the story riveting, intense, dark, and completely entrancing.” – Monicah Fraterna, La Porte Public Library, La Porte, IN
 As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner
Published: 2/6/2018 by Berkley
“Beautifully written, heartbreaking story of four women in Philadelphia in 1918 during the Spanish Flu. I loved this book, as I have other books by Meissner and would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction.” – Cathy Branciforte, Ramsey Free Public Library, Ramsey, NJ
 How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
Published: 2/6/2018 by Viking
“Even though there is something extraordinary about Tom Hazard and his aging process the problems and insights he experiences as he goes through life, are universal. Love, memory, and time play tricks on us all as this novel illustrates so exquisitely. This is an engaging,sweeping love story with all the elements of a great historical/time travel novel. For fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife and L ife After Life.” – Mary Coe, Fairfield Woods Branch Library, Fairfield, CT
 Summer Hours at the Robbers Library by Sue Halpern
Published: 2/27/2018 by Harper Perennial
“Kit is a librarian who closes herself off from emotions and people until she meets Sunny, assigned to the library for community service. Add in a group of regulars in the library and the result is an absorbing story of developing friendships and the unveiling of secrets. Kit’s story unfolds as we meet many quirky characters in this story of love, loss, and hope.” – Ellen Firer, Merrick Library, Merrick, NY
 Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
Published: 2/20/2018 by Random House
“In her memoir, Westover recounts her childhood growing up in a strict Mormon family, ruled by an erratic father, and living off the grid in Idaho. Westover compellingly sketches her years growing up, her relationships with siblings, encounters in the town nearby, and the events that eventually drove her to leave and pursue formal education. For fans of Jeannette Walls’ The Glass Castle.” – Andrea Gough, Seattle Public Library, Seattle, WA
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Photo of the Week
Above: Full moon and White Plains city skyline taken on New Year's Eve. Photo by Barbara Woidt-Gallois.
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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