Archives for all ages

Igloo VR Programs (April-May)

Attention all patrons! Get ready for a journey like no other as the Library invites you to explore new and exciting virtual experiences with our newly installed panoramic video room, the “Optimum Technology Room,” which uses technology installed by Igloo Vision. Thanks to the support of Optimum and the White Plains Library Foundation, we are now able to bring you 360 virtual reality content without the need for a headset. You'll be able to experience 360 videos, interactive immersive apps, 360 slideshows and more, all projected onto three walls in the room. Igloo Virtual Tour – Venice: Thursday, April 6,
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Categories: Library News.

Navigating by the Stars

From April 1st through June 30th, the Harriet Tubman – Journey to Freedom sculpture by Wesley Wofford will be on display in Renaissance Plaza in downtown White Plains. In conjunction with this historic visit by the sculpture, the Library and many other community partners organized events related to Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and more. Find the full listing of the community-wide programs and events here. Navigating by the Stars Tuesday, May 17th, 6:00 p.m. (virtual) Grades 4+, Teens, Adults Have you ever wondered how ancient people told time? Or traveled from point A to point B without a smartphone
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Categories: Events and Library News.

Roots of Black Music in America

Wednesday, June 1st, 7:00 p.m. (virtual) Children, Teens, Families, Adults Note: All of our youth-focused virtual programs require a registered Zoom account to attend. Sign up for a free Zoom account here: http://zoom.us/signup. Music is a language that students of any age can understand and appreciate. It connects us, elevates our awareness, and deepens our learning beyond reading the words of a textbook. Audiences will sing, dance, use percussion, and practice call and response as they journey back in time to learn about and experience the music of the most influential Black musicians in American history. Join musician, producer, arts
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Categories: Library News.

Harriet Tubman: Journey to Freedom Programs and Events

From April 1st through June 30th, the Harriet Tubman – Journey to Freedom sculpture by Wesley Wofford will be on display in Renaissance Plaza in downtown White Plains. In conjunction with this historic visit by the sculpture, the Library and many other community partners are organizing events related to Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and more, throughout April, May, and June. Below, you will find a listing of the Library’s events in conjunction with the statue’s visit to White Plains. Get the Zoom link for each virtual program by clicking on that program’s date and time. Find the full listing
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Categories: Library News.

The Art of Local History: Collage Night

Our first local history collage night was a success! Children's Librarian Raquel Cavalcanti and I teamed up for a night of stories, crafting, and history. When we found extra local history books published by the White Plains Historical Society had damaged bindings, we asked if we could put them to use as collage materials. The Historical Society agreed, and a program was born! Examples of the boxes our crafters made are below.    
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Categories: Local History.

Fifth Annual Harlem Fine Arts Show Comes to White Plains

The Harlem Fine Arts Show will celebrate its 5th Annual Event, showcasing artists and authors on Tuesday, March 29 at the White Plains Library, 6 – 9 p.m. The event showcases African American artists and authors from the New York metropolitan area. This year’s special recognition honorees will include the acclaimed R&B and pop singing group Atlantic Starr and youth phenom Julius Rodriguez. Featured authors include: Flo Anthony, David Banks, Dr. Martia Goodson, Monica Michelle and Carol Hill Mackey. Over 200 Children enrolled in the White Plains Youth Bureau’s After School Connection program have been busy creating beautiful pieces of
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Categories: Events, Gallery, and Uncategorized.

Chamber Music of William Eckfeld

Please join us Sunday, February 21, at 2 p.m. for a free concert featuring the chamber music of William Eckfeld, composer and performer. The program includes works for strings, piano, clarinet, euphonium and tubas. Mr. Eckfeld, a White Plains resident, was the orchestra director at White Plains High School from 1987-2013. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, he was a member of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra before beginning his career in music education. As a composer, he has written numerous works for chamber groups, soloists, and orchestras. He serves as organist for the
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Categories: Events.

A Sense of Place: Research Workshop

January's edition of the White Plains History Roundtable will be A Sense of Place: Research Workshop on Wednesday, January 20, from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM. Ever wondered what the layers of history and human experience are that combine to create White Plains? Join Librarian Ben Himmelfarb and student of White Plains history Cliff Blau to learn how to research the history of any address, building, business, house, or spot in White Plains. Maps, directories, photographs, and online resources from the White Plains Collection will be available for everyone to use. Come prepared with a favorite place to research and
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Categories: Events and Local History.

Family Tinker Time

Saturday, January 16 from 1:00-3:00 PM We are inviting tinkerers, DIYers, and makers to come and use the equipment in The Edge-Media Lab with your family. This is a self-initiated learning and practice time, NOT a class. Some of the equipment available will be Arduino kits, Wacom tablets, video and audio editing equipment, 3D printers, CNC machine and sewing machines. If you have experience or would like to learn a little about these come in and bring your kids.
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Categories: Events.

Poetry Slam with Desiree Dallagiacomo on Dec. 2nd

Our exciting Poetry Slam series continues on December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. with an Open Mic, Poetry Slam, and performance from guest poet Desiree Dallagiacomo.  As always, our Slam will be hosted by Eric ZORK Alan. Desiree Dallagiacomo ranked 3rd at the 2014 Individual World Poetry Slam, 3rd at the 2015 Women of the World Poetry Slam, 3rd at the 2014 National Poetry Slam, and she is a Pushcart Prize nominee. She has traveled the country teaching and performing poetry. She has been a guest instructor at dozens of universities, including Dartmouth, Vanderbilt, and Columbia University. Her work has been
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Categories: Authors & Books, Events, and Teens.

Chess Challenge with Joshua Colas

Saturday, Oct. 24, 2-4 p.m.–Calling all chess players, 3rd Grade through High School! White Plains HS Senior, and international chess champion, Joshua Colas will play two rounds of “simul” chess, where he plays up to 16 players at the same time! The first round starts at 2 p.m. and the second is at 2:45. Preregistration is not required; tickets for both sessions will be given out starting at 1:30. Joshua is the 2015 New York State High School Chess Champion.  Read more about his outstanding career at www.joshuacolas.com.
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Categories: Events, Library Foundation, and Teens.

CITY OF WHITE PLAINS 3RD ANNUAL WELLNESS WEEK

The White Plains Youth Bureau, in cooperation with the White Plains Cares Coalition and the Coalition for Living Wellness, will host the City’s 3rd Annual Wellness Week Celebration September 19 through September 28. Wellness Week will begin with a free outdoor Kick-Off Festival on Saturday, September 19, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m., on Court Street between Martine Avenue and Main Street. The kick-off event will feature musical performances, health and wellness vendors that attendees will be able to interact with games, food and more! The kick-off celebration will be followed by a week of wellness events, to be held at locations
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Categories: Events.

Join Us at National Night Out!

Stop by the Library's table at White Plains Department of Public Safety's National Night Out event onTuesday, August 4, from 6 p.m. to dark. We'll be promoting Library programs for everyone in the family, and distributing teen safe driving information and giveaways made possible through our generous grant from The Allstate Foundation.  A fun annual event featuring many community groups and free entertainment, National Night Out will take place on South Lexington Ave. outside of the Public Safety building.  Here's a picture from last year's event.
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Categories: Events and Library Foundation.

Hidden in Plain Sight Opens in The Gallery

“Hidden in Plain Sight,” an exhibition of photographs by Barry Katzen of architectural details on buildings in White Plains, will go on view at The Gallery in the White Plains Public Library on June 19. The exhibition will be open to the public through August 2, 2015. Long-time White Plains resident Barry Katzen has spent the last decade recording architectural details throughout the city. “I sought out the interesting, the beautiful, the mysterious, and the downright strange.” Katzen has captured valuable visual treasures which are still embedded in our built environment. Opening reception will be at 6:30 p.m. on June 18. It is free and all
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Categories: Gallery.

Join us in Celebrating the Triumph of the Armenian Spirit

On Sunday, June 14 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. we’re hosting a program of Armenian culture for all ages, “Emerging from the Shadows: The Triumph of the Armenian Spirit.” Come enjoy Armenian songs (instrumentals featuring duduk, oud, dumbeg and piano), Armenian poetry recitation, Armenian dance, and craft making for children. This is a rare opportunity to hear the ancient duduk (doo-dook), a woodwind instrument with double reeds and a haunting timbre. Musicians Mirijohn and Anoush Givelekian, Stamford residents, along with Richard and Connie Shelengian of White Plains, are two husband-wife couples seeking to preserve their culture and share it with the community.
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Categories: Events, Library News, and Uncategorized.

Take Movies, TV Shows and More on Vacation with You

Want to keep the kids (or yourself) busy on vacation? Did you know you can get thousands of movies, television shows, music albums and audiobooks for mobile and online access through a partnership with hoopla digital? White Plains Library card holders can download the free hoopla digital mobile app on their Android or iOS device or visit hoopladigital.com to begin enjoying thousands of titles – from major Hollywood studios, record companies and publishers – available to borrow for instant streaming or temporary downloading to their smartphones, tablets and computers. hoopla digital has a simple sign-up and attractive, easy-to-use interface, so it’s easy to get to your listening and viewing
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Categories: Homepage.

Stone Barns Center Now Included in our Museum Pass Program

The Library is excited to announce the Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture is now available as part of our Museum Pass Program. We have 2 passes to the Center: one is specifically for Saturday visits and one is specifically for Sunday visits. The passes allow entry for up to 2 adults and 4 youth OR 1 vehicle.  You should reserve the pass for the specific day you want to visit. Note: The Center is also open Wednesday through Friday and admission is free so there is no need for a pass. The Center is located at 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.