Archives for all ages

Library Foundation Presents New Video: "Transforming Lives, Every Day"

Libraries measure public service by collecting lots of data–number of books borrowed, hours of computer usage, how many people attend programs, etc. But numbers alone don't tell the story of how the Library helps people learn, build a career, find community, get inspired, have fun, and move on in their lives. The White Plains Library Foundation recently produced a video, “Transforming Lives, Every Day”, in which some of our patrons shared powerful stories of how the Library has benefited them, and we are proud to share it with you. Click here to view.
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Library Closed for Lincoln's Birthday

In honor of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, the Library is closed on Tuesday, February 12. Some recent books the Library has acquired on President Lincoln include: Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln and the Dawn of Liberty by Tonya Bolden (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2013) YA 973.71B Lincoln's Last Days: The Shocking Assassination that Changed America Forever by Bill O'Reilly (Henry Holt & Co., 2012) YA 973.7 O Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship by Russell Friedman (Clarion Books, 2012) YA 973.7 F Emancipating Lincoln: The Proclamation in Text, Context and Memory by
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Library Foundation Presents New Video: "Transforming Lives, Every Day"

Libraries measure public service by collecting lots of data–number of books borrowed, hours of computer usage, how many people attend programs, etc.  But numbers alone don't tell the story of how the Library helps people learn, build a career, find community, get inspired, have fun, and move on in their lives.  The White Plains Library Foundation recently produced a video, “Transforming Lives, Every Day”, in which some of our patrons shared powerful stories of how the Library has benefited them, and we are proud to share it with you.  Click here to view.                
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Artist Reception: Diane McCulloch – Fantasy Visions

Join us this Sunday, January 13 from 1-3 p.m. for the opening of “Fantasy Visions,” an exhibit of paintings in mixed media that are at once colorful, thought-provoking, and entertaining. Artist Diane McCulloch will be in attendance. One of her paintings, Chinese Destiny, is shown here. “Fantasy Visions” will be on display in the Museum Gallery until February 22. This show is brought to you by the Friends of White Plains Public Library.
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Categories: Events, Featured, Gallery, Homepage, and Library News.

Holiday Closings

During this busy holiday season we will be open our regular hours on most days. Please note the exceptions: The Library will be open 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (closing early) on: Christmas Eve – Monday, December 24 New Year's Eve – Monday, December 31 The Library will be closed on: Christmas Day – Tuesday, December 25 New Year's Day – Tuesday, January 1 We wish everyone Happy Holidays and a happy and healthy New Year!
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Hooked Rugs of Mary Parker

The hooked rugs of fiber enthusiast Mary Parker will be on view in the Museum Gallery at the White Plains Public Library from Monday, December 3, 2012 to Friday, January 11, 2013. Ms. Parker’s work is inspired by the past and present of Westchester and Putnam Counties. Hooked highlights include local historic sites and cemetery “folk art,” as well as other work from traditional to contemporary. Rug hooking has been called the one truly original folk art of America and Ms. Parker’s work carries forward the tradition of expression through this 19th century craft. Folk art expert, William C. Ketchum,
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Categories: Featured, Gallery, Homepage, and Library News.

Holiday Concert with New Westchester Symphony Orchestra

Join us Sunday, December 16, at 3 pm for a delightful holiday concert. The New Westchester Symphony Orchestra, a community-based ensemble of amateur musicians who gather weekly to make music, will perform at this free program. Refreshments will be served. Sponsored by the White Plains Library Foundation.
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Hooked Rugs of Mary Parker

The hooked rugs of fiber enthusiast Mary Parker will be on view in the Museum Gallery at the White Plains Public Library from Monday, December 3, 2012 to Friday, January 11, 2013. Ms. Parker’s work is inspired by the past and present of Westchester and Putnam Counties. Hooked highlights include local historic sites and cemetery “folk art,” as well as other work from traditional to contemporary. Rug hooking has been called the one truly original folk art of America and Ms. Parker’s work carries forward the tradition of expression through this 19th century craft. Folk art expert, William C. Ketchum,
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Categories: Homepage.

An Afternoon of Klezmer

Join us on Sunday, December 9 for our annual klezmer concert. Enjoy a lively & nostalgic musical journey, featuring Old World traditions & New World voices with Kapelye, “The First Ambassadors of Klezmer.” Eric Berman, tuba/bass; Ken Maltz, clarinet; and Peter Sokolow, keyboard/vocals. Two seatings from 1:30-2:30 p.m., repeated 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wikipedia explains:  “Klezmer is a musical tradition of the Ashkenazic Jews of Eastern Europe. Played by professional musicians called klezmorim, the genre originally consisted largely of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces for weddings and other celebrations.” This concert is brought to you by the Friends of White Plains
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

A Plan for the Library's Future

Interested in where the White Plains Public Library is headed the next few years? Then take a few minutes to look over our strategic plan. Many people in the White Plains community helped out with this plan, whether through interviews, focus groups, informal advice, or our morning-long planning retreat in May. Again, a big thanks to everyone for his or her time! A strategic plan is like a road map; it outlines the directions we will be taking, and the actions we need to take to reach our goals. This strategic plan covers the next three years, and is closely
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Categories: Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

The Rock 'n' Roll Show

I've been booking concerts for the Library for nearly five years now. When I started, the tradition was to have popular music (in other words, “Great American Songbook”) in the fall and jazz in the spring. While this has always been popular, I started thinking about the audiences we get for these shows. Many attendees are seniors and I'm sure the American songbook concerts have touched upon some old favorites of theirs and introduced younger attendees to classic music. However, time marches on and my own parents are seniors now. While they know many American songbook songs, they grew up
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

Halloween Stories – Intergenerational Halloween Storytelling

This Saturday, October 27 at 3:30 p.m., renowned storyteller Carol Birch will present an intergenerational Halloween storytelling performance for children in second grade and up, and adults. No younger siblings, please – it will be too scary. To make sure everyone is safe and comfortable, tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis 30 minutes before the start of the program. Please arrive early, and be prepared to be frightened!
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.

A Tribute to Musical Legend Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer began writing songs at the age of 15 and eventually became one of the foremost figures of 20th century American popular music. From the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s, many of the songs Mercer wrote and performed were among the most popular hits of the time. He wrote the lyrics to more than a thousand songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. In their show on Sunday, October 28 at 2 p.m., Sonny & Perley will highlight favorites including “Skylark,” “Accentuate the Positive,” Blues in the Night,” and “Moon River.” The husband and wife team have spent the
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Uncategorized.

Westchester Multicultural Children's Book Festival

The 1st Annual Westchester Multicultural Children's Book Festival comes to the White Plains Public Library on Saturday, October 13th from 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. The free, all day festival will offer innovative, entertaining, and fun-filled programs for children, parents, teachers, and all advocates for children. The heart and soul of the festival are our magical and inspiring authors: Jerry & Gloria Pinkney Wade & Cheryl Hudson Eric Velasquez Mayma Raphael George O'Connor Jerry Craft Sudipta Bardhan Quallen Marie Roker-Jones Yona Zeldis McDonough Candi Sparks Ginger Pate Nick Bruel Hanna Erhlich Mark Weston Torrey Maldonado Danette Vigilante Mary O'Keefe Jason
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Categories: Events, Featured, Homepage, Library News, and Uncategorized.

The Art of Bob and Berenice Pliskin

Artists Bob and Berenice Pliskin mount a retrospective exhibit of their work on view through November 16th in our Museum Gallery. Ms. Pliskin's work features paintings on silk. Mr. Pliskin displays his photography. Meet the artists at a reception on Sunday, October 14th, at 2 p.m. Ms. Pliskin will give a demonstration of the painting on silk technique on Wednesday, October 24 at 7 p.m. (Picture at left: Beach at Vernazza by Bob Pliskin)
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Categories: Events, Featured, Gallery, Homepage, Library News, and Uncategorized.

New York Says "Thank You"

Join us for a screening of the film “New York Says Thank You” by the New York Says Thank You Foundation on Saturday, September 15th, at 2 p.m. Started in 2003 at the suggestion of a 5-year-old boy, The New York Says Thank You Foundation has grown into one of the nation’s leading organizations to transform the 9/11 Anniversary into a positive, hands-on platform for national volunteer service. Filmed and edited over a six-year period, “New York Says Thank You” tells the story of survivors of 9/11 and survivors of natural disasters nationwide who have rebuilt hope in their lives
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Categories: Events, Homepage, and Library News.

Borrow Museum Passes for Free

Did you know that the Library offers free Museum Passes to the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Bruce Museum, Children’s Museum of Manhattan, The Frick Collection, Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, Katonah Museum of Art, and Stepping Stones Museum For Children?  These passes are available to all White Plains Library cardholders over the age of 18 who are in good standing.  One pass may be borrowed at a time per family.  You get the pass for three days and 2 nights and passes cannot be renewed. You may sign up for a pass up to 30 days in advance either
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Categories: Authors & Books, Homepage, and Library News.

Learning from Irene — August 14, 7pm

Building on the experience of Hurricane Irene, this program provides an opportunity to learn about coping with issues that may be lingering from that storm so as to be more prepared for future natural disasters. Activities will be demonstrated to improve techniques in resilience, coping, and relaxation. All ages are encouraged to attend the free program on Tuesday, August 14th, from 7-8pm. Presented by Project Hope, this program was created by the New York State Office of Mental Health. Project Hope offers free and confidential supportive counseling and public education services to disaster victims.
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Categories: Events, Homepage, and Library News.