Archives for COVID19

COVID-19 Testing Sites

COVID-19 Testing Sites

What's the most popular reference question lately? It's where to go for COVID-19 testing. Here's our list of local testing sites. Please note that schedules and availability of testing varies across these locations and are subject to change. Make sure to check a location's website or call before visiting. You can also call the White Plains Coronavirus Hotline with related questions at (914) 681-2900. Do you know of another White Plains testing site not listed here? Or a change with any of the listed sites? Leave us a comment below or email tbaird@whiteplainslibrary.org so we can verify and update our
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July 27, 2022 10:00 am | by | 5 Comments
Categories: COVID-19, eNewsletter, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid testing, covid-19, covid-19 testing, COVID19, and covid19 testing.

Back to School: Alleviating Anxiety

Back to School: Alleviating Anxiety

Last year was, to put it mildly, obviously a not-as-expected school year. While things are hopefully looking better for the coming year, you and your children may have some concerns. On Wednesday, September 1st at 7:00 p.m. a panel of childcare and School District professionals will be on-hand to answer questions and discuss what to expect in this school year. During Back to School: Alleviating Anxiety and Concerns, our panelists will cover recurring themes of questions and concerns submitted below. Note: the panel will not be able to answer questions specific to individual children or families during the program. Join
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August 31, 2021 10:32 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Events, and Teens.
Tags: back to school, covid-19, COVID19, and school.

Library Reopening April 29th

Library Reopening April 29th

To read this text in Spanish, click here / Para español, haga clic aquí. We are very pleased that the Library reopened on Thursday, April 29th. A huge thanks goes to all of our patrons for their patience as we navigated this past year. Some facts about our service updates: We reopened with the exact same level of service we offered over the summer: Patrons are welcome to browse the first floor collections and check out material. Appointments are no longer required to visit the Trove. We will still be mindful of the number of people using the space at
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April 27, 2021 3:38 pm | by | 17 Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: covid-19, COVID-19 update, COVID19, library hours, library reopening, and library services.

Stand Against Racism

Stand Against Racism

This year, the Library is a sponsor of the YWCA's annual campaign Stand Against Racism. The theme is “Racism is a Public Health Crisis,” something we all witnessed this past year and which has been driven to the forefront of our national consciousness partly by the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice. Understanding and addressing systemic racism from a public health perspective is crucial to eliminating racial and ethnic inequities, and to improving opportunity and well-being across communities. You can show your commitment to eliminating racism by participating in this year’s Stand Against Racism campaign in several different ways.
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March 29, 2021 4:50 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: Director's Corner, Events, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: Antiracism, covid-19, COVID19, public health, Racism, Stand Against Racism, and YWCA.

Browsing Suspended, Grab & Go Continues

Browsing Suspended, Grab & Go Continues

In response to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Westchester County, the Library is suspending browsing in the building. This means there will be no access to our first floor collections or the Trove beginning Friday, November 27. We will continue to offer reference services via phone, text, and email. Our Grab & Go services have changed. To utilize Grab & Go pickup services, place items on hold through our catalog and you will be notified when they are available. Give us a call at 422-1490 when you are heading to the Library and we will place your items
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December 28, 2020 10:00 am | by | 4 Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Director's Corner, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Homepage Teens, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: building update, closures, coronavirus, covid-19, COVID19, library services, and library update.

COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

COVID-19 Vaccine Scams

The following information is taken from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Reports on the release of COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the year are promising, but plans for distribution are still being worked out. Here’s what we know currently: The vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech has been authorized for Emergency Use while the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving towards finalizing the Emergency Use Authorization of Moderna’s vaccine. Additional vaccine manufacturers are expected to apply for FDA authorization in 2021. The distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to federal- and state-approved locations has begun. For most people living in the U.S.,
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December 18, 2020 10:08 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Evergreen, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid scams, covid vaccine, covid-19, COVID19, scam, scams, vaccine, and vaccines.

Register Now: Pause and Reflect Writing Workshop

Register Now: Pause and Reflect Writing Workshop

Pause…and Reflect: Stories from Your Side of the Window. Join us for this 8-session online creative writing workshop beginning October 6th. Through exercises and supportive evaluations, you’ll learn techniques that will help you get at the heart of your stories from the pandemic. At the conclusion of the workshop, you are invited to have your story recorded and preserved on film (see the last workshop's film below) to show us how, for all the distance, the walls and windows, the lack of touch, we are still intimately connected. This workshop welcomes all writing levels. Ultimately, these stories will become part
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October 1, 2020 1:03 pm | by | 2 Comments
Categories: Classes, COVID-19, Events, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, Pause and Reflect, and writing workshop.

Documenting COVID-19: Uplifting Rocks

Documenting COVID-19: Uplifting Rocks

Photo and text submitted by Ro Munns on May 30, 2020. An anonymous White Plains resident painted “uplifting rocks” and sprinkled them around WP neighborhoods. When people were out walking they could see and enjoy them. I saw this one on Mamaroneck Ave not far from my home. It certainly helped to put things back into perspective! Submit your own experience.
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July 24, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: community art, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photo, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19: Houses of Worship

Documenting COVID-19: Houses of Worship

Below is a compilation of submissions from local houses of worship. Bethel Baptist Church eLights of Hope newsletter (PDF), March–May 2020, Volume 1. Submitted June 3, 2020. St. Matthew's Lutheran Church Submitted by Leah Warncke, Administrative Assistant, on June 9, 2020: Attached you will find a brief paragraph about our church during this time of COVID 19 shutdown and pictures/videos of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in White Plains gathering for worship virtually. Blessings Rev. Jonathan J. Recabarren St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church has served the people in the city of White Plains for 125 years. As we gather as one body to enrich
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July 16, 2020 1:10 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19 and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, Religious Organizations, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19: PBA Volunteers

Documenting COVID-19: PBA Volunteers

Photo and text submitted by Paul Schwarz, MOWWP Board President. In March, at the beginning of the pandemic crisis, we had a knock at the door of our office at Meals on Wheels of White Plains. We were surprised to find two members of the White Plains police force. “Don't worry,” they said. “We're here as the PBA and we want to know if you need help.” Weeks later, as more and more of our volunteers declined to go out, we took them up on their offer. At the height of the crisis, for several weeks in May, members of
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July 10, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, Meals on Wheels, PBA, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19: County Courthouse Flags

Documenting COVID-19: County Courthouse Flags

Photos and text submitted by Helen Jonsen, Director of Public Information, Westchester County District Attorney's Office. April 15, 2020–On a clear windy day, flags few at half-staff in White Plains to salute those who have died of Covid-19 in New York State. Photos were taken on the plaza of the Richard J. Daronco Westchester County Courthouse. Also on the plaza is a memorial to police officers who have died in the line of duty. At one angle, it looked like the statue was joining the flags in remembrance. There was silence save for the pinging of the hooks on the
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July 3, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photo, Westchester County Courthouse, and white plains.

Parenting: Kids and Masks

Parenting: Kids and Masks

As New York begins to move through the phases of reopening, one of the most challenging things for many parents is getting your child to wear a mask. Please remember, though, children under two should not wear masks as it can be detrimental to their health. But getting children older than two—especially those with special needs—to wear a mask can be daunting, to say the least. So what I’ve done is put together some quick tips that can help you get your children to not only wear a mask, but to keep it on. Use simple words to explain to
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June 10, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, masks, parenting, parenting tips, and pointers 4 parents.

Pandemic Paraphernalia Photos

Pandemic Paraphernalia Photos

Calling all photographers — professional and amateur — of all ages: to celebrate National Photography Day on June 15th, we’re asking for your submissions and have provided prompts for you below. Photographs submitted will be shared in our weekly newsletters (adult submissions in This Week on Martine and kids and teen submissions in What’s the Story?), and they will be added to our Documenting COVID-19: White Plains Experiences collection. So please, take a look at our prompts, or get creative and submit your photos below. Ideas: Empty White Plains streets COVID cleaning supplies Work from home work area Home Schooling
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May 28, 2020 10:00 am | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Kids, Library News, and Teens.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, photography, photography prompt, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
Corona Crisis Franken-Poem

Documenting COVID-19: <br />Corona Crisis Franken-Poem

Below is a “Dr. Covid Franken-poem” assembled by White Plains Library's Poetry Slammaster Eric “Zork” Alan. Assembled from pieces of far more fantastic source poems in our monthly poetry prompt [Poets: Romina [Age 46], Nicholas Kalaj [Age 28], Nava D. Pollak [Age 11], and anonymous. Dr. Covid Franken-poem Like a Frankenstein future made properly present Piece by piece Our scars will be seen for our next generations of usersLike wondrous wheels Socially spaced we carry heavy weight Together It’s a beautiful bicycle We ride in a worrisome winter Down empty streets Across sidewalks we are separated But somehow social Dirty
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May 27, 2020 2:34 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: community poem, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
“The Dirty Glove”

Documenting COVID-19: <br />“The Dirty Glove”

“The Dirty Glove” is a poem submitted by Nicholas Kalaj, age 28. The Dirty Glove I do my job to keep these hand clean, I protect these hand from bacterias and germs that can’t be seen. I sacrifice my cleanliness for it is my job to do so, Into the green container is where the trash will go. Keeping these hands clean is my sole purpose, To clean this building is indeed a good service. Being busy is a blessing than a curse, Optimism is good because things could be far worse. Submit your own experience.
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May 27, 2020 2:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
A Bicycle on the Move

Documenting COVID-19: <br />A Bicycle on the Move

A poem, “a bicycle on the move,” submitted by Romina, age 46. A bicycle on the move A bicycle on the move Maintenance, did you say? Tires are getting low Too many holes in the road Bumps have affected my shape And I am carrying a heavy weight The breeze feels refreshing but cold Cold gets into my inner emptiness Emptiness. Is that how it feels? What’s wrong? Other bikes are riding along… I have no clear path or freedom There is fog menacing my wisdom Sounds of nature are suddenly close I feel the soft soil embracing my rubbery
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May 27, 2020 2:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, and Library News.
Tags: community poem, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.

Documenting COVID-19:
“A Pen” Poem

Documenting COVID-19: <br />“A Pen” Poem

Poem submitted by Nava D. Pollak, age 11. A pen That never stops using words A unique fountain pen Who’s nib points flat down, Yet up To let ink out just right Fill it up in the color you want Make it yours Right now this pen feels alive So much extra time to write But this pen is so sad For in the wrong hands this pen Writes things learns things A poor pen shouldn’t have to know But this pen can be used by a child A child who finds the obvious topic EXTREMELY BORING In those hands
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May 27, 2020 2:26 pm | by | No Comments
Categories: COVID-19, Featured, Homepage, Homepage Kids, Kids, and Library News.
Tags: community poem, covid-19, COVID19, Documenting COVID-19, poem, poetry, and white plains.