During the summer of 1974, the White Plains Public Library moved from a brick building on Grand Avenue to its current location at 100 Martine Avenue. Below are some photos from the construction on Martine, the interior in the early 1980s, and an image of the initial White Plains Public Library. The Foundation Gala is the evening of May 4, 2024 and we'll be celebrating the Library's 50 years at its current location! Click HERE to learn more and RSVP.
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Archives for White Plains Library Foundation
Fun, Food, and Football
Thanks to our community partner, Wolf & Warrior Brewing Company and special guest, WNBC Sports Anchor Bruce Beck, a good time was had by all at the Foundation’s Tailgate Fundraiser on February 4th. In conversation with Board member Jessica Rao Lonski, Bruce Beck spoke with us about trends in sports journalism, Taylor Swift and the Super Bowl, how he prepares for a show, and his commitment to mentoring young people through his Camp. Thank you to everyone who bought tickets!
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The Foundation’s Annual Appeal
If you appreciate the Library, then now is the time to show your support by donating to the Foundation’s Annual Appeal. We count on community contributions to help fund new programs, updated technology, and timely opportunities like events with authors, genealogists, and historians. Have you noticed all the wonderful children’s events with musicians, dancers, magicians, and other performers? These types of interactive programs are funded by the Foundation and your gift ensures they keep happening! Your support also helps expand access to laptops, mobile HotSpots, 3-D printing, coding classes, language resources, craft workshops, and new software including tools for using
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2023 Foundation Gala Photos
The White Plains Library Foundation hosted its first gala in several years, attracting a strong showing of Library supporters. Held on Saturday, March 25th, the Gala, entitled Celebrating the Freedom to Read, addressed censorship and book banning. After dinner on the Library's first floor, attendees headed to the auditorium to honor White Plains resident Oren J. Teicher, former CEO of the American Booksellers Association, Board member of National Coalition Against Censorship, and 2019 recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. In keeping with the theme, the Foundation also welcomed special guest
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Foundation Gala
The Foundation’s 2023 Gala, Celebrating the Freedom to Read, will take place on Saturday, March 25th, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. Please join us for dinner followed by a an entertaining program, (finally) together in the Library! The Foundation is honoring White Plains resident Oren J. Teicher, former CEO of the American Booksellers Association, Board member of National Coalition Against Censorship, and 2019 recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. In keeping with the theme, the Foundation is thrilled to welcome special guest Kerri Maher. She’ll be talking with us about her new
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Spring FUNdraiser May 1, 2022
Please join us for the White Plains Library Foundation‘s Spring FUNdraiser BACK IN CIRCULATION! Snacks, Sweets & Stories Sunday, May 1, 2022 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. We're thrilled to partner with STORYBOOM for a lively program featuring storytellers talking about resilience and finally getting back in circulation! Buy Tickets or Become an Event Sponsor HERE (or mail a check to the address below; please note the names of attendees on your check) Event Co-Chairs: Kristine Holden, Jessica Rao Lonski Location: Congregation Kol Ami, 252 Soundview Avenue White Plains, NY 10606 Space is limited. RSVP by April 22. Proof of vaccination
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STEAMy Summer Programs: A Look Back
Another summer of STEAM programs has finished. This was a challenging and rewarding summer like no other. In addition to increasing the length by two weeks, we also hired several more people to run programs. Among those hired were several high school students: members of the Techno Chix; a robotics club from the Girl Scouts; Mustafa Ajmal, a high school student in Oak Ridge High School, CA; and Shakira Cherimond, a graduating Senior from Ossining High School who will be attending Purchase College in the fall. By hiring multiple presenters this summer we were able to offer a wide variety
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STEAMy Summer Days
Mondays-Thursdays (except when noted) From 1:30-3:30 p.m. For teens entering Grades 6-10 in the fall. Registration is required. This summer the Library is excited to offer 8 weeks of free mini-camps for teens going into Grades 6-10 in the fall. This is the fifth year that Argus, a Verisk Analytics company, is funding these free summer camps. Week 1: 6/28 – 7/2 (Monday-Friday) 3D Prototyping With The Techno Chix Click here to register. Students will learn the fundamentals of 3D modelling and CAD (computer-aided design) using the free Onshape software to make basic models. After learning the basics, students will
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Stream Jester Jim’s Library Performance
The talented and extremely funny Jester Jim performed live for the Library on Saturday, October 10, juggling knives!, fire!, toilet plungers?! while leaving attendees laughing and amazed. In order to extend the experience so that more White Plains community members could see the show, Jim graciously allowed us to share the recording of the show. Check it out right here, anytime you want! This program was supported by the White Plains Library Foundation.
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Race Consciousness: Recommended Reading, Part 4
On Wednesday October 21st, Sachi Feris of the blog Raising Race Conscious Children will lead a workshop to help parents and caregivers learn how to talk about race with young children. Each week until the workshop, I’ll share an article or resource to help you begin thinking about some related topics. Recommended Reading, Part 1 Recommended Reading, Part 2 Recommended Reading, Part 3 For our final recommended reading piece, let’s check out a post from Sachi’s own blog: “100 Race-Conscious Things You Can Say to Your Child to Advance Racial Justice.” As you may infer from the title, this post
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Race Consciousness: Recommended Reading, Part 3
On Wednesday October 21st, Sachi Feris of the blog Raising Race Conscious Children will lead a workshop to help parents and caregivers learn how to talk about race with young children. Each week until the workshop, I’ll share an article or resource to help you begin thinking about some related topics. Recommended Reading, Part 1 Recommended Reading, Part 2 Recommended Reading, Part 4 This week, I’d like to share a few different resources that I’ve encountered as a librarian, but have found useful as a parent as well. These resources can help parents think through the way they use children’s
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Race Consciousness: Recommended Reading, Part 2
On Wednesday October 21st, Sachi Feris of the blog Raising Race Conscious Children will lead a workshop to help parents and caregivers learn how to talk about race with young children. Each week until the workshop, I’ll share an article or resource to help you begin thinking about some related topics. Recommended Reading, Part 1 Recommended Reading, Part 3 Recommended Reading, Part 4 This week, I’m sharing a New York Times article: “These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids.” While the article was written in early June, it’s still relevant. Author Jessica Grose interviewed a
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Race Consciousness: Recommended Reading, Part 1
On Wednesday October 21st, Sachi Feris of the blog Raising Race Conscious Children will lead a workshop to help parents and caregivers learn how to talk about race with young children. Each week until the workshop, I’ll share an article or resource to help you begin thinking about some related topics. Recommended Reading, Part 2 Recommended Reading, Part 3 Recommended Reading, Part 4 Let’s begin with a look at some of the key concepts involved in talking to children about race. Our first article, “Talking to Children About Racial Bias,” is from HealthyChildren.org, a website run by the American Academy
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Summer of Making Recap
Earlier this year, the Library was very happy to learn that Verisk Analytics would continue supporting our Summer of Making programs during the pandemic. We also received funds from Con Edison to support two weeks of afternoon programming this summer as well. This year we faced a big challenge: how to offer these programs virtually. The Library hired two Edge-ucators to run our virtual programs for teenagers. Carolina Melo grew up in White Plains and graduated from White Plains High School. She recently graduated from Parsons School of Design with an MFA. Michael Brand is a student at Iona College
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Race Consciousness Workshop
If you’re a parent or caregiver of young children and you’re looking forward to Ibram X. Kendi’s upcoming event, get ready to mark your calendars for this workshop in October. Sachi Feris, of Raising Race Conscious Children, will help parents and caregivers become more comfortable discussing race with young children. The virtual workshop will take place on Wednesday, October 21st, from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Register for the workshop here. Recommended Readings, Part 1 Recommended Readings, Part 2 Recommended Readings, Part 3 Recommended Readings, Part 4 A couple of years ago, I came across some racially stereotypical illustrations while reading
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Family Fun Friday – August 14: Imagine Land
Family Fun Fridays concludes this week on Friday, August 14, with a concert from Will Parker. Will Parker puts on a fun, interactive show for the whole family! Accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica, he plays original songs for kids “ages 1-100.” Throughout the Imagine Land show, the audience engages through singing-along, dancing, high-fiving, imaginative play and they even help Will create an improvised song through their suggestions! To attend the show at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14, click here to get the Zoom link! Note: All youth-focused programs now require a registered Zoom account. It is free and
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Family Fun Friday – August 7: Puppet Storytime
Family Fun Fridays continues this coming Friday, August 7, with Puppet Storytime. Puppeteer Nicola Rose returns (virtually) to the Library for a storytime together with her fuzzy orange puppet friend! To attend the show at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 7, click here to get the Zoom link! Be sure to join Nicola on Wednesday, August 5, at 11:00 a.m. for the Puppet Crafting program to make your own puppet at home! Family Fun Fridays is supported by the White Plains Library Foundation.
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Family Fun Friday – July 31: Stomp It Up Concert
Family Fun Fridays continues this coming Friday, July 31, with Darlene Graham’s Stomp It Up concert! This virtual program was created for young White Plains Library patrons ages 0-3, but all are welcome to have firsthand live musical exposure and all the benefits of music. Explore music with Darlene Graham and her upbeat, fun music show! Bring all your musical instruments from home and be ready to dance, jump and sing with Darlene! Darlene Graham is a children's musician that performs all over the East Coast with her band Darlene Graham and The Shades of Green Band. She has recorded
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Family Fun Friday – July 17: Fiesta with Flor
Family Fun Fridays continues this coming Friday, July 17, with a fantastic concert from Flor Bromley! Fiesta With Flor is an invitation to dance around the world. Come experience our Latin music fusion party as we travel (virtually this time) to the places where the rhythms were born. Children will learn about different types of music through interactive participation and an engaging performance. This is not your typical children’s concert, it’s a whole family fiesta! To attend the show at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, click here to get the Zoom link! Family Fun Fridays is supported by the
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Fall Gala 2018 with Ron Chernow
On October 20, over 200 guests enjoyed the Foundation’s 2018 Fall Gala, An Evening with with Ron Chernow. Thank you to everyone who supported the event and help raise funds for the Library! A special thank you to Vino 100 of White Plains and the fabulous venues, restaurants and businesses that donated raffle prizes for the Gala: Bowlmor of White Plains, California Pizza Kitchen, Capers Restaurant, Captain Lawrence, Chef Jonathan Kava, Copper House Restaurant, Edible Arrangements, Philip Johnson Glass House, Kee Oyster House, The Library Hotel, Moleskine, Out of Print Clothing, The Puzzle Parlour, Penguin Random House, Rattlestick Playwrights Theater,
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