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Pound Ridge Library

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September is Classical Music Month – celebrate with Hoopla and Classica

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Celebration of Classical Music Month started in 1994 by President Bill Clinton, who declared every September as Classical Music Month. His proclamation stated, “Classical music is a celebration of artistic excellence… This month we exalt the many talented composers, conductors, and musicians who bring classical music to our ears… Music is a unifying force in our world, bringing people together across vast cultural and geographical divisions.”

Celebrate Classical Music Month with hoopla. See the collection here.

Celebrate Classical Music Month with Classica on Libby. Watch beautiful classical music, operas, and ballets from around the world, anywhere, anytime. Delight in masterful performances on your favorite devices. Access Classica from the Extras menu on Libby.

  • More than 1000 concerts all commercial free!
  • New content added weekly
  • Concerts, operas, ballets, documentaries, Festivals and more!

Back to school with Scholastic ebooks on Hoopla

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Thousands of eBooks from Scholastic are now available with Hoopla Instant! You can access popular series like Wings of Fire and The Hunger Games, along with titles from celebrated authors like Dav Pilkey, Sarah Mlynowski, and more. Hoopla is free with your library card. See the collection here.

Kirkus award finalists announced

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A leading literary trade publication, Kirkus Reviews, has announced 18 finalists for the 2023 Kirkus Prize in the categories of Fiction, Nonfiction, and Young Readers’ Literature.

See them all here.

2023 Booker Prize Longlist announced

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The 13 books chosen by this year’s judges are:

A Spell of Good Things by Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀
Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery
How to Build a Boat by Elaine Feeney
This Other Eden by Paul Harding
Pearl by Siân Hughes
All the Little Bird-Hearts by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes  
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo 
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
The House of Doors by Tan Twan Eng  

Read more about the authors, the judges and the longlist here.

Bloomberg Connects app: guides to over 200 museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens, from the palm of your hand

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Download the app here.

Explore expert-curated guides from cultural institutions across the globe

With the free Bloomberg Connects app, explore expert-curated content and guides to over 200 museums, galleries, sculpture parks, gardens, and cultural spaces from the palm of your hand. From behind-the-scenes guides, to artist and expert-curated video and audio content, Bloomberg Connects makes it easy to discover arts and culture, anytime, anywhere.

Thousands of hours of content from 200+ institutions, for free

Bloomberg Connects features thousands of hours of bespoke audio, video and text content, with more content being added every month. The app makes it easy for you to explore arts and culture on your own time, at your own pace. Quick snackable content or deep dives. On-site or from home. In your city or around the world. All guides are downloadable, allowing you to explore them even when you’re offline.

See all the available guides here.

View the 2022 Financial Audit here

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View the 2022 Financial Audit here

At the close of each fiscal year, the Accounting Firm will perform the annual audit in accordance with generally accepted government accounting principles (GAGAS) and in conformity with the requirements of the New York Office of the State Comptroller. Upon completion of the audit, the Accounting Firm shall provide a written report and opinion letter to the Audit Committee for review and then to the Board of Trustees at a regularly scheduled meeting. It is understood that any findings of the year-end audit that require corrective action will be discussed and appropriate remediation taken in a timely manner.

After receipt and approval by the Board of Trustees, the audit and report will be available to anyone who wishes to view it.

Lisl Steiner, photographer and Pound Ridge resident

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Lisl Steiner, one of the most important and influential female photographers ever, died June 7, 2023 at a hospital near her home in Pound Ridge, New York (United States) at the age of 95. 

Lis Steiner was an internationally acclaimed photographer, with a career spanning roughly 70 years as a photojournalist, who started in 1959 and during which she worked for highly prestigious illustrated publications like Life magazine, The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, Keystone Press Agency, O Cruzeiro and others, having photographed a huge variety of world-class personalities in the scope of the arts, music, politics, sport, cinema, literature, science and so forth, like Henri Cartier-Bresson, Oscar Niemayer, Martin Luther King, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Louis Armstrong, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Ray Bradbury, Pelé, Robert Kennedy, Duke Ellington, Ingrid Bergmann, Miles Davies, Leonard Bernstein, Cornell Capa, Carmen Amaya, Adlai Stevenson, Richard Nixon, Franz Beckenbauer, Rod Steiger, Pau Casals, Pablo Neruda, Nat King Cole, Sir Thomas Beecham, Dwight Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, Henry Kissinger, Andy Warhol, Erich Leinsdorf, Fidel Castro, Ronald Reagan, B. B. King, Norman Mailer, Jorge Luis Borges, Claire Yaffa, Friedrich Gulda and many more, in addition to having worked in Television productions for channels like NBC and PBS. 

Friend and admirer,  José Manuel Serrano Esparza wrote an amazing article in loving memory. See the article with many photographs here.

Hallmark Movies Now BingePass

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Stream feel-good films and series for free with your library card! This BingePass gives you unlimited access to the entire Hallmark Movies Now on-demand library for seven days. Enjoy exclusive Hallmark Originals, along with 1,500+ hours of ad-free content from Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Curl up with series like When Calls the Heart, Chesapeake Shores, and The Way Home. With new releases added weekly, you can catch up on your favorite shows and movies anytime, anywhere. Check out your Bingepass here on Hoopla.

Fiction Best Sellers

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Fiction Best Sellers

Happy Place
By Henry, Emily
2023-04 – Berkley Books
9780593441275 Check Our CatalogINSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!“The beach-read master hooks us again.”–PeopleNamed a Most Anticipated Book of 2023 by BuzzFeed ∙ Paste Magazine ∙ Elle ∙ Southern Living ∙ SheReads ∙ Culturess ∙ Medium ∙ Her Campus ∙ Readers Digest ∙ Zibby Mag and more!A …More

Lessons in Chemistry
By Garmus, Bonnie
2022-04 – Doubleday Books
9780385547345 Check Our Catalog#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – GMA BOOK CLUB PICK – Meet Elizabeth Zott: “a gifted research chemist, absurdly self-assured and immune to social convention” (The Washington Post) in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show. – APPLE TV+ SERIES COMING LATER THIS YEAR
…More

Covenant of Water
By Verghese, Abraham
2023-05 – Grove Press
9780802162175 Check Our CatalogOPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK – INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERFrom the New York Times-bestselling author of Cutting for Stone comes a stunning and magisterial epic of love, faith, and medicine, set in Kerala, South India, following three generations of a family seeking the answers to a strange secret“One of the best books I’ve …More

Demon Copperhead
By Kingsolver, Barbara
2022-10 – Harper
9780063251922 Check Our CatalogWINNER OF THE 2023 PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTIONA New York Times “Ten Best Books of 2022 – An Oprah’s Book Club Selection – An Instant New York Times Bestseller – An Instant Wall Street Journal Bestseller – A #1 Washington Post Bestseller“Demon is a voice for the ages–akin to Huck Finn or Holden…More

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
By Zevin, Gabrielle
2022-07 – Knopf Publishing Group
9780593321201 Check Our CatalogNEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER – Sam and Sadie–two college friends, often in love, but never lovers–become creative partners in a dazzling and intricately imagined world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality. It is a love story, but not one you have read before. “Delightful and …More

Yellowface
By Kuang, R. F.
2023-05 – William Morrow & Company
9780063250833 Check Our CatalogWhite lies. Dark humor. Deadly consequences… Bestselling sensation Juniper Song is not who she says she is, she didn’t write the book she claims she wrote, and she is most certainly not Asian American–in this chilling and hilariously cutting novel from R.F. Kuang, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Babel.Authors June…More

Lady Tan’s Circle of Women
By See, Lisa
2023-06 – Scribner Book Company
9781982117085 Check Our CatalogThe latest historical novel from New York Times bestselling author Lisa See, inspired by the true story of a woman physician from 15th-century China–perfect for fans of See’s classic Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and The Island of Sea Women. According to Confucius, “an educated woman is a worthless woman,” but Tan Yunxian–born into an elite family, …More

The Guest
By Cline, Emma
2023-05 – Random House
9780812998627 Check Our CatalogA young woman pretends to be someone she isn’t in this “spellbinding” (Vogue), “smoldering” (The Washington Post) novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Girls.“Under Cline’s command, every sentence as sharp as a scalpel, a woman toeing the line between welcome and unwelcome guest becomes a fully destabilizing force.”–The New York …More

The Wind Knows My Name
By Allende, Isabel
Translator Riddle, Frances
2023-06 – Ballantine Books
9780593598108 Check Our CatalogThis powerful and moving novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea and Violeta weaves together past and present, tracing the ripple effects of war and immigration on one child in Europe in 1938 and another in the United States in 2019.“Both stories are rich enough to carry the weight of one novel, but Allende expertly …More

Hello Beautiful
By Napolitano, Ann
2023-03 – Dial Press
9780593243732 Check Our CatalogNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK – From the author of Dear Edward comes a “powerfully affecting” (People) family story that asks: Can love make a broken person whole?“Another tender tearjerker . . . Napolitano chronicles life’s highs and lows with aching precision.”–The Washington PostWilliam Waters grew up in a house …More

Remarkably Bright Creatures
By Van Pelt, Shelby
2022-05 – Ecco Press
9780063204157 Check Our CatalogA Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!“Remarkably Bright Creatures is a beautiful examination of how loneliness can be transformed, cracked open, with the slightest touch from another living thing.” — Kevin Wilson, author of Nothing to See HereFor fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and…More

The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece: A novel
By Hanks, Tom
Illustrator Sikoryak, R.
2023-05 – Knopf Publishing Group
9780525655596 Check Our CatalogNEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER – From the legendary actor and best-selling author: a novel about the making of a star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film…and the humble comic books that inspired it. Funny, touching, and wonderfully thought-provoking, while also capturing the changes in America and American culture since World War II.“Wild, ambitious and …More

All the Sinners Bleed
By Cosby, S. A.
2023-06 – Flatiron Books
9781250831910 Check Our Catalog“Fresh and exhilarating. . . Cosby keeps his eye on the story and the pedal to the metal.” –Stephen King, The New York Times Book Review
A Black sheriff. A serial killer. A small town ready to combust.The new novel from New York Times bestselling and Los Angeles Times Book Prize-winning author S. A. Cosby, “one of…More

Good Night, Irene
By Urrea, Luis Alberto
2023-05 – Little Brown and Company
9780316265850 Check Our CatalogThis “powerful, uplifting, and deeply personal novel” (Kristin Hannah, #1 NYT bestselling author of The Four Winds), at once “a heart-wrenching wartime drama” (Christina Baker Kline, #1 NYT bestselling author of Orphan Train) and “a moving and graceful tribute to heroic women” (Publishers Weekly, starred review), asks the question: What…More

Horse
By Brooks, Geraldine
2022-06 – Viking
9780399562969 Check Our Catalog“Brooks’ chronological and cross-disciplinary leaps are thrilling.” —The New York Times Book Review“Horse isn’t just an animal story–it’s a moving narrative about race and art.” —TIME
“A thrilling story about humanity in all its ugliness and beauty . . . the evocative voices create a story so powerful, reading it feels …More

The White House takes action against book bans

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The White House stated that the Department of Education will appoint a new coordinator to address the growing threat that book bans pose for the civil rights of students, among other steps. In a statement, ALA President Lessa Kanani‘opua Pelayo-Lozada responded: “We are heartened by the Biden-Harris administration’s leadership to address the alarming rise in book bans. Everyone deserves the opportunity to see themselves and their family reflected in the books in their library’s collection.”

Read the announcement from the Biden-Harris administration here.

Banned books on Hoopla

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Check out the Challenged Books collection on Hoopla. This collection features audiobooks and eBooks that have been subject to censorship or challenges due to their controversial or sensitive content.

Important News About Libby For Amazon Fire Tablets

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Libby is now available to download from the Amazon Appstore. Going forward, users with Amazon Fire tablets should download Libby directly from the Amazon Appstore instead of manually sideloading the app.
Additional details:
The OverDrive app will be removed from the Amazon Appstore on June 7, 2023. Fire tablet users who already have the OverDrive app installed can continue to use it for now, but it is no longer in active development. The OverDrive app will display messaging encouraging those with compatible devices to upgrade to Libby.The web page that hosted OverDrive’s Libby APK instructions for sideloading will redirect users to the Amazon Appstore to download Libby. Users with OverDrive’s Libby APK on their Fire tablet can continue to use that version. If a user would like to switch to the Amazon Appstore version of the app, they can follow these steps.  Note: Users who switch from the APK version to the Amazon Appstore version of Libby may lose their Libby timeline activity, search history, and app customizations (see below). They will not lose their loans, holds, or tags.The Kindle Book format remains available to users in the U.S. only.
OverDrive app reading history in Libby
We will soon make users’ borrowing history from the OverDrive app and your library’s OverDrive website available on their Timeline in Libby. This update will take place over the next several days and will allow users to keep track of all titles they previously borrowed from your digital collection in one place. Learn more on Libby Help.

Acorn TV is now available on Hoopla

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Captivating characters from Britain and beyond. Stream or download addictive dramas, thrilling mysteries, and heart-warming comedies, on hoopla with your library card.

Browse the titles here.

These Were the 13 Most Banned Books of 2022

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According to the American Library Association released its list of the most frequently banned or challenged books of 2022, with Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer again taking the top spot.

Drug Abuse and Prevention website SUPE

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 SUPE Substance Use Prevention Education.

SUPE is an interactive drug education platform for individuals of all ages. It is free to use and has a large selection of resources that include:

  • Videos for Kids and Teens
  • Interactive Activities to Reinforce Learning
  • Helpful Articles for Parents, Teachers, & Aging Adults
  • Resource for all Members of the Workforce
  • Information for First Responders

Interested in learning about your genealogy?

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FamilySearch is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to helping all people discover their family story. FamilySearch.org is nonprofit and free. Get started here.

Westchester Library System website is getting a whole new look

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Westchester Library System will have a whole new look… introducing Aspen Discovery.

WLS is implementing Aspen Discovery for our public catalog to make materials easier to “discover.” It has a fresh look and feel, but even more important, the user experience includes a fully Spanish language interface, eContent is integrated, and patrons can view featured services and program promotions.

It is anticipated that you will have access to all of your lists. As a precautionary measure, we encourage you to save your lists before April 24th. Here is how.

Want to see what it will look like? Here are some libraries that are using Aspen now:

Which is the best e-reader?

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No one enjoys lugging a big pile of heavy books on their vacation. E-readers to the rescue! Slim and lightweight, they fit right in your purse, beach bag or backpack. See these options for which are the best e-readers to bring on your next vacation. Then download ebooks from Libby for free from Westchester Library System. All you need is your library card. Get started here.

Books about nature and the environment

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In honor of Earth Day, here are some articles and reviews for books about climate, resources and wildlife.

Survivor Trees 

Overcoming Arkoudaphobia: The Rarity of Bear Attacks in North America 

Sagebrush Steppe and the Gunnison Sage-Grouse 

The Arctic Tern 

Colombia’s Biodiversity 

Mauna Loa, the World’s Largest Active Volcano 

American Pokeweed 

Climate Change and Water Scarcity 

Climate Change Podcasts 

Parrot Trivia 

The Seine 

Extraordinary Underground Vistas 

Caddo Lake 

Solastalgia, Eco-anxiety and Ecological Grief 

Bees and Honey Across the Ages 

The Five Most Destructive Wildfires in Recorded California History 

Are Chickens Smart? 

The Mighty Zambezi River 

Climate Change and Migration in the U.S. 

Chimpanzee Sanctuaries 

Baobab: The Tree of Life 

New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock 

Forest Fire Survival 

Escalating Wildfires in the Western U.S. 

The Great Dismal Swamp Maroons 

Exmoor: Now and Then 

The Bureau of Land Management: Shifting Duties 

The Kodiak Bear 

Cotopaxi – Ecuadorian Volcano 

Understanding and Countering Science Denial 

Weathering Some of the Biggest Recorded Storms Ever 

“What Should I Read Next?” Bookpage has suggestions for you

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6 authors to keep on your radar
These up-and-coming authors are going places, and we will be hot on their heels.
Mystery & Suspense
The Raven Thief
The Raven Thief is a worthy sequel to Under Lock & Skeleton Key, with all the magic, misdirection and intrigue that fans are hoping for.
The White Lady
Historical mystery readers searching for a complex main character will admire the uncompromising storytelling of Jacqueline Winspear’s The White Lady.
Fiction
Biography of X
Biography of X is a dazzling literary chimera, at once an epic and chilling alternate history of the United States and an intimate portrait of a woman coming apart at the seams.
Hello Beautiful
This bighearted domestic novel from the author of Dear Edward reaches comforting highs and despairing lows as it sharply examines the many ways that families pull each other together and apart.
Historical Fiction
Beyond That, the Sea
Debut novelist Laura Spence-Ash’s masterful character development enlivens the story of the Thompson and Gregory families and all of the love and tension between them.
Audiobooks
Butts
Voice actor Emily Tremaine is passionate as she gives voice to Heather Radke’s call to celebrate ourselves—from top to tail—as unique and valuable and beautiful.
Children’s & Young Adult
Brighter Than the Sun
With Brighter Than the Sun, Daniel Aleman affirms his gift for telling stories about Mexican and Mexican American teens with care and love.
Hamra and the Jungle of Memories
In this stunning retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood,” Hamra’s feelings of simmering anger and fierce love are as vibrant as the magical world around her.
This Is the Planet Where I Live
Accompanied by dazzling photo-collage art, this cumulative picture book captures the interconnectedness of life on our beautiful, delicate planet.
Maple & Rosemary
With touching emotional authenticity, Maple & Rosemary explores the bonds of friendship between a girl and a sugar maple tree over the seasons of their lives.
Greymist Fair
In the seven intersecting stories that compose Greymist Fair, author Francesca Zappia nods at fairy-tale conventions before subverting and exceeding them.
Romance
Infamous
Lex Croucher’s sharp, vivid and enchanting writing bursts off the page in Infamous, their second Regency romance after Reputation.
Biography & Memoir
The Best Strangers in the World
With his sparkling memoir, “All Things Considered” host Ari Shapiro gives readers insight into the hard work journalists do and the incredible scope of history they get to observe up close.

Meet America’s first female president—plus three other fascinating figures in new biographies perfect for Women’s History Month
Four nonfiction books about notable American women illuminate their groundbreaking influence on literature, science and politics.
Nonfiction
Poverty, by America
Pulitzer Prize winner Matthew Desmond’s Poverty, by America is a solid primer about how the suffocating tendrils of poverty work, and who they benefit.
The People’s Hospital
Using the stories of five patients, physician Ricardo Nuila reveals how a public hospital in Houston has succeeded in providing health care to people who are the most vulnerable.
Lifestyles
Cooking for Culture
Chef Toya Boudy’s New Orleanian heritage shines through in everything she does, from red beans and fried okra to praline sweet potatoes with whiskey mallo cream.
Science Fiction & Fantasy
A House With Good Bones
Impressively weird, nerve-wracking but still laugh-out-loud funny, A House With Good Bones is another horror hit from T. Kingfisher.

Bye-bye, Overdrive. Hello Libby!

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Attention, OverDrive app users! OverDrive is discontinuing the legacy OverDrive app May 1st, 2023 and transitioning users to the Libby app. Libby is OverDrive’s newer app for browsing and enjoying digital content from our library.

It’s time to give Libby a try! All your loans, holds, and wish list items will be waiting for you in Libby when you add your library card.

 How-to videos and step-by-step instructions on Libby Help

Users can sign up for a virtual training session hosted by team OverDrive.

OverDrive app will remain available for Kindle Fire users to download and access until further notice. Users with Kindle Fire devices can also sideload Libby manually following these steps.

Libby also comes with new features we know you’ll love, like:

  • Tags to categorize books however you’d like—you can even sync your OverDrive wish list into a tag!
  • A central bookshelf for all loans and holds
  • Customizable notifications for ready holds, new magazine issues and more
  • Compatibility with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Sonos speakers
  • Extra learning and entertainment resources like Kanopy, Indieflix, Great Courses, Craftsy, Classica and Qello
  • Easy access to OverDrive support staff

Learn more here.

We are now a Passport Acceptance Facility

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As a Passport Acceptance Facility, we can provide you with passport application forms to fill out and can also mail in your completed applications for standard processing. PLEASE CALL TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. HOWEVER, WE DO NOT OFFER PHOTO SERVICE – see acceptable photo requirements here.

We can help you with applications for new passports, renewal of passports, passports for children, and replacements for lost, stolen, or damaged passports. It is our job to review the application thoroughly to make sure the application packet is complete and ready for processing. We also check the applicant’s identity to make sure that the passport will be issued to the right person. Finally, we seal the application into an official envelope that can only be opened by US State Department personnel.

You must visit a Passport Acceptance Agent to have your passport application sealed into an official envelope if you require any one of the following services:

  • New passport for a first time applicant over age 16
  • Minor Passport for an applicant age 15 or younger
  • Lost Passport Replacement
  • Stolen Passport Replacement
  • Damaged Passport Replacement

The applicant must appear in person at the Passport Acceptance Facility; you cannot send a friend or family member to do this for you. If you are applying for a passport for your child (under age 16), your child needs to go to the Passport Acceptance Agent along with both parents.

RENEWING YOUR PASSPORT:

If any of the following are true, you cannot renew your U.S. passport and must instead apply for a new passport in person using Form DS-11:

  • Issued before your 16th birthday
  • Issued more than 15 years ago
  • Damaged, lost, or stolen. 
  • Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change

If none of the above situations are true, you can renew your U.S. passport.

More information on renewing your passport is available here.

On a limited basis, you may be able to renew your passport online.

Typically, you will need the following items to renew your passport:

  • Form DS-82.
  • Passport photo
  • Passport fee
  • Your most recent passport
  • Name change documentation, if necessary

Document Checklist – Requirements for DS-11 Application form for a New Passport

  • Proof of US Citizenship (birth certificate)
  • New Passport Application Form (DS-11)
  • One passport photo
  • Photocopy of your driver’s license or other state-issued ID (front and back)
  • Flight itinerary or other proof of travel plans (only required if you need to rush a new passport)passport application
  • New US Passport application fee. You will need two checks, one made payable to “US Department of State” for $130 ($190 if you need to expedite a new passport) and a second check for $35 for the Passport Acceptance Agent fee.
  • SEE THE FEE CHART here

Getting started with LinkedIn Learning

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LinkedIn Learning is an online educational platform that helps you discover and develop business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos.

With more than 5,000 courses and personalized recommendations, you can discover, complete, and track courses related to your field and interests. You can also choose to add these courses and related skills to your LinkedIn profile once you’ve completed them.

Get started with LinkedIn Learning with this how-to resource

Seed Library helpers wanted

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Wanted: volunteers to

Help place the 2023 seed order

Help straighten out the collection

Share your suggestions

Meet others and have fun

At the Pound Ridge Library Saturdays January 21, February 11, March 4 (as needed)

10:15 am to Noon

Check for cancellations due to weather on the PRL website

MasterClass Now Available on Hoopla

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Check out a selection of classes from @MasterClass free with your library card. Learn from the world’s best artists, chefs, and more.  Browse the offerings here.

Interested in adult chess?

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We are thinking of starting an adult chess group. Interested? Please contact Marilyn at mtinter@wlsmail.org or call 914-764-5085. Dates and time to be determined.

Shakespeare in the Afternoon

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The Special Interest Group will meet on ZOOM for one and one-half hours weekly in the afternoon. Join it to read aloud and discuss Shakespeare’s works. No acting experience is necessary. Moderated by Carl Goldman. Books are available free online, at the Library, and at low cost on Amazon and book stores. Group size is limited. Contact Marilyn Tinter at the Library if interested at mtinter@wlsmail.org or 914-764-5085.

NY residents can get a NY Public Library Card free

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If you are 13 or older and live, work, attend school, or pay property taxes in New York State, you can get a free digital library card right now. Get started here.

Then borrow e-books and audiobooks by downloading the SimplyE app on your phone.

We invite you to use Hoopla!

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Borrow and enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines, or music everywhere you have a screen-your computer, your phone, your car, even your TV. All you need is a library card. hoopla syncs across all your devices, so you can stream titles immediately or whenever you’re in the mood. Most titles can also be downloaded to your phone or tablet. hoopla offers more content, in more places, than any other digital library platform and it’s all FREE thanks to your public library!

Borrow a podcast mic

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Need equipment to start your own podcast? Borrow a Blue Yeti Microphone at the Library.

Just ask at the circulation desk.

Hoopla celebrates National Parks

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Did you know that National Parks week is just around the corner – and that Hoopla is helping to celebrate? Hoopla’s National Parks Collection has titles about parks like the Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite, biographies about naturalist founders like John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt, and how-to and travel guides for hiking, biking, and camping.

Check it out!

A Special Needs Social Network

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MyConnect is a parenting online platform specifically for parents who have kids with special needs/disabilities.

Find and research special needs programs, providers and resources in your area and the quality thereof.

Connect with other special needs parents who have kids with similar needs profiles as your own child.

Access expert advice, how-to articles, and curriculum—from special needs potty training to setting up a special needs trust.

Connect with other special needs caregivers in private groups on a secure server to discuss the most pressing topics to you.

Pound Ridge Library awarded Green Business Certification

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The Library has achieved Green Business Certification through visionary leadership, organizational commitment and the successful integration of environmental
sustainability into all areas of operation.

Medicare Questions?

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Information on Medicare helplines.

Please direct your Medicare or senior benefits question to any of the following resources:

Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services
seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com/senior-programs-and-services
(914) 813-6100

1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227)
Medicare.gov

Medicare Rights Center
medicarerights.org
(800) 333-4114

WestCOP Benefits Enrollment Center
westcop.org/cap-programs/benefits-enrollment-center
(914) 527-1933 or 914-661-1738 (Spanish)

Health for Life Programs from Westchester County’s Department of Senior Programs and Services

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Westchester County’s Dept. of Senior Programs and Services offers free virtual health workshops available for older adult residents and their caregivers. These workshops are offered at no cost and  are designed for older adults and their caregivers in Westchester County to better self-manage health conditions.

HeLP Chronic Disease workshops delivered by Zoom– learn more here

·         Materials, including a reference book (Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions) are mailed out to participants in advance of the workshop

·         Those who complete the workshop are able to keep the book and as well as exercise and relaxation CDs

·         Workshop meets once a week for 6 weeks for two hours via Zoom

·         There are 10 to 12 participants in each workshop and two trained facilitators

·         The workshop is interactive and offers homebound participants a chance to share and socialize with others.

HeLP Chronic Pain workshops delivered by phone -learn more here

These workshops are offered at no cost and  are designed for older adults and their caregivers in Westchester County to better self-manage health conditions

·         Materials, including a reference book (Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Pain) are mailed out to participants in advance of the workshop

·         Those who complete the workshop are able to keep the book and as well as exercise and relaxation CDs

·         Workshop meets once a week for 6 weeks for one hour via conference call

·         There are 4 to 6 participants in each workshop and a trained facilitator

·         The workshop is interactive and offers homebound participants a chance to share and socialize with others.

Questions? Please contact Marikay Capasso, Coordinator, Health for Life  Program

(HeLP; a Chronic Disease Self Management Program)

Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services

mqcq@westchestergov.com

(914) 813-6427

Virtual Senior Center

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Join the Virtual Senior Center where each day is different, interesting and stimulating while never leaving your home. Use your computer or tablet to…

Connect with new friends online, learn and discuss new things, and explore what the internet had to offer.

Participate in unlimited live, intractive discussions on art, history, current news, exercise, music, museum tours, wellbeing, and more.

Enjoy flexible class schedule, curated games, offered 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays.

Ready to join? Fill out your application here

Need Health Insurance?

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The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) COVID-19 Special Enrollment Period is open: February 15–August 15, 2021

To get started, click here

How to start a student blog or website

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It’s no secret that the job market is incredibly competitive. Degrees, coursework, and internships on their own don’t necessarily guarantee success when job hunting. According to a recent survey by CareerBuilder, 47% of employers said they were less likely to contact a candidate if they couldn’t find them online, and 20% said they expected candidates to have some form of an online presence. We know social media is not a reliable online presence, as it usually serves as a detriment rather than an advantage for a job candidate. The good news is, more students are seeing the value in creating a website for themselves where they can package together their achievements and really bring a personalized voice to their experience, creating a digital portfolio that has unlimited reach. This allows them to stand out among the competition, showcase beyond the restrictions of a traditional resume, and offer some control over their online reputation management. Get started below.

Bookshare: An Accessible Online Library for People with Print Disablities

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Ebooks are available for people with reading barriers. Learn more here.

Bookshare is an ebook library that makes reading easier. People with reading barriers like dyslexia, blindness, and physical disabilities can read in ways that work for them with a huge collection of titles in audio, audio + highlighted text, braille, and other formats. Bookshare is FREE for all qualified U.S. students and schools, and less than $1 per week for all other members.

please click here to apply.

This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

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Studies have shown that families who start reading aloud to their children at birth help to strengthen their language skills and build their vocabulary – two important tools for beginning to learn to read when they enter kindergarten.

How does the 1,000 Books program work?
Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, toddler, and/or preschooler. The program is self-paced and can take a few months to a few years, depending on how often you read together. The goal is to have read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books) before your child starts kindergarten.

How do I sign-up?
Register in the Children’s Room and receive a free Early Literacy folder. Keep track of books on a fun log as you read them, and receive prizes when you reach milestones along the way. (100, 250, 500, 750, 1,000 books.)

Senior Resources and Links

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Explore here to find helpful links to free services, assistance, applications and more…

Medicare Savings Program

Here are instructions to complete an application provided by the New York State Department of Health

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)

An overview of Heap and the application form

NY State Medicaid Application

Here is a downloadable copy of the application used for Medicaid in New York State

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

An overview of SNAP, to apply use your NY State MyBenefits account or use – follow this link to create a new account

Local (non-profit) Service Agencies

Alzheimers Association of Lower Hudson Valley – Leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

Cancer Support Team – Wide range of free services assists with access to care, professional nursing, counseling, case management, and other supportive services for any southern Westchester County residents with a primary diagnosis of cancer.

DOROT Westchester – In-home visits and creative programs that build vital social connections in person, over the phone and within the community. Their University Without Walls offers hundreds of classes across a wide range of interests.

Family Services of Westchester- Older Adults – Program options that support seniors and meet their special needs.

Feeding Westchester – Mobile Food Pantry – Information on Feeding Westchester’s Mobile Food Pantry and Fresh Market.

Jawonio – Provides lifespan services for individuals with developmental disabilities, behavioral health challenges, and chronic medical conditions.

Legal Services of the Hudson Valley – Provides a wide range of advocacy and legal representation to elderly clients in practice areas including housing, benefits, Medicaid, future planning, home care cases as well as Social Security and SSI Disability Claims

Live With Care – Information and resources about living with serious illness and end of life.  Produced by the Westchester End of Life Coalition (WELC).

Free health clinics – Services are available through the Open Door.  Find out more here.

Phone numbers for key county resources related to … Personal Care Services, Caregiver Services, Medical House Calls, Hearing Care (hearing aid assistance for low income), Dental Assistance, Application Assistance, Vision Assistance, Food Stamp Application Assistance, Housing Issues (eviction, reverse mortgage, foreclosure, senior apt share, rental listings), Housing Other, Transportation,  NYSARC Application Assistance, Organizations Servicing the Disabled, Frequently Used Contacts, and Community Health Centers.

RideConnect of Westchester County – RideConnect both provides rides. and directs you to where rides can be found, for trips to the doctor, the supermarket, the library and more.

Starkey Hearing Foundation – Hear Now – Can provide financial assistance to get hearing aids.

Touro College of Dental Medicine – A dental teaching facility located at in Hawthorne NY (NY Medical College campus).  Claims a savings of 30% to 50% on routine and advanced dental procedures.    Call (914)594-2700 or email them at dentalhealth@touro.edu.

Westchester Independent Living Center (WILC) – Works within the community to provide Education, Disability Awareness, and Advocacy for the Removal of Barriers. SBIC actively refers patrons to WILC for help with medicaid and taps their services to provide Spanish-language interpreters at scheduled appointments.

Westchester Institute for Human Development – Equipment Loan Program: Supporting Seniors and Adults in the Community.

Westchester Jewish Community Services – Senior Services – Comprehensive services and supports that address a multitude of needs for Westchester’s older adults.

Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. for Seniors – Comprehensive housing counseling program to residents of Westchester County who are age sixty and over. Click here for flyer.

WestFair Rides – A new transportation alternative for older adults (aged 60+) and adults with vision disabilities in Westchester County, NY.

New York State Government

EPIC application & contact information – The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program is a New York State program for seniors administered by the Department of Health. It helps more than 270,000 income-eligible seniors aged 65 and older to supplement their out-of-pocket Medicare Part D drug plan costs.

My Benefits – Prescreening tool which provides a quick and easy way for people who live in New York State to find out if they are eligible for certain programs.

New York State Office for the Aging – Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance (HIICAP aka SHIP)

N.Y.S. Department of Financial Services – The DFS offers general tools and information to help safely navigate complicated decisions about insurance, borrowing, and planning for long-term care.  Use this link to get a comparison table of MediGap plans for your area.  Enter your zipcode on the field indicated.

N.Y.S. Medicaid – Information on Medicaid in New York State

NY State Health Exchange

To find a Navigator, contact one of these organizations:

  1.  Westchester County Department of Health – Call the Navigator Information Line at (914) 813- 5192 or hnav@westchestergov.com. Click here for a complete list of sites in Westchester county. Click here for a complete list of sites in New York State.
  2.  Westchester Disabled on the Move – Call (914) 968-4717 ext. 23 or 25
  3.  Young Invincibles – Call (914) 979-1747 or (914) 458-2294.
  4.  Business Council of Westchester – Call (914) 948-2110 ext. 311 to make an appointment.

Additionally, clients of selected local health centers can receive assistance in enrollment.  Centers include: The Open Door, Hudson River Health Care, and Mount Vernon.

The NY State of Health:  The Official Health Plan Marketplace (http://www.nystateofhealth.ny.gov) is the official site for the state’s health insurance marketplace serving individuals, families, and small business owners.  Use this site to access information, tools, and enroll.

HealthCare.gov – The Federal Government’s site for information about the Health Benefit Exchanges & health coverage for individuals, families, and small businesses.

Other Benefits

Alzheimer’s Association – 24/7 Helpline 800-272-3900

Benefits Check-Up Survey – Answer some questions to find benefit programs that can help you pay for medications, health care, food, utilities and more. (National site)

Choice Magazine Listening – A free audio magazine for adults with impaired vision or other disability. (Reviewed at July 2015 WSOS Update)

The Homeward Bound Dentist – An important service for those who are homebound; service area includes Westchester County.

Elder Abuse Resources – List of county resources.

Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information – See their resources on Health Information for Older People, which covers topics ranging from hiring care givers to assessing nursing homes and avoiding scams.

National Council on Aging – A resource for information on the health and economic security of seniors, including benefits access, home equity, falls prevention and chronic conditions.  Sign up for their newsletter.

Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs – Online & print editions about Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors.

Transportation – Listing of organizations in Westchester that offer transportation services. Broken down by area.

Prescription Assistance

Application for Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs – This is an application for Extra Help and does not enroll you in a Medicare prescription drug plan. You will have to enroll directly with an approved Medicare prescription drug provider for coverage.

EPIC Application (pdf)- Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage Program Brochure and Application.   To review 2018 highlights and income guidelines, go to EPIC Program Highlights 2018 (pdf)  Information number: 1(800) 332-3742.

Join EPIC to save more with Medicare Part D/EPIC Co-Payments

Social Security Administration

U.S. Social Security Administration – main page

Veterans

eBenefits (Veterans Administration Benefits portal) – Facilitates application and management of benefits (education, health, pension).  Can use to make appointments and refill prescriptions.

FAVOR – Veteran Discount Card Program – “Find and Assist Veterans of Record” program where local businesses offer discounts on their goods or services to men and women who have proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

VA Caregiver Support – Free support line for caregiver/caregiving questions 855-260-3274.  Web site provides comprehensive benefits information.

VA Healthcare Sign-Up Day – 3rd Thursday of each month – at 112 East Post Road, 4th floor, Room 442, White Plains NY.

Westchester County Government

Assistance for Veterans – Westchester County Service Agency shares information for Veterans and their dependents so they can receive maximum benefits from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies at all levels of government.

Department of Senior Programs and Services (DSPS) – Main Page of DSPS. Links to frequently used publications.

DSS Office Sites, Hours & Phone Numbers – District Offices provide services including Medicaid, SNAP, Temporary Assistance & Homeless Services.

Expanded In-Home Services – EISEP, helps individuals age 60 or older who need help with activities such as eating, dressing, bathing or toileting or need help with activities such as cooking, shopping, laundry or housekeeping and find that some of these needs cannot be met by friends or relatives.

Family Caregiver Support Program – Up-to-date information about community resources and services available to help in a caregiving role.

Nutrition Programs & Site Directory – The Nutrition Program provides meals and services for adults, 60 years and older.

Senior Clubs and Centers– Lists of clubs and centers for seniors listed by municipality alphabetically.

Demystifying Medicare ONLINE

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Westchester Library System’s Demystifying Medicare Workshop series is back in person! Sign up for one of the many in-person workshops scheduled for the fall throughout the county, or listen to the recorded audio chapters online. Click this link to learn more and register for workshops.

“Demystifying Medicare” is for anyone who needs to understand how Medicare works. It’s not only for people who are considering changes to their current coverage, but for those who are soon to be Medicare-eligible, approaching retirement, or helping relatives or friends with their medical decisions and paperwork.

Please direct your Medicare or senior benefits question to any of the following resources:

Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services
seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com/senior-programs-and-services
(914) 813-6100

1-800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227)
Medicare.gov

Medicare Rights Center
medicarerights.org
(800) 333-4114

WestCOP Benefits Enrollment Center
westcop.org/cap-programs/benefits-enrollment-center
(914) 527-1933 or 914-661-1738 (Spanish)

Click here for more information and to register.

Curbside Pickup Instructions

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Instructions for Curbside Pickup

  • Call or email your request for books, DVDs, audiobooks or magazines at:

poundridgelibrarycirculation@wlsmail.org

or

914-764-5085 between 10am-6pm Tues-Sat

  • A staff member will contact you when your requests are ready for pickup and schedule a time for pickup.
  • Your materials will be waiting for you at the appointed time at the library’s backdoor
  • You can return materials in the same spot in the little gray cart.
  • Ask for for a ‘bundle’: staff members can create a ‘bundle’ personalized just for you:
    • by genre (like mystery or historical fiction)
    • by topic
    • or a bundle for kids by age or interest! 
  • ***Special note*** all returned materials will be quarantined for 7 days before re-circulating***
  • Please note: you many not borrow materials from other libraries as inter-library loans are not available at this time.

 

Fun Things to Do When You are Bored

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  1.  Visit the Intrepid Air and Space Museum virtually https://www.intrepidmuseum.org/memorial-day
  2. Microsoft literacy courses – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/digitalliteracy/home
  3. Cook like a Michelin Star Chef  – These Michelin Starred Chefs shared their famous recipes.  Find their Recipes here: https://www.instagram.com/michelinguide/?hl=en . Cook a dish or two and share it with us!
  4.  Walk on Glaciers, Dive into the Ocean, and Hover Over Volcanoes in this interactive guided tour of 5 national parks – https://artsandculture.withgoogle.com/en-us/national-parks-service/parks
  5. Escape Room –  Work in a team or go solo with these Escape Room Adventures https://wakelet.com/wake/043c113c-5579-4b36-819e-f997cd578128
  6. Where on Google Earth is Carmen Sandiego? – Relive your childhood or introduce your kids to the beloved game from the 80’s (Que theme music) – https://earth.google.com/web/@17.90693717,-12.41937117,-34606.6327455a,57359668.97d,35y,0.00004064h,18.19296234t,0r/data=CjwSOhIgYmU3N2ZmYzU0MTc1MTFlOGFlOGZkMzdkYTU5MmE0MmEiFnNwbC14LXgteC1zcGxhc2hzY3JlZW4
  7. Google Arts and Culture –With Google Arts & Culture you can visit top exhibits, zoom in on artworks in mind-blowing detail and browse thousands of stories, photos, videos, and manuscripts. https://artsandculture.google.com/
  8. Google Earth – Explore the whole world from above with satellite imagery and 3D terrain of the entire globe and 3D buildings in hundreds of cities around the world. https://www.google.com/earth/
  9. Google Street View – Provides interactive panoramas from positions along many streets in the world. https://www.instantstreetview.com/
  10. Virtual Tours of 33 National Parks – https://totallythebomb.com/heres-33-national-park-tours-you-can-take-virtually-from-the-comfort-of-your-own-home
  11. Virtual Field Trips – https://www.discoveryeducation.com/community/virtual-field-trips/
  12. Take a hike!
    Pound Ridge trails from the Pound Ridge Land Conservancy https://www.prlc.net/
    Westchester County Hikes https://parks.westchestergov.com/parks-and-destinations/parks-and-recreational-areas
  13. Take a Free Online Course
    Coursera – https://www.Coursera.org
    Ed X – https://www.edx.org/
  14. Cook Something Delicious
    https://www.instructables.com/class/Cooking-Class/
    https://www.skillshare.com/browse/cooking
  15. Broadway Hits Online –  https://www.broadwayhd.com/
  16. Play a Game!  – Break out the old favorites: Words with Friends, Sudoku, Solitaire, crosswords, jigsaw puzzles, or try a trivia challenges to keep your mind sharp
    https://games.euronews.com/category/puzzles
    https://www.triviaquestionss.com/
  17. Take a tour of the Hudson River Towns – see this link for more information
  18.  Learn to cook everything! link here
  19. Virtual Field Trips to Beaches, Parks, and More! link here
  20.  Fun at-home activities to save money link here
  21. Virtual field-trips for museums, historical sites and landmarks, zoos and other interactive sites! link here

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