Library News
Black Pasts, Presents, and Futures Resource List for Kids and Teens
February is Black History Month, but it would be a mistake to only situate conversation about Black life in the past. The past is rich and complex; it has led to an equally important present, which in turn will be the foundation for the future of today’s Black communities. In 2021, the Dobbs Ferry Schools are celebrating an intersectional Black History Month and Black Lives Matter Week that will highlight topics that must be discussed year-round. Springhurst library media specialist Lauren Rodriguez, Middle/High School library media specialist Ellen Elsen, and K-8 literacy coordinator Michelle Yang-Kaczmarek have teamed up with Dobbs Ferry Public Library children’s librarian Gina Elbert to create this resource list to help you dive deeper into Black literature, queer culture, and more. This is a sampling of available resources and not an exhaustive list. If you would like help finding more, please contact your librarian(s).
Click here for our Black Pasts, Presents, and Futures Resource Guide for Families!.
If you would like to check out any of these materials, you can search for them in our catalog, email us at dobchildref@wlsmail.org, or call (914) 693-6615.
Curbside Pick Up
Due to the continuing numbers of COVID-19 cases in our area, Dobbs Ferry Public Library has returned to Curbside Service only. We will resume in-library service as soon as numbers indicate it is safe to do so. Reference services will continue to be available during our regular hours and pick-ups will be scheduled so as to remain socially distanced. All previously scheduled Zoom programs will remain as currently scheduled. Please wear your masks, wash your hands and stay safe this Holiday Season.
To schedule a pickup, call the library at (914)693-6614 or use the app to schedule a pickup at this link.
Need help finding an item or printing a document? Call the library at (914)693-6614 or email us at dobref@wlsmail.org.
DFPL Offers No-Cost Homework Help with Tutor.com!
Greetings, library patrons! Did you know that you have access to no-cost 1-to-1 online tutoring, resume and cover letter review, and other learning resources through the Dobbs Ferry Public Library? Sign up for this free webinar (simply choose the date that works best for you!) to learn how you can get started with Tutor.com, including:
- How to create an account and connect with a tutor
- What to expect during a tutoring session
- How to use 24/7 drop-off review
- What’s included in our Princeton Review® materials (hint: test prep galore!)
- How job seekers can get career support
There will be a brief Q&A after each presentation so you can get your questions answered—and start using Tutor.com right away!
From Kindergarten to Career: A Complete Guide to Tutor.com for Library Patrons
Join us on any of the following Fridays:
Feb. 19 | Mar. 5 | Mar. 19 | Apr. 9
4:00 p.m. EST / 1:00 p.m. PST
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Big Conversations with Little People: Parenting in Challenging Times Recording
On Thursday, January 14th, the DFPL partnered with Springhurst Elementary School to host a talk from local clinical psychologist, parenting coach, speaker, and author Dr. Rebecca Hershberg. She is the founder of Little House Calls, which helps parents and caregivers create calmer homes and more connected families. A former Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Hershberg has been published widely on the topic of early childhood mental health. Her first book, The Tantrum Survival Guide, was published in October, 2018.”
In “Big Conversations with Little People,” we discussed a range of topics, including how best to package information for children of different ages, how to include children in conversations around difficult and complicated topics, how to offer reassurance and comfort to children who are anxious, and how to manage both our own and our children’s big feelings during this time.
If you weren’t able to attend this program, worry not! The recording is now available. Please click here to access it. The password is bk40D=Xb and the program starts 6 minutes, 50 seconds into the video. Please let us know if you need a translation or transcribed summary of the events by emailing dobchildref@wlsmail.org.
Upcoming Programs
F. Scott Fitzgerald and the Inspiration for “The Great Gatsby” – Discussion via ZOOM (Registration)
Wednesday, March 3
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Richard Webb, author of the book “Boats Against the Current: The Honeymoon Summer of Scott and Zelda: Westport, Connecticut 1920” and filmmaker of an award-winning documentary, “Gatsby In Connecticut” (available on Hoopla) will host a discussion on F. Scott Fitzgerald and the inspiration for The Great Gatsby.
Register with dobref@wlsmail.org to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Reader’s Circle Book Discussion via ZOOM (Registration)
Thursday, March 4
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
We will be discussing three stories from So Long: Stories: 1987–1992 by Lucia Berlin “Good and Bad” and “Grief” and “So Long,” for Women’s History Month
Register with dobref@wlsmail.org to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Manhattanville MFA Program Creative Writing Workshop via ZOOM (Registration)
Monday, March 8
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Come to our virtual creative writing workshop series sponsored by Manhattanville College! Please bring your own writings to share with the group, or listen to others read their creative writing pieces and give feedback to the group.
This online event is free and open to the public. Register with dobref@wlsmail.org to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Virtual NYC Tour: Little Italy & Chinatown
Tuesday, March 9
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we take a tour into the heart of our favorite city with licensed professional NYC tour guide Garrett T. Shore to discover the forgotten lives of New York’s immigrants. Garrett will bring us into Little Italy and Chinatown to study the lives of NYC’s 19th and 20th century immigrants and the neighborhoods they came up in. How did they stake their claim in a new world? How did they reinvent themselves in an emerging nation on its way to becoming the world’s #1 superpower by 1920? What gangs did they join for protection and security? What methods or tricks were employed to gain footing in America? How did native New Yorkers treat them?
Register with dobref@wlsmail.org to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Reader’s Circle Book Discussion via ZOOM (Registration)
Thursday, March 11
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
We will discuss two stories in Collected Stories by William Trevor, “Access to the Children” and “Of the Cloth” (available on OverDrive here)
Register with dobref@wlsmail.org to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Dungeons & Dragons Club via ZOOM (CLOSED – Email for information)
Wednesday, March 3
4:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Ages 9-12
Dungeons and Dragons is back! Join the newly revived club, led by a local middle school Dungeon Master! Previous meeting attendance is recommended, but not required.
Registration is currently closed but you may email dobchildref@wlsmail.org with questions or interest to join.
Virtual Browsing Appointments via ZOOM (Registration)
Thursday, March 4
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
All ages.
Do you miss coming to the library? Do you need help choosing a book? Or do you want to tell your librarian about what you’ve been reading lately? Schedule a 20-minute virtual browsing and/or reference appointment with Ms. Gina. She can find what you’re looking for!
Register with dobchildref@wlsmail.org or call the Library at 693-6614 to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Virtual NYC Tour: Little Italy & Chinatown
Tuesday, March 9
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Join us as we take a tour into the heart of our favorite city with licensed professional NYC tour guide Garrett T. Shore to discover the forgotten lives of New York’s immigrants. Garrett will bring us into Little Italy and Chinatown to study the lives of NYC’s 19th and 20th century immigrants and the neighborhoods they came up in. How did they stake their claim in a new world? How did they reinvent themselves in an emerging nation on its way to becoming the world’s #1 superpower by 1920? What gangs did they join for protection and security? What methods or tricks were employed to gain footing in America? How did native New Yorkers treat them?
Register with dobref@wlsmail.org to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Dungeons & Dragons Club via ZOOM (CLOSED – Email for information)
Wednesday, March 10
4:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Ages 9-12
Dungeons and Dragons is back! Join the newly revived club, led by a local middle school Dungeon Master! Previous meeting attendance is recommended, but not required.
Registration is currently closed but you may email dobchildref@wlsmail.org with questions or interest to join.
Virtual Browsing Appointments via ZOOM (Registration)
Thursday, March 11
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
All ages.
Do you miss coming to the library? Do you need help choosing a book? Or do you want to tell your librarian about what you’ve been reading lately? Schedule a 20-minute virtual browsing and/or reference appointment with Ms. Gina. She can find what you’re looking for!
Register with dobchildref@wlsmail.org or call the Library at 693-6614 to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Dungeons & Dragons Club via ZOOM (CLOSED – Email for information)
Wednesday, March 3
4:15 pm - 6:15 pm
Ages 9-12
Dungeons and Dragons is back! Join the newly revived club, led by a local middle school Dungeon Master! Previous meeting attendance is recommended, but not required.
Registration is currently closed but you may email dobchildref@wlsmail.org with questions or interest to join.
Virtual Browsing Appointments via ZOOM (Registration)
Thursday, March 4
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
All ages.
Do you miss coming to the library? Do you need help choosing a book? Or do you want to tell your librarian about what you’ve been reading lately? Schedule a 20-minute virtual browsing and/or reference appointment with Ms. Gina. She can find what you’re looking for!
Register with dobchildref@wlsmail.org or call the Library at 693-6614 to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Chapter Book Read Alouds via ZOOM (Registration)
Thursday, March 4
4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Ages 7-9.
Tune in to listen to Ms. Gina read from The Unicorn Rescue Society: Sasquatch and the Muckleshoot by Adam Gidwitz and Joseph Bruchac. She will read from the same book every week until she finishes it, but don’t worry if you miss a meeting — she’ll catch you up before starting.
Register with dobchildref@wlsmail.org or call the Library at 693-6614 to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.
Take & Make Popsicle Stick Bookmarks: Craft Kits for Kids – Limited Supply / Contact the Library to schedule a pick up
Saturday, March 6
All Day
Ages 3 and up.
Pick up a kit containing a craft that you can do at home – supplies are limited!
This week’s kit – Popsicle Stick Bookmarks
Contact the Library at dobchildref@wlsmail.org or call 693-6614 to schedule a pick up time.
New Caregivers’ Circle via ZOOM (Registration)
Monday, March 8
10:30 am - 11:00 am
For parents and caregivers of babies up to 24 months.
Join children’s librarian Gina to learn songs, fingerplays, and more that you can do with your baby. Each meeting will leave time for open discussion and connection with other parents/caregivers.
Register with dobchildref@wlsmail.org or call the Library at 693-6614 to get the Zoom link – please indicate you are registering for this program in the email.