WPCNR BOOK CHAT. By John F. Bailey. October 15, 2004: The White Plains Public Library Foundation, Library Director Sandy Miranda, and a parents' fundraising group joined Mayor Joseph Delfino today in kicking off the construction of the White Plains Children's Library of the future in a ceremony at the public library, which will be renamed "The Trove," expected to be completed in November, 2005.

DISNEYWORLD COMES TO THE WHITE PLAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY: The mock-up of the new entrance to The Trove, the new children's library about to be created on the second floor of the White Plains Public Library. Photo by WPCNR News.

Mayor Delfino announced the city would be spending $1.885 Million in Capitol Projects money to double the size of the present children's wing. He pointed to the project as another example of people in White Plains "working together" to create something for everyone. The Mayor says he never cuts a celebratory ribbon or cake confection, alone. He said he always has the hands of all leaders and community members who helped make a project possible join him at the ribbon or the celebratory cake. The Mayor with great solemnity said, "We cut the cake." 

The Public Library Foundation kicked off a fund drive to raise an additional $407,000 to add  to $593,000 already raised by the Foundation "to furnish" the new wing. A team of 24 parents headed by  Lauren Candela-Katz, would be conducting a direct mail fund raising campaign and holding a benefit at the White Plains Performing Arts Center March 19 of next year to finish raising the final $407,000.

Ms. Miranda said the Children's Library would be completed in one year, and the Children's Library would remain open, by moving it across the hall on the second floor of the Library while "The Trove" was under construction.

The new "Trove" will be hybrid of DisneyWorld, the Planetarium, and a Threatre and a media center, appealing to whismy, the imagination, and the practical. It will double the children's library ability to accommodate youngsters of all ages.

One of the primary reasons The Trove, said one library worker is being created is the present Children's Library is always "packed" after school, because so many students use it for the White Plains Teacher in the Library program, its computer facilities, and its study atmosphere. The library worker, WPCNR spoke with also noted that there would be sections exclusively for older children, and other portions for toddlers, a practicality the present Children's Library does not have.

White Plains World of Reading Wonder: The new floor plan for The Trove. Photo by WPCNR News.

Features to come in "The Trove" will be a fun "DisneyWorld" entrance through an enticing facade that simulates a break in the wall, that reveals the visual treats of the interior beyond. The inner sanctums of "The Trove" feature talismans of the imagination: A Tree Trail garden of childrens' art; A skylight garden, the stern of a ship in which to read; Galazy Hall, seating 75  for performances and events; The Castle, a refuge for tutoring and after-school activities for up to 25 children; The Cave, a flatscreen movie alcove; fifteen computers in the CyberTrove technology center for grades K-6, plus a Play Cottage with puppet theatre, dollhouse and kitchen.