Month: August 2021

National Novel Writing Month 101

~ Sam Bardarik ~ Leave a comment

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo.org) is just around the corner! Have you ever had a story idea you thought would make a great novel? Always wanted to write a memoir about something that happened in your life? Just like to write?

Join us to learn more about getting those words out this November. We’ll go over what NaNoWriMo is, what it isn’t, and how it can help your creativity. Whether you’ve never heard of NaNoWriMo before or have been a regular participant for the last 20 years, whether you want to handwrite or use all the latest software, this session is for you.

Chester County Library and the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library are hosting virtual preparation sessions and virtual writing sessions throughout the months of September, October, and November. Attend any and all events that work for you! See our full schedule and register here.

NaNoWriMo Schedule
NaNoWriMo 101 & Prep
Wednesday, 9/1, 3-4pm
Tuesday, 9/7, 10-11am
Monday, 9/13, 7-9pm
Monday, 10/4, 6:30-7:30pm
Monday, 10/11, 7-9pm
Monday, 10/25, 6:30-7:30pm

Kick-Off Party
Monday, 11/1, 7-9pm
Write In
Monday, 11/8, 7-9pm
Midway Party
Monday, 11/15, 7-9pm
Write In
Monday, 11/22, 7-9pm
Night of Drafting Daringly
Monday, 11/29, 7-9pm
Thank Goodness It’s Over Party
Monday, 12/6, 7-9pm

These are independent events managed by a community partner.
The NaNoWriMo name and logo are used by special permission.

Volunteer Tutors Needed to Teach Adult Learners

~ mkolb76 ~ Leave a comment

The Chester County OIC Adult Tutoring Program has a need for volunteers who are willing to work with adult students seeking to learn English as a second language, improve math skills, study for the GED exam, work on basic literacy, or study for the citizenship exam. A 4-year college degree is required to tutor, but a teaching background is not needed. Tutor training is offered online by the PA Department of Education. Tutors are asked to meet with their student 3 hours per week, usually done in two, 90 minute sessions. Tutor pairs are working virtually right now via Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp or other platforms. Our program is based in the Chester County Library, in Exton, with whom we have a long partnership.

The Adult Tutoring office encourages anyone who is interested in volunteering to contact our office at 610-344-4013 or 610-344-4014 or send an email to drikess@cc-oic.org. The Chester County OIC website is ccoic.org. 

Virtual Newsstand Program September 13th!

~ Jamie ~ Leave a comment
Virtual Newsstand, Monday, September 13th 7-8PM. Learn how to access FREE popular newspapers and magazines from the comfort of your home!

Did you know you can access hundreds of magazines and newspapers for free using the library’s digital subscriptions? Join us to learn more about how to access popular periodicals from home. You’ll learn how to access magazines like People, The New Yorker, Real Simple, and National Geographic, as well as newspapers like The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Washington Post, and more.

Register here for this virtual program: https://ccls.libcal.com/event/8137437

Registration is required. Registration will close 3 hours prior to the scheduled start time of the event. A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 2 hours before the program starts. Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link. You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual program.

Virtual Story Times at the Henrietta Hankin Library

~ svirginiaroyf ~ Leave a comment

The Henrietta Hankin Branch Library has finalized our Youth Services program schedule for September! All children’s programming will continue to be held virtually through Zoom. Story times will begin the week of September 12th and run through the week of October 15th.

Baby and Toddler Story Time (Ages 0-36 months) – Tuesdays at 10 am

Family Story Time (Ages 0-6 years old) – Tuesdays at 1 pm

Story Time for Preschoolers (Ages 3-4 years old) – Wednesdays at 10 am

Story Time for Pre K-K (Ages 4-6 years old) – Wednesdays at 1 pm

We will also have Mother-Daughter Book Club on Monday, September 20th at 6:30 pm for those 9 years-old and up accompanied by a favorite female grown-up.

Registration is required for all programming and you can find our event calendar here to sign up!

First Day of School Book Suggestions

~ mkolb76 ~ Leave a comment

‘Back to School’ time can be a very exciting time for young children with school supply shopping, new clothes and the anticipation of making new friends and moving up a grade level. But it can also leave kids overwhelmed, anxious and uncertain. Our Youth Services Librarians are here to help with easing into the transition for kids and their families by curating a book list of “First Day at School” titles. This list includes books that can be found in our collection that staff have determined to be particularly appropriate for a specific age level, grade, or topic.

Happy Reading and have a great school year!

Virtual Program: September Adult Book Groups

~ Jenna P ~ Leave a comment

We are holding our existing adult book groups as virtual programs. Please see our September titles and dates below. These groups are all being held online via Zoom.  We are requiring registration for these online book groups in order to send out the Zoom meeting information. Click on the date below to register. Information on our adult book groups can also be found on our website: http://bit.ly/chescolibs-bookgroups. 

Page Turners Book Group
Thursday, September 9, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Moloka’i by Alan Brennert 

Evening Book Group
Monday, September 13, 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
The Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Whodunits Book Group
Wednesday, September 15, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Furious Hours by Casey Cep

Afternoon Book Group
Wednesday, September 15, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Comics Unbound Group
Monday, September 20, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Invisible Differences by Julie Dachez

Registration is required for all book groups. Registration will close at least 2 hours prior to the scheduled start time of the book group. A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 2 hours before the book group starts.  Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link.  You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual book group.

These programs support the PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy Initiative.

CCLS/CCL Board Meeting

~ Jenna P ~ Leave a comment

Due to the easing of COVID restrictions, the Board of Trustees of the Chester County Library System/Chester County Library will now be hosting their monthly board meeting as a hybrid offering. If you have always wanted to attend a meeting but haven’t had the time, this is your opportunity. Please click on this link at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 17, to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting virtually; or attend in person at Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, PA 19341. The Chester County Library Board Meeting will immediately follow.

If you are a person with a disability and wish to attend this meeting and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation to observe or participate in the proceedings, please call Chester County Library’s Administration Office at 610-344-5600 to discuss how we may best accommodate your needs.