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Month: February 2025
Databases Series: New York Times
Hello! It’s Rebecca again! I hope you enjoyed or learned something new from last week’s post by Mikaila, our Business and Career Librarian. For those who haven’t been following this series, I am the Information Literacy Librarian here at the Chester County Library. (You might recognize me as the librarian with the purple hair!) Welcome to this series here on our blog where every week (or thereabouts) I’ll be introducing you to one of the library’s databases. A library database, for those who are unsure, is essentially just an online resource that the library pays for so that you can access it for free with your library card!
Today, I’m going to introduce you to the New York Times. That might sound a bit silly, because I’m sure all of you know what the New York Times is, but I’d bet some of you didn’t know that you could access the online version of this newspaper for free through the Chester County Library System!
Access from home is provided in the form of a 24-hour day pass that can be renewed every day. To get this day pass, first you’ll want to create an account with the New York Times website. All you’ll need to do is input your email address and create a password. Once you have an account with the website, go back to our databases page and click the Remote Access link to bring you to the page that will allow you to connect your library card to your account for the day. You will then have full access to the New York Times online for 24 hours. To gain access again the next day, just click on that same Remote Access link, log in to your account if you aren’t already, and connect your library card.
Access from within the library is one step easier! If you are on the library’s wifi network, all you need to do is create or log in to your account to get full access. No need to link your library card and no 24-hour access limitation.
Find our links to the New York Times on our website by going to chescolibraries.org –> Tools and Research –> All CCLS Databases –> N –> New York Times
This post is number eleven in this databases series! If you missed the previous installments, you can view them here.
Databases Series: Reference Solutions
Hello! My name is Mikaila. I am the Business and Career Librarian here at Chester County Library, and I’m excited to be the first guest star on this series! In line with the former posts, I’ll be introducing you to one of the library’s databases. A library database, for those who are unsure, is essentially just an online resource that the library pays for so that you can access it for free with your library card!
This week, I’ll be discussing Reference Solutions (formerly known as Reference USA). Reference Solutions is a multi-database resource that focuses on U.S. and Canadian data. I usually describe it as an in-depth white pages/yellow pages in which you can research information on over 104 million U.S. businesses and 322 million consumers. This tool is invaluable to small businesses who are looking to do the following: research your competition, so you can see where your competition is located as well as a snapshot of their business to get an idea of their day-to-day operating; create mailing lists for vendors, B2B, and B2C; record data and download heat maps for your reference or to input in a business plan; and generally better understand how you and your market fit in your service area. Reference Solutions is updated regularly to ensure your research is verified.
Find Reference Solutions on our website by going to chescolibraries.org –> Tools and Research –> All CCLS Databases –> R –> Reference Solutions
This post is number ten in this databases series! If you missed the previous installments, you can view them here.
Lu Ann Cahn, Emmy-Winning Journalist and Author, to Speak on Career Transformation and Empowerment
Join us on March 2nd, 2025 at 2 pm at Chester County Library in Exton, for an inspiring evening with Lu Ann Cahn, author of the motivational memoir I Dare Me, as she shares her journey of daring to live life to the fullest.
Lu Ann Cahn, a veteran journalist, and Emmy award-winning reporter, will recount her transformative year of trying something new daily to break free from feeling “stuck.” In her memoir, I Dare Me, Cahn chronicles a transformative year in which she embarked on a daily adventure to push herself out of her comfort zone. Inspired by her daughter, Alexa, Cahn committed to trying something new every day as a means to break free from her stagnant routine. The memoir grew out of her blog, “Year of Firsts,” and has touched readers with its authentic account of her journey to reclaim joy and purpose in her life.
Cahn, who spent 27 years at WCAU-TV and won a National Emmy for her investigative work, is now the Director of Career Services at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication. Her story is not just about daring to do new things but also about inspiring others to embrace change and discover new possibilities.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Lu Ann Cahn speak in person and be inspired to dare yourself to “do the new.”
We thank the Chester County Library Trust for their generous support in making this event possible. Registration is required at https://bit.ly/CCLTrustLuAnnCahn or call the library at 610-344-5600. Chester County Library supports PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy.
CCLS/CCL Board Meeting
The Board of Trustees of the Chester County Library System/Chester County Library are 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 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 18 to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting virtually; or attend in person at the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton. The Chester County Library Board Meeting will immediately follow. Find the Chester County Library Board Packet here.
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 or email ddadoly@ccls.org to discuss how we may best accommodate your needs.
Databases Series: Kanopy
Hello! My name is Rebecca, and I am the Information Literacy Librarian here at the Chester County Library. (You might recognize me as the librarian with the purple hair!) Welcome to a new series here on our blog where every week (or thereabouts) I’ll be introducing you to one of the library’s databases. A library database, for those who are unsure, is essentially just an online resource that the library pays for so that you can access it for free with your library card!
Today, I will introduce you to Kanopy, our free streaming service. Kanopy offers films, TV shows, documentaries, and children’s programming available to stream on-demand for free with your library card. While the content you can find on the site won’t be the latest big blockbuster, you can find a wide and ever-growing collection of audiovisual content, from the well-known to the lesser-known, from the BBC and classic films, to anime and K-Dramas, to children’s storytimes and PBS Kids. There’s something on there for everyone!
Want to make sure your kids access only the media appropriate for them? Click on the Kids button in the top right-hand corner to only show Kanopy Kids programs.
Stream Kanopy on your computer, through the mobile app on your smartphone or tablet, or through the SmartTV app directly on your television. Just add your library card, create an account with your email and a password, and you’re in!
Find Kanopy on our website by going to chescolibraries.org –> Downloads. Click on the orange button that says “Click Here” under Kanopy Plus, and it will take you directly to Kanopy.
This post is number nine in this databases series! If you missed the previous installments, you can view them here.
Databases Series: Black Freedom Struggle
Hello! My name is Rebecca, and I am the Information Literacy Librarian here at the Chester County Library. (You might recognize me as the librarian with the purple hair!) Welcome to a new series here on our blog where every week (or thereabouts) I’ll be introducing you to one of the library’s databases. A library database, for those who are unsure, is essentially just an online resource that the library pays for so that you can access it for free with your library card!
In honor of Black History Month, today I will tell you a little bit about our Black Freedom Struggle database. This database has a curated selection of primary sources designed for teaching and learning about the struggles and triumphs of Black Americans and is available for free to everyone regardless of whether you have a library card or not. Developed with input from Black history scholars and advisors, its easily discoverable materials are ideal for assignments and special projects focused on U.S. Black history. Browse the materials by historical period, peruse featured documents, or use its resource guides to direct your learning.
Find Black Freedom Struggle on our website by going to chescolibraries.org –> Tools and Research –> All CCLS Databases –> B –> Black Freedom Struggle
This post is number eight in this databases series! If you missed the previous installments, you can view them here.
2025 Reading Challenge! February
Welcome to the second month of the Chester County and Henrietta Hankin Branch Libraries’ 2025 Reading Challenge! The challenge is open to all readers reading at a Young Adult or Adult level in any format.
Each month, there will be a new reading prompt to follow. The reading challenge prompt for February is “A book written by a Black author.”
Need inspiration for what to read? Check out a few suggested reads below! See the full list on our catalog here. Make sure to also visit the library to explore our interactive book display.
If you need even more inspiration for books to read or listen to, feel free to request Personalized Reading Suggestions or check out the NoveList Plus database.
No registration is necessary to participate in the challenge. To get started, simply pick up a physical tracking log at the Reference Desk or print one out at home using the link provided in the Resources section of the Reading Challenge page at https://bit.ly/CCLReadingChallenge2025.
Happy reading!
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