Ticket sales are now open for our greatly-anticipated, virtual Novel Tea event on Wednesday, March 9, at 7 p.m. featuring #1 NYT bestselling author, Erik Larson, also known for works such as Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania, and The Devil in the White City which is set to be a Hulu limited series.  Larson’s In the Garden of Beasts is also currently under option by Tom Hanks, for a feature film.

This will be a LIVE virtual interview with Erik Larson where he discusses his newest book, The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz which is a bestselling 2020 work of narrative nonfiction (and due for release in paperback this February) – recounting Winston Churchill’s first year as prime minister of Great Britain—a year marked by the Nazi bombing of England (the Blitz). Britain’s top naval official, Churchill is chosen as prime minister on May 10, 1940, amid widespread discontent with the current leader, Neville Chamberlain. On Churchill’s first day as prime minister, the Nazis invade Holland and Belgium, portending an anguished war on the continent. Larson uses letters, diaries, archival documents, and other primary sources to reconstruct the day-to-day lives of Churchill, his family, and his inner circle—and in doing so, shows, in cinematic detail, how Churchill taught the British people “the art of being fearless.”

Visit https://bit.ly/LarsonLibrary for more event information, online registration, and ticket sales which opens on Monday, January 24 – March 8. Two ticket options consist of: a $55 Premium Tea Ticket which includes a library branded tea tin, chocolates, a signed novel, a book club discussion kit, and tea to enjoy at home while watching a live interview with Erik Larson. In purchasing a Basic Ticket for $35, you will receive a signed novel, a book club discussion kit, and a link to view the live stream.

Proceeds collected during this Novel Tea fundraiser support your local library within Chester County and we are very excited to be collaborating with Reads & Company Bookshop, in Phoenixville, for this event.  Your contribution promotes and celebrates reading and writing, but also raises needed funds for the library to meet the changing needs of the community we serve. Your support helps your local library consistently provide opportunities to read, learn, create, connect, and support individual well-being. In doing so you are strengthening your community! Be sure to join us for an enthralling evening!

Make it a homemade holiday!

The holiday season is a busy time of year. Family gatherings and finding the perfect gift for loved ones can be frustrating and stressful. With time being a precious commodity, remember that the library can be your best destination to find all of your family entertainment, holiday de-stressors, and party planning ideas, as well as unique, one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for everyone on your list! The Chester County Library will be hosting its 10th annual Craft Show this Saturday, December 11th, from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Vendors will be set up throughout the library to display and sell their crafts just in time for the holidays. We have a great selection of vendors this year that you can view here! Save some holiday shopping and enjoy browsing our vendors who will include makers of personalized ornaments, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, knit and fabric crafts, bath and body products, home décor, baked goods, and more!

The Craft Show is free to attend. We look forward to helping you out with your gift search during this holiday season!

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world on November 30, 2021.

It was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, this idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.

One of the best ways to get involved is in your own community. The Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch Library are proud to serve as your community center and provide resources for computer skills, job searches, genealogy, writing workshops, and so much more.

Please help us to uphold this tradition by donating here. http://tinyurl.com/ccltrust

Diwali is a celebration of major significance to many in our community who are of Indian heritage.  Would you like to learn more about the significance of the celebration here and around the world and also take part in a fun traditional craft? 

Henrietta Hankin Branch Library will be hosting a virtual educational program on this topic presented by the Dr. Preetha Kesari on Friday, November 5^th, from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.   Dr. Kesari’s presentation will explain what Diwali is, how it is celebrated all over the world, and what it symbolizes to the Indian population.  This will include descriptions of origin stories from Hindu mythology pertaining to Diwali and progress to explain Diwali’s current economic and political significance.  

Born and raised in India, Dr. Kesari came to the United States in 1988 to pursue a degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.  She has been practicing dentistry in Chester County since graduating in 1992. Having celebrated Diwali her entire life, Dr. Kesari is very passionate about educating those in her community about this very special celebration.  She has presented in the past for various community organizations including the YMCA and Camphill Village Kimberton Hills. 

In addition to her dental career and raising a family, Dr. Kesari enjoys doing pottery and creating porcelain sculptures for her nonprofit organization, Supreeti Creations.  Following her presentation and a question and answer period, Dr. Kesari will share her pottery and crafting skills to lead participants through a demonstration of traditional techniques for decorating diyas, the oil lamps made from clay often used as part of the celebration of Diwali.  Registered participants can stop by the Reference Desk at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library to pick up a craft kit consisting of a clay diya made by Dr. Kesari and painting supplies.  These craft kits will be available in the week preceding the program, from Friday, October 29^th through November 5^th, while supplies last. 

Register for this special event here. 

This event supports PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy.

Enjoy the beautiful fall weather, take a stroll around Exton Park, (located at Swedesford Rd. and Church Farm Ln.) and explore our StoryWalk® where we have just installed a new book “Those Shoes” by Maribeth Boelts. Jeremy’s story shows diversity in family structures, economic funds, need vs. want, giving, and friendship and is beautifully illustrated by Noah Z. Jones.

Please join Henrietta Hankin Branch Library on Monday, October 4^th, at 7:00 pm for a virtual screening of the documentary, “Finding Justice: The Untold Story of Women’s Fight for the Vote”, followed by a discussion with the writer and director of the film, Amanda Owen, Executive Director of the Justice Bell Foundation.

Part present-day detective story and part a historical account of the movement for voting rights, “Finding Justice: The Untold Story of Women’s Fight for the Vote” tells the story of a band of intrepid women and their one-ton bronze bell that became a celebrated icon of the women’s suffrage movement. The Justice Bell—modeled after the Liberty Bell—attracted nationwide attention, which helped rally support in the last crucial years leading up to the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment.

 As current struggles for gender equality and voting rights continue to make front-page news, this account of the suffragists’ courage and dogged persistence will inspire new generations in the fight for justice and equality.

“Finding Justice” premiered at the National Women’s History Museum on August 26, 2020 with a screening and panel discussion with Amanda Owen and Rosie Rios, President Obama’s Treasurer. Since then, “Finding Justice” has aired on PBS (WQLN and WHYY) and for a number of institutions, organizations and film festivals.

Ms. Owen is an author and an independent scholar of women’s history, specializing in the American women’s suffrage Join the movement. She is a co-founder and the Executive Director of the Justice Bell Foundation.  With a background in social work and a twenty-five-year practice as a consultant, writer and speaker, Amanda has been presenting lectures and workshops since the mid-nineties.  She is currently writing a book about the Justice Bell’s role in the American women’s suffrage movement.

To register for this special event, please visit www.ccls.org and click on “Find an Event”.

The Chester County Library is accepting vendor applications for our 10th Annual Holiday Craft Show being held on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The show provides artists and craftspeople with the unique opportunity of exposing their work to hundreds of people while taking part in an exciting, community-driven atmosphere. Our shows highlights the creative spirit of the fine artist and craftsperson, with an exceptional selection of maker-designed goods. Every participant comes away with a new base of loyal customers. Eager patrons are waiting to embrace your work.

The Chester County Library Annual Holiday Craft Show is a great opportunity to showcase and sell your work. Apply now to be considered for this festive shopping experience at: https://chestercountylibrary.files.wordpress.com/2021/09/2021-application.pdf

Library Card Sign-Up Month reminds students, families a library card is one of the most cost-effective back-to-school supplies available! IT’S FREE!

This September, Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch are joining the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide for Library Card Sign-Up Month. Whether you use a library card online or in person, it gives students the free tools to succeed in school and provides people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunities to pursue their dreams and be their best selves. From family Story Times and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs to makerspaces and virtual homework help, libraries play an essential role in supporting the value of lifelong learning through education. Libraries offer free and fun educational resources and activities that bring families and communities together. Libraries have moved far beyond just being book repositories. They’re agile institutions serving real-life needs.

Did you know you can borrow family museum passes from the library for free? Visit an area zoo, museum, or garden – you just need a Chester County Library System card!

Taking a vacation, doing virtual school at home, or doing business on the road? The Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch Library also rent mobile hotspots which allow library cardholders to access unlimited, high-speed Internet service anywhere a T-Mobile signal can be received. Connect up to ten devices at a time, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.

With a library card, the possibilities are endless. Borrow free books, CDS, DVDs, and download eBooks, and e-Audiobooks right from the comfort of your own home! We even have a large selection of videogames available to rent.

Throughout the school year, public librarians and library staff will assist parents and caregivers with saving hundreds of dollars on educational resources and services for students of all ages. A library card is one of the most cost-effective back-to-school supplies available!

For younger children, we offer early literacy resources to help them learn to read and encourage school readiness, and for teens and older students, we provide access to technology and digital tools (such as 3D printers, button makers, scanners, and audio-visual recording and editing equipment) as well as GED resources.

This year, Marley Dias, author, executive producer, and founder of #1000BlackGirlBooks is taking on a new role as honorary chair of Library Card Sign-Up Month. As honorary chair, Dias will remind the public that signing up for a library card provides access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programming that transforms lives and strengthens communities. “A library card is the ticket you need to travel across the globe. It allows you to experience stories that can connect you to diverse and empowering experiences,” said Dias.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the ALA and libraries unite in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for a library card. For more information about how to sign up for a library card, please visit Chester County Library or Henrietta Hankin Branch Library in person or online at chescolibraries.org.

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. 

‘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!