A screener and discussion at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library

Indie Lens Pop-Up, presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS in partnership with Henrietta Hankin Branch Library and WHYY, will host a screening of “Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s,” followed by a discussion led by a panel of special guests. The discussion panel will feature Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter representative, Chris Holt, along with staff members from local memory care centers including Serena Jennings, Memory Care Coordinator at Eagleview Landing, and from the Compass Memory Care at Fieldstone in Chester Springs, Amanda Berry, Memory Care Program Director and Terri Nappi, Activities Director. The final documentary in a three-part series focusing on neurodegenerative diseases, “Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s,” explores how family dynamics change when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

Nearly 7 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and family and friends of those living with dementia provide 18 billion hours of unpaid care each year. “Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s” follows three families and the unique challenges of their loved ones’ diagnoses, delving into their lived experiences. Going beyond the statistics, the film explores how this disease impacts identities and roles in relationships, when one partner becomes a caregiver, or how both parent and child are transformed when the traditional role of provider is reversed.

WHAT: Free preview screening of “Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s” followed by a community discussion about Alzheimer’s and resources for people impacted by the disease, how becoming a caregiver for a parent or partner transforms relationships, the impact of community support, and more.  

WHO: Presenters: Indie Lens Pop-Up, Henrietta Hankin Library, and WHYY, along with a special discussion panel of special guests

WHEN: Tuesday, June 3^rd, 5:30-7:30 pm

RSVP: This is a hybrid event. Register now to take part either in-person or virtually via Zoom – https://ccls.libcal.com/event/14115067

 “Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s” debuts May 5, 2025, at 10 p.m. ET on PBS and the PBS app (check local listings).

For more information, visit Independent Lens.

About Indie Lens Pop-Up

Indie Lens Pop-Up is a community series that brings people together for film screenings and conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS, Indie Lens Pop-Up draws local residents, leaders, and organizations to discuss what matters most. Learn more at pbs.org/indielenspopup.

About INDEPENDENT LENS INDEPENDENT LENS is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series. With founding executive producer Lois Vossen, the series has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Park Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS app. For more, visit pbs.org/independentlens.

The Chester County Library is excited to host its annual “Read Local!”—now in its second year—a celebration of local creativity featuring authors and illustrators from Chester County and neighboring areas. The event will highlight a wide range of books and genres for both children and adults.

According to April Nickel, Youth Services Director at Chester County Library, the event aims to spotlight local talent—particularly authors and illustrators who have recently self-published or published through independent publishers. These participants submitted applications to share their work with the community, offering a unique opportunity to discover local voices and creative projects. While some of the featured titles may not meet the library’s collection development policy, the event serves as a platform to connect these creators with the public.

The Read Local! showcase will feature more than 30 local authors and illustrators, each with their own table inside the library to display and sell their books. Visitors are invited to engage directly with the creators, explore their works, and learn more about their creative processes.

This open house-style event will take place on Sunday, May 18, from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. Admission is free and no registration is required.

A screener and discussion at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library

To kick off this year’s Summer Reading program, Indie Lens Pop-Up, presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS in partnership with Henrietta Hankin Branch Library and WHYY will host a screening of “Free for All: The Public Library,” followed by a discussion led by a panel of special guests.  The discussion panel will feature Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch Director, Jenna Persick, and Branch Manager, Carey Bresler, together with Michael Skay, President of the Chester County Library System Board of Trustees. “Free for All: The Public Library” tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who created a civic institution where everything is free, and the doors are open to all.

The public library is one of America’s most valued yet endangered institutions.  Director Dawn Logsdon travels the United States, discovering historic and modern-day figures, especially women, who contributed to the library’s integral position within democracy. “Free for All: The Public Library” chronicles the evolution of the nation’s public libraries, tracing the battles over who can enter, what belongs there, and who makes these decisions, while exploring how public commons are defined and defended.

WHAT: 5:00 pm refreshments and activities; 5:30 pm a FREE preview screening of “Free for All: The Public Library” followed by a community discussion.

WHEN: Thursday, June 5^th, 5:00-7:30pm

RSVP: To register, click here.

Doors will open at 5:00pm for participants to enjoy pizza and light refreshments as they take part in activities designed to get everyone thinking about what has made public libraries important in their own lives. Participants can also enter a raffle drawing for family passes to Longwood Gardens. The screener will begin at 5:30pm. After the screening, our guest panelists will host an engaging and interactive discussion about how public libraries shaped the country and continue to be a sanctuary for Americans everywhere, despite the threats to funding the civic institution has faced in recent years.

“Free for All: The Public Library” had its debut on April 29, 2025, on PBS and the PBS app. For more information, visit Independent Lens.

About Indie Lens Pop-Up

Indie Lens Pop-Up is a community series that brings people together for film screenings and conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS, Indie Lens Pop-Up draws local residents, leaders, and organizations to discuss what matters most. Learn more at pbs.org/indielenspopup.

About INDEPENDENT LENS INDEPENDENT LENS is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series. With founding executive producer Lois Vossen, the series has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Park Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS app. For more visit pbs.org/independentlens.

Mock Interviews, Career Counseling, & Professional Headshots

(EXTON, PA)— Join the Chester County Library & District Center Business and Career Librarian, Mikaila Strano, as we introduce new resources and services to our Business Center. The Chester County Library is introducing three new career programs held in-person at the library. The first is a mock interview service in which patrons can request an appointment with a volunteer to practice for an upcoming interview. Whether it’s your first time job seeking or you’re just looking for extra practice, consider setting up an appointment today. Our volunteer will interview a hiring manager, so have a prepared resume, dress to impress, and bring questions! The volunteer will also provide written feedback so you can assess and perfect before the big day. If you don’t have a resume, consider joining the library’s monthly Resume and Job Search Workshop held in partnership with PA CareerLink as a hybrid event.

The second new service, which is in partnership with our career advisors, is PA CareerLink Office Hours, held every Tuesday from 12 pm-3 pm in the Reference Department. Patrons are encouraged to drop in during this time to speak with a CareerLink representative about what programs and services are available to adults and young adults. Tap into individualized services for access to career counseling, adult training funds, youth incentives, and employer events.

Finally, our latest service is a professional headshots event which will take place on May 12^th from 10 am-12 pm in the Struble Room. Whether it’s for a LinkedIn profile or a business website, you’ll want this photo to be the first thing potential employers or customers see when they look you up. After the photo is taken, you will be emailed a digital copy that you can upload to your choice site with the confidence that your professionalism will shine through. Please ensure you have a working email address so that you can access these photos once they’re sent. This is also a drop-in event, but interested attendees are encouraged to register via the library’s event calendar to ensure their contact information is submitted prior.

The mission of the Chester County and Henrietta Hankin Branch Libraries is to provide informational, educational, and cultural services to the residents of Chester County so that they may be lifelong learners. The Chester County Library & District Center is located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. For hours or more information, visit our website at https://chescolibraries.org/tools-and-research/business-and-career-center/

at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library

A Vibrant Musical Puppet Show Inspired by the 2025 Longwood Gardens Community Read!

Crystal Murphy Music, in collaboration with the Murphy Murpets, invites families to a joyful and imaginative journey with Extraordinary Joe – The Quest for Color, a musical puppet show inspired by The Extraordinary Gardener, a 2025 Longwood Gardens Community Read selection.

This engaging 1-hour program is specially designed for children ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Young audiences will delight in a magical blend of original music, puppetry, interactive movement activities, and an extraordinary take-home craft that extends the experience beyond the show.

Event Details:

Monday, April 28, 2025

1:30 – 2:30 PM

Henrietta Hankin Branch Library, 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, PA

Registration is required at: https://bit.ly/HHBCrystalMurphyPuppetShow

Please note: Space is limited. By registering, you’re reserving a valuable spot. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, kindly let us know so we may offer the opportunity to another family.

This program proudly supports PA Forward’s Basic Literacy initiative and is part of the Longwood Gardens Community Read — promoting community engagement and literacy through the shared experience of storytelling.

The mission of the Chester County and Henrietta Hankin Branch Libraries is to provide informational, educational and cultural services to the residents of Chester County so that they may be lifelong learners.   The Henrietta Hankin Branch Library is located at 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, PA.  For hours or more information, visit our website at www.chescolibraries.org.

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, April 15, to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting virtually; or attend in person at the Chester County Library, Burke Room, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA 19341. 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.

Submissions Open April 7 – May 3

Were you lucky enough to get your hands on one of our stickers or magnets unveiled last year? They ended up being harder to come by than a Kristin Hannah library book! We were astounded by the excitement these stickers and magnets generated and we were even more humbled that so many people want to share their library pride. Thank you for being such vocal supporters of the Chester County Library and the Henrietta Hankin Branch!

Looking back on the success of last year’s sticker launch, we would like to start a new tradition of annual library stickers. But we’re librarians, not graphic designers, like some of YOU are! We want to see the creativity and artistry of our library-loving patrons, especially since this year’s National Library Week theme is Drawn to the Library. And what’s the biggest draw to the library? Well, you tell us—in your designs!

Submissions will be accepted from Monday, April 7 – Saturday, May 3 at https://forms.gle/VtjrY1yWoLG5duew5. Designs must fit within a 1:1 square (stickers will be 2” and magnets will be 4” when printed). Submissions must also incorporate the library’s website URL “chescolibraries.org” somewhere in the design. A selection of no more than four designs will be chosen by a panel of librarians. Winners will be announced no later than May 19, 2025.

Click here to see the full contest rules. All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them. It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that any submissions do not infringe upon the copyright of any third party or law. Entrants must attest that the design they submit is their work and that they own the copyright for it.

For more information, contact Kelly Quigg, Chester County Library Community Engagement Librarian, at kquigg@ccls.org.

Good luck, designers!

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, March 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.

The Chester County Library is thrilled to invite local authors to apply for our Annual Local Author Showcase! This special event celebrates the vibrant literary talent in our community. Priority will be given to Chester County authors, and if space permits, we will also consider authors from across Pennsylvania.

The showcase will be held on Sunday, May 18th, from 1-4 pm, at Chester County Library located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. This exciting event provides authors with a unique opportunity to engage directly with library patrons, discuss your work and publishing journey, and connect with fellow local authors. You’ll also have the chance to offer your books for sale and gain visibility within the community.

If you’re interested in participating, please complete and submit the application form before March 21, at https://bit.ly/CCLReadLocalApp2025

You will be notified of your acceptance status by March 24, 2025.

For any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to our Program Coordinator at pmarquette@ccls.org. We look forward to your application and to celebrating our local literary community together!