Join us at the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library on Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 5:30-7:30 PM for a “Books for all Readers” community workshop. This workshop is designed to inform educators, parents, and caregivers about the science of reading and ways to help early and struggling readers become skilled readers with the help of decodable books.

Decodable books are simple books written for beginning readers and contain specific grapheme-phoneme correspondences that students have learned. This provides learners with the opportunity to use their developing segmenting and blending skills to read words and develop automaticity, which is the ability to recognize words quickly and effortlessly, leading to independent reading success.

In November 2022, State Sen. Katie Muth (D-Chester/Montgomery/Berks) announced a $125,000 grant to establish a collection of decodable books in every public library across Senate District 44 and to offer training and professional development on these collections for librarians and our community members. The funding for this initiative comes from Pennsylvania’s allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The 10 libraries in Senate District 44 eligible to receive decodable text collections include Atglen Public Library, Chester Springs Library, Henrietta Hankin Branch, Honey Brook Community Library, Parkesburg Free Library, Spring City Library, and the Phoenixville Public Library in Chester County; Lower Providence Community Library and Royersford Free Public Library in Montgomery County; and the Boone Area Library in Berks County.

“Learning to read is a fundamental human right. The process of learning to read and achieving adequate literacy skills is a unique process for each individual learner. Ensuring availability of phonics-based resources in both our classrooms and community libraries for young learners to practice decoding – a necessary skill for reading comprehension – will enhance structured literacy efforts implemented during explicit instruction,” Senator Katie Muth said. “Through this program, librarians across SD44 have already participated in several training sessions on decodable book collections that improve and promote fluency and accuracy, and help kids practice their phonics skills they have learned and build on those skills to master essential reading competencies. The next step in the program is the June 6th community event and I am really looking forward to seeing everyone at the library!”

The workshop being offered at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library (located at 215 Windgate Dr, Chester Springs, PA 19425) will focus on using decodable books in libraries as resources to support skilled reading for all children. Teach My Kid to Read (teachmykidtoread.org/), a 501(c)(3) non-profit, will present this information. Cigdem Knebel from Simple Words Books will also share her story and present a system she created to assess the quality of decodable books.

After the workshop, attendees are invited to view a display of examples of decodable books, sign up for giveaways, and interact with the presenters.

“Every school community is working to ensure that all children are reading on grade level by third grade, and the library sees lending decodable books as another tool to support these new readers and their teachers and caregivers,” said Joseph L. Sherwood, Executive Director of the Chester County Library System. To register for the workshop, please visit https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/HankinBranchLibrary/communitydecodables.

Join the Chester County Library for its inaugural Read Local! event, which will feature authors and illustrators from Chester County and neighboring regions in Pennsylvania. The event will showcase a variety of genres for both children and adults.

According to April Nickel, the Youth Services Director at Chester County Library, the intention behind this event is to spotlight selected authors and illustrators who have recently self-published or published a book through an independent publisher and have submitted applications to Chester County Library to be able to present their work to the local community. While not all of these books meet the Library’s collection development policy, they strive to provide a platform for these writers and artists to share their work with the public. The Read Local! event is expected to become an annual gathering for creatives in Chester County and nearby areas.

The event will include thirty authors and illustrators of adult and children’s books across various genres. Each participant will have a designated table inside the library where they can sell their books. Attendees can interact with the writers and illustrators and learn about their work and creative process. This open house-style event will take place at the Chester County Library on Sunday, May 19, from 1 pm to 4 pm. No registration is required to attend.

at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library

On Saturday, May 18th, from 3:00-4:00 p.m., Henrietta Hankin Branch Library is pleased to welcome Thomas Hawkins to present a fascinating program on the evolution of the bicycle from the High Wheel (or Penny Farthing) bicycle to the modern bike.  Join us to learn how these High Wheel bicycles enjoyed their 15 years of fantastic fame in the 1880s and how in modern times the Ordinary High Wheel bicycle is experiencing a revival in manufacturing and racing.  After the talk concludes the presenter will demonstrate how to ride both an antique reproduction 1886 Victor High Wheel and a modern Swedish Racing High Wheel in the Henrietta Hankin Library parking lot.

Thomas Hawkins has been riding and racing Penny Farthing bicycles in the United States and Europe for eight years.  He was immediately fascinated by these strange and dangerous machines from his first ride and race in the Clustered Spires High Wheel Race in Frederick Maryland in 2015. Since then, he began to research in earnest the history of these early bicycles.  In 1817, a Frenchman invented the Hobby Horse for walking and gliding while sitting on two wheels.  Around 1865, pedals were attached to the front wheel and the Velocipede was created.  By 1870, a series of inventions allowed the creation of the High Wheel or Penny Farthing Bicycle, which underwent a huge surge in popularity in England and the United States.  These High Wheel bicycles became so common that they were known as Ordinary bicycles, or simply ‘Ordinaries’.  The High Wheel bicycle was rather unsafe, with a high center of gravity and almost no brakes.  In a few short years, the modern shaped bicycle was invented, and the ‘Safety’ bicycle, with its wheels of equal size, a diamond frame, and the rear wheel powered by a chain drive was invented.  This is essentially the same design as is used today in all modern bikes, one hundred and thirty years later.

Born in England, Thomas has lived and worked as a tropical forester in Nepal and Honduras. As a Research Associate with Missouri Botanical Garden, he made many plant-collecting expeditions to the Cloud Forests of Central and South America.  When not riding High Wheel bicycles Thomas enjoys the less dangerous pastime of cave exploration, both in the United States and overseas.

We thank the Chester County Library Trust for their generous support in making this event possible.  Registration is required. To register, visit https://ccls.libcal.com/event/12103696 or call the library at 610-344-4196.  Henrietta Hankin Library supports PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy.

Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch are pleased to announce a new virtual author talk series each month featuring bestselling, award-winning, and highly acclaimed authors from around the world.  The featured writers and thought leaders will cover a wide range of fiction and nonfiction genres.  These programs have been generously funded by the Chester County Library Trust and are brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.   

The free, virtual series takes place two to three times a month and includes the opportunity to ask questions to the author.  A complete list of events is available at https://bit.ly/LibrarySpeakersConsortium. Author Talks for this month include: 

THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF RUDOLF DIESEL – New York Times Bestselling author, Douglas Brunt is joining us online to chat about his debut non-fiction work, on Wednesday, May 1st at 3 PM ET. This instant bestseller reveals the hidden history of Rudolf Diesel, one of the world’s great inventors, and his mysterious disappearance on the eve of World War I.

MOTHER – DAUGHTER MURDER NIGHT– Nothing brings a family together like a murder next door . . .  Join Nina Simon online to chat about her lighthearted whodunnit about a grandmother-mother-daughter trio of amateur sleuths on Wednesday, May 8th at 7 PM ET.

YELLOWFACE – We’re looking forward to a thrilling conversation with Rebecca F. Kuang (R.F.Kuang) as she chats with us about her New York Times bestselling novel, Yellowface on Tuesday, May 21st at 7 PM ET. Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media.

All events are free and open to the public.  For more information, to register and submit questions for the author, visit https://libraryc.org/ccls

After registration, you will receive a link to the live online event at the email address you provided. These events will be recorded and can also be viewed later (along with many other author talks!) at https://libraryc.org/ccls/archive

The Chester County Library Board of Trustees has recently announced the promotion of Jenna Persick as the next Library Director for Chester County Library and its Henrietta Hankin Branch. Ms. Persick’s appointment was made effective on April 8, 2024. Mike Skay, Chairman of the Board of Trustees says “We are thrilled to have Jenna take on the role of our new Library Director. Her vision for the future of our libraries aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing accessible resources, innovative programming, and fostering a welcoming environment for all members of our community. Jenna has been an exceedingly valuable member of the Chester County Library team since 2001. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and an unwavering commitment to advancing the role of libraries as vibrant community gathering places.

Ms. Persick has worked at Chester County Library for 23 years in various positions, including as a Business Librarian in the Reference Department, and as the Head of Technical Services since 2007. She has also worked at other public libraries, including the San Antonio Public Library’s central library, the Wilmington Library in Delaware, and the Memorial Library of Radnor Township. Joe Sherwood, Executive Director of Chester County Library System, praised Ms. Persick’s skills, knowledge, and expertise, which make her a tremendous asset and a perfect fit for the role. 

As the new Library Director, Ms. Persick will be responsible for executive leadership for approximately 140 staff between the two library locations. Her role will involve working closely with Chester County administration, community partners, county departments, and the Chester County Library System to leverage library programs and services to improve life outcomes for all residents in the area.  

Ms. Persick expressed her excitement about her new role and said, “I look forward to working with our staff to continue to provide quality library services and exploring new opportunities to engage with the community. I believe a strong library engages with its community to align services and resources with community needs. I would love our Libraries to become community hubs where residents can use our resources and spaces to educate, inform, and enrich their lives. I also hope that everyone in the community has a library card to use our services in person and virtually. We have so much information to share: current bestsellers, books for research, digital magazines and newspapers, eBooks, and eAudiobooks, streaming video with our Kanopy Plus subscription, and many databases to help with research for business planning, schoolwork, or consumer study. We have staff ready to assist with business/career and technology questions. We have Makerspaces at both libraries for our community makers to use. We have over thirty museum passes to area museums that are free with your library card. Our Libraries continue to grow and are ready to help. Please stop by and see what we have to offer!”

THE FRIENDS OF CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY SPRING BOOK SALE is scheduled for April 12-14, 2024. Various books, music, movie CDs, and DVDs will be sold at bargain prices. A large selection of children’s books will also be available in a separate room.

• Friday, April 12, 6 to 8:30 pm— The sale is for Friends of the Chester County Library only. Memberships can be purchased on Friday night, beginning at 5 pm, at the membership table or in advance by mailing the membership form available at the library or on our website.
• Saturday, April 13, 9:30 am to 4 pm — The sale will be open to the general public.
• Sunday, April 14, 1 to 4 pm — During ‘Bag Sale Day’, we will supply the bag; you fill it and pay $10 (only $7 per bag with your FRIENDS membership). For less than a whole bag, the books will be sold at half-price.

We accept cash, checks, or PayPal. The proceeds of the FRIENDS of Chester County Library book sale benefit the Chester County Library.

Our FRIENDS Fall Book Sale dates are scheduled for October 4th – 6th, 2024.

^{Various programs scheduled in March and Early-April}

EXTON, PA – The countdown is on for millions of sky-watchers across North America for Monday, April 8^th, when a total solar eclipse will temporarily darken afternoon skies and an illuminated halo will appear overhead.

Chester County will be joining in on this major event with various solar-themed programs scheduled throughout March and early April in the lead-up to the eclipse itself:

• Here Comes the Sun- LIVE! (An astronomy event, not a musical)

On Sunday, March 24^th, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm, you can join NASA Solar System Ambassador Don Miler and retired NASA Astronomer Roger Kennedy, who have all the right stuff to safely view the sun in white light, which involves a part of the sun called the photosphere and will show sunspots and the granularity of the sun beautifully. Also, view the special part of the emitted light called H-alpha which shows the chromosphere where the solar prominences and other features will be visible.  This is an event that depends on clear weather, so keep an eye on your email for updates. To be sure check the library website at www.chescolibraries.org. This event will take place in the front of the library building. Register at https://ccls.libcal.com/event/11937465

• The Great Solar Eclipse is Coming! – how to view it safely

Join NASA Solar System Ambassador Don Miller, on Thursday, April 4^th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Chester County Library as he presents everything you’ll need to know to safely observe the Great North American Solar Eclipse happening on Monday, April 8^th. While the Philadelphia area will not experience totality, the sun will be approximately 90% blocked! Free solar glasses will be available to take home with you. Register at https://ccls.libcal.com/event/11877802

• Viewing the Total Solar Eclipse from Hibernia County Park

The Chester County Library is hosting this event along with Chester County Parks and Preservation, NASA, The Chester County Astronomical Society, and Timmy Telescope on Monday, April 8^th from 2 – 4:30 pm in the Fiddler’s Field at Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Rd. Coatesville, PA.

Bring friends and family and enjoy observing the eclipse with the help and expertise of local astronomy enthusiasts. Learn about eclipses and try out activities that will help to better understand them. Participate in eclipse-related activities such as the GLOBE Observer-Eclipse program and GLOBE Observer-Clouds program and enter your data into the network to help scientists. Participate in a 20-minute “Sun Salutation” at 12:30 pm and/or a 20-minute “Moon Salutation” at 2 pm with Heather from 2 Crows and a Raven Yoga.

Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Plan to bring chairs and/or blanket for comfort, sunscreen, and water. A limited number of solar observation glasses will be available. Registration is suggested and you will receive an email reminder. Walk-ins welcome. Registration will close 1 day before the scheduled start time of the event. Register at https://ccls.libcal.com/event/12065509

Applications are now open for the Local Author Showcase to be held in May

The Chester County Library is holding its first-ever Local Author Showcase to highlight our Local Authors. Chester County authors will be given priority and, if space allows, other local Pennsylvania authors as well.  We are excited to invite you to apply to participate in our special event!

The Showcase will take place at the Chester County Library (located at 450 Exton Square Parkway in Exton, PA) on Sunday, May 19th from 1- 4 pm. Authors will have the opportunity to meet with library patrons, talk about their writings and publishing, and network with other local authors. They will also have the opportunity to offer their books for sale.

If you would like to apply to participate, please complete and return the application: https://www.ccls.org/FormCenter/Read-Local-Application-9/Read-Local-Application-86.

You will be notified by March 27, 2024 of your acceptance.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Adult Program Coordinator, Pam Marquette, at pmarquette@ccls.org. We look forward to receiving your application!

The Chester County Library System (CCLS) with its 18 locations is continuously striving to improve and transform library services to meet the community’s ever-changing needs. 

CCLS invites the public to participate in an online survey. Your responses will help shape the future of public libraries in Chester County. Click here to take the survey, which will run through March 1^st, 2024

Joseph Sherwood, CCLS Executive Director states, “Libraries are much more than places to find information, though we still serve that essential purpose.  We are also 21st-century gathering places where people connect and can use online resources and current technology to improve their education and enhance their job skills so they can contribute effectively to their community.  As stewards of public resources in a time of changing economic realities, we understand how important it is to embrace innovation in many forms and to align our services to best meet the pressing needs in our community.”

This survey will help the member libraries provide exceptional value and service to library users, communities, and organizations throughout Chester County.  

Top 136 public library systems worldwide in total digital circulation

EXTON, PA – Chester County Library System announced today that its patrons reached a new milestone: 1.1 million digital books borrowed in 2023. This achievement illustrates the library’s commitment to serving all members of the community in innovative ways, including with a large catalog of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and other digital media. 

Chester County Library System is #136 of all standalone public libraries and one of 152 total public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million digital checkouts in the last calendar year.

Chester County Library System has been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, comic books, and other digital content for several years through the award-winning Libby app, the library reading app created by OverDrive. The large collection serves readers of all ages and interests, and usage has grown throughout the years. 

Chester County Library System also offers thousands of movies and TV shows available through Kanopy, the leading video streaming service for public libraries. Viewers enjoyed hundreds/thousands of hours of content ranging from documentaries, children’s TV shows, instructional series, and Academy Award-winning films, all for free without ads. 

“The Chester County Library System is happy to announce we have reached a wonderful milestone, 1 Million electronic books checked out by our patrons! This is over 25% of our total materials checked out. In my 12 years as Executive Director, I’ve been happy to see this service grow as our libraries have allocated resources to meet community needs. These materials are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to any resident of Chester County. As we move into 2024 and as technology permeates our society I expect this service to continue to flourish and expand” says Joseph Sherwood, Executive Director of Chester County Library System. 

The highest-circulating title Chester County Library System readers borrowed in 2023 was Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. The top-circulating genre, thriller, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes fiction, romance, romance, mystery, children/young adults, and more. 

The top 5 eBook titles borrowed through Chester County Library System’s digital collection in 2023: 

• Verity by Colleen Hoover 
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 
• It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover 
• The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand 
• Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex 

The top 5 eAudiobook titles borrowed through Chester County Library System’s digital collection in 2023: 

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 
• The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese 
• Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex 
• You Shouldn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose 
• Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter 

Readers in Chester County just need a valid library card to access digital books from Chester County Library System’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. You can use any major device, including Apple^(R), Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle^(R) (U.S. only). 

Download the Libby app or visit https://chester.overdrive.com/ to get started borrowing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more anytime, anywhere. 

About Chester County Library System 

The mission of the Chester County Library System ensures that every resident has access to exceptional opportunities to read, learn, create, connect, and contribute to a better quality of life. Chester County Library & District Center is located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. For hours or more information, visit our website at https://www.ccls.org

About OverDrive 

OverDrive is a mission-based company that stands with libraries. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 88,000 libraries and schools in 109 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of eBooks, eAudiobooks, video, and other content. OverDrive’s commitment to empower every library and school includes expanding access for all, tireless industry advocacy and consistently innovating. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks.net, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com