Screener & Discussion at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library

(CHESTER SPRINGS, PA)—On Monday, November 14^th, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Henrietta Hankin Branch Library is honored to continue its partnership with PBS Books and WETA in presenting a Screener and Discussion of the recently aired PBS documentary The U.S. and the Holocaust, a film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick & Sarah Botstein. This 3-part documentary explores America’s response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises in history.  Americans consider themselves a “nation of immigrants,” but as the catastrophe of the Holocaust unfolded in Europe, the United States proved unwilling to open its doors to more than a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of desperate people seeking refuge. Through riveting firsthand testimony of witnesses and survivors who as children endured persecution, violence, and flight as their families tried to escape Hitler, this series delves deeply into the tragic human consequences of public indifference, bureaucratic red tape, and restrictive quota laws in America. Did the nation fail to live up to its ideals? This is a history to be reckoned with.

 Join us as we view selected clips from the documentary and then take part in a conversation with a panel of local experts. We are delighted to have panelists Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D., and Jonathan C. Friedman, Ph.D., to lead us in an insightful conversation on core themes raised in the film, such as immigration policy, racism, isolationism, discrimination, and more.

Rabbi Sussman currently serves as the Rabbi Emeritus of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA after serving as senior rabbi from 2001-2022.  Rabbi Sussman, a specialist in American Jewish history, has written several books and numerous articles on the American Jewish experience.  Currently, he is working on a television documentary on the history of the Philadelphia Jewish community with History Making Productions.  He is also editing a collection of his sermons and essays, “Portrait of an America Rabbi,” and serving as Scholar in Residence at Philadelphia’s Holocaust Awareness Museum (HAMEC).

Jonathan C. Friedman, Ph.D., currently serves as a Professor of History, and Director of Graduate Holocaust and Genocide Studies at West Chester University.  Dr. Friedman’s main areas of specialization are modern European, modern German, and modern Jewish history, although since finishing his Ph.D. he has broadened his areas of specialization to include LGBT history and the history of music and film.  Dr. Friedman has published numerous books on subjects ranging from the Holocaust to gay and Jewish performances. He is currently working on a monograph entitled Haunted Laughter: Comedic Representations of Adolf Hitler, The Third Reich, and the Holocaust in Film and Television.

Anyone who would like to view the full documentary in advance of the event may stream it for free on WHYY PBS platforms, including PBS.org and the PBS Video App, available on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsun Smart TV, Chromecast, and VIZIO.  PBS station members can view the documentary via PBS Passport as part of a full collection of Ken Burns films.  You can also borrow a DVD of the movie through the Chester County Library System.

This Screener and Discussion program will take place virtually via Zoom.  To register, please visit https://ccls.libcal.com/calendar/HankinBranchLibrary. This event supports PA Forward Health and Civic and Social Literacies.

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.

Representative Kristine Howard and the Chester County Library will co-host a second Adult Mental Health Forum this year on Wednesday, November 16 from 5-7 p.m. in the library’s Struble Room. Visitors can connect with resources from several local agencies and listen to local experts talk about the current condition of mental health in Chester County. Registration is not required.

 Speaker presentations at the fair will include:

• a representative from the Chester County Department of Mental Health
• a representative from the Chester County Department of Intellectual Disabilities
• a representative from the West Chester University Community Mental Health Clinic
• Nikki Weigand, NAMI Keystone’s Advocacy Director

The mental health fairs grew out of a need to connect constituents with existing resources. With growing mental health crises, it has become more important than ever to ensure no one goes without the care they need.

While much of Representative Howard’s legislative work has focused on preventing mental and behavioral health care worker shortages – the SWEET Program (HB 1926) and the BWELL Program (HB 2091), for example – she has heard from many constituents who were simply unaware of the resources already available. In particular, many parents are looking for assistance with their adult children.

As an accessible community hub and advocate of circulating health literacy within the community, the Chester County Library is also committed to helping connect the community with local mental health resources available to them. The Chester County Library is hoping to extend a lifeline to its neighbors and also demonstrate that they are an inclusive resource for all community needs. This event will give the community at large an opportunity to have open conversations without judgment and thereby also help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Find more information here or contact the Chester County Library Reference Desk at 610-344-5957. 

Join us for an afternoon dedicated to helping you get a job! Representatives from local organizations will be in attendance to share their expertise. In addition, you can register for workshops, wardrobe services, and customized help for your job search. All services are completely free.

To REGISTER for ONE-ON-ONE HELP, please email Sam Bardarik with your available times (between 12 and 4pm on 11/12) and what area(s) you’d like help with (resume, cover letter, interviewing, computer assistance, and/or general job/career)

REGISTER for a WORKSHOP

REGISTER for WARDROBE SERVICES

On Friday, November 4^th, from 6-8 pm, Chester County Library will partner with Paint the Town to host an enjoyable Paint Night. The program will take place in person in the Struble Room of the library, and is free to attend, although there is a limit of 25 spots available. Spots will go fast so please register here or on our website as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. 

During the event, there will be two hours of guided painting time with an entertaining artist who will guide the group through the painting experience. Paint the Town will also provide all the supplies—all you need to bring is yourself! They have hosted team-building events for large companies such as Google, Amazon, Visa, and Comcast in addition to doing events for smaller groups and have more than 500 5-star ratings on Google and Yelp.

This program is sponsored by Chester County Library’s XYZ Committee which was formed to help develop programming for generations X, Y, and Z that is not only fun and informative, but also connects patrons of this age group with the many services that the Chester County Library has to offer (such as our wide collection of books, movies, and videogames, our makerspace and technology center, etc.)  Our programs provide young adult patrons a space to connect and socialize with peers in a way that is fun, accessible, and often completely free of charge. In the past, the XYZ Committee has held trivia nights, escape rooms, murder mystery events, and other large events in the spring such as NerdCon and Crime Spree.

(EXTON, PA) – THE FRIENDS OF CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY Fall Book Sale is scheduled for next weekend, October 7th – 9th, 2022. A variety of books, music and movie CDs and DVDs will be sold at bargain prices. A huge selection of children’s books will be available in a separate room.

• Friday, October 7, 6 to 8:30 p.m. — The sale starts for members of the Friends of the Chester County Library only (Memberships can be purchased on Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. at the membership table or in advance by mailing in the membership form available here.

• Saturday, October 8, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — The sale will be open to the public.

• Sunday, October 9, 1 to 4 p.m. — 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. All proceeds from the Book Sale benefit the Chester County Library.

Chester County Library will host several social service organizations that offer assistance with various housing needs. Stop by the Reference Department between 9:30am-12:30pm to gather information, discover available services, build contacts, and improve your situation. The following organizations will be in attendance:

• 211/United Way of Chester County
• Chester County Department of Aging
• Chester County Department of Community Development
• Chester County Food Bank
• CHOP Homeless Health Initiative
• Domestic Violence Center of Chester County
• Friends Association for Care & Protection of Children
• Good Samaritan Services
• Home of the Sparrow
• Housing Authority of Chester County
• Housing Equality Center of Pennsylvania
• Housing Partnership of Chester County
• North Star of Chester County
• Open Hearth
• PECO Outreach
• Veterans Multi-Service Center

Check back for updates. The event takes place on Saturday, September 17, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm

Sheri Houpt, a Housing Counselor from the Housing Partnership of Chester County, will also be holding Credit Workshops in the Story Time Room at 10:00, 11:00, and 12:00. Without good credit, it is nearly impossible to secure proper/stable housing, whether renting or purchasing. It can hinder you from securing a job and can impact the amount you pay for loans and insurance. During the workshop, HPCC will cover the basic principles everyone should understand including how credit is reported, the credit bureaus, FICO scores, and how to improve your credit situation.

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. Chester County Library & District Center is located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. For hours or more information, visit our website at www.chescolibraries.org.

September is Library Card Sign-up Month when libraries nationwide join the American Library Association (ALA) to remind parents, caregivers, and students that signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning.

Libraries play a crucial role in the education and development of children, offering a variety of programs to spark creativity and stimulate an interest in reading and learning. Through access to technology, media resources, and educational programs, a library card gives students the tools to succeed in the classroom and provides people of all ages opportunities to pursue their dreams, explore new passions and interests, and find their voice.

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.

For older children and teens as well as our adult patrons, we provide access to technology and digital tools such as 3D printers, crafting and sewing equipment, STEM kits, laser-cutting, computer programming, self-publishing resources, welding, virtual reality programs, collaborative workspaces, and GED resources. With a library card, families can also borrow one-day passes for free to visit various educational and cultural museums and historic sites in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware with our Museum Pass Program.

Don’t know what to read next? Let our librarians help you with personal reading suggestions. Perhaps you want to learn a new language or research your family tree.  With the wide knowledge of our Reference librarians and free access to numerous databases such as Mango Languages, Ancestry Library Edition, and The New York Times we have you covered. Apart from our extensive multimedia and book collections and Reference databases, we also offer 24/7 online access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, and magazines with services such as Libby by Overdrive and Flipster. Our Business and Career Center offers job, career, and personal finance resources and workshops as well as free wireless Internet access to the public for use with personal laptops and other mobile devices.

This year, Tony Award-winning performer, actress, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Idina Menzel (Frozen, Wicked) and her sister, author, and educator Cara Mentzel, will serve as honorary chairs of Library Card Sign-Up Month. Idina and Cara are excited to remind everyone that one of the best places to find your voice is at the library. During Library Card Sign-Up Month, they want us to explore all the library has to offer, like-new children’s books, access to technology, and educational programming. “It’s a little card that goes a loud way. Let your imagination sing at the library,” said Mentzel.

Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, Chester County Library and its Henrietta Hankin Branch, along with libraries everywhere, continues to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving community needs. To sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, please visit https://bit.ly/3RtxepK.

The mission of the Chester County Library System is to ensure that every resident has access to exceptional opportunities to read, learn, create, connect and contribute to a better quality of life. For hours or more information regarding our 18 library locations, please visit our website at www.ccls.org.

NEW THIS MONTH!

Keep an eye out for Spotify logos on our books. Scan the QR codes in select books in our collection, marked with Spotify spine labels, for playlists created for each book. For a full list of the books included, visit our website or click here.

(EXTON, PA) – Recognizing the frustrations in access to mental health care and the lack of information about what resources were available, Pennsylvania State Representative Kristine Howard began holding the Mental Health Fair in 2021. She noticed the urgent need for mental health resources and education, which had only been exacerbated by the pandemic. Many people were turning to her office for help finding care for their loved ones, and it was a natural decision to hold a Mental Health Fair to help inform the public about what resources were available.

This year, Representative Howard and the Chester County Library will co-host a Mental Health Fair on Thursday, September 8 from 3 -5 p.m. in the library’s Struble Room. Visitors can connect with resources from several local agencies and listen to local experts talk about the current condition of mental health in Chester County. Registration is not required.

 Speakers at the fair will include:

• Kristen de Marco, Executive Director of Gateway Horseworks
• Colleen Drake, Assistant Director of Business Development at Belmont Behavioral Hospital
• Gerry Gonzalez, Community Relations Representative at Child Guidance Resource Centers
• Leslie Holt, Co-Founder, and CEO of A Child’s Light
• Michael Ivers, EMS Operations Chief for Chester County Emergency Response
• Kate Lannan, Community Services Director at A Haven
• Katie McGrath, Director of Outreach, and Olivia Kennedy, Outreach Liaison, at Sanare Today
• Deborah Willett, Program Coordinator of GRANDFamily Connections of Chester County at Coatesville Center for Community Health

As an accessible community hub and advocate of circulating health literacy within the community, the Chester County Library is committed to helping connect the community with local mental health resources available to them. The Chester County Library is hoping to extend a lifeline to its neighbors and also demonstrate that they are an inclusive resource for all community needs. This event will give the community at large an opportunity to have open conversations without judgment and thereby also help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. For more information please visit https://bit.ly/3zSgl0A or contact the Chester County Library Reference Desk at 610-344-5957. 

Chalk our Walk! We’re calling all artists to help decorate the sidewalk around the Library to celebrate the reopening of our parking lot. Decorate a block yourself, or share one with family, friends, or your organization. We’ll provide the supplies, you just bring your imagination!

Come by any time between 6:00 and 7:30, but please register first so we can guarantee everyone a spot. Register here.

All drawings must be family-friendly–no offensive, graphic, or political illustrations and no foul language, please.

Rain date: Friday, September 1