Feel like Thanksgiving isn’t getting enough attention? Need something to keep you and your visiting relatives busy over break? Here’s a few underappreciated film picks from our library for an underappreciated holiday:
Home for the Holidays
Claudia (Holly Hunter) travels to have Thanksgiving dinner with her dysfunctional family. Tensions rise, but the holiday proves not to be a total bust when Claudia meets her brother’s friend Leo (Dylan McDermott) and the two develop feelings for each other.
Turkey Hollow
Directed by Jim Henson, this family romp follows two siblings who, after they grow bored of spending Thanksgiving with their aunt, track down the legendary monster known as the Howling Hoodoo.
The Humans
Part satire. Part horror. Watch as a family’s fears are revealed through a dark Thanksgiving dinner.
Black Friday
A trashy horror-comedy that metaphorically illustrates the terror of being a retail worker on Black Friday.
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 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17 to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting virtually; or attend in person at the Easttown Library, 720 First Avenue, Berwyn, PA 19312. 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.
EXTON — The Chester County Library & District Center is among 50 public libraries nationwide awarded funding by the Public Library Association (PLA) this year to conduct workshops using the new DigitalLearn Affordable Connectivity Program Basics training materials, developed in collaboration with AT&T. The Affordable Connectivity Program, also known as the ACP, from the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC), helps households get discounted and affordable internet service. The ACP Basics Workshop Incentive enables libraries to conduct information sessions that help households learn how to identify the information they need to apply for the program, how to apply for the program, and how to use the benefit.
The Chester County Library & District Center’s efforts will focus on outreach for low-income senior citizens, job seekers, and other families in need throughout the county. The information sessions will be hybrid – held both at the library, located in Exton near the Exton Square Mall, and online via Zoom – so as to make it easier for those wishing to attend. A member of the FCC will be in attendance and available to answer questions. The current dates and times are as follows:
Monday, October 16, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Tuesday, October 24, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Thursday, November 16, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Register for a session online at bit.ly/ACPbasics or call the CCL Reference Desk to register on the phone at 610-344-5957. Keep an eye out on the link above for further sessions.
PLA Past President Maria McCauley remarked, “Public libraries continuously play a vital role in providing digital literacy tools and information to their communities. The expansion of this powerful collaboration with AT&T will ensure that even more families and communities can benefit from programs and resources like the ACP that increase digital access and equity.”
About the Chester County Library & District Center The Chester County Library & District Center was established in 1962 and moved to its current location in 1980. Largely supported by the County of Chester, the library serves as the District Center as well as the Chester County Library System headquarters. Although we serve primarily West Whiteland and Uwchlan Township residents, our expansive and comprehensive collection of nearly 328,000 items helps to support the other 16 member libraries in the system.
About the Public Library Association The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, the PLA serves nearly 9,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. The PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about the PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.
About Philanthropy & Social Innovation at AT&T We’re committed to advancing education, creating opportunities, and strengthening communities. and improving lives. As part of our companywide $2 billion commitment from 2021–2023 to address the digital divide, we launched AT&T Connected Learning to invest in connectivity and technology, digital literacy, and education solutions. We aim to help today’s learners succeed inside and outside of the classroom. Since 2008, we’ve committed more than $600 million to programs that help millions of students across all 50 states and around the world, particularly those in underserved communities.
THE FRIENDS OF CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY FALL BOOK SALE is scheduled for October 6-8, 2023. Various books, music, movie CDs, and DVDs will be sold at bargain prices. A large selection of children’s books will be available in a separate room.
Friday, October 6, 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 at the Library or on our website.
Saturday, October 7, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — The sale will be open to the public.
Sunday, October 8, 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). The books will be sold at half-price for less than a whole bag.
We accept cash, checks, or PayPal. All proceeds from the Book Sale benefit the Chester County Library.
The Chester County Library is accepting vendor applications for our 12th Annual Holiday Craft Show on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. All applications must be submitted before October 2, 2023 for consideration.
The show provides artists and craftspeople with the unique opportunity to expose their work to hundreds of people while participating in an exciting, community-driven atmosphere. Our shows highlight 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 an excellent opportunity to showcase and sell your work. Apply now to be considered for this festive shopping experience at https://bit.ly/3PvPFf8.
Artists from the Chester County Library & District Center’s Maker and Teen Artist in Residence programs will be featured in an art show and reception at the Library on Thursday, September 21st from 6-7:30 p.m. The show features work created during both artists’ residencies at the library from April through August of this year. Meet the artists and learn more about the program and their work. For more information about the event please visit https://bit.ly/3R0zUxS.
Megan Raab Greenholt is the Library’s inaugural Maker-in-Resident. During her residency, Megan engaged visitors in hands-on learning about natural dyes, embroidery, textile collages, and the history and current practice of indigo dying techniques, focusing on the contributions of enslaved peoples in indigo production from South Carolina plantations during the Colonial Era to the modern day reclamation of the practice by African American artist. The final large textile work created from pieces made by participants in residency workshops entitled FREEDOM will be unveiled at the show.
Alayna Rodner just completed her residency with the Library as our first Teen Artist in Residence. During her residency, Alayna led a teen figure drawing workshop and worked on pieces for her portfolio as she prepares for her Senior year of high school and the art school application process. Alayna typically works in oil and watercolor paints and charcoal, and her work can be seen out in the community at Ludwig’s Corner Hardware Store in Chester Springs.
Both the Teen Artist in Residence and the Maker-in-Residence programs are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Chester County Library and District Center.
Join us in person at the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library on Tuesday, September 19 at 6 p.m. for a special Author Event with John F. Dobbyn as he discusses the buildup of events related to the setting of Deadly Depths, his newest book.
Deadly Depths is a historical novel ranging from three centuries, the Aztecs, Jamaican Maroons, and the Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean. In addition, Dobbyn is the author of six mystery/thriller novels.
A graduate of Harvard College, Boston College Law School, and Harvard Law School, Dobbyn is a former professor of law at Villanova Law School where he taught criminal, constitutional, and corporate law.
Registration is encouraged. This event is free. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a signed copy of Deadly Depths.
To register for this special event, please visit https://bit.ly/44C8EJg. For additional information, please contact Barbara Vitelli, Reference Librarian at bvitelli@ccls.org.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month – a time when Chester County Library System joins the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide to remind everyone about the valuable resources available with a library card.
“The Chester County Library & District Center is really excited to partner with Senator Comitta for our first-ever Library Card Sign-Up Fest this September! There is so much to discover at the library,” said Chester County Library Director, Mary Gazdik. “I hope families will join us on September 17th from 1-4 pm at Chester County Library in Exton for a fun day where you can get a taste of some delicious ice cream from Maggie Moos and check out all the fun activities we have planned for the day including crafts, face painting, story times with special guest readers including Miss Pennsylvania, Miranda Moore, and Miss Pennsylvania’s Teen, Lizzie Shacklett, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine’s Zoo & Stem On Wheels Van with animals, special character visits, games and of course, you can sign-up for your library card. Fire up your imagination and dive into all the library has to offer and make sure you start the school year with the most important school supply—a library card!”
Senator Comitta also stated, “Public libraries serve as a centerpiece to our communities and a library card is your key to access all of the opportunities for growth, education, enrichment, and entertainment they have to offer,” Comitta, who serves on the Senate Education Committee, said. “I want to thank the Chester County Library & District Center for hosting our Library Card Sign-Up Fest, as well as all of the staff, volunteers, and supporters who keep our libraries running strong.”
From borrowing books, audiobooks, ebooks, or playing a new tabletop game to getting homework help, learning new skills, or attending story time – a library card helps you do more of what you enjoy. Get a library card and dive into a new hobby. Use your library card to tinker in a maker space and spark your creativity. “A library card is your most important school supply—it’s elemental, really—and everyone should have one!” said Gazdik.
Chester County Library and its Henrietta Hankin Branch offer early literacy resources to help younger children learn to read and encourage school readiness. For teens and older students, they 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 for adult learners.
Did you know you can borrow family museum passes from these libraries for free? Visit an area zoo, museum, or garden – you just need a Chester County Library System card!
Are you taking a vacation, or doing virtual work on the road? The Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch 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.
Chester County Library also offers various resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners helping to create economic vitality in communities by providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for job seekers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs.
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. This program supports PA Forward Basic Literacy.Follow the Pennsylvania Library Association, PA Forward, ALA and I Love Libraries on social media and use the hashtags: #PALibraries #NationalLibraryCardSignUpMonth #LibrariesTransform #ILOVELIBRARIES #ILOVEMYLIBRARY #PAFORWARD #BasicLiteracy.
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 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.ccls.org.
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