FRIENDS OF CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY SPRING BOOK SALE is scheduled for April 14-16, 2023. Various 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, April 14, 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 starting 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, April 15, 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. — The sale will be open to the public.
Sunday, April 16, 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.
Megan Raab Greenholt selected for the inaugural program at the Chester County Library Center
The Chester County Library Center is pleased to announce Megan Raab Greenholt for the inaugural Maker-in-Residence program this spring. Selected through an open call conducted earlier this year, Ms. Raab Greenholt is a multi-disciplinary artist that explores printmaking, textiles, collage, painting, and sculpture. As a practicing artist and educator, discovery is integral to her practice as she uses a process-oriented approach to facilitate an intuitive response to materials as a means to encourage community engagement and wonder. Megan currently maintains an active studio practice in Elverson, PA.
We invite you to learn about natural dyes and observe Megan’s current work in progress using naturally dyed materials during open studio hours at the Exton and Henrietta Hankin Library branches that include 2 hours of hands-on maker experience (ages 6+) to create your own embroidered textile collage. Open studio hours will be held weekly beginning March 28th and run through June 28th.
In addition to her open studio hours, Megan will be conducting four (4) workshops for people ages 16+ at the Chester County Library Center and two (2) workshops designed for a parent/guardian and child (age 8+) experience. The workshops will celebrate Chester County’s Juneteenth theme, “Journeying Towards Freedom” by learning about the history of indigo in our country and its use in the creative practices of contemporary African American artists.
This program is supported by the generosity of the Friends of the Chester County Library. For more information about the CCL Friends please visit https://chescolibraries.org/about/ and click on “Friends of the Chester County Library:
To find out more or to register for the workshops, please visit www.chescolibraries.org and click on “Events”. For additional information, please contact Mary Gazdik, Library Director at mgazdik@ccls.org.
A Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick & Sara Botstein – Virtual Screener & Community Conversation
On Thursday, March 9th, from 7:15-9:15 p.m., Henrietta Hankin Branch Library in partnership with PBS Books and WETA will present a reprise of the Screener and Discussion event held in November of the 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 to view selected clips from the documentary and then take part in a conversation with a panel of local experts. We are delighted to once again 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. Plus, for this event, we have a third panelist, Sharon Sorokin. At the end of 2022, Sharon retired from the practice of law and founded Bikabow Books, a small press publishing company. Bikabow Books’ first publication is Ziggy’s Potato, A Holocaust Story, written by Sharon Sorokin and illustrated by Helen Cann. Ziggy’s Potato is intended for ages 8 and up.
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., is 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 working on a monograph, 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 borrow a DVD of the movie through the Chester County Library System. PBS station members can view the documentary via PBS Passport as part of a full collection of Ken Burns films.
To register for this special virtual event, please visit https://ccls.libcal.com/event/9947294. For additional information, please contact Claire Michelle Viola, Reference Librarian at cviola@ccls.org. This event supports PA Forward Health and Civic and Social Literacies.
Join us for a day dedicated to helping you get a job! Representatives from local organizations will be in attendance to share their expertise. In addition, workshops and customized help for your job search are available. All services are completely free.
The Fit Fair is back at Chester County Library on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
At the start of a new year, so many of us are making resolutions to get in shape, eat better, and take care of our bodies. If you are trying to make this year a healthier one but aren’t sure how to start, or even if you’re trying to maintain your fitness goals from last year, we have the event for you! We will be offering free health and wellness programs, as well as information booths for local gyms, businesses, and health organizations from around Chester County. Vendor booths will include:
Chester County Immunization Coalition
Chester County Parks + Preservation
Freshour Chiropractic
Friends of the Chester Valley Trail
Full Range Physical Therapy
GIANT
Paoli Hospital, Main Line Health
Orangetheory Fitness
Renaissance Home Health
Rothman Orthopedics
YMCA of Greater Brandywine
Zia Yoga & Wellness
If exercise is your top priority this year, you will want to check out the exercise class presentations taking place in the Struble Room. Spots are limited, so please register for these classes at https://bit.ly/3YAZR7Z. There will also be free onsite health screenings available from the Paoli Hospital. Not to mention, many other local organizations will be providing information about their own programs and services, the hottest health and fitness trends, and so much more! So, if you are looking for a good first step on your path to a healthier year, mark your calendar, because the Fit Fair is an event you won’t want to miss!
We need your input! On January 30th, we will launch our Customer Satisfaction Survey, which will be available until March 1st. With your feedback, you can help us improve your library experience. By taking this brief customer satisfaction survey, your responses can help us advocate for and convey the value of libraries to the State, County, and municipalities that support us. The survey will also be available in Spanish if needed. Please take the survey here.
According to the U.S. Dept. of Education, “the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for eventual success in reading is reading aloud to children.” Here are just a few of the many benefits associated with reading aloud to your child:
reading aloud instills a positive attitude toward reading and books.-reading aloud exposes children to complex language which expands vocabulary and understanding of grammar.
reading aloud encourages good listening skills and a longer attention span.
reading aloud enhances reading fluency and comprehension-reading aloud inspires thinking and imagination.
During the month of February, families at the Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch can once again participate in the Winter Read-Aloud Program. Read aloud to your child (birth through 6th grade) to earn a free book and raffle ticket for the Grand Prize. Stop by the Youth Services desk at either library starting January 23rd to pick up your reading log and get started!
So, get cozy with your kids this winter and have fun reading aloud!
We are thrilled to announce the inaugural call for Makers launching the Chester County Library & Hankin Branch Makers-in-Residence program!
What is a Maker? A maker can be an artist, musician, songwriter, crafter, techno-wizard, dancer, and lots more! A maker is a creative who loves the process – not just the end product and wants to share that process with others.
Our ideal Maker is passionate about creating and wants to connect and share their passion with the community. Specifically, we seek creators who:
possess skills to teach and share their work and creative process
love to interact with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
enjoy collaborating with others
are passionate about their craft
The Maker-in-Residence will share activities through open studio hours and workshops that will allow visitors to try a new skill, experience a new craft, and/or participate in a collaborative project.
All interested potential Makers-in-Residence should apply online at https://bit.ly/CCLMaker23 by Tuesday, January 31st, 2023. We will be interviewing and selecting candidates from February 13th – February 24th, with the residency to begin in mid-March 2023.
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 11th annual Holiday Craft Show on Saturday, December 10th, from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Vendors will be set up throughout the library (both upstairs and downstairs) to display and sell their crafts just in time for the holidays. We have a great selection of 47 vendors this year! Save some holiday shopping and enjoy browsing local crafter’s tables including makers of personalized ornaments, toys, pottery, jewelry, paper crafts, photography, knit and fabric crafts, home décor, baked goods, woodworking, and more! The Craft Show is free to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Join us for a magical evening with Sam Sandler, America’s Premier Deaf Illusionist. This program is for everyone who loves magic and is recommended for ages 4 and above.
If a child under eleven (11) attends a program independently, a parent or caregiver must remain in the building as per library policy.
Registration is required for EACH PERSON attending (child, teen, or adult). Registration will close two hours before the event’s scheduled start time. Funding is provided by the Friends of the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library.
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