Starting August 11th, census takers will begin to visit homes that haven’t yet responded to the 2020 Census. To learn what to expect if a census taker visits your home, please click here for information from the United States Census Bureau’s website.

Every household in the United States is required by law to complete the 2020 Census. One person from each home, who is at least 15 years old, should respond. Census participation determines congressional representation and helps to ensure our communities get their fair share of funding for schools, hospitals, and other education and health programs we need to support strong families and the wider community. There are no citizenship or immigration status questions on the 2020 Census and residents’ responses to the Census questionnaire are private and confidential. Federal law keeps any personal information collected by the Census Bureau confidential for 72 years.

Self-responding is the easiest and safest way to make sure you are counted amid the COVID-19 situation. Self-response is fast and easy and can be done online, by phone or by mail. Residents responding online or by phone do not need a Census ID. In light of the COVID-19 situation, the Census Bureau has extended the self-response period through August 14. Don’t delay! Stand proudly in your identity and have yourself counted for the your own good and for the good of your community.

Curious about origami? Love a little mystery in life? Join us for live instruction on folding a mystery origami surprise on Tuesday, August 4 at 6:30 pm. No one will know what it will be until the evening of our Zoom event, although you can try to guess! Hints will be posted once a day, Monday through Friday the week of July 27, on the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library Facebook page.

All you need is a square piece of paper (6″ x 6″ or larger is recommended) and a pair of scissors. A special set of 5 pieces of quality, multi-color origami paper will be available to registrants while supplies last at the Reference Desk at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library from Friday, July 31, through 5:00 pm on the day of the event.

Please register for the program: Tuesday, August 4 at 6:30 pm.

A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 2 hours before the program starts.  Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link.  You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual program.

Due to the COVID-19 threat, the Board of Trustees of the Chester County Library System/Chester County Library will be holding their monthly board meeting virtually. If you have always wanted to attend a meeting but haven’t had the time, this is your opportunity. Please click this link at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21 to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting. The Chester County Library Board Meeting will immediately follow.

With taxes due July 15th, the AARP Tax-Aide program is now providing online methods for the preparation of taxes—at no cost. You can request the help of a volunteer coach in preparing your tax returns.  Visit https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/ and click on the “Get Help Online” button for additional information.

For the safety of both customers and volunteers, the AARP will not be resuming their Tax-Aide program at the Chester County Library or Henrietta Hankin Branch Library this year.

Due to the COVID-19 threat, the Board of Trustees of the Chester County Library System/Chester County Library will be holding their monthly board meeting virtually. If you have always wanted to attend a meeting but haven’t had the time, this is your opportunity. Please click this link at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16 to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting. The Chester County Library Board Meeting will immediately follow.

We’ve compiled some lists of resources that you can use to learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement and anti-racism.

Social Justice Resources

• Chester County Community Foundation – Social Justice Resources
• Ways You Can Support the Black Lives Matter Movement Now
• Tools for Talking to Kids About Race
• Acts of Care in Times of Unrest – List of Resources and Self Care Techniques
• Systematic Racism Explained
• Talking About Race

Reading Lists of Anti-Racist Books for Adults

• Chester County Library’s Black Voices Digital Collection
• Black Lives Matter: A Reading List for Adults
• Anti-Racist Reading List
• Race in the United States Reading List
• Books to Read About Anti-Racism
• Books White People Need to Read
• An Anti-Racist Reading List

Reading Lists of Anti-Racist Books for Kids

• Black Lives Matter: A Reading List for Children & Families
• Books to Explain Racism and Protest to Children
• Books Featuring Black Heroes that Every Child Should Read

Black Movies / TV

• “Just Mercy” Free Streaming in June
• The 100 Best Black Movies of the 21st Century
• Best Black Movies of the Past 30 Years
• Movies Made Available to Support Black Lives Matter
• Essential Movies and Shows that Examine Systemic Racism in America

Black Owned Businesses Lists

• Chester County Black Owned Businesses
• West Chester Black Owned Businesses
• Afro Philly Black Directory
• Black Owned Businesses in Philadelphia (Visit Philly)
• Black Owned Bookstores in Philadelphia
• Black Owned Businesses in Pennsylvania
• 125 Black Owned Businesses

In light of the ongoing George Floyd protests, Warner Bros. has announced that for the month of June it will make the movie Just Mercy available to rent for free across digital platforms. “We believe in the power of story,” representatives from Warner Bros. said in a statement. “Our film Just Mercy, based on the life work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, is one resource we can humbly offer to those who are interested in learning more about the systemic racism that plagues our society.” (Shaffer, Claire. “Warner Bros. Makes ‘Just Mercy’ Free to Stream to Educate Viewers on Systematic Racism.” Rolling Stone, 2 June 2020) To learn more, visit the Warner Bros. website at https://www.warnerbros.com/.

The movie Just Mercy is a 2019 civil rights legal drama derived from the book Just Mercy: a story of justice and redemption, written by Bryan Stevenson, which was published in 2014. This book is available to borrow in either ebook or e-audiobook in our Overdrive collection. There is a version of the book adapted for young people available in ebook format as well.

A related read is The Sun Does Shine, a memoir written by a client of Bryan Stevenson, Anthony Ray Hinton. This book details the harrowing account of Mr. Hinton’s 30 years on death row for a crime that he did not commit. Available to borrow in OverDrive in both ebook and e-audiobook format.