Do you have homework or a report to do? Or are you just curious about anything and everything? We’ve got something for you!  World Book Encyclopedia has given us free access to World Book Online for YOU now May 31st.  Simply click here World Book Online and enter your library card number. There’s a different version of World Book Online for every level. So, whether you’ve got an assignment or just want to learn something new, THIS is a great place to start.  You’ll also find eBooks and activities to keep you busy when you’ve finished your homework! 

Now here’s a great big THANK YOU to our friends at World Book!

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 10:00 AM on Tuesday, April 21 to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting. The Chester County Library Board Meeting will immediately follow.

The Center for Disease Control and Pennsylvania Department of Health have advised residents to wear masks when performing essential tasks in public to help slow the spread of COVID-19. In the interest of saving surgical masks and N95 respirators for health care workers and first responders, members of the public are encouraged to wear homemade cloth or fabric masks. In support of this health promoting effort, State Senator Andy Dinniman has launched a homemade mask challenge.

This online challenge invites all PA residents to submit photos of their homemade masks. At the end of the week, Senator Dinniman’s office will pick out the most creative masks, and the masks which best fit the theme of “My Mask Protects You, Your Mask Protects Me.” Then, they will open it up to a community vote. Winners from both categories will receive a senatorial citation!

Voting will begin today, so submit your photos between now and Friday to become part of the fun. For more information on the challenge and to submit photos, visit www.facebook.com/SenatorAndyDinniman.

For guidance on how you can make your masks at home, you can find instruction for both no-sew and sewn masks at the Center for Disease Control website at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html. Additional guidance and resources are available from the PA Department of Health website at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Stop-the-Spread.aspx. You also might want to check out this New York Times article for a step-by-step tutorial: https://www.nytimes.com/article/how-to-make-face-mask-coronavirus.html.

Good luck with your mask-making, and remember, the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to stay at home. Be safe and well!

2020 is an election year, and that makes it a perfect time to learn more about Our Government. Join Ben Franklin as he takes you on a tour of all the branches of government and teaches you about how they work. Meet Ben at Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government!

In As Fast as Words Could Fly, Mason is a young man who’s making a difference.

The Youth Services Staff at the Chester County Library and Hankin Branch are presenting Virtual Storytimes beginning April 27th. They will be for three different ages groups — 0 to 2 Year Olds, 3 & 4 Year Olds, and 5 & 6 Year Olds. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at https://chescolibraries.org/. Virtual Storytimes are not registered as multi-week sessions; you will need to register for each storytime individually.

Happy Census Day!

Has your household completed the Census yet? According to the map below from the U.S. Census Bureau, 46.6% of Chester County residents have responded to the Census so far. Replies to the Census determine the number of seats our state holds in the U.S. House of Representatives, how billions of dollars in federal funding is allocated, and even how your local library receives funding and allocates collection resources. For more information on how the U.S. Census Bureau is handling the Census during the COVID-19 pandemic, and general information on why the Census matters and how to respond, they’ve posted an update on their website here.

You can complete your household’s Census at my2020census.gov using your Census ID from your invitation letter or your home address, or you can call the Census Bureau and speak to a Census representative in the language you’re most comfortable with.