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 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 19th to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting virtually; or attend in person at the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway
Exton, PA 19341. 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, PA – The Chester County Library System proudly announced the winners of its second annual Teen Photo Contest, Color Our World, during a celebratory reception held on Sunday, August 10th at Chester County Library in Exton.

This open house-style event welcomed guests of all ages to support teen photographers and explore a vibrant gallery of original artwork submitted by local students. The contest was open to Chester County residents or students entering grades 6–12 who attend school in the county. Participants were invited to submit photographs in one or both of two categories: Traditional Photo (minimal editing) and Anything Goes (digital manipulation and artistic enhancement encouraged).

April Nickel, Youth Services District Coordinator, shared, “This year we had 52 total entries from 18 different townships and boroughs throughout the county.” The first, second, and third place winners in each category were announced at 1:30 PM and are now on display in the Chester County Library vestibule through August 30. You also have a chance to view the complete slideshow of entries on the Chester County Library YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heQuPTSvEnY.

Contest Winners are:

Category 1: Traditional Photo

• 1st Place: Sunset in Parallel — Chase V., Grade 11, Oxford, PA
• 2nd Place: After the Storm — Lacy T., Grade 12, West Chester, PA
• 3rd Place: Norwegian Fishing Village — Sophia S., Grade 9, Malvern, PA

Category 2: Anything Goes

• 1st Place: Stained Electrical Glass — Zachary D., Grade 10, Chesterbrook, PA
• 2nd Place: Sky on Fire — Autumn G., Grade 10, Kennett Square, PA
• 3rd Place: Waiting for Water — Rachel M., Grade 7, West Chester, PA

Color Our World supports PA Forward’s Basic Literacy and Civic and Social Literacy initiatives, encouraging teens to express themselves through visual storytelling while engaging with their communities.

The Chester County Library System extends its congratulations to all participants and winners, and thanks the community for its enthusiastic support of teen creativity and literacy.

Discover our NEW Library of Things—available in the Multimedia Department!

All items are non-holdable and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Explore the whole list of things online: https://bit.ly/CCLibraryofThings

Items include:

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 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15th to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting virtually; or attend in person at the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway
Exton, PA 19341. 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.

The Chester County Library System (CCLS) is thrilled to offer free access to LinkedIn Learning for all CCLS cardholders. This powerful online learning platform features more than 25,000 expert-led video courses in business, technology, creative fields, and more—available in over 20 languages.

Whether you’re advancing your career, exploring a new path, or diving into a personal passion, LinkedIn Learning allows you to learn anytime, anywhere—at your own pace.

• Job hunting? Master resume writing, interview skills, and job search strategies.
• Climbing the career ladder? Build in-demand skills in sales, marketing, graphic design, user experience, IT, project management, and HR.
• Considering a career change? Explore topics like personal branding, small business finance, freelancing, and design thinking.
• Looking for a creative outlet or side gig? Learn photography, music theory, podcasting, cinematography, or drawing.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can watch full courses or short videos, track your progress, bookmark your favorites, and earn certificates of completion. Plus, the mobile app makes it easy to learn on the go.

Ready to get started?
Click here to begin your learning journey.

An annual LinkedIn Learning subscription typically costs $239.88 per individual—but thanks to the support of the Chester County Library System and the Justamere Foundation, this valuable resource is completely free to all patrons with a valid CCLS library card. To learn more about their work and how you can help, visit justamerefoundation.org. Lori Cushman, President of the Justamere Foundation, says, “Libraries stay relevant by listening to the needs of the community and exploring innovative ways to educate and enlighten. Providing free access to the powerful LinkedIn Learning tools will expand the opportunities for ALL of Chester County Library System patrons for both employment enrichment and personal knowledge.”

Your CCLS library card is your key to professional growth, personal enrichment, and lifelong learning—unlock LinkedIn Learning today!

A community conversation at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CHESTER SPRINGS— Green spaces are essential for our communities. They provide a vital connection to nature and the environment around us. However, new developments and growing populations threaten these open spaces. What are the key benefits and impacts of green spaces, and how can we ensure their preservation moving forward? What is the compromise of having green space alongside developments? Is that possible?

Join WHYY News Community & Engagement team of Bridging Blocks, for a meaningful neighborhood discussion on green space. WHYY News’ Bridging Blocks program is an initiative produced in partnership with The Free Library of Philadelphia that brings together community members on hot-button topics to foster civic dialogue in supportive spaces. Bridging Blocks was created to help residents build the skills to engage in civic dialogue while breaking down echo chambers.  For more than two years, WHYY has successfully collaborated with the Free Library of Philadelphia, local schools, and senior centers to host conversations with hundreds of residents across the city on topics such as gun ownership, reproductive rights, immigration, voting, public safety, gentrification, and many more. We are happy to be hosting this program at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library.

WHAT: Join us for a community conversation on green space facilitated by the Bridging Blocks team: Tony Cuffie, Sr. Manager of Community & Engagement; and Brisa Luzzi Castro, Community Convener.

WHEN: Thursday, September 4th, 5:30-7:30pm

RSVP: To register, click here.

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.

The Chester County Library System (CCLS) invites students entering grades 6 through 12 to showcase their creativity in the 2nd Annual Teen Photo Contest with the inspiring theme “Color Our World.” This summer, teens are encouraged to explore their surroundings and capture vibrant, original digital photographs that celebrate color in all its forms.

The contest welcomes submissions from Chester County residents or students attending school within the county. Participants may enter up to two photos—one per category:

Category 1: Traditional Photo – For images that are either unedited or minimally enhanced (e.g., cropping, color balance adjustments, black & white).

Category 2: Anything Goes – For photos digitally enhanced or creatively manipulated using software, drawing tools, or collage techniques.

Submission Guidelines:

• One photo per category per participant.
• Entries accepted online through July 31, 2025, at 8 pm.
• All entrants and their families are invited to an art reception at the Chester County Library on August 10, 2025, where accepted photos will be displayed and winners announced. Winning photos will be featured in the library lobby from August 15 through August 30, 2025.
• To enter, teens should submit their original photos via the online form.
• Complete contest rules are available here.

For questions, contact April Nickel at anickel@ccls.org or 610-344-5353. Celebrate your vision and creativity—Color Our World this summer!