The Chester County Library is excited to host its annual “Read Local!”—now in its second year—a celebration of local creativity featuring authors and illustrators from Chester County and neighboring areas. The event will highlight a wide range of books and genres for both children and adults.
According to April Nickel, Youth Services Director at Chester County Library, the event aims to spotlight local talent—particularly authors and illustrators who have recently self-published or published through independent publishers. These participants submitted applications to share their work with the community, offering a unique opportunity to discover local voices and creative projects. While some of the featured titles may not meet the library’s collection development policy, the event serves as a platform to connect these creators with the public.
The Read Local! showcase will feature more than 30 local authors and illustrators, each with their own table inside the library to display and sell their books. Visitors are invited to engage directly with the creators, explore their works, and learn more about their creative processes.
This open house-style event will take place on Sunday, May 18, from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. Admission is free and no registration is required.
A screener and discussion at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library
To kick off this year’s Summer Reading program, Indie Lens Pop-Up, presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS in partnership with Henrietta Hankin Branch Library and WHYY will host a screening of “Free for All: The Public Library,” followed by a discussion led by a panel of special guests. The discussion panel will feature Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch Director, Jenna Persick, and Branch Manager, Carey Bresler, together with Michael Skay, President of the Chester County Library System Board of Trustees. “Free for All: The Public Library” tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who created a civic institution where everything is free, and the doors are open to all.
The public library is one of America’s most valued yet endangered institutions. Director Dawn Logsdon travels the United States, discovering historic and modern-day figures, especially women, who contributed to the library’s integral position within democracy. “Free for All: The Public Library” chronicles the evolution of the nation’s public libraries, tracing the battles over who can enter, what belongs there, and who makes these decisions, while exploring how public commons are defined and defended.
WHAT: 5:00 pm refreshments and activities; 5:30 pm a FREE preview screening of “Free for All: The Public Library” followed by a community discussion.
Doors will open at 5:00pm for participants to enjoy pizza and light refreshments as they take part in activities designed to get everyone thinking about what has made public libraries important in their own lives. Participants can also enter a raffle drawing for family passes to Longwood Gardens. The screener will begin at 5:30pm. After the screening, our guest panelists will host an engaging and interactive discussion about how public libraries shaped the country and continue to be a sanctuary for Americans everywhere, despite the threats to funding the civic institution has faced in recent years.
“Free for All: The Public Library” had its debut on April 29, 2025, on PBS and the PBS app. For more information, visit Independent Lens.
About Indie Lens Pop-Up
Indie Lens Pop-Up is a community series that brings people together for film screenings and conversations. Featuring documentaries seen on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS, Indie Lens Pop-Up draws local residents, leaders, and organizations to discuss what matters most. Learn more at pbs.org/indielenspopup.
About INDEPENDENT LENS INDEPENDENT LENS is an Emmy® Award-winning PBS documentary series. With founding executive producer Lois Vossen, the series has been honored with 10 Academy Award nominations and features documentaries united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of independent filmmakers. Presented by ITVS, INDEPENDENT LENS is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Acton Family Giving, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Park Foundation, Wyncote Foundation, and National Endowment for the Arts. Stream anytime on the PBS app. For more visit pbs.org/independentlens.
Mock Interviews, Career Counseling, & Professional Headshots
(EXTON, PA)— Join the Chester County Library & District Center Business and Career Librarian, Mikaila Strano, as we introduce new resources and services to our Business Center. The Chester County Library is introducing three new career programs held in-person at the library. The first is a mock interview service in which patrons can request an appointment with a volunteer to practice for an upcoming interview. Whether it’s your first time job seeking or you’re just looking for extra practice, consider setting up an appointment today. Our volunteer will interview a hiring manager, so have a prepared resume, dress to impress, and bring questions! The volunteer will also provide written feedback so you can assess and perfect before the big day. If you don’t have a resume, consider joining the library’s monthly Resume and Job Search Workshop held in partnership with PA CareerLink as a hybrid event.
The second new service, which is in partnership with our career advisors, is PA CareerLink Office Hours, held every Tuesday from 12 pm-3 pm in the Reference Department. Patrons are encouraged to drop in during this time to speak with a CareerLink representative about what programs and services are available to adults and young adults. Tap into individualized services for access to career counseling, adult training funds, youth incentives, and employer events.
Finally, our latest service is a professional headshots event which will take place on May 12th from 10 am-12 pm in the Struble Room. Whether it’s for a LinkedIn profile or a business website, you’ll want this photo to be the first thing potential employers or customers see when they look you up. After the photo is taken, you will be emailed a digital copy that you can upload to your choice site with the confidence that your professionalism will shine through. Please ensure you have a working email address so that you can access these photos once they’re sent. This is also a drop-in event, but interested attendees are encouraged to register via the library’s event calendar to ensure their contact information is submitted prior.
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 Chester County Library & District Center is located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. For hours or more information, visit our website at https://chescolibraries.org/tools-and-research/business-and-career-center/
A Vibrant Musical Puppet Show Inspired by the 2025 Longwood Gardens Community Read!
Crystal Murphy Music, in collaboration with the Murphy Murpets, invites families to a joyful and imaginative journey with Extraordinary Joe – The Quest for Color, a musical puppet show inspired by The Extraordinary Gardener, a 2025 Longwood Gardens Community Read selection.
This engaging 1-hour program is specially designed for children ages 3 and up, accompanied by an adult. Young audiences will delight in a magical blend of original music, puppetry, interactive movement activities, and an extraordinary take-home craft that extends the experience beyond the show.
Event Details:
Monday, April 28, 2025
1:30 – 2:30 PM
Henrietta Hankin Branch Library, 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, PA
Please note: Space is limited. By registering, you’re reserving a valuable spot. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, kindly let us know so we may offer the opportunity to another family.
This program proudly supports PA Forward’s Basic Literacy initiative and is part of the Longwood Gardens Community Read — promoting community engagement and literacy through the shared experience of storytelling.
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 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 thislink at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, to join the Chester County Library System Board Meeting virtually; or attend in person at the Chester County Library, Burke Room, 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.
Were you lucky enough to get your hands on one of our stickers or magnets unveiled last year? They ended up being harder to come by than a Kristin Hannah library book! We were astounded by the excitement these stickers and magnets generated and we were even more humbled that so many people want to share their library pride. Thank you for being such vocal supporters of the Chester County Library and the Henrietta Hankin Branch!
Looking back on the success of last year’s sticker launch, we would like to start a new tradition of annual library stickers. But we’re librarians, not graphic designers, like some of YOU are! We want to see the creativity and artistry of our library-loving patrons, especially since this year’s National Library Week theme is Drawn to the Library. And what’s the biggest draw to the library? Well, you tell us—in your designs!
Submissions will be accepted from Monday, April 7 – Saturday, May 3 at https://forms.gle/VtjrY1yWoLG5duew5. Designs must fit within a 1:1 square (stickers will be 2” and magnets will be 4” when printed). Submissions must also incorporate the library’s website URL “chescolibraries.org” somewhere in the design. A selection of no more than four designs will be chosen by a panel of librarians. Winners will be announced no later than May 19, 2025.
Click here to see the full contest rules. All images submitted must be the work of the individual submitting them. It is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure that any submissions do not infringe upon the copyright of any third party or law. Entrants must attest that the design they submit is their work and that they own the copyright for it.
For more information, contact Kelly Quigg, Chester County Library Community Engagement Librarian, at kquigg@ccls.org.
(Exton, PA) – The Friends of Chester County Library are excited to announce their highly anticipated Spring Book Sale, taking place from April 11-13, 2025. This annual event offers a fantastic selection of books, music, and movie CDs and DVDs at unbeatable prices. A dedicated children’s section will feature a wide variety of books in a separate room.
Sale Schedule:
Friday, April 11 | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Exclusive early access for Friends of the Chester County Library members. Not yet a member? You can join at the door starting at 5:00 p.m. or sign up in advance by completing the membership form available at the Library or on our website.
Saturday, April 12 | 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Open to the public, featuring a diverse selection of books and media at incredible prices.
Sunday, April 13 | 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. – Bag Sale Day! Fill a provided bag for just $10—or $7 with a 2025 Friends membership. Individual books will also be available at half-price.
Accepted payment methods include cash, checks, PayPal, and Venmo. All proceeds directly support the Chester County Library, helping fund programs, resources, and services for the community.
Mark your calendars and don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to stock up on great reads while supporting your local library!
Looking ahead: Our Fall Book Sale dates are currently scheduled for October 3rd – 5th, 2025.
Jason Rodrigues is a comic illustrator and drawing instructor. He currently teaches drawing to children and adults in group classes and private instruction throughout the greater Philadelphia region. He is also a Sketch card artist for Upper Deck and Topps. His love for art came from reading comic books as a kid and now Jason wants everyone to experience the joy of drawing and visual storytelling. To register for this event, visit https://ccls.libcal.com/event/12200561 or call the library at 610-344-4196. Henrietta Hankin Library supports PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy.
Henrietta Hankin Branch Library will be capping off a week of fun and activities for National Libraries Week this year with a visit from comic illustrator and drawing instructor, Jason Rodriguez. Join us on Saturday, April 12, from 11:00am-12:00pm for an introduction to the secrets of making cartoons and comics. Come one, come all to learn the importance of moving the reader from one panel to another and how drawing emotive characters tells a story.
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