Join us on March 2^nd, 2025 at 2 pm at Chester County Library in Exton, for an inspiring evening with Lu Ann Cahn, author of the motivational memoir I Dare Me, as she shares her journey of daring to live life to the fullest.

Lu Ann Cahn, a veteran journalist, and Emmy award-winning reporter, will recount her transformative year of trying something new daily to break free from feeling “stuck.” In her memoir, I Dare Me, Cahn chronicles a transformative year in which she embarked on a daily adventure to push herself out of her comfort zone. Inspired by her daughter, Alexa, Cahn committed to trying something new every day as a means to break free from her stagnant routine. The memoir grew out of her blog, “Year of Firsts,” and has touched readers with its authentic account of her journey to reclaim joy and purpose in her life.

Cahn, who spent 27 years at WCAU-TV and won a National Emmy for her investigative work, is now the Director of Career Services at Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication. Her story is not just about daring to do new things but also about inspiring others to embrace change and discover new possibilities.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Lu Ann Cahn speak in person and be inspired to dare yourself to “do the new.”

We thank the Chester County Library Trust for their generous support in making this event possible.  Registration is required at https://bit.ly/CCLTrustLuAnnCahn or call the library at 610-344-5600.  Chester County Library supports PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy.

at Henrietta Hankin Branch Library

(CHESTER SPRINGS, PA)—Tired of feeling overwhelmed and stuck? Ready to be energized and organized? As you aim to move your goals forward in 2025, consider how you will go about doing that. How will you maintain focus and momentum to achieve your desired outcomes?  Sometimes a new approach can be transformative.  And techniques don’t need to be complicated to be effective.

Stop by the Henrietta Hankin Branch Library on Tuesday, February 4^th at 6:00 pm for an interactive session with local author Melissa G. DelMonego and explore strategies from her book Think Like a Planner: Simple Strategies to Stay on Task and Accomplish Your Goals. You’ll walk away feeling inspired and energized with tools to create a vision of what you want to accomplish and a unique road map for getting there.  Melissa is also happy to share her own journey in becoming an author for other aspiring writers.  Her book will be available for purchase and signing at the event.  Please call the Reference Desk at Henrietta Hankin Library with any questions: 610-344-4196.

Melissa will also be at the library from 2:00-3:00 pm on Sunday, February 2^nd for an author meet and greet. We look forward to seeing you there! 

About the presenter: Melissa DelMonego was a corporate event planner for more than thirty years. She wrote Think Like a Planner to share strategies and insights she has used throughout her life and career to stay on task and move plans forward. She believes in simple strategies and the power of a plan in driving change. And she uses these techniques to help others be their best; more focused, empowered, and accomplished.

Melissa was born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She has a Business Degree in Marketing from Susquehanna University. When not working, Melissa enjoys planning trips and sharing new adventures with her family. Her happy place is in the mountains. Favorite activities include skiing, fitness training, hiking, writing, cooking, and being in nature. Melissa is a life-long resident of Pennsylvania and resides with her husband in Chester Springs.

This event supports PA Forward Financial and Civic and Social Literacies.

(EXTON, PA) The Chester County Library System (CCLS), which includes 18 locations, is committed to continually improving and transforming library services to meet the evolving needs of the community.

CCLS invites the public to participate in an online survey that will help shape the future of public libraries in Chester County. The survey will be open until February 21, 2025. Click here to take the survey.

Joseph Sherwood, CCLS Executive Director, states, “Maintaining welcoming and comfortable spaces for people is an essential part of our services. Families attend story times, individuals receive assistance with resume writing and job searches, and entrepreneurs start or expand businesses—all of which highlight the importance of our physical spaces. In addition to these in-person services, we also offer virtual resources, including programming and our collections of e-books, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines. In 2024, the Chester County Library System circulated 1,121,808 electronic items, making us the third most popular OverDrive collection in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. As stewards of public resources in a time of changing economic conditions, we recognize the importance of embracing innovation and aligning our services to meet the pressing needs of our community.”

“As we look towards the future, we are grateful for the support from the community, local municipalities, the County, and the State in helping us deliver services that excite, inspire, and delight our patrons. The funding allocated to our mission is critical for the growth and success of our communities,” says Michael Skay, Trustee Board President of the Chester County Library System. This survey will assist the member libraries in providing exceptional value and service to library users, communities, and organizations throughout Chester County.

We are thrilled to announce that the Chester County Library Trust Speaker Series will kick off on Wednesday, January 29th, from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the Struble Room at Chester County Library in Exton with Philadelphia-based author and teacher, Jim Zervanos.

That Time I Got Cancer: A Love Story,  is a memoir by Jim Zervanos, detailing his unexpected battle with cancer and its profound impact on his life and relationships. The narrative begins with Zervanos experiencing alarming symptoms that lead to a life-threatening diagnosis, compelling him to confront his mortality and reevaluate his connections with loved ones. The book delves into the spiritual dimensions of Zervanos’s journey, emphasizing his reliance on faith, mindfulness, and the support of friends and family.

1.8 million Americans are diagnosed with cancer every year; 16 million are living with cancer. Jim hopes his story about love and relationships, and not wasting time on negativity will provide hope for patients and their families—not to mention the countless friends and coworkers impacted by life-threatening illnesses. He also advocates for medical professionals to adopt “Narrative Medicine,” promoting the value of the patient’s personal story as part of the holistic clinical picture.

That Time I Got Cancer: A Love Story, is lauded for its honest and heartfelt depiction of a life-altering experience and offers readers a profound exploration of love, mortality, and the human spirit. Kirkus Reviews describes it as “a precise, moving, and expertly crafted remembrance,” highlighting how the experience redefined Zervanos’s relationships and perception of life. Register at https://bit.ly/CCLTrustSeries-ZimZervanos. This event is sponsored by the Chester County Library Trust. To find out more about Jim’s story, check out this 60-second YouTube teaser, edited and produced by The Patient Story, which has 165,000 views; and this longer 20-minute video featuring an interview with Jim, with photos, and compelling footage to tell his full clinical story.

Make it a homemade holiday! The holiday season can be a busy time of year, filled with family gatherings and the search for the perfect gifts for loved ones, which often leads to frustration and stress. Since time is a precious commodity, remember that the library is your best destination for family entertainment, holiday de-stressors, party-planning ideas, and unique, one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list!

The Chester County Library will be hosting its 13th annual Craft Show on Saturday, December 14th, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Fifty vendors will be set up throughout Chester County Library in Exton, showcasing a variety of crafts just in time for the holidays. You’ll find makers of personalized ornaments, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, knitted and fabric crafts, bath and body products, home décor, baked goods, and more. We look forward to assisting you in your holiday gift search!

December 3 is Giving Tuesday, the annual global day of generosity. The Chester County and Henrietta Hankin libraries rely on patrons’ generosity to provide our community with excellent services, materials, and programs. Please consider supporting your library by donating at Chester County Library Trust Donation Page