The Chester County Library Board of Trustees has recently announced the promotion of Jenna Persick as the next Library Director for Chester County Library and its Henrietta Hankin Branch. Ms. Persick’s appointment was made effective on April 8, 2024. Mike Skay, Chairman of the Board of Trustees says “We are thrilled to have Jenna take on the role of our new Library Director. Her vision for the future of our libraries aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing accessible resources, innovative programming, and fostering a welcoming environment for all members of our community. Jenna has been an exceedingly valuable member of the Chester County Library team since 2001. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities and an unwavering commitment to advancing the role of libraries as vibrant community gathering places.

Ms. Persick has worked at Chester County Library for 23 years in various positions, including as a Business Librarian in the Reference Department, and as the Head of Technical Services since 2007. She has also worked at other public libraries, including the San Antonio Public Library’s central library, the Wilmington Library in Delaware, and the Memorial Library of Radnor Township. Joe Sherwood, Executive Director of Chester County Library System, praised Ms. Persick’s skills, knowledge, and expertise, which make her a tremendous asset and a perfect fit for the role. 

As the new Library Director, Ms. Persick will be responsible for executive leadership for approximately 140 staff between the two library locations. Her role will involve working closely with Chester County administration, community partners, county departments, and the Chester County Library System to leverage library programs and services to improve life outcomes for all residents in the area.  

Ms. Persick expressed her excitement about her new role and said, “I look forward to working with our staff to continue to provide quality library services and exploring new opportunities to engage with the community. I believe a strong library engages with its community to align services and resources with community needs. I would love our Libraries to become community hubs where residents can use our resources and spaces to educate, inform, and enrich their lives. I also hope that everyone in the community has a library card to use our services in person and virtually. We have so much information to share: current bestsellers, books for research, digital magazines and newspapers, eBooks, and eAudiobooks, streaming video with our Kanopy Plus subscription, and many databases to help with research for business planning, schoolwork, or consumer study. We have staff ready to assist with business/career and technology questions. We have Makerspaces at both libraries for our community makers to use. We have over thirty museum passes to area museums that are free with your library card. Our Libraries continue to grow and are ready to help. Please stop by and see what we have to offer!”

Join us in-person at Henrietta Hankin Library, or participate from home via Zoom, on Monday, April 22, at 1:00 pm, as we tune into a virtual presentation by the Climate Reality Project.  Former US Vice President Al Gore founded The Climate Reality Project to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every sector of society.  Today, Climate Reality is a diverse group of passionate individuals who’ve come together to tackle the greatest challenge of our time. “We are advocates, cultural leaders, organizers, scientists, and storytellers from around the world, committed to building a sustainable future together” — from Climate Reality Project website.

The Climate Reality Project ( www.climaterealityproject.org ) is a global network with 40 thousand trained volunteer “Climate reality leaders” from all across the globe.  Our presenter, Kim Møller, joins us virtually from Denmark. Kim received his Climate Reality Leader training in 2020.  Since then he has done presentations to public schools as well as several business leader forums.  He is also a member of the “Climate Reality Nordics” group and a member of the “Danish Climate movement” in his home country.  Kim makes his living in the field of financial planning for a global company and is the father of three grown sons.  In this presentation, Kim will cover the latest science behind climate change and where we now stand as a planet, and whether change is possible.

Registration is required.  To register, click here: https://ccls.libcal.com/event/12273019 Light refreshments will be available to those attending in-person.  Henrietta Hankin Library supports PA Forward Civic and Social Literacy.

THE FRIENDS OF CHESTER COUNTY LIBRARY SPRING BOOK SALE is scheduled for April 12-14, 2024. Various books, music, movie CDs, and DVDs will be sold at bargain prices. A large selection of children’s books will also be available in a separate room.

• Friday, April 12, 6 to 8:30 pm— The sale is for Friends of the Chester County Library only. Memberships can be purchased on Friday night, beginning at 5 pm, at the membership table or in advance by mailing the membership form available at the library or on our website.
• Saturday, April 13, 9:30 am to 4 pm — The sale will be open to the general public.
• Sunday, April 14, 1 to 4 pm — During ‘Bag Sale Day’, we will supply the bag; you fill it and pay $10 (only $7 per bag with your FRIENDS membership). For less than a whole bag, the books will be sold at half-price.

We accept cash, checks, or PayPal. The proceeds of the FRIENDS of Chester County Library book sale benefit the Chester County Library.

Our FRIENDS Fall Book Sale dates are scheduled for October 4th – 6th, 2024.

^{Various programs scheduled in March and Early-April}

EXTON, PA – The countdown is on for millions of sky-watchers across North America for Monday, April 8^th, when a total solar eclipse will temporarily darken afternoon skies and an illuminated halo will appear overhead.

Chester County will be joining in on this major event with various solar-themed programs scheduled throughout March and early April in the lead-up to the eclipse itself:

• Here Comes the Sun- LIVE! (An astronomy event, not a musical)

On Sunday, March 24^th, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm, you can join NASA Solar System Ambassador Don Miler and retired NASA Astronomer Roger Kennedy, who have all the right stuff to safely view the sun in white light, which involves a part of the sun called the photosphere and will show sunspots and the granularity of the sun beautifully. Also, view the special part of the emitted light called H-alpha which shows the chromosphere where the solar prominences and other features will be visible.  This is an event that depends on clear weather, so keep an eye on your email for updates. To be sure check the library website at www.chescolibraries.org. This event will take place in the front of the library building. Register at https://ccls.libcal.com/event/11937465

• The Great Solar Eclipse is Coming! – how to view it safely

Join NASA Solar System Ambassador Don Miller, on Thursday, April 4^th from 6:30 – 7:30 pm at Chester County Library as he presents everything you’ll need to know to safely observe the Great North American Solar Eclipse happening on Monday, April 8^th. While the Philadelphia area will not experience totality, the sun will be approximately 90% blocked! Free solar glasses will be available to take home with you. Register at https://ccls.libcal.com/event/11877802

• Viewing the Total Solar Eclipse from Hibernia County Park

The Chester County Library is hosting this event along with Chester County Parks and Preservation, NASA, The Chester County Astronomical Society, and Timmy Telescope on Monday, April 8^th from 2 – 4:30 pm in the Fiddler’s Field at Hibernia County Park, 1 Park Rd. Coatesville, PA.

Bring friends and family and enjoy observing the eclipse with the help and expertise of local astronomy enthusiasts. Learn about eclipses and try out activities that will help to better understand them. Participate in eclipse-related activities such as the GLOBE Observer-Eclipse program and GLOBE Observer-Clouds program and enter your data into the network to help scientists. Participate in a 20-minute “Sun Salutation” at 12:30 pm and/or a 20-minute “Moon Salutation” at 2 pm with Heather from 2 Crows and a Raven Yoga.

Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather. Plan to bring chairs and/or blanket for comfort, sunscreen, and water. A limited number of solar observation glasses will be available. Registration is suggested and you will receive an email reminder. Walk-ins welcome. Registration will close 1 day before the scheduled start time of the event. Register at https://ccls.libcal.com/event/12065509

Applications are now open for the Local Author Showcase to be held in May

The Chester County Library is holding its first-ever Local Author Showcase to highlight our Local Authors. Chester County authors will be given priority and, if space allows, other local Pennsylvania authors as well.  We are excited to invite you to apply to participate in our special event!

The Showcase will take place at the Chester County Library (located at 450 Exton Square Parkway in Exton, PA) on Sunday, May 19th from 1- 4 pm. Authors will have the opportunity to meet with library patrons, talk about their writings and publishing, and network with other local authors. They will also have the opportunity to offer their books for sale.

If you would like to apply to participate, please complete and return the application: https://www.ccls.org/FormCenter/Read-Local-Application-9/Read-Local-Application-86.

You will be notified by March 27, 2024 of your acceptance.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our Adult Program Coordinator, Pam Marquette, at pmarquette@ccls.org. We look forward to receiving your application!

The Chester County Library System (CCLS) with its 18 locations is continuously striving to improve and transform library services to meet the community’s ever-changing needs. 

CCLS invites the public to participate in an online survey. Your responses will help shape the future of public libraries in Chester County. Click here to take the survey, which will run through March 1^st, 2024

Joseph Sherwood, CCLS Executive Director states, “Libraries are much more than places to find information, though we still serve that essential purpose.  We are also 21st-century gathering places where people connect and can use online resources and current technology to improve their education and enhance their job skills so they can contribute effectively to their community.  As stewards of public resources in a time of changing economic realities, we understand how important it is to embrace innovation in many forms and to align our services to best meet the pressing needs in our community.”

This survey will help the member libraries provide exceptional value and service to library users, communities, and organizations throughout Chester County.  

Top 136 public library systems worldwide in total digital circulation

EXTON, PA – Chester County Library System announced today that its patrons reached a new milestone: 1.1 million digital books borrowed in 2023. This achievement illustrates the library’s commitment to serving all members of the community in innovative ways, including with a large catalog of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and other digital media. 

Chester County Library System is #136 of all standalone public libraries and one of 152 total public library systems worldwide that surpassed one million digital checkouts in the last calendar year.

Chester County Library System has been providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, comic books, and other digital content for several years through the award-winning Libby app, the library reading app created by OverDrive. The large collection serves readers of all ages and interests, and usage has grown throughout the years. 

Chester County Library System also offers thousands of movies and TV shows available through Kanopy, the leading video streaming service for public libraries. Viewers enjoyed hundreds/thousands of hours of content ranging from documentaries, children’s TV shows, instructional series, and Academy Award-winning films, all for free without ads. 

“The Chester County Library System is happy to announce we have reached a wonderful milestone, 1 Million electronic books checked out by our patrons! This is over 25% of our total materials checked out. In my 12 years as Executive Director, I’ve been happy to see this service grow as our libraries have allocated resources to meet community needs. These materials are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to any resident of Chester County. As we move into 2024 and as technology permeates our society I expect this service to continue to flourish and expand” says Joseph Sherwood, Executive Director of Chester County Library System. 

The highest-circulating title Chester County Library System readers borrowed in 2023 was Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex. The top-circulating genre, thriller, represents the most popular in a vast catalog that also includes fiction, romance, romance, mystery, children/young adults, and more. 

The top 5 eBook titles borrowed through Chester County Library System’s digital collection in 2023: 

• Verity by Colleen Hoover 
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus 
• It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover 
• The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand 
• Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex 

The top 5 eAudiobook titles borrowed through Chester County Library System’s digital collection in 2023: 

• Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 
• The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese 
• Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex 
• You Shouldn’t Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose 
• Girl, Forgotten by Karin Slaughter 

Readers in Chester County just need a valid library card to access digital books from Chester County Library System’s OverDrive-powered digital collection. You can use any major device, including Apple^(R), Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle^(R) (U.S. only). 

Download the Libby app or visit https://chester.overdrive.com/ to get started borrowing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more anytime, anywhere. 

About Chester County Library System 

The mission of the Chester County Library System ensures that every resident has access to exceptional opportunities to read, learn, create, connect, and contribute to a better quality of life. Chester County Library & District Center is located at 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, PA. For hours or more information, visit our website at https://www.ccls.org

About OverDrive 

OverDrive is a mission-based company that stands with libraries. Named a Certified B Corp in 2017, OverDrive serves more than 88,000 libraries and schools in 109 countries with the industry’s largest digital catalog of eBooks, eAudiobooks, video, and other content. OverDrive’s commitment to empower every library and school includes expanding access for all, tireless industry advocacy and consistently innovating. Award-winning apps and services include the Libby library reading app, the Sora student reading app, Kanopy, the leading video streaming app for libraries and colleges, and TeachingBooks.net, which offers one of the largest catalogs of supplemental materials that enhance literacy outcomes. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com