A Film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick & Sara Botstein – Virtual Screener & Community Conversation

On Thursday, March 9^th, from 7:15-9:15 p.m., Henrietta Hankin Branch Library in partnership with PBS Books and WETA will present a reprise of the Screener and Discussion event held in November of the PBS documentary The U.S. and the Holocaust, a film by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick & Sarah Botstein. This 3-part documentary explores America’s response to one of the greatest humanitarian crises in history.  Americans consider themselves a “nation of immigrants,” but as the catastrophe of the Holocaust unfolded in Europe, the United States proved unwilling to open its doors to more than a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of desperate people seeking refuge. Through riveting firsthand testimony of witnesses and survivors who as children endured persecution, violence, and flight as their families tried to escape Hitler, this series delves deeply into the tragic human consequences of public indifference, bureaucratic red tape, and restrictive quota laws in America. Did the nation fail to live up to its ideals? This is a history to be reckoned with.

Join us to view selected clips from the documentary and then take part in a conversation with a panel of local experts. We are delighted to once again have panelists Rabbi Lance J. Sussman, Ph.D., and Jonathan C. Friedman, Ph.D., to lead us in an insightful conversation on core themes raised in the film, such as immigration policy, racism, isolationism, discrimination, and more.  Plus, for this event, we have a third panelist, Sharon Sorokin.  At the end of 2022, Sharon retired from the practice of law and founded Bikabow Books, a small press publishing company. Bikabow Books’ first publication is Ziggy’s Potato, A Holocaust Story, written by Sharon Sorokin and illustrated by Helen Cann. Ziggy’s Potato is intended for ages 8 and up.

Rabbi Sussman currently serves as the Rabbi Emeritus of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA, after serving as senior rabbi from 2001-2022.  Rabbi Sussman, a specialist in American Jewish history, has written several books and numerous articles on the American Jewish experience.  Currently, he is working on a television documentary on the history of the Philadelphia Jewish community with History Making Productions.  He is also editing a collection of his sermons and essays, “Portrait of an America Rabbi,” and serving as Scholar in Residence at Philadelphia’s Holocaust Awareness Museum (HAMEC).

Jonathan C. Friedman, Ph.D., is a Professor of History, and Director of Graduate Holocaust and Genocide Studies at West Chester University.  Dr. Friedman’s main areas of specialization are modern European, modern German, and modern Jewish history, although since finishing his Ph.D. he has broadened his areas of specialization to include LGBT history and the history of music and film.  Dr. Friedman has published numerous books on subjects ranging from the Holocaust to gay and Jewish performances. He is working on a monograph, Haunted Laughter: Comedic Representations of Adolf Hitler, The Third Reich, and the Holocaust in Film and Television.

Anyone who would like to view the full documentary in advance of the event may borrow a DVD of the movie through the Chester County Library System. PBS station members can view the documentary via PBS Passport as part of a full collection of Ken Burns films. 

To register for this special virtual event, please visit https://ccls.libcal.com/event/9947294.  For additional information, please contact Claire Michelle Viola, Reference Librarian at cviola@ccls.org. This event supports PA Forward Health and Civic and Social Literacies.

Join us for a day dedicated to helping you get a job! Representatives from local organizations will be in attendance to share their expertise. In addition, workshops and customized help for your job search are available. All services are completely free.

To register for a 30-minute one-on-one help session, please email Sam Bardarik at sbardarik@ccls.org with your contact information, availability, and what kind of help you seek. Service can include resume or cover letter reviews, interviewing tips, and other job/career assistance.

Workshops include:

• Resume Writing and the Job Search
• Criminal Record Management for Job Seekers
• Navigating Education and Financial Aid Decisions 
• How to Find a Job without Relying on a Resume
• LinkedIn for Job Seekers
• Introduction to Excel
• Intermediate Excel

To register for a workshop, please click here.

This event will give any job-seeker in the community an opportunity to access career information resources that will help them find positions, and also assist with career and industry descriptions, salary information, interviewing and resume tips. For additional information and research help, our Business and Career Librarian, Sam Bardarik, is available at sbardarik@ccls.org or 610-344-5947.

The Fit Fair is back at Chester County Library on Saturday, February 25, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.

At the start of a new year, so many of us are making resolutions to get in shape, eat better, and take care of our bodies. If you are trying to make this year a healthier one but aren’t sure how to start, or even if you’re trying to maintain your fitness goals from last year, we have the event for you! We will be offering free health and wellness programs, as well as information booths for local gyms, businesses, and health organizations from around Chester County. Vendor booths will include:

• Chester County Immunization Coalition
• Chester County Parks + Preservation
• Freshour Chiropractic
• Friends of the Chester Valley Trail
• Full Range Physical Therapy
• GIANT
• Paoli Hospital, Main Line Health
• Orangetheory Fitness
• Renaissance Home Health
• Rothman Orthopedics
• YMCA of Greater Brandywine
• Zia Yoga & Wellness

If exercise is your top priority this year, you will want to check out the exercise class presentations taking place in the Struble Room. Spots are limited, so please register for these classes at https://bit.ly/3YAZR7Z. There will also be free onsite health screenings available from the Paoli Hospital. Not to mention, many other local organizations will be providing information about their own programs and services, the hottest health and fitness trends, and so much more! So, if you are looking for a good first step on your path to a healthier year, mark your calendar, because the Fit Fair is an event you won’t want to miss!

We need your input! On January 30th, we will launch our Customer Satisfaction Survey, which will be available until March 1st.  With your feedback, you can help us improve your library experience. By taking this brief customer satisfaction survey, your responses can help us advocate for and convey the value of libraries to the State, County, and municipalities that support us. The survey will also be available in Spanish if needed. Please take the survey here.