Virtual Program: Introduction to Genealogy

~ Jamie ~ Leave a comment

Please join us virtually on Thursday, May 14th, for Introduction to Genealogy with Ancestry Library Edition from 7:00-8:30PM. Take advantage of the Ancestry Library Edition database being available remotely until May 31st with this program.

Registration is required (you can register at the link above). A Zoom link will be emailed to registrants 2 hours before the program starts. Make sure to check the email address you registered with to receive the link. You do not need a Zoom account to attend the virtual program.

Learn how to use the library database Ancestry.com for family research. Get genealogy searching tips, research guidance, & more. Genealogy researcher Mike Sheldon will demonstrate introductory methods used to research a family tree, using Ancestry – Library Edition and FamilySearch.org. Ancestry.com – Library Edition can currently be accessed remotely through May 31st. A librarian will be available to answer questions about the database.

Resume Writing Workshop to resume virtually

~ Sam Bardarik ~ Leave a comment

In conjunction with the United Way Financial Stability Center, Chester County Library will resume our monthly Resume Writing and the Job Search workshop in a virtual format starting May 12. This workshop reviews fundamentals of writing a resume: format, content, tips and tricks, required and optional sections, etc. We’ll review example resumes and discuss online and print resume resources.

For more information and to register, click here.

For more upcoming virtual programs, click here for Chester County Library’s calendar and here for the United Way’s calendar.

Parfait au chocolat

~ Sara ~ Leave a comment

While the oldest recipe named “parfait” was published in an 1869 French cookbook (it was coffee flavored), the chocolate parfait was created in 1894 in France.  Parfait literally means perfect in French!  There are a couple of ways to make parfaits. The traditional French-style uses sugar syrup, eggs, and cream. The American style layers parfait cream, ice cream, and flavored gelatin in a tall, clear glass topped with whipped cream, fruit and liqueurs. The parfait has recently taken a healthier approach using yogurt layered with nuts and fresh fruits, instead of ice cream and sugary syrups.

Today is all about the chocolate parfait because it’s National Chocolate Parfait Day!  That doesn’t mean you can’t experiment with other flavors. Fruit and cream go quite well with chocolate as well as crunchy favorites like pretzels or cookie bits. A delicious chocolate parfait would be a perfect way to end (or start) your day. Try this versatile recipe at home today.

Read some chocolate mysteries while you indulge in your chocolate desert:

Chocolate Cream Pie            The chocolate thief

Also learn French !

Mango Languages User Guide

The Help Book Online – in English and Spanish

~ lshupp13 ~ Leave a comment

The Phoenixville Community Health Foundation and Open Hearth, Inc. are offering the sixth edition of The Help Book online in English and Spanish. The purpose of this guide is help adults and children in the region better access health and human services.

More than 300 organizations and programs are profiled  here. You can find information about their services, contact information, and more. Whether you’re looking for affordable housing, emergency and supplemental food, employment services, health care, or substance abuse treatment, The Help Book has resources you can use.

Should you have any feedback on The Help Book, please do not hesitate to email pchf1@pchf1.org.

Kids’ Update: Otherworldly Octopuses

~ clancygirl1 ~ Leave a comment

The National Aquarium presents: Otherworldly Octopuses? Learn about the highly intelligent octopus with information and videos from The National Aquarium. Otherworldly Octopuses. Explore their website for more interesting information and videos.

Here’s a bedtime story that’s filled with surprises — The Kiss That Missed!

The Youth Services Staff at the Chester County Library and Hankin Branch are presenting Virtual Storytimes beginning April 27th. They will be for three different ages groups — 0 to 2 Year Olds, 3 & 4 Year Olds, and 5 & 6 Year Olds. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at https://chescolibraries.org/. Virtual Storytimes are not registered as multi-week sessions; you will need to register for each storytime individually.

Small Engine Repair Reference Center

~ ccllauras ~ Leave a comment

Have questions about repairing your generator, lawn mower, or other small engine? Use your library card to access the Small Engine Repair Reference Center (a resource from PA’s Power Library) and find answers!

The Small Engine Repair Reference Center contains “detailed repair guides for all types of small engines” and “offers assistance in providing routine maintenance (tune-ups, break service) as well as extensive repairs such as engine and transmission disassembly.”

“Search by product type, brand, model/engine type, specific area of model/engine type and model numbers.”

Access the Small Engine Repair Reference Center through the library by visiting chescolibraries.org, selecting “Tools and Research” from the ribbon of choices at the top of the page, selecting “All CCLS Databases,” and then select Small Engine Repair Reference Center. Enter your library card number when prompted.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

~ Sara ~ Leave a comment

Today, April 30th, is National Raisin Day AND National Oatmeal Cookie Day.  The first National Raisin Day was celebrated in 1909 and promoted by the raisin growers of California. Advertisements placed in papers and on the radio, flyers delivered door to door leading up to the day included recipes, deals, and announcements reminding everyone to celebrate National Raisin Day on Friday, April 30th. When the day arrived, restaurants, dining cars, hotels and steamships around the country included dishes featuring the dried fruit.  Schools, local and state governments were involved in providing education and information about the quality of California raisins and their health benefits.   People have been enjoying raisins for as long as grapes have been growing. Raisins are naturally low in fat and contain healthy nutrients.  California produces the majority of the world’s raisin supply.

Although there is no known origin of National Oatmeal Cookie Day.  Oatmeal cookies have been around since the 1800s. The cookies quickly became popular, and by the early 1900s, a recipe for the delicious treats appeared on containers of Quaker Oats. Oatmeal cookies are also considered health food because they are an excellent source of iron and fiber. Just another reason to have an oatmeal cookie today!

In honor of these two complimentary days, a staff member wanted to share her mother Peggy’s hand-written recipe for Old Fashioned Oatmeal Cookies.

Try these 5 Cookies to Celebrate National Oatmeal Cookie Day and eBooks:

The Perfect Cookie    Cookie perfection     My First Cookbook

Kids’ Update: Outer Space STEM with NASA

~ clancygirl1 ~ Leave a comment

Point your eyes to the sky and explore Outer Space STEM with NASA! NASA has lots of fun and educational activities for you to do. Put on your spacesuit and try some of these for a start:

NASA STEM-at-Home-for-Students, K to Grade 4

NASA STEM-at-Home-for-Students, Grades 5 to 8

NASA STEM-at-Home-for-Students, Grades 9 to 12

And there is lots more on the NASA Website, so do some exploring at NASA.

Finally, this are not just another story time, these books are ready by actual astronauts while in space on the International Space Station — Storytime from Space!

The Youth Services Staff at the Chester County Library and Hankin Branch are presenting Virtual Storytimes beginning April 27th. They will be for three different ages groups — 0 to 2 Year Olds, 3 & 4 Year Olds, and 5 & 6 Year Olds. Registration is required via the Events Calendar at https://chescolibraries.org/. Virtual Storytimes are not registered as multi-week sessions; you will need to register for each storytime individually.