Free online concert event: “Space Songs: Through the Distance”

~ ccllauras ~ Leave a comment
Image by Lawrence Azerrad

“Join the National Air and Space Museum for a YouTube concert event, sharing songs about space and isolation to celebrate how extreme situations can bring out the very best in us all and why there’s no challenge we can’t face together. The concert, hosted by Tested’s Adam Savage, will feature special guests and performances by Sting, Clipping, Bethany Cosentino of Best Coast, Dan Deacon, Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie, Valerie June, Lukas Nelson, Grace Potter, John Roderick, and Vagabon.”

This concert event was held on April 30th, but you can still learn more and find the link for viewing the concert here.

Interested in other online events and programs from the National Air and Space Museum? Visit their online events page to start exploring!

Teen Update: “Homeschool with Mural Arts”

~ svirginiaroyf ~ Leave a comment

Tune into Homeschool with Mural Arts every Monday and Wednesday at 1:00pm for live art-focused tutorials from local experts. Past lessons are also available and to date include topics such as Drawing Faces, Creating a Zine, Printmaking 101 and Creating a Reusable Bag. These 10- to 30-minute videos offer you the opportunity to learn a new art skill and create something from the comfort of your home.

“Homeschool with Mural Arts” is a Mural Arts Philadelphia “Art in Action” initiative.  Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program and is dedicated to the belief that art ignites change.

April 29th International Dance Day

~ Sara ~ Leave a comment

Did you know today is International Dance Day? It is a day set aside by the International Dance Council to promote public awareness of the “art of dance”. The date was chosen because it is the birthday of famed French dance artist Jean-Georges Noverre, (1727-1810), creator of modern ballet.) The intention of the International Dance Day message is to celebrate dance, revel in the universality of this art form, cross all political, cultural and ethnic barriers, and bring people together with a common language – DANCE!

International Dance Day is especially meant to get those not usually interested in professional dancing interested in it. It’s a time for promoters and practitioners of dance to reach out to a wider public.

So how about we take time to dance today, in our homes, in our yards? How about organizing a social distancing dance party with your neighbors? Have everyone come out at one time and dance in your front yards. Or set up a virtual dance party with friends and family on a video chat platform such as FaceTime, Zoom or Skype?

Let’s Get Moving!

Also check out these eBooks:

How do you dance    Pete the cat  Ballet stars

Resource Guide and Contacts for Community Needs and Referrals

~ lshupp13 ~ Leave a comment

The Chester County Department of Human Services has created an online Resource Guide for community needs. Included are resources for food, shelter, mental health, substance abuse, and much more.

They are updating this resource continuously so feel free to check back to see any updates or to contact the Department of Human Services if you have recommendations to add to their guide.

***If you were not able to find what you were looking for in this guide, please contact one of the Information and Referral Agencies listed below or try calling Chester County 2-1-1- by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-866-964-7922 (TTY and language services are available in more than 170 languages and dialects). Chester County residents can also text their zip code to 898-211.***

Chester County Information and Referral Agencies

  • Human Services Inc. (West Chester Area) or 610-429-3033
  • La Comunidad Hispana (Kennett Area) or 610-444-7550
  • Maternal and Child Health Consortium (Coatesville Area) – or 484-378-4030
  • Oxford Area Neighborhood Services Center (Southern Chester County) or 610-932-8557
  • Phoenixville Area Community Services (Phoenixville Area) or 610-933-1105

Kids’ Update: A Trip to the National Zoo

~ clancygirl1 ~ Leave a comment
Aldabra Tortoise at the Smithsonian National Zoo

The Smithsonian National Zoo has a Virtual Zoo School just for you! It offers Activities You Can Do at Home and Resources to engage learners in grades pre-K to 12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation. Check out the animal webcams, learn about wildlife careers, or take the online zoo highlights tour. National Zoo Activities and More!

If you didn’t find a bat on your visit to the zoo, you can visit Stellaluna!

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.

Financial Aid Webinars and Virtual Application Sessions

~ lshupp13 ~ Leave a comment

PHEAA will offer Financial Aid Webinars in May on the following dates from 6-7 pm: May 7, 14 and 21 as well as offering one on one virtual application assistance.

Representatives from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Agency (PHEAA) will be providing an overview of how to apply for all types of financial aid, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required to determine eligibility for most student aid programs such as the Pennsylvania State Grant, Federal Pell Grant, institutional offers, and federal student and parent loans. This will also be a great opportunity to have PHEAA representatives answer questions you may have.

Click Here to register for the May 7 webinar from 6-7 pm 
Click Here to register for the May 14 webinar from 6-7 pm 
Click Here to register for the May 21 webinar from 6-7 pm 

Celebrate National Blueberry Pie Day with new recipes in our Flipster magazines!

~ Book Club Mom ~ Leave a comment

Photo by Anastasia Chaplinskaya on Pexels.com

Happy National Blueberry Pie Day! This is the season for berries and you can find new pie and berry recipes in many of our magazines on Flipster.

Here’s a peek at a few magazines that feature pie and berry desserts in their latest issues.

We have more than 80 magazines available on Flipster to read with your library card. Sign in here and get your rolling pin ready!

Teen Update: Writing Tips for Teens and Tweens

~ svirginiaroyf ~ Leave a comment

If you are an aspiring writer, Penguin Classroom is the place to go for encouragement and insight. You will find fun writing tips and advice from award-winning and bestselling authors. John Green, Laurie Halse Anderson, Marie Lu, Adam Gidwitz, and Max Brallier are just a few of the featured authors.

Click on the links below and scroll down to download the informative publication for free. And then, start crafting your story!

Penguin Classroom Writing Tips for Tweens

Penguin Classroom Writing Tips for Teens  

Go “Outdoors Online” with Natural Lands!

~ ccllauras ~ Leave a comment
Natural Lands’ ChesLen Preserve in Chester County, PA (Photo by Mae Axelrod)

“Explore nature remotely with a myriad of fresh, flexible, and fun online content” from Natural Lands, including the following:

Visit Natural Land’s Outdoors Online site for more information about these and other online offerings to help you connect virtually with nature!

Kids’ Update: Get Moving!

~ clancygirl1 ~ Leave a comment

Tired of sitting around? Take a Brain Break! Everyone needs a Brain Break every once in a while. Take a minute or two between lessons to move that body! The Learning Station has a series of brain breaks on their YouTube station. This link has 30 minutes of brain break activities. The Learning Station’s Brain Breaks.

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.