(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.