This week the Chester County Library System joins libraries of all types across Pennsylvania and the nation in celebrating the many ways libraries build strong communities by providing critical resources, programs, and expertise. 

April 4 - 10, 2021 is National Library Week, an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and communities. Libraries are at the heart of their cities, towns, schools, and campuses. They have public spaces where people of all backgrounds can come together and connect. Library programs encourage community members to meet to discuss civic issues, work together using new technologies like 3D printing or learn alongside one another in English language classes. Library staff also partner with other civic and service organizations to actively engage with the people they serve, always striving to ensure their community’s core needs are being met.

This year's theme “Welcome to Your Library,” promotes the idea that libraries extend far beyond the four walls of a building – and that everyone is welcome to use their services. During the pandemic, libraries have been going above and beyond to adapt to our changing world by expanding their resources and continuing to meet the needs of their users. Whether people visit in person or virtually, libraries offer opportunities for everyone to explore new worlds and become their best selves through access to technology, multimedia content, and educational programs. During this past year, we have provided all of these services and more for our patrons across our 18 member library locations in Chester County.

Last week, Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Michelle Kichline presented a proclamation to Chester County Library System celebrating National Library Week and encouraged all Chester County residents to use their local libraries this week to take advantage of all the wonderful resources available to them. Joe Sherwood, Executive Director for the Chester County Library System, thanked the Commissioners and Chester County for their support of libraries. “With your help, we were able to purchase more e-materials such as e-books and audiobooks on services such as Overdrive and e-magazines on Flipster. These are some of the most critical and well-used services that we can provide to our patrons when many of them are unable to physically come into the library and continues to be very popular.”

Marguerite Dube, Director of Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch, also emphasized how libraries, staff, and volunteers have found new and innovative ways to serve patrons within the community this past year. "We have provided services such as curbside pickup, 24/7 hold-it lockers located outside the library, the self-checkout mobile app, and also moving all programming online - to a virtual format. Some of these services have proven to be so in demand and convenient for patrons that we will likely continue to offer them well into the future."

Historically, libraries have served as the nation's great equalizers of knowledge by providing free access to all, regardless of age, ethnicity, or socio-economic background, and today — that extends to virtual services that are available 24/7, seven days a week.