Ready, set, library! National Library Week is Apr. 7-13, and the Chester County Library System encourages everyone in the community to visit their local member library to participate in the festivities and explore all it has to offer.

A proclamation issued and signed by Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell, and Eric Roe was presented to Chester County Library System’s Executive Director, Joseph Sherwood, at their annual Legislative Breakfast on Friday, Apr. 5. The proclamation designated National Library Week in Chester County from April 7-13. 

Libraries give us a green light to something special: a place to connect with others, learn new skills, and focus on what matters most. Find your crew at your library’s author talks, workshops, and book clubs. Enjoy the scenic route through the stacks to find your new favorite story. Or take a virtual detour and see all your library’s resources online.

“While we often focus on the new things we do because they are exciting, it is also about the things we do daily,” said Joe Sherwood, Executive Director of the Chester County Library System. “Maintaining welcoming and comfortable spaces for people to use is an important part of our services. As families attend story times, individuals receive help with resume writing and job searches, and entrepreneurs start or expand businesses, the physical space continues to be a vital aspect of our services. I am continually impressed with the adaptability of our member libraries as they work to meet the ever-changing needs of County residents.” 

No matter where you find yourself on the roadmap through life’s journey — preparing for a new career, launching a business, or raising a family — your library provides an inclusive and supportive community where everyone belongs.

“I’m thrilled to serve as the honorary chair of National Library Week for 2024,” said National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and Newbery and Pura Belpré-award winning Author Meg Medina, who will serve as the 2024 Honorary Chair. As a Cuban-American Author who writes for readers of all ages, Medina received a Newbery Medal for her middle-grade novel Merci Suárez Changes Gears and was a New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of the Year, among many other distinctions. “Libraries connect our communities and enrich our lives in ways we may not realize, and one of my greatest pleasures is discovering the unexpected and beautiful things libraries offer. From book groups to lending sports equipment to providing a safe after-school hangout space and so much more, libraries support us wherever we find ourselves on the roadmap through life’s journey. Join me and the American Library Association in celebrating the gift of libraries everywhere and the adventures and opportunities they unlock for us daily. Ready, Set, Library!”

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide each April. Get ready to explore, become inspired, and connect with your local library this National Library Week. Chester County Library System’s 18-member libraries across Chester County are there for you all the way to the finish line.

Learn more about the mission of the Chester County Library System to ensure that every resident has access to exceptional opportunities to read, learn, create, connect, and contribute to a better quality of life.