Red Fox Book Donation Days

Donate Your Books on Donation Days!

The Red Fox Book Shop volunteers invite you bring book donations on specific days and times.

  • Curbside Drop-off is available during Donation Days courtesy of Conestoga’s Key Club Members.   A team of Key Club volunteers will move books from vehicles into the library.
  • More Donation Days may be added when storage space becomes available.

2024 Donation Days 10am – 2pm

  • January 27
  • February 24
  • March 23
  • April 27
  • May 18
  • June 22
  • July 27
  • August 24
  • September 28
  • October 26
  • December TBD

LIMIT: No more than 4 boxes or bags (Please, no huge boxes or bags: banker’s boxes are perfect!)

WE CANNOT ACCEPT: Books that are moldy, mildewed, food-stained, heavily highlighted or underlined, or falling apart.

ADDITIONALLY: No textbooks, magazines, computer books or travel guides that are more than two years old.

Our 2023 Book Sale Dates are:

  • Spring Book Sale – March 17-19
  • Summer Reading Book Sale – June 9-11
  • Holiday Book Sale – November 3-5

Book Sales are on Friday-Saturday-Sunday weekends in 2023.

 

 

 

Erik Larson Author Event

Save the Date: Best Selling Author Erik Larson

Join us for this virtual fundraising event: Wednesday, March 9, 7 – 8pm

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

Ticket Options:
• $35.00 Basic Ticket: Entry to the program & a signed copy of The Splendid and the Vile.
• $55.00 Tea Ticket: Entry to the program, signed copy of The Splendid and the Vile, library branded tea tin, tea
& chocolates to enjoy during the program.

Premium Packages sales end February 28. Basic tickets available through March 8, however tickets purchased after Friday, March 4 are not guaranteed to receive their book in time for the event.

Signed books & premium packages will arrive at the library by March 5.

FAQs:

  • How does this event support the library?
    • Ticket proceeds go to your local library. When purchasing a ticket, buyers will have to
      select which library they want their ticket proceeds to support.
  • How & when do I get my signed copy of The Splendid and the Vile?
    • A library staff person will contact you to pick up your book and/or premium package the
      week between March 4-9. Your pick up location is the library you designate during
      registration.
  • How do I view the virtual event?
    • Login instructions will be listed in the event program & emailed to registrants prior to
      the event. Event programs will be included in the Premium Ticket/Basic Ticket.

Flood Update

On Wednesday morning, the library experienced flooding from a leaking hot water pipe fitting. This flooding caused extensive damage in the old library entrance (now an emergency exit/staff door) and the elevator hallway where the Friends of Tredyffrin Public Library store donated books, where the ceiling opened and water penetrated through much of those materials. There is also extensive damage to the sheetrock, lighting, and drop ceilings throughout that whole area.

We are grateful to the Township Head of Public Works for his immediate response and assistance shutting the library’s water off and working to mitigate the damage as fast as possible. The Township is also assisting us with the claim process.
Also on Wednesday, Servpro removed wet materials, vacuumed out the water, removed damaged sheetrock, ceiling tiles and light fixtures, and set up fans throughout the affected area. A dumpster remains in the parking lot to hold damaged materials. As of today, some fans were able to be removed but some will remain through the weekend.
Electricians shut off power Wednesday morning to allow for assessment of damage to light fixtures and shorting. Electricians will return to the building on Tuesday to assess and hopefully restore power. Many lights were damaged and shorted and will require replacement.
We had to temporarily and partially disable the sprinkler and fire detection systems to prevent false alarms that could trigger if there was water in the ceiling.
It is currently unsafe for the public to access the Tredyffrin Public Library building because of the lack of electricity, fire and sprinkler detection systems, the multiple fans, and the debris. We hope to reopen the building sometime next week. Until we can do so, our librarians are providing contactless pick up, and virtual programs continue for all ages. We have requested that patrons not use our book drops, and directed all to Paoli Library, which is undamaged and open.
Again, we thank you for your support of the library and hope you are safe and dry after these challenging storms. Should you have any questions, please reach out to me here.
Sincerely,
Library Director

Virtual Trivia Questions

TRIVIA TIME - John Rogers Memorial LibraryWe Want You . . .

to help choose questions for our virtual trivia nights! We’ve held virtual trivia nights nearly every Saturday for over a year now. Help us make some rounds by submitting your questions using the form below. Submit one or submit multiple, then attend virtual trivia to see if your question is included.


Paoli Reopening News

Paoli Library to Reopen with Limited Hours, Tuesday, April 13

We are thrilled to welcome patrons back inside Paoli Library on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons starting Tuesday, April 13, for browsing, computer use, and copying.  You do not need to have a reservation, but we are allowing only three people (or families) inside the library at a time.

Open to the Public

for browsing, computer use, and holds pickup

Tuesday & Thursday 1:00–5:00 pm

Contactless Pickup

Monday & Wednesday 10:00 am–5:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 am–1:00 pm

Friday & Saturday 10:00 am–2:00 pm

 

Please help us remain open by complying with occupancy limits and the following guidelines:

Browsing

All areas of the collection except magazines and newspapers will be open for browsing. Please limit your visit to 30 minutes (less when there are other patrons waiting).

Computers

Two computers will be available for 30-minute sessions (one visit per day). Very limited computer help is available, as staff need to observe social distancing protocols.

Masks and Social Distancing

All patrons over the age of 2 must wear a face-mask over their mouth and nose while they are in the library and must practice social distancing.

Returns

Please return all books, AV materials, and museum passes in the book drop—It is open 24/7. Craft kits, stem kits, and other large items can be returned to the white table in the lobby. We will continue to quarantine returned items for 48 hours.

 

For further information, please call the library: 610.296.7996

We look forward to seeing you again!

The Enduring Library

shackleton-endurance-cabin.png

A photograph of Shackleton’s cabin aboard the Endurance taken by Australian photographer Frank Hurley in March 1915. THE ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY WITH THE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH GEOGRAPHERS

The Enduring Libary

Laurie Doan reflects on the past year for National Library Week 2021.

Before I was a librarian, I was the class optimist of the Class of ’79 and an avid reader of survival stories. The story that intrigued me most was Earnest Shackleton, whose goal was to pass through the South Pole via Antarctica. His ship, Endurance, became ice-locked and Shackleton and his men were on the ice for almost two years; no one died.

The Endurance crew was rescued by Shackleton in 1916, just before the 1918 Pandemic.

Fast forward to 2020. The Covid-19 Pandemic hit, and fear and uncertainty gripped the nation; there was a feeling that we, too, had become locked-in with no end to it in sight. It was then I remembered and was inspired by Shackleton’s words, “Need to put footprint of courage into stirrup of patience.”

This year, under the direction of Library Director Chris Kibler and Township Manager Bill Martin, and working under adverse conditions, my co-workers and I faced numerous difficulties and overcame them together.

My journey as the librarian for teens involved establishing programs online that would help to keep the students occupied and inspired. We kept ourselves going with daily meetings of journaling and reading aloud, game-nights, and our Friday night Roundtable Discussions.

We also held special programs, including our month-long College Admission Workshop. We performed an online play. We worked with UK theater director Nadia Papachronopoulou and teaching artists Max Mooney and Sarah Boess on the “Shakespeare in Isolation” film project. Students reimagined a scene from Shakespeare’s original plays using quarantine as a backdrop.

Through our Monday Morning Meetings, I was also aware of the outstanding efforts of others. We brought new traditions of Zoom Storytime’s, Art Journaling, Sewing Kits, Kindness Kits, and a Plant Club and much more from the Children’s Department. From the adult department, we explored meditation, solving crime, the history of food trucks; the list is endless.

The Reference Department continued to answer questions both in-person and online. We helped patrons navigate social services during the Pandemic and with simple questions such as converting a bread recipe from the metric system to the measuring cup in our kitchen. My favorite question was from a teen who asked about where to adopt a dog. He’d wanted a dog for so long, and he wasn’t the only young person who got his wish during quarantine.

We also went viral (okay, maybe not viral, but we were impressed with the numbers) with our We Got that Database (All About that Bass Library Parody)

But there were quiet times too and times of toil that we could have never imagined. With a limited staff, everyone worked harder to keep the ship afloat than we ever have. I’m sure we all felt as if we were on a storm-tossed ship with “all hands on deck” and a “heave-ho!” and an occasional “throw me a lifeline” but never once an “abandon ship.”

As I worked the night shift, especially when we were closed to the public, my heart warmed by the sheer number of books going out and coming back. The library continued to provide books and movies, and games through contactless pick-up. We somehow managed to thrive in this uncertain time.

Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage: Alfred Lansing, Nathaniel  Philbrick: 2015465062881: Amazon.com: BooksImportantly, every book I pulled out of the night deposit box made me hopeful for the reader. I smiled when I saw the baking books going out in large numbers. Also on loan were backyard birding books, novels of daring and espionage, love stories, fable & fairy tales, and a host of diverse books exploring where we were as a country in 2020 and where we go from here.

For National Library Week, I want to salute the spirit of the crew of the Endurance. I want to salute my co-workers for their persistence in keeping Tredyffrin Libraries a relevant source of joy and consolation for our community in this time of distress. I especially want to salute Tredyffrin Township residents for having the forethought and optimism to know that a library will keep you sane in troubled times.   As Shackleton said, “The quality I look for most is optimism: especially optimism in the face of reverses and apparent defeat. Optimism is true moral courage.”

Check the catalog for:

Endurance 

by Alfred Lansing

 Physical Book
 Audiobook on CD (abridged)
 eBook

National Poetry Month 2021

Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

We’d like to celebrate

National Poetry Month with You!

 

Every day in April, check out our YouTube Page to hear about a poet & a selection of their work. Some of the poets may be familiar to you & some may be new, but all are in the public domain.

Poetry Contest

SUBMIT YOUR VOTE

Please read through our 26 amazing entries & vote for your favorite! Voting ends on Wednesday, May 5 at 5 pm!

Read the Poems

National Library Week 2021

From the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors:

The Board of Supervisors thanks everyone who helps make our Tredyffrin Libraries tremendous community assets and community centers of which all Tredyffrin residents can be proud. The libraries thank the Board of Supervisors for the following proclamation:

A RESOLUTION OF THE TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECOGNIZING THE ESSENTIAL ROLE TREDYFFRIN TOWNSHIP LIBRARIES, LIBRARIANS AND LIBRARY WORKERS PLAY IN TRANSFORMING LIVES AND STRENGTHENING THE COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, the American Library Association has designated April 4 – 10, 2021 as National Library Week, with a theme of “Welcome to Your Library”;

WHEREAS, the Tredyffrin Public Library and Paoli Library are central to the Tredyffrin Community and offer opportunities to enrich their lives through print and electronic collections, technology, multimedia content, and educational program;

WHEREAS, libraries, librarians, and library workers play an invaluable role in supporting their communities through promoting literacy, social engagement, and active community participation;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Board of Supervisors of Tredyffrin Township joins the American Library Association and all library workers and supporters in designating April 4 – 10, 2021 as National Library Week and encourages all our residents to take advantage of, and support, this asset to our community.

 

See more of our National Library Week Content

Both here and on our various social media channels throughout the week.

Connect with Tredyffrin Township Libraries          

       on DISCORD   

Connect with Tredyffrin Public Library

facebook logo TPL Twitter Pinterest TPL 

For Children:    ChildrensFacebook   ChildrensTwitter   ChildrensPinterest  ChildrensInstagram

Connect with Paoli Library

facebook logo PL Twitter Pinterst PL Paoli Instagram

Donate!

Make a donation during National Libraries Week to honor the library service, program, material or staff member that has made a difference for you this year.

Supporting the Library is Supporting the Community

As always, those who donate $120 or more will receive free rentals for a year. Additionally, donations of $200 or more receive a Tredyffrin Township Libraries S’Well insulated water bottle.

DONATE HERE

 

Jennifer Whip, Library Hero

Congratulations & Thank You

The libraries are delighted to honor Jennifer Whip as our 2020 Library Hero!

Each year, the library honors a person or group who is a hero by their volunteerism, service, or advocacy for the library. Jennifer Whip served on the Tredyffrin Township Libraries Foundation board for almost ten years. She led the Foundation’s work to establish the Golf Classic, which launched in 2019 to raise funds for the endowment. She was a tireless advocate for the library within in the community, and was an active volunteer with the Friends of Tredyffrin Public Library and an enthusiastic library patron.

We are thankful for her years of dedicated service to the mission of Tredyffrin Township Libraries & are honored to name her our 2020 Library Hero.

Additionally, we thank TD Bank for the sponsorship of the 2020 Library Hero award.

Complete our community puzzle celebrating Ms. Whip’s Library Hero achievement

Virtual Visits

Visit Museums Virtually

While many local and national museums have closed in response to the growing public health threat of COVID-19, it may seem as though it is impossible to visit your favorite museum and learn something new. But fear not! Many local museums, as well as, national and international museums, offer virtual options to tour their museum, explore digital collections and exhibits, and many museums offer virtual lectures, events, and programs. Check out a list below of local and national museums you can visit from the safety of your home!

Disclaimer: While at first glance this list seems extensive, it is certainly not exhaustive. As of December 10th, 2020, this list includes museums that were offered through Tredyffrin Township Libraries Museum Passport Program, as well as respected local and national museums. Any questions about this list can be forwarded to Zoey at zmills@ccls.org.  

 

Museums Local to Chester County and Philadelphia

Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (Philadelphia)

The Barnes Foundation (Philadelphia)

Benjamin Franklin Museum (Philadelphia)

Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art (Chadds Ford)

  • The Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art offers engaging virtual tours and curator-led gallery talks of their collection and special exhibitions, activities for all ages, blogs, and resources for everyone to enjoy at home. Online museum offerings are updated weekly, so be sure to check back for new and exciting exhibits and talks.

Chester County Historical Society (West Chester)

Independence Seaport Museum (Philadelphia)

Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia)

Mütter Museum (Philadelphia)

National Constitution Center (Philadelphia)

  • The National Constitution Center offers a myriad of ways to enjoy museum offerings during their closure. Attend live classes and lectures, join the museum for online debates about timely constitutional topics, explore their expansive media library, and dive into their exhibits through the museum’s virtual museum experience.

Penn Museum (Philadelphia)

Philadelphia Museum of Art (Philadelphia)

Rosenbach (Philadelphia)

National Museums

The Google Art Project

The Met (New York City)

NASA (Washington D.C.)

The National Gallery of Art (Washington D.C.)

The Smithsonian (Washington D.C.)