Need to Use a Library Computer? Check Out a Laptop!

     No Library computer workstations available?  Try one of the Adult Library's new circulating laptops!  All you need is a photo ID and a Chester County Library System card to check out a laptop for use all day anywhere in the Adult Library.  Laptops are wifi-ready and have all the Microsoft Office programs loaded on them.  You can't print from them, but you can save to a flash drive or CD.  For more info, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32.

Thanks to Our Adult Summer Reading Program Participants

Congratulations to Mary Ann Brown, the grand prize winner of this year's Adult Summer Reading Program. Mary Ann read 42 books over the course of the program, and even submitted 2 book reviews.
Congratulations to all our raffle winners and thanks to all our participants in the program, who this year read a combined 964 books!
See you next summer!

Check Out Our Reference Books -- Literally!

   Have you ever seen a useful book in our Adult or Children's Reference collections that you wish you could take home with you?  Well, now you can.  Most books in Phoenixville Library's Reference collections may now be checked out of the Library for one-week loan periods.  If you need them a little longer, they may be renewed as well.

   Reference books in the Adult Library's Local History and Foundation Center collections may not be checked out. 

Adult Summer Reading Program Heats Up!

Yes, it's hot, but Phoenixville Library is turning up the heat even more on the Adult Summer Reading Program!
We have lots of prizes we want to give away. So, through the end of the program (now August 21!), participants may checkout and read ANY book or audiobook from ANY Chester County Library. Just bring them to the Adult Circulation Desk, and we will log them toward your prize goals. Remember, the person who reads the most books by August 21 receives our grand prize gift basket.

Wait, that's not all! In addition to our raffle drawings for gift cards from local merchants, we'll draw a second winner each week to receive a pair of ticket vouchers for any show during the 2010-2011 season at Phoenixville's Forge Theatre!
And if you've enjoyed (or hated) any of the books you've read this summer, share your thoughts about it online by submitting a book review (or two).
If you're not registered in the Summer Reading Program, it's still not too late. Sign up today in person or online!

Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Documents Available for Public Comment

The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commision (DVRPC) has released its Draft FY 2011 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for Pennsylvania.  Public comments on the program will be taken through June 30, 2010.  The documents may be requested at the Adult Checkout Desk during this period.

Internet Safety and Cyberbullying Talk for Parents Coming to Phoenixville Public Library

   Representatives of the Crime Victims' Center of Chester County will speak to parents on Thursday, June 17 at 7:00 PM at the Library about ensuring the safety and well being of their children in the cyber world.  Their talk, "Internet Safety and Cyberbullying for Parents", will incorporate current statistics, best practices for child safety, and discussion of popular Internet applications -- MySpace, Facebook, Instant Messenger, blogs, and text messaging -- that children may use to emotionally and physically harm their peers. Adult offenders are also using these applications to pose as children and harm them. This program discusses what children and perpetrators are doing on these sites and how individuals can be safe on the Internet.  This event is free and open to the public.  Reservations are required.  For more information or to reserve a seat, call 610-933-3013 x32 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org.

2010 Adult Summer Reading Program Kicks Off June 14

     Phoenixville Public Library announces the return of its Adult Summer Reading Program from Monday, June 14 through Saturday, August 14. This free program is open to all Phoenixville area residents 18 years of age or older.
     Adults who register for the program are encouraged to read as many books from the Library’s collections as they can. A special grand prize gift basket will be awarded to the participant who reads the most books. All registered participants will be eligible for prize incentives, bonus prizes, and weekly raffles for gift cards from area merchants. Participants may also post and share book reviews and track their reading progress online.
     Registration begins June 14 at the Library or online at http://www.phoenixvillelibrary.org/. For more information, stop by the Reference Desk, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32, or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org.

Summer Reading Fun Coming Your Way

Summer's coming, and at Phoenixville Public Library, that means Summer Reading Programs for kids, teens, and adults.  Incentives, prizes, games, and much more, all to promote the enjoyment of reading.  Watch this space and the Phoenixville Community Calendar for more details.

Attention, Acme Market Shoppers -- We Need Your Register Receipts Now!

     First of all, a big THANK YOU to those of you who have been bringing us your Acme checkout receipts.  The Friends of the Phoenixville Public Library and, in turn, the Library itself, have benefited greatly from Acme's program that has given back a percentage of each grocery bill to the Friends.  However, Acme has informed us that they will be discontinuing this program as of April 28, 2010.

      We are making one final push for your receipts.  We need to collect $5,000 in receipts before we can submit them to Acme.  Obviously, our time is limited, so please bring in your Acme receipts TODAY!  

Survey of the "100 Greatest American Movies" begins April 8 at the Library

Phoenixville Public Library will begin a monthly survey of the American Film Institute’s “100 Greatest Movies” on Thursday, April 8 at 6:30 PM with a screening of “Ben-Hur” (1959, not rated, running time 212 min.). The Oscar-winning (11 awards) epic version of Lew Wallace’s classic novel stars Charlton Heston in the role of a Palestinian Jew battling the Roman Empire at the time of Christ.


This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. An informal discussion follows the screening. For more information, call 610-933-3013, Ext. 32 or e-mail mpinto@ccls.org.

Bookworms Rejoice! Phoenixville Library Extends Hours

Wednesday hours are back at the library.

At its meeting Monday evening, the Phoenixville Public Library Board of Trustees voted to re-open the library on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., starting March 17.

"We are thrilled that the library will be more accessible to the public for their educational, cultural and recreational needs," said John Kelley, executive director.

The library was forced to close its doors on Wednesdays back in November due to the Pennsylvania budget crisis.

"We had no idea that our funding would have been cut so much," Kelley said. "The fact that Pennsylvania's budget did not pass until October had significant consequences for our library."

Funding for public libraries all across Pennsylvania was cut from $75 million to $60 million.

Phoenixville Public Library suffered a $61,000 loss of funding from the state and the county, such that it was forced to close its doors on Sundays and Wednesdays. The library will still remain closed on Sundays until further notice.

"Fortunately our community has backed us and helped put a dent in our deficit through private donations and grants, but we still face challenges and still need the community's support," said Susan Meadows, president of the board of trustees. "It was always our intention to open our doors as soon as we were able as we realize the extent to which the public relies upon our services."

The number of library's cardholders increased from 21,800 to 22,700 during 2009, and the number of items circulated increased from 250,000 to over 270,000 at the same time.

Meadows said that statistics clearly demonstrate that the library is more necessary to the community than ever.

"The unfortunate reality is while our usage is sky-rocketing, our funding is in decline," she said. "However, the board is committed to making information and quality programing accessible to the entire community, and we will do everything in our power to make this happen."

All library programing is posted on Phoenixville's Community Calendar at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org.

Property Tax/Rent Rebate Forms Are In!

Yes, the 2010 PA-1000 forms are here, on display with all our other tax forms.

State Tax Forms Here

Our supply of Pennsylvania income tax forms has arrived.  However, we're still waiting for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms.  We'll let you know when they appear.

Federal Tax Forms Here; State Forms on the Way

We have received our annual shipment of Federal income tax forms.  You'll find them on our lower level.  Our book of reproducible IRS forms is here as well.  Ask for it upstairs at the Adult Circulation Desk.
State forms should be arriving by the second week of February.  We'll keep you posted.