Where can we find trustworthy news? What is credible on social media? How do I know whether this photo or that video is real? Michael Schroeder, Professor Emeritus of History at Lebanon Valley College, will offer guidance on how to acquire and practice information literacy, an essential skill for responsible citizens in today’s dizzying media ecology.
Michael J. Schroeder is Professor Emeritus of History at Lebanon Valley College in Annville PA, where his teaching has focused on the Atlantic World since ca. 1500, especially Latin America and the United States since the Age of Revolution. A social, cultural, and political historian whose research focuses on twentieth-century Nicaragua, he is co-author of the widely used college textbook The Twentieth Century and Beyond (McGraw-Hill, 2007) and author of numerous scholarly articles and chapters in his area of expertise. He is also author and administrator of an expansive digital historical archive on Nicaraguan history during the period of U.S. military intervention in the 1920s and 1930s (at www.SandinoRebellion.com). A member of the Nicaraguan Academy of Geography and History (Academia de Geografía e Historia de Nicaragua), he is also intimately involved in community work in the Lebanon Valley relating to watershed issues, the anti-fracking movement, racial justice, and historic preservation

Join us for an informative Financial Literacy class presented by Huntington Bank. Learn smart money management strategies from balancing a checkbook to keeping a budget.

Are you always curious and asking questions about why things are the way they seem to be? Do you gaze up at the night sky in wonder? Do you hear about discoveries in science and long to be a part of it? Satisfy that longing by becoming a Citizen Scientist. Join Don Miller, NASA Solar System Ambassador, and learn how you can become a Citizen Scientist and, in a real way, contribute to ongoing scientific endeavors using online tools. Look for clouds on Mars, assist with searching for new planets, and even search for black holes. The possibilities are endless. Learn about the background of Citizen Science and discover the wealth of opportunities that exist just in space science. Dive right in and perform some actual citizen science during the session! Donald Miller is a retired pharmaceutical researcher; his love for astronomy and space has been a life-long passion. He is a NASA Solar System Ambassador and enjoys sharing his knowledge about what NASA and other organizations are doing in space. Registration is suggested. Registration will close 2 hours before the scheduled start time of the event. Walk-ins are welcome. This program supports PA Forward®, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association that highlights libraries’ role in moving Pennsylvania forward. Libraries are key to powering progress, elevating the quality of life by fueling the types of knowledge essential to its success.

Join the Chester County Library for the First Annual Read Local event. Read Local is an event showcasing local authors from Chester County and the surrounding area. Authors will be showcasing their work in a variety of genres, for children and adults! Visit author tables throughout the library and learn from the authors themselves about their books. Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite! No registration is required. Books will be available for purchase. Read Local supports PA Forward Basic Literacy and Civic and Social Literacy.

Join fellow students in the Wolfgram Memorial Library in a discussion about politics, voting, and the partisan system that is followed in America.

Assembling A Political Collection: Education, Aesthetics & A Bit of Insanity

Stephen Kauffman, PhD, Professor in Widener’s Center for Social Work, will discuss how collections are created as demonstrated with his personal collection of about 3,000 political memorabilia items. Through an examination of his own journey, Dr. Kauffman will present ideas about motivations, processes, and the skills needed.

Presidential Vote Choice: Excitement, Ambivalence or Negativity

James Vike, PhD, Professor of Political Science, will share some findings from his recent research of voter engagement and partisan polarization.

This banned books week, explore the Freedom to Learn with our webinar featuring Sabrina Baêta, a program consultant with PEN America. Sponsored by the Center for Education and Wolfgram Memorial Library

Join Miss Rebecca and your fellow science loving friends for a fun program all about Being a Spacesuit Designer!
Our mini lesson and activity will be centered around one Big Question: How can we design a spacesuit that protects astronauts from radiation?
This program is for ages 8-14 ONLY.
Registration is required, space is limited.

Inspire parents and caregivers to begin the 1000 Book Before Kindergarten journey with a single book. The Big Read 2024 challenges parents/caregivers to simply read one book to their preschool child, thus building the platform for daily reading at the most critical time of life for those literacy building blocks to be laid. Families are invited to sign up for the program, read a book either in the library or at home, and post on social medial tagging the photo with #thebigread2024! Such a simple, low pressure program to introduce families to the library.

Pamela Mathias from the Berks County District Attorney’s Office will be giving a presentation about frauds, scams, and how you can avoid them.

Offered during the summer, kids in grades K-5 can attend a weekly program that invites them to explore their community. Guests from the community come to the library or we go out into the community to learn about what they do and enjoy some interactive fun.

Last year’s guests included:
Gym teacher who taught us pickleball at a local park
Trip to the fire station
Therapy dog
Bank
Dance studio