West Chester Library Association West Chester Public Library

OPERATION OF A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE INFORMATIONAL, EDUCATIONAL, AND RECREATIONAL READING, LISTENING, AND VIEWING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

WCPL (LIBRARY) PROVIDES TRAINED STAFF TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS IN ACCESSING LIBRARY'S & CCLS MEMBER LIBRARIES' RESOURCES; LOCATING & ASSESSING ACCURATE INFORMATION VIA INTERNET; USING TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE AT THE LIBRARY (PCS, SCANNER, DOCUMENT CREATION SOFTWARE, ETC); ACCESSING EMATERIALS. THE LIBRARY RE-OPENED FULLY (50 HOURS/WEEK) IN APRIL 2021. STAFF CONTINUED TO USE VIRTUAL PLATFORMS SUCH AS ZOOM, KAHOOT!, AND INSTAGRAM TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES DUE TO CONTINUED CONCERNS OVER COVID-19 TRANSMISSION. THIS INCLUDED VIRTUAL CHILDREN'S EARLY LITERACY & SUMMER READING PROGRAMS; VIRTUAL TEEN PROGRAMS; & VIRTUAL BOOK DISCUSSIONS, WORKSHOPS, & LECTURES FOR ADULTS. STAFF PROVIDED BOTH IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL EARLY LITERACY OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO AREA DAY-CARES & PRE-SCHOOLS SERVING LOW INCOME & AT-RISK FAMILIES, & CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.

THE LIBRARY'S CORE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A CURRENT & USEFUL COLLECTION OF MATERIALS IN A VARIETY OF FORMATS, INCLUDING DIGITAL, FOR USE BY GREATER WEST CHESTER AREA & CHESTER COUNTY RESIDENTS, STUDENTS, & PROPERTY OWNERS. 2021 BORROWING TOTALED 136,505 ITEMS. EMATERIAL USE DECLINED SOMEWHAT AGAINST 2020 USAGE: EBOOK, EAUDIOBOOK, AND EMAGAZINE USE TOTALED 34,052, ABOUT 1/4 OF TOTAL CIRCULATION COMPARED TO 1/3 IN 2020. CUSTOMERS WERE ONLY TOO HAPPY TO GET BACK TO READING PRINT MATERIALS. THE LIBRARY RECEIVED FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF ITS CHILDREN'S SUMMER READING CHALLENGE THROUGH THE COMMONWEALTH OF PA'S EITC PROGRAM ($14,500). THE LIBRARY PARTNERED WITH THE MELTON CENTER TO PROVIDE A BASIC LIBRARY FOR THE CENTER'S AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM; MATERIALS WERE PURCHASED THROUGH A GRANT FROM FULTON BANK. STAFF MARKET AND PROMOTE THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTIONS, PROGRAMS, & SERVICES THROUGH IN-HOUSE INFORMATION, SPECIAL DISPLAYS, ENEWSLETTERS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. STAFF ALSO PRESENT AN/OR HOST PROGRAMS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL AGE RANGES. THE LIBRARY HIRES OR PARTNERS WITH OUTSIDE PERSONS OR ORGANIZATIONS TO PRESENT SOME PROGRAMS REQUIRING EXPERTISE IN THE SUBJECT.

SUPPLIES, OCCUPANCY COSTS, EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, & REPAIR COSTS TO MAINTAIN LIBRARY BUILDING & FURNISHING, AND LIBRARY MATERIALS. LIBRARY IS OPEN DAILY MONDAYS-SATURDAYS FOR A TOTAL OF 50 HOURS PER WEEK. LIBRARY HAS PCS/LAPTOPS, COPIER/PRINTER/SCANNER, & FREE, PASSWORDED WI-FI AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE. LIBRARY'S COMMUNITY/MEETING ROOM, WHEN NOT IN USE FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMS, IS AVAILABLE FOR ELL & LITERACY TUTORS TO MEET IN. LOCAL GROUPS & BUSINESSES MAY RENT THE ROOM WHEN IT IS NOT OTHERWISE IN USE. STAFF HELP MAKE THE LIBRARY A WELCOMING PLACE FOR CUSTOMERS TO BROWSE OR WORK IN.