West Chester Public Library
So much more than books
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Children's Summer Reading Club
Yearly incentive program to encourage children to continue reading over the summer to maintain and improve reading skills. This popular program features a different theme each summer, along with incentives to read. Special programs such as arts, STEM, and nature programs are also part of this program.
Materials for educational, informational, recreational community needs
WCPL selects materials in a range of formats to fill the education, informational and recreational needs of the community. Materials are selected on the basis of community interests, customer demand, accredited reviews, and media coverage of current events and newly published items.
Story Times - coordinator and materials
Babies as young as three months of age can benefit from routine reading programs that engage parent and child in reading, singing, playing and talking. Because of this, WCPL offers regular Story Times for infants, toddlers, and their parents and care givers. Programs consist of 30-45 minutes of stories, finger plays, nursery rhymes, songs and movement. There are also separate sessions for ages 12-24 mos. & 24-36 mos. Funds are needed to offset expenses for music, educational toys, and presentation materials, and the story time coordinator. The story time coordinator plans and leads the age appropriate programs developed in accordance with Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards for infants and pre-kindergartners .
Teens/Tweens programming
From a weekly after-school drop-in program, to a Teen Advisory Board, to special programs developed and presented by teens in conjunction with library staff, we aim to engage 12-17 year-olds in their library.
Where we work
Awards
Mosteller Community Service Award 2008
Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce
Affiliations & memberships
Chamber of Commerce 2013
External reviews

Photos
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our 2015-2020 Strategic Plan lays out the following broad areas of focus:
• 1. KNOWLEDGE AND INSPIRATION
Ensure the West Chester Public Library is a center of knowledge and inspiration that provides meaningful and relevant opportunities to read, learn, and create.
• 2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Position the West Chester Public Library as a hub for community engagement and transformation.
• 3. CUSTOMER VALUE AND EXPERIENCE
Deliver exceptional value and experiences to library users, donors, volunteers, community partners, and the public, ensuring online and physical access to library services and materials to all of these groups.
• 4. SUSTAINABILITY
Build the capacity of the West Chester Public Library to ensure its long term sustainability.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Board and staff have developed initiatives and tasks to assist in achieving the objectives stated for each of the focus areas listed above. The initiatives each have a target completion date - whether a one-time completion or on-going yearly. The Board reviews progress towards achieving those initiatives quarterly and staff are kept informed of progress as well as tasks that need to be completed.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
West Chester Public Library
Board of directorsas of 08/11/2021
Mr. Matthew Holliday
County of Chester
Term: 2016 - 2017
Ms Mary Brooks
Westtown School
Term: 2016 - 2018
Howard Sundwall
retired - CTDI
Richard May
RKM Advisors
Tina Facciolli
retired - DASD
Lance Nelson
MacElree Harvey Ltd
S. Damon Kletzien
retired - Triadvocates Press
Matthew Holliday
County of Chester
Scott Kirkland
Duff Co.
Jean Speiser
self-employed
Mary U. Brooks
Westtown School
Ann Hess
Rachel Kagan
Main Line Creative Partners
Marita Barber
Karen Reitano
Berkley Technology Services
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes