“I should be damned in Time and Eternity,” Abraham Lincoln said. No president has ever faced more difficult decisions than Abraham Lincoln. Sentries fell asleep and were condemned to death; their mothers asked for presidential pardons. Boastful generals lost major battles, and the public screamed for their scalps. Foreign powers sought to exploit the nation’s weakness. The list went on and on. Two choices loomed especially large: the decision to fight over Fort Sumter in April 1861, and the decision to emancipate slaves in January 1863.

Speaker: Richard Schwartz, Author and Historian

Presented by North Jersey Civil War Round Table

Ursula Hamann, a poet, writer, illustrator, and papercut artist from Chester, showcases her diverse talents in this exhibition. Her oil paintings, including a portrait of her husband, are displayed on the left Art Wall, while the right Art Wall features her cutout art paired with poetry and illustrations from her upcoming fantasy book Antonia’s Journey – A Tale for Grandpa and Other Youngsters. Don’t miss her children’s book Never Ending Story on the nearby table.  Next to the paintings are QR codes to scan for access to Skylands Story and Chester Library’s interview.

The third Monday of each month – BYOB – bring your own book.  We have a morning program called Pages & Pastries and an evening program called Books & Bites.

There’s no assigned reading in this morning reading club. Dive into any genre, author, or book that captures your interest – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, self-help or anything in between. At the meetings each member gets a chance to tell us all about the book. It’s a great way to discover new books and connect with people who share your passion for reading.  Please register for the program you’d like to attend.

Friday,  June  27, 2025 at 1:00 PM – Come One Come All  to Game Day at the Library.  Register Here. 

Unleash your gaming spirit and join us for Library Game Day. Whether you’re a board game enthusiast, a card shark, or just looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, we’ve got something for everyone.  Bring your friends or meet new ones as we dive into a variety of games – from classics to new favorites. No experience needed – just come ready to play, and have a great time

Refreshments will be served.

This Spring, come and see our new exhibit on Chester’s own member of the All-American Girl’s Baseball League (AAGBBL): Lois “Tommie” Barker.

Unique and heartfelt memorabilia bring to life the incredible athlete that helped inspire characters in A League of Their Own.