About Us

Chester Library is the heart of our community. People of all ages and backgrounds visit the Library to connect with each other and feel part of Chester. Whether someone has recently moved to Chester or has been here for decades, they feel at home in the Library and enjoy visiting to meet their neighbors, participate in programs and events, and use the Library’s diverse resources.

At the Chester Library, we lend books, magazines, large print books, audiobooks, movies, music CDs, video games, museum passes, e-books, and downloadable audiobooks. We also offer a multitude of library programs for residents young and old.

Our staff will help you find the information you seek, either in person or by phone. Use our online catalog and online resources either in-person or from your home or office computer. With your Chester Library card, you have instant access to full-text periodical databases, research materials, literary criticism, language learning resources, and more. Additional databases are available in the Library.

The library has one large meeting room and one small meeting room that can be reserved by calling or coming into the library while we work to implement our new online room reservation system. Additionally, there is a quiet study room with study carrels for use by those patrons who need absolute quiet to study or work. There are many large tables and study carrels on the main floor of the library for your use as well.

Winter Hours : (After Labor Day through Father’s Day)

  • Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Summer Hours (Father’s Day weekend through Labor Day weekend):

  • Monday – Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
  • Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Sunday: Closed

We are closed on the following holidays in 2025:
New Year’s Day, Easter (4/19-4/20)
Mother’s Day, Memorial Day Weekend (5/24-5/26)
Juneteenth (6/20)
Independence Day (7/4-7/5)
Labor Day Weekend (8/30-9/1)
Thanksgiving (11/27-11/28)
Christmas (12/25-12/26)

The Library closes at 2 pm on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Eve.

  • Emily Searle- Director
  • Janice Parish – Office Manager/Bookkeeper
  • Frances Bermel – Head of Patron Services
  • MaryAnn Burden – Youth Services Librarian
  • Ashley Gianni-Bradford – Adult Services Librarian
  • Kim Harwanko – Adult Programs / Library Communications
  • Sally Brander – Youth Services Library Assistant
  • Diane Parsons – Technical Services
  • Mirta Ryan – Technical Services
  • Lisa Ashnault – Library Assistant
  • Kristina  Beaudouin – Library Assistant
  • Petia Booysen – Library Assistant
  • Juliet DiBonaventura – Library Assistant
  • Patti Lorenz – Library Assistant
  • Alex Blin – Page
  • Dede Elghazaly – Page
  • Andy Gau – Page
  • Ray Sternick, Maintenance
  • Melissa Balzano – President
  • Melissa Ash – Vice President
  • Brian Theroux – Treasurer
  • Mike Macias
  • Al MacLennan
  • Lynda Rybka
  • Sylvio Verdile, Borough Mayor’s Alternate
  • Meghan Mahoney, Twp. Mayor’s Alternate
  • Elizabeth McGookin – Superintendent’s Representative

The Board of Trustees generally meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Larison Room.

Meeting dates for 2025

Agendas-Minutes

January 15
February 19
March 19
April 16
May 21
June 18
July 16 – meeting canceled
August 20
September 17
October 15
November 19
December 117
January 21, 2025 – Annual reorganization meeting

The Chester Library was formally opened on Labor Day, September 4, 1911, in rented quarters ($4.00 per month) above a metal shoe-support factory on the corner of Main and Warren Streets. Though there was initial hope of having the Library open one afternoon and two evenings a week, the Library was open only on Saturdays, from 2:30-5:30 and 7:00-9:00 PM. In 1954 an additional evening was added. Hours were added gradually through the ’60′s, ’70′s and ’80′s, to bring Library service to its present total of 68 hours per week.

The Library moved from one rented place to another over the years. In 1922, it moved from the factory to the Drake house at what is today 127 Main Street. In 1957, it moved into the rear of 107 Main Street (corner of Hillside Avenue). For many years the post office was located in the front of this building. In 1964, the library moved again, this time into a Quonset hut adjacent to the Borough Municipal building, where it stayed until the present building was occupied in 1981.

In 2004 major renovations were completed which increased the library’s size to its current configuration. The Children’s Room was moved to the new section of the building. The Larison Program room was added, giving the library and the community a much needed public meeting room. The Larison Room, as well as 2 group study rooms are available to local non-profit groups. These rooms may be reserved with a Chester Library card either by calling the Library or by clicking on the Reserve A Meeting Room link in the Quick Links box.

Guaranteed funding for the Library did not come until the voters approved a referendum in 1975 making the Library “municipal.” Early records indicate that the Library began with an income of $165, and during the period of 1930-1947 operated on approximately $650 per year. The 2022 budget is $833,550.

In August 2011 the Library celebrated its centennial with an open house featuring speakers, music, performances and food. More than 300 residents participated in the day of celebration.

Year 2023 statistics

Hours of service: 2,935
Registered borrowers: 7,278
Reference questions answered: 4,572
Material borrowed: 121,901
Visits: 73,617
Programs: 412
Attendance at programs: 6,219

Local tax support:
Borough: $109,077.75
Township: $672,041.40

State Aid: $5,171.00