Downingtown Library
The public library on Wallace Avenue, part of the Chester County system. Beyond the stacks, expect story time for the kids and a rotating slate of community programs.
Field notes: Seven reasons Monday night is better than you'd think
Run Downingtown Library? This page is yours to claim : fix the hours, swap the photo, and set the record straight.
Coming up here
Film Forum
September's screening and discussion in the Krapf Room, six to 7:30. Free, and the sort of room where people actually stay to argue about the ending.
New Science Book Club
The September science book club in the Hessinger Study Room, 6:30 to 7:30. Small room, one book, an hour of people who did the reading.
Medicare 101
Ninety minutes covering what Medicare actually is, when to sign up and what it costs, with time for questions at the end. Krapf Room, free.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
Experienced observers set up solar telescopes so you can look straight at the sun without wrecking your eyes. Drop in any time, all ages, weather permitting.
New Mystery Book Club
The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton is the September pick. Third Tuesday of the month in the Hessinger Study Room, an hour of talk about it.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
Experienced observers set up solar telescopes so you can look straight at the sun without wrecking your eyes. Drop in any time, all ages, weather permitting.
Board Game Night
Three hours of modern board games in the Krapf Room, open to anyone who wants to learn one or teach one. New players welcome, nothing to bring.
Monthly Book Club
The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry is the September pick. An hour in the Krapf Room, casual talk about the book and whatever else you have been reading.
Writer's Group
Fourth Wednesday of the month. Bring pages, read some out, get feedback from other writers. Ninety minutes in the Krapf Room, free, all levels.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Evening Group
For anyone who works days. Same fiber arts group, Thursday nights in the program room, six to seven thirty. No registration and no instruction, just company while you work through a project.
First Fridays Drop-In Family Storytime with Miss Rebecca
Miss Rebecca reads, sings and dances with the under-sixes in the open area beside the children's section. Half an hour, first Friday morning of the month, drop in with no registration.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
Volunteers park solar telescopes outside the library so you can look straight at the sun without wrecking your eyes. Sunspots, surface granules, sometimes an eruption. Drop in any time, and it is off if clouds win.
Middle School Library Club (MSLC)
Middle schoolers meet the first Monday of the month for crafts, small library projects and a spot on the volunteer list. Pizza is provided. One registration covers the whole October to May run.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
Local Author Event: Gina DiMarco
A question and answer session with the local author of the memoir Laurel's Diary, plus signed copies for sale. The library flags sensitive subject matter, so it is not aimed at younger readers. Registration requested.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Board Game Night
Settlers of Catan, Wingspan, Ticket to Ride, whatever people carry in. Three hours, no set game, no registration, and you can turn up empty-handed. Aimed at older kids and adults rather than little ones.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Evening Group
For anyone who works days. Same fiber arts group, Thursday nights in the program room, six to seven thirty. No registration and no instruction, just company while you work through a project.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
Same telescopes, same experienced observers, second Saturday of the month. Stop by any time between ten and twelve thirty for a look at sunspots and the sun's atmosphere. Weather-dependent, so check the sky first.
Second Saturdays Drop-In Family Storytime with Miss Rebecca
The weekend version of the same drop-in storytime, best for ages zero to six but open to anyone. Thirty minutes of books, songs and movement next to the children's section. No sign-up.
Middle School Writing Club (Ages 11-14)
Ages eleven to fourteen, second Monday of the month. Prompts, short stories, poetry, comics and time to share work. Supplies are on hand, though bring a notebook if you have one. Space is limited.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
Film Forum
Watch Dances with Wolves at home first, then come argue about it in the Krapf Room. The library's monthly film club takes newcomers, and you can join by Zoom instead if you would rather.
New Science Book Club
A science-focused reading group in the Hessinger Study Room, second Tuesday of the month. One title a month, casual discussion, and the door stays open to people who did not finish it.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Friends of the Downingtown Library Fall Used Book Sale
The Friends open their fall sale on Friday evening. Adult hardbacks three dollars, paperbacks one, all kids books, games and puzzles fifty cents. Every dollar goes back to the library.
Friends of the Downingtown Library Fall Used Book Sale
Day two and the longest stretch of the Friends' fall sale, nine to four. Graphic novels two dollars, cookbooks three for a dollar, DVDs and audiobooks a dollar each.
Friends of the Downingtown Library Fall Used Book Sale
Final afternoon of the three-day sale, one to four. What is left stays out during regular library hours through October 23, then the whole thing turns into a bag sale from October 24 to 31.
Board Game Night
The Monday half of the library's board game nights, same five to eight window in the Krapf Room. Bring a game or borrow whatever hits the table. Rules run heavier than Monopoly.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
New Mystery Book Club
Modern thrillers, psychological suspense and classic whodunits, third Tuesday of the month in the Hessinger Room. October is The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz. Seats are limited and each month registers separately.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
A weekday run of the library's solar telescope setup, ten to noon. All ages, no registration, and the observers walk you through what you are looking at. Cancelled if it is cloudy or raining.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Evening Group
For anyone who works days. Same fiber arts group, Thursday nights in the program room, six to seven thirty. No registration and no instruction, just company while you work through a project.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
Monthly Book Club
October's title is The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict. Limited copies are held at the front desk. The group leans literary fiction, mysteries and bestsellers, and takes new faces.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
Last October date for the solar telescopes, ten to noon outside the library. Look at sunspots and surface granules with people who know how to aim the equipment. Clear skies required.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Writer's Group
Fourth Wednesday of the month, six to seven thirty in the Krapf Room. Bring pages and get feedback from other writers. Registration is asked for so the library can reach you about schedule changes.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Evening Group
For anyone who works days. Same fiber arts group, Thursday nights in the program room, six to seven thirty. No registration and no instruction, just company while you work through a project.
Middle School Library Club (MSLC)
Middle schoolers meet the first Monday of the month for crafts, small library projects and a spot on the volunteer list. Pizza is provided. One registration covers the whole October to May run.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Board Game Night
Settlers of Catan, Wingspan, Ticket to Ride, whatever people carry in. Three hours, no set game, no registration, and you can turn up empty-handed. Aimed at older kids and adults rather than little ones.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Evening Group
For anyone who works days. Same fiber arts group, Thursday nights in the program room, six to seven thirty. No registration and no instruction, just company while you work through a project.
First Fridays Drop-In Family Storytime with Miss Rebecca
Miss Rebecca reads, sings and dances with the under-sixes in the open area beside the children's section. Half an hour, first Friday morning of the month, drop in with no registration.
Middle School Writing Club (Ages 11-14)
Ages eleven to fourteen, second Monday of the month. Prompts, short stories, poetry, comics and time to share work. Supplies are on hand, though bring a notebook if you have one. Space is limited.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
Film Forum
November's pick is Tootsie. Same deal: see it beforehand, show up at six, talk it through for ninety minutes. Registration is required, with separate slots for in-person and online seats.
New Science Book Club
A science-focused reading group in the Hessinger Study Room, second Tuesday of the month. One title a month, casual discussion, and the door stays open to people who did not finish it.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
The telescopes come back out on a Wednesday morning, ten to noon. Free, drop-in, all ages, with observers explaining solar science as you look. Heavy cloud or rain cancels it.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Evening Group
For anyone who works days. Same fiber arts group, Thursday nights in the program room, six to seven thirty. No registration and no instruction, just company while you work through a project.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
A Saturday slot for the library's solar viewing, ten to noon. Filtered telescopes make it safe to look directly at the sun. No sign-up, just turn up while the sky holds.
Second Saturdays Drop-In Family Storytime with Miss Rebecca
The weekend version of the same drop-in storytime, best for ages zero to six but open to anyone. Thirty minutes of books, songs and movement next to the children's section. No sign-up.
Board Game Night
The Monday half of the library's board game nights, same five to eight window in the Krapf Room. Bring a game or borrow whatever hits the table. Rules run heavier than Monopoly.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
New Mystery Book Club
Modern thrillers, psychological suspense and classic whodunits, third Tuesday of the month in the Hessinger Room. October is The Word is Murder by Anthony Horowitz. Seats are limited and each month registers separately.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Evening Group
For anyone who works days. Same fiber arts group, Thursday nights in the program room, six to seven thirty. No registration and no instruction, just company while you work through a project.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
Longer Saturday session, ten to twelve thirty. Experienced observers set up solar scopes outside the library and talk through sunspots, granules and flares at your own pace. Cloudy weather cancels.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Morning Group
Bring your own yarn and whatever you have going. No instruction, no registration, just a table of knitters and crocheters in the program room every Tuesday late morning through the winter.
Solar Viewing Drop-In
The day before Thanksgiving, ten to noon, telescopes pointed at the sun outside the library. Drop-in for all ages with no registration. Called off if the sky is grey.
Knitting/Crochet/Fiber Arts Afternoon Group
The Wednesday version of the library's fiber arts table, one to two thirty. Same rules: your own materials, your own project, no teacher. Drop in whenever, the group runs through mid-January.
Writer's Group
Fourth Wednesday of the month, six to seven thirty in the Krapf Room. Bring pages and get feedback from other writers. Registration is asked for so the library can reach you about schedule changes.
More like this
Chester County Library
The county's central library branch off Exton Square Parkway. Shelves to browse and a full events calendar most weeks.
Coatesville Area Public Library
The Coatesville Area Public Library sits on Lincoln Highway with books, kids' story times, and public computers. It's the room in town you don't have to buy anything to sit in.
Ardmore Library
The Lower Merion Library System branch on Ardmore Ave, a block from the community center. One card works across the whole system, and there is a quiet room here when you need one.
