Mark Purdy 
As we step into the week of Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on what this time of year means for our library and for the community we serve. The library is often described as a place of stories- but the truest stories are the ones created by the people who come through our doors. Every
Trailing 28-27, Franklin & Marshall scored the go-ahead touchdown and two-point conversion with 7:07 to play, and the defense held for a 35-28 win over Gettysburg in the Centennial Conference opener for both teams. After Gettysburg drove the ball to the Franklin & Marshall 15 on the opening drive but turned it over on downs,
Matt Hunter has been named Gettysburg College’s next head men’s basketball coach, announced by Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation Troy Dell on Tuesday. Hunter comes to Gettysburg after a successful 13-year stint as head men’s basketball coach at nearby York (Pa.). He takes over as the 13th coach in the 125-year history of the Bullets’ men’s
I can still remember the feeling of being a little girl walking into the public library in Frederick, Maryland, during the summer. The building felt enormous to me, with rows upon rows of shelves that stretched so far beyond my line of sight. I remember the scent of the library too, which was not musty,
Working at the library has changed the way I think about libraries as community pillar institutions. I never thought libraries were useless or unnecessary, but I often failed to consider the idea that they could be useful to me. Being at a library five days a week and aiding in the library’s mission has certainly
In light of the vigils planned to support Gettysburg National Military Park and the National Park Service in general, I’d like to share a recent experience. I traveled by bus just over a week ago to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park as the coordinator for a tour group. I’ve made this same trip a number
What is a StoryWalk? It is a unique and enjoyable way to read a picture book! This interactive story experience combines nature, physical activity, and early literacy learning. A series of signs are placed outside, and each numbered sign contains two pages of a picture book. Families walk from post to post to read the
Adams County Library System has been selected as one of 300 libraries to participate in round three of Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. The competitive award
Women’s College Basketball Johns Hopkins, ranked 20th in the latest D3hoops.com poll, turned a tie game after three quarters into a 59-51 win over No. 9 Gettysburg Wednesday night in Baltimore. Alayna Arnolie led three Bullets in double digits with 12 points. Gettysburg (18-2, 8-1 CC) returns to action at home against Muhlenberg on Saturday.
Lately, there have appeared a few lists of the so-called accomplishments of former President Donald Trump. This presents an opportunity to ask a question: Which of Trump’s achievements or promises is the one that allows his supporters to disregard, diminish, or pardon the events of and surrounding January 6, 2021? That day should have been
As we reach the midpoint of the year, the Adams County Library is delighted to share some exciting updates and achievements with our community. It has been a fantastic year so far, marked by new donors, increased visitors, and enthusiastic participation in our programs. One of the highlights of the year was the kick-off to
In dim light, I pass by the new fiction shelves daily. The books on display, each cracked open to forty-five degrees, stand on their own. I used to stop here to browse on my way to work, my finance job at the library system. All lights were out except the nighttime emergency light; opening time
Adams County Public Libraries are gearing up for another exciting FunFest, marking the beginning of SummerQuest, our summer learning initiative. Join us on June 14th from 3 to 7 p.m. for a day packed with entertainment and exploration. HD Entertainment will set the mood with lively music, ensuring a fantastic atmosphere for all attendees. And
Eastern Connecticut State rallied from an early 2-0 deficit with a four-run third inning and two-run fourth inning to defeat Gettysburg 6-2 in the first elimination game of the NCAA Div. III regional at Virginia Wesleyan. Audrey Bergan led off the game with a swinging bunt before Julia Smith poked an offspeed pitch through the left side.
I was recently asked how long we have had the electronic audiobooks in CloudLibrary for, as someone was discovering them for the first time. I didn’t like that I had to tell them we have had eaudios for well more than a decade now, and since 2018 they have been in with the ebooks in
Gettysburg will meet Virginia Wesleyan in Virginia Beach, Va., for the regional round of the 2024 NCAA Division III softball tournament, beginning today. The Bullets (28-11) earned an automatic bid into the field of 62 with its sixth Centennial Conference (CC) title, defeating Muhlenberg 7-0 on Saturday in Chestertown. Gettysburg is making its fifth NCAA
Embarking on a transcontinental journey of athletic and cultural exploration, the Gettysburg College men’s basketball team is set to embark on an unforgettable eight-day tour across the heart of Europe. From May 20-28, the Bullets will traverse the historic cities and picturesque landscapes of Belgium, France, and Germany, setting the stage for an unforgettable preseason
In the community parks of Adams County, a delightful blend of literacy and outdoor adventure awaits families thanks to the innovative StoryWalk® program. Developed through a partnership between the Adams County Library System (ACLS) and the Boroughs of Carroll Valley and East Berlin, this initiative brings books to life along picturesque walking trails, captivating readers
Did you know that all Adams County library cardholders have access to over 18 million songs from new and well-known artists? Freegal+, the download and streaming music service that the library system uses, holds the entire Sony music catalog, which includes music from over 40,000 labels and music that originates in over 100 countries. There
This is my favorite column to write every year! Why, you ask? Well, it’s simply because it is a look back into 2022 to see what was most popular at each branch of the Adams County Library System online through our CloudLibrary Ebook and Eaudio service, as well as the total winner from around the
In the spirit of gratitude and reflection, the Adams County Library System looks back on a year marked by meaningful achievements and community collaboration. As we prepare to turn the page on 2023, we celebrate the milestones that have shaped our journey and extend our heartfelt appreciation to the invaluable supporters, dedicated volunteers, and steadfast
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: I’ve read it countless times. A week or two after the calendar flips to the last page, I get the urge. This started when I moved to Gettysburg in 2005. I found it on display at the end of a library shelf—a staff recommendation. Such a tiny book, it
Gettysburg led Salisbury by five at halftime, but the Sea Gulls outscored the Bullets by 11 in the second half to make up the difference and finish with an 80-74 men’s basketball victory Saturday night at Salisbury. Akim Joseph led the Bullets with 19 points, six rebounds, and three steals, while Carl Schaller finished with
Gettysburg outscored Ursinus in the first half and held off a Ursinus second-half surge to beat the Bears 64-50 in Centennial Conference play Thursday evening at Bream Gym. Mackenzie Szlosek tallied a season-high 23 points, including making nine of 10 at the line, to lead the Bullets. Alayna Arnolie was the other Bullet in double digits with
Franklin & Marshall held Gettysburg to just three points in the game’s final four minutes to turn a two-point deficit into a 65-56 win. Akim Joseph led the Bullets with 16 points and six rebounds. Ryan McKeon chipped in 12 points and 10 rebounds. Vakaris Grauslys led the Diplomats with a game-high 24 points, including going
Happy Fall! I know that I’m not alone when I say that I cannot believe that October is halfway over. It feels like I have been rushed into what I consider to be a busy season filled with holidays and gatherings. But, I always look forward to this time of year. It is my practice
A few weeks ago, a member of one of our four Friends of the Library groups around the county reached out and asked me a very interesting question. Her question was… with as many programs as you do per year around the county, how could you possibly afford to pay them all? The true answer
Judith Stepan-Norris, University of California, Irvine and Jasmine Kerrissey, UMass Amherst More than 323,000 workers – including nurses, actors, screenwriters, hotel cleaners and restaurant servers – walked off their jobs during the first eight months of 2023. Hundreds of thousands of the employees of delivery giant UPS would have gone on strike, too, had they
In May of this year, the U.S. Surgeon General’s office released an advisory titled “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation.” This 77-page document sounds the alarm on how social isolation is harmful to our overall health and well-being. The advisory notes that one in two Americans now struggle with a sense of loneliness on a
Delaware Valley Journal, an Inside Sources Publication Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) (CREDIT: Flickr/AFGE) Pennsylvania Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman are among the Democrats who are sponsoring the re-introduction of the so-called “Freedom to Vote Act,” a sweeping federal law that would override the Keystone State’s election rules. From requiring early voting to preventing voter
Kalyn Belsha, Chalkbeat Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization covering public education in communities across America. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter to keep up with how public education is changing. Learning losses stemming from the pandemic were driven more by factors in student’s communities and school districts than in their homes, new
In 2018, Middlebury and Gettysburg met at Kerr Stadium with a national championship on the line. The Bullets came away victorious that day. Last year, it was a semifinal meeting in Salem that went the Panthers’ way en route to a national title. Exactly 365 days later, Middlebury left little doubt early that the Panthers
During the last couple of months, several of our collection purchasing staff here at the Adams County Library System have shared how ordering what they order has changed over the last decade. Today, I get to tell you all about the world of Ebooks & E-audiobooks. These looks into our ordering processes and experiences will
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – The NCAA has announced the regional hosts for the 2023 NCAA Division III women’s lacrosse tournament, and Gettysburg learned that its road to Salem will run through Lexington, Va., next weekend. Washington and Lee will host one of the four regional sites on Saturday and Sunday. The four regional winners advance to
Gettysburg, ranked eighth in the latest IWLCA national poll, fell to tenth-ranked Franklin & Marshall in a back-and-forth Centennial Conference Championship game, 15-14. The game saw four ties and three lead changes, but the Diplomats outscored the Bullets 7-3 in the final quarter to secure the win. Gettysburg opened up a 3-0 lead in the
To Gettysburg Area Residents, How important are books to you and your kids? Imagine a place where children come to school, and there are no books for them on the shelves. This is what confronts families daily in Rwanda, the largest country in Africa. TEACHRwanda, a nonprofit founded in 2016 by a retired teacher from
Again, this year I have been tasked with writing the first Adams County Library System Gettysburg Times article of the year…. I believe this makes for at least four years running…. Past New Year’s library articles that I have written about included the “5 Best Kept Secrets of the Adams County Library System” and a
By Jeff Cann, ACLS Finance Director Three months ago, I wrote an article for the Gettysburg Connection explaining where the Adams County Library System funding comes from (https://gettysburgconnection.org/library-funding-101/). Today, I thought I’d give a quick overview of where it goes. The short answer is books, buildings, and people. The library expects to spend $2.8 million
LANCASTER, Pa. – Amy Cantrell (Hailey, Idaho/Wood River), a senior on the Gettysburg College women’s indoor track and field team, has been named the Centennial Conference (CC) Track Athlete of the Week for the week of Dec. 5-12. Cantrell led the Bullets at the season-opening Diplomat Open hosted by Franklin & Marshall on Friday, turning in a
Adams County Physical Task Force suggests you take a hike I love the New Year. A clean calendar, cards, and notes from people you only hear from once a year, protein shakes go on sale, and of course, resolutions. There is no need to fret about a GET HEALTHY resolution; the Adams County Physical Fitness
Democrat Joanna McClinton says she is now in control of the Pennsylvania House, a claim Republican leaders say amounts to a “paperwork insurrection.” Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. Pennsylvania House Democratic
Reference services. Guidance. Support. These are just a few of the terms that come to mind when I think about the relationship between the Gettysburg Library branch and my library, the Trone Memorial Library. As the center of all activity and services for the library system, the Gettysburg location offers the largest collection of resources
Here at the Adams County Library System, we receive regular shipments of books, DVDs, and audiobooks every week. Some are upcoming releases heading for a release date the following week, but our materials also include endowments and specific order requests from patrons. Primarily, however, the responsibility of ordering materials is shared among a number of
It has been a very busy year for the New Oxford Area Friends. When you visit the library you will notice the new furniture. The Friends were instrumental in the acquisition of the new tables and chairs. These new furnishings are both practical and comfortable. They are easy to clean and sanitize and very easy
I’ve been an eligible voter since 1972. I believed 2020 was by far the most important election of my lifetime. As November 8th approaches, I think this one is just as important as 2024 will be. In Pennsylvania, we have a gubernatorial candidate put forth by the (erstwhile) Party of Lincoln whose beliefs and actions
I cannot imagine living in a community without a library. Can you? This is something that I think about on a regular basis now that I work for the Adams County Library. The reason for that is because as the Development Director, I coordinate our fundraisers and reach out to our residents in Adams County
The Harbaugh-Thomas Library in Biglerville, a branch of the Adams County Library System (ACLS), opened its doors fifteen years ago on August 20, 2007. Today, older community members express their surprise that it has been here that long, and younger people or first-time visitors can’t believe the library hasn’t been here forever. With architectural features