As part of National Library Week, we took a closer look at the critical and evolving role libraries play in our lives. To help us understand, we welcomed two local leaders in library services—Ryan McCory, Executive Director of the Dauphin County Library System, and Carolyn Blatchley, Executive Director of the Cumberland County Library System. Together, they painted a vibrant picture of how libraries have become vital hubs of connection, learning, and community.

As part of National Library Week, we took a closer look at the critical and evolving role libraries play in our lives. To help us understand, we welcomed two local leaders in library services&mdash;Ryan McCory, Executive Director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dcls.org/">Dauphin County Library System</a>, and Carolyn Blatchley, Executive Director of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/">Cumberland County Library System</a>. Together, they painted a vibrant picture of how libraries have become vital hubs of connection, learning, and community.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from <a href="https://www.witf.org">WITF</a>, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, hosts Scott LaMar and Aniya Faulcon start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at <a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

How Local Library Systems Are Supporting Communities and Evolving with the Times

Our Journalist Roundtable for April 25 included Ivy DeJesus from PennLive and David Payne, The Spark producer and former Radio Pennsylvania Reporter. In this episode, DeJesus reported the life and legacy of Pope Francis including his reaction to the clergy sex abuse scandal in PA. Payne discussed his report at the 2015 World Meeting of Families and offers firsthand perspective on Francis’s impact in Philadelphia and beyond.

Our Journalist Roundtable for April 25 included Ivy DeJesus from PennLive and David Payne, The Spark producer and former Radio Pennsylvania Reporter. In this episode, <a href="https://www.pennlive.com/news/2025/04/for-survivors-of-clergy-sex-abuse-in-pa-and-beyond-pope-francis-changed-little.html">DeJesus</a> reported the life and legacy of Pope Francis including his reaction to the clergy sex abuse scandal in PA. Payne discussed his report at the 2015 World Meeting of Families and offers firsthand perspective on Francis&rsquo;s impact in Philadelphia and beyond.

Journalist Roundtable:  Life & Legacy of Pope Francis, Pa

Last week, The Most Reverend Timothy Senior, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, found himself originally traveling to Rome as part of the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025, Bishop Senior joined forty faithful from his diocese to “walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare” before making arrangements to attend Pope Francis’s funeral on Saturday. As Bishop Senior explains, the Jubilee theme is “hope”—a reminder that “we are pilgrims of hope…trying to share that hope and encourage others…in the midst of so many challenging and difficult times, we all need hope.”

Last week, The Most Reverend Timothy Senior, Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg, found himself originally traveling to Rome as part of the Catholic Church&rsquo;s Jubilee Year 2025, Bishop Senior joined forty faithful from his diocese to &ldquo;walk in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clare&rdquo; before making arrangements to attend Pope Francis&rsquo;s funeral on Saturday. As Bishop Senior explains, the Jubilee theme is &ldquo;hope&rdquo;&mdash;a reminder that &ldquo;we are pilgrims of hope&hellip;trying to share that hope and encourage others&hellip;in the midst of so many challenging and difficult times, we all need hope.&rdquo;

Bishop Senior Reflects on Pope Francis’s Life, Legacy, and Passing

Over the past two weeks, Central Pennsylvania has traded April showers for an almost unbelievable stretch of spring sunshine. As ABC27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso put it, “It’s kind of phenomenal that this time of year…we’ve had lots of sunshine, very little active weather,” making it “the perfect recipe” for spring sports and outdoor plans. After a damp start to April and a few chilly weekends, the region has seen more days in the 70s—and even flirted with the 80s in the extended forecast—than the cooler 50s and 60s typical of early spring.

Over the past two weeks, Central Pennsylvania has traded April showers for an almost unbelievable stretch of spring sunshine. As ABC27 Meteorologist Dan Tomaso put it, &ldquo;It&rsquo;s kind of phenomenal that this time of year&hellip;we&rsquo;ve had lots of sunshine, very little active weather,&rdquo; making it &ldquo;the perfect recipe&rdquo; for spring sports and outdoor plans. After a damp start to April and a few chilly weekends, the region has seen more days in the 70s&mdash;and even flirted with the 80s in the extended forecast&mdash;than the cooler 50s and 60s typical of early spring.

How Local Library Systems Are Supporting Communities and Evolving with the Times

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