Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

West Chester Library Association West Chester Public Library

EIN 23-1365982 · West Chester, PA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O WEST CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY PROVIDES ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS EQUAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION, IDEAS, AND KNOWLEDGE THROUGH BOOKS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING. WEST CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVES THE GREATER WEST CHESTER COMMUNITY WITH MATERIALS, PROGRAMS, AND INFORMATION FOR ALL AGES. THE LIBRARY'S PCS AND FREE WI-FI CONNECTION PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AS WELL AS UP-TO-DATE DOCUMENT CREATION SOFTWARE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE CHILDREN'S STORY TIMES AND SUMMER READING CLUB; MATERIALS AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR TEENS AND TWEENS; AND BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS, AUTHOR VISITS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS. WCPL COLLABORATES WITH A NUMBER OF AREA ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY BUILDING

Income
$651,526
Spending
$625,709
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
-14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 58%
Employees
31
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$50,349, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 56 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 28% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 3% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)
  1. $441,102 spent. WEST CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY PROVIDES ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS EQUAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION, IDEAS, AND KNOWLEDGE THROUGH BOOKS, PROGRAMS, AND OTHER RESOURCES TO SUPPORT LIFELONG LEARNING. WEST CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVES THE GREATER WEST CHESTER COMMUNITY WITH MATERIALS, PROGRAMS, AND INFORMATION FOR ALL AGES. THE LIBRARY'S PCS AND FREE WI-FI CONNECTION PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AS WELL AS UP-TO-DATE DOCUMENT CREATION SOFTWARE. PROGRAMS INCLUDE CHILDREN'S STORY TIMES AND SUMMER READING CLUB; MATERIALS AND AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR TEENS AND TWEENS; AND BOOK DISCUSSION GROUPS, AUTHOR VISITS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS. WCPL COLLABORATES WITH A NUMBER OF AREA ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY BUILDING.WCPL (LIBRARY) PROVIDES TRAINED STAFF TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS IN ACCESSING LIBRARY'S & CCLS MEMBER LIBRARIES' RESOURCES; LOCATING & ASSESSING ACCURATE INFORMATION VIA INTERNET; USING TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE AT THE LIBRARY (PCS, SCANNER, DOCUMENT CREATION SOFTWARE, ETC.); ACCESSING E-MATERIALS. CHILDREN'S SUMMER PROGRAMS WERE FULLY BOOKED. STAFF CONTINUED TO USE VIRTUAL PLATFORMS SUCH AS ZOOM, KAHOOT!, AND INSTAGRAM TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS TO SUPPLEMENT IN-PERSON PROGRAMMING. STAFF PROVIDED BOTH IN-PERSON EARLY LITERACY OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO AREA DAY-CARES & PRE-SCHOOLS SERVING LOW INCOME & AT-RISK FAMILIES, & CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.THE LIBRARY'S CORE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A CURRENT & USEFUL COLLECTION OF MATERIALS IN A VARIETY OF FORMATS, INCLUDING DIGITAL, FOR USE BY, GREATER WEST CHESTER AREA & CHESTER COUNTY RESIDENTS, STUDENTS, & PROPERTY OWNERS. 2024 BORROWING TOTALED 203,291 ITEMS. E-MATERIAL USE TOTALED 89,013, ABOUT 43% OF TOTAL 2024 CIRCULATION. THE LIBRARY RECEIVED FUNDING IN SUPPORT OF ITS CHILDREN'S SUMMER READING CHALLENGE THROUGH THE COMMONWEALTH OF PA'S EITC PROGRAM ($9,900). STAFF MARKET AND PROMOTE THE LIBRARY'S COLLECTIONS, PROGRAMS, & SERVICES THROUGH IN-HOUSE INFORMATION, SPECIAL DISPLAYS, E-NEWSLETTERS, AND SOCIAL MEDIA. STAFF ALSO PRESENT AND/OR HOST PROGRAMS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOR ALL AGE RANGES. THE LIBRARY HIRES OR PARTNERS WITH OUTSIDE PERSONS OR ORGANIZATIONS TO PRESENT SOME PROGRAMS REQUIRING EXPERTISE IN THE SUBJECT.SUPPLIES, OCCUPANCY COSTS, EQUIPMENT PURCHASES, WEEKLY CLEANING, & REPAIR COSTS TO MAINTAIN LIBRARY BUILDING & FURNISHINGS, AND LIBRARY MATERIALS. LIBRARY IS OPEN DAILY MONDAYS-SATURDAYS FOR A TOTAL OF 50 HOURS PER WEEK. LIBRARY HAS PCS/LAPTOPS, COPIER/PRINTER/SCANNER, & FREE, PASSWORDED WI-FI AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC USE. LIBRARY'S COMMUNITY/MEETING ROOM, WHEN NOT IN USE FOR LIBRARY PROGRAMS, IS AVAILABLE FOR ELL & LITERACY TUTORS TO MEET IN. LOCAL GROUPS & BUSINESSES MAY RENT THE ROOM WHEN IT IS NOT OTHERWISE IN USE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1941.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.