
Chris Manna
Library Director
240-350-5677
With Kennett Library Since: 2021
Favorite Book: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek & Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Favorite Movie: Casablanca and The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara
About Me: Born and raised in Baltimore, I attended the University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Oklahoma for my 3 degrees. After living across the country for the past 8 years, it’s great to move back East with my wife (from Chester County) and son. I love coaching youth academy soccer and the outdoors. I’m committed to community engagement and look forward to being a part of the Kennett community.
Filomena Elliott
Adult Literacy Director
610-444-2702 ext. 110
With Kennett Library since: 2015
Favorite Book: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo & any historical novel
Favorite Movie: Forrest Gump
About me: Besides reading, cooking and hiking, I love to travel and learn about new places and cultures.
Laura Florence
Collections Development Coordinator
With Kennett Library Since: 2016
Favorite Book: any title by Sylvia Townsend Warner
Favorite Movie: Beauty and the Beast by Jean Cocteau
About me: I love being part of the Kennett Library staff and the Kennett Square community! I enjoy walking my dog through the lovely streets in town. If you see me on such a walk or sitting in the sun reading a book on the bench by the library – come say hi! I look forward to meeting you!
John Hendrix
Children’s Services
With Kennett Library since: 2002
Favorite Book: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Count of Monte Cristo
Favorite Movie: Star Wars A New Hope, Shawshank Redemption
About Me: Star Wars A New Hope, Shawshank Redemption
About Me: I served in the US Army (1990-1994) and was a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, graduated from West Chester University (BSED), my favorite pastime is reading and listening about documentaries about History. I enjoy spending time with my family and have a goal to be able to visit all 50 states.
Debbie Kellar
Circulation Manager and Interlibrary Loan
610-444-2702 ext. 106
With Kennett Library since: 2008
Favorite Book: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
Favorite Movie: The Notebook
About Me: I enjoy spending time with family, long walks, animals, gardening, and antiques.
Amanda Murphy
Programs and Social Media Coordinator
610-444-2702 ext. 102
With Kennett Library Since: 2020
Favorite Book: Anything by Gillian Flynn or Kiese Laymon
Favorite Movie: V For Vendetta
About me: I’m a writer fond of fire trucks, yoga mats, and a strong cup of matcha. I’m a student at Vermont College of Fine Arts, working towards an MFA in Creative Nonfiction. Other than reading and writing, some of my favorite things to do are hiking and kayaking with people I love.
Lupe Ruiz
Adult Literacy Program Assistant
With Kennett Library since: 2005
Favorite Book: Every book I read becomes my favorite.
Favorite Movie: Apocalypto, among others
About Me: I am curious about the past so I like history and love Greek mythology!
Paul Sapko
Reference/Circulation Desk Librarian
With Kennett Library since: 2008
Favorite Book: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Favorite Movie: The Great Escape
About me: When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my family. Besides reading, my favorite leisure activities include playing guitar, listening to classic rock, and hiking.
Marilyn Truell
Technical Services/Development Assistant
With Kennett Library since: 2021
Favorite Book: “The Girl Before” by J. P. DeLaney and “Street Shadows: A Memoir of Race, Rebellion and Redemption” by Jerald Walker
Favorite Movie/Series: Schools Daze and Airheads/Lovecraft Country and Black Monday
About me: I’m an artist of several mediums and I love anything involving creativity and expression. I enjoy spending time on the beach (preferably at midnight under the stars 😊), travelling, learning about/exploring different cultures and spending time with family.
Laura Archer
Circulation Assistant
With Kennett Library Since: 2021
Favorite Book: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Favorite Movie: Pride and Prejudice (‘05), Howl’s Moving Castle
About me: I love spending time with my family and cats. Most nights, I play video games and DM homebrew Dungeons & Dragons campaigns with my best friends. I also enjoy reading and writing fan-fiction. I’m planning to attend graduate school to pursue a degree in Library Science.
Eve Fisher
Library Assistant
With Kennett Library Since: 2016
Favorite Book: The Catcher in the Rye & What is the What
Favorite Movie: Harold and Maude & Living Out Loud
About me: I am a writer who has been published in two volumes of Braving Veracity, an anthology of personal essays by Brandywine Women Writers, as well as The Sun magazine. I am a nature person, a baker, and an extroverted introvert. I am known at the library for taking out way more books than I can read!
Anna Linn
Library Assistant
With Kennett Library Since: 2017
Favorite Book: Pillars of the Earth
Favorite Movie: Christmas Story
About Me: I enjoy visiting new places, gardening, crossword puzzles, time with family, & curling up with a good book.
Gaby McKelligan
Library Assistant
With Kennett Library Since: 2019
Favorite Book: Call me by your name by Andre Aciman
Favorite Movie: The Painted Veil
About me: My favorite thing about living in USA is the access to wonderful libraries. I’m a romance reading advocate and a very inexperienced parent. Si habla español puedo ayudarle.
Annie Mendiola
Circulation Assistant
With Kennett Library Since: 2021
Favorite Book: The Power Of Now
Favorite Movie: Legally Blonde
About me: I love to read and write in my free time. My favorite genre of books is nonfiction. I enjoy things such as beauty, fashion and makeup. I currently go to Kennett High School and plan to graduate in 2023.
Dan Pennacchia
Programming Assistant
With Kennett Library Since: 2018
Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Favorite Movie: Jurassic Park
About Me: I’m immersed in nerd culture, from comics to games and so much more. I love sharing my passions and hobbies with those around me, and have a blast doing so through a number of library programs.
Andrea Rios
Circulation Assistant
With Kennett Library Since: 2020
Favorite Book: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Favorite Movie: Jupiter Ascending
About me: I am currently a senior at Kennett High School. I plan to study psychology next year to work in social or community psychology in the future. I enjoy reading, drawing and listening to music.