Library System 40th Anniversary

Cheers to 40 Years!

In July 1985, a year-long study of Berks County libraries culminated in the release of a 97-page report with the following key recommendations: to form a “county-wide system of federated libraries...and to operate a center supportive of all the libraries in the system.”

One year later, the Berks County Board of Commissioners established the Berks County Public Library System (BCPL). Since then, the Library System has continued to provide consistent, high quality, countywide benefits to member libraries through development, coordination and promotion of public library services.

This year, BCPL is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary, reflecting back on past successes while highlighting contemporary offerings available at libraries today.

40 Things You Didn't Know About Berks Libraries

While books remain a core resource adored by many, Berks libraries have expanded services over the years with much more to offer. We're shining a light on these overlooked offerings with facts about our member libraries and public services that just may surprise you.

Facts About Library Services

1. June 2021, Berks County Public Libraries became the first institution in Pennsylvania to offer EnChroma colorblind glasses free for public use. These glasses are part of the Accessibility & Supportive Learning Collection and assist patrons with color vision deficiency to view Berks County (and beyond) in vivid color.
2. All library locations offer a unique Library of Things collection of non-traditional items. Cardholders can borrow from an array of tools, games, gadgets, and more—great for a one-time project or to try before you buy.
3. Free public access computer stations are equipped with Microsoft programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
4. Patrons can access the genealogy research portal (MyHeritage) for free with a library card.
5. Many library locations offer meetings rooms which can be reserved by the public or businesses.
6. The Reading Public Library (main branch) and Sinking Spring Public Libraries offer full passport services. Both libraries plus the Kutztown Community Library can take passport photos.
7. There are several System libraries that participate in the Seed Exchange Libraries program. "Check out" seeds from a variety of native plants and vegetables and bring back seeds from your harvest to share with other library patrons.
8. All library locations offer Princh wireless printing service. Patrons can download the app, scan a QR code, or visit the official Princh website to print documents from their phone or other mobile device.
9. One Berks County Public Libraries card can borrow from all system member locations.
10. There are 11 library StoryWalks located around Berks County with one Story Trail featuring themed content related to Berks County and its history. This year, BCPL is partnering with Experience Berks to highlight these unique storytelling adventures through a StoryWalk passport trail.
11. Patrons can borrow portable Internet hotspots from several System libraries and use them at home or on vacation.
12. Cardholders can access Transparent Language, a language-learning portal, free with a library card.
13. Using the library can save patrons thousands of dollars every year. Find your savings by using the Library Savings Calculator.
14. Libraries offer events throughout the year that are free and open to the public.
15. Patrons can sign-up for NextReads to receive curated booklists of new titles that are available in the catalog. 
16. In the first six months of 2026, our System, District Library Center, and member libraries combined expended more than $72,900 to provide approximately 3,500 e-books in the Libby/Overdrive digital platform.
17. Library cardholders have access to more than 40,000 e-books and e-audiobooks available in the Libby/Overdrive digital platform.
18. A wide variety of museum/admission passes are available to borrow with your library card.  Visit your local library to inquire about availability and how you can borrow passes free of charge.
19.  BCPL’s intralibrary van delivery service began in 1996 and now provides service five days a week to main library locations in Berks County.
20. 17 of our 19 BCPL member libraries are 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations.  In addition to funding from the state and county, they rely on contributions from local municipalities and donations from library supporters in order to generate revenue to provide library services.   

Facts About Library Spaces

1. Bernville Area Community Library opened to the public in November 1994 and was initially staffed by volunteers. The first librarian was hired in 1997, the same year the library joined the System.
2. Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library is the only library open seven days a week.
3. Boone Area Library lost all of its materials and furnishings to the 1972 Agnes flood. Public response re-established their collection through donations from private collections and excess inventory of other libraries.
4. 24 N. Reading Avenue (current location) was gifted to the Boyertown Community Library by BB&T bank for $1. The bank donated this building to the library after the BB&T and National Penn Bank merger was completed in 2017.
5. The Brandywine Community Library is housed within the Lutheran Home at Topton, a senior living center.
6. Having operated out of the former Dunn barn, the Exeter Community Library moved up the hill to its current location in 2006, quickly becoming one of the highest circulating libraries in Berks County.
7. Fleetwood Area Public Library is part of the Fleetwood Community Center and is located in what was the shop of the former Fleetwood Area Jr. - Sr. High School. 
8. Berks County is home to two Carnegie libraries: Reading Public Library and Hamburg Public Library. This notable distinction is granted to libraries built by businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. During its latest renovation to expand space and access points, the Hamburg library used bricks knocked down from the demolished wall to build their new circulation desk.
9. Kutztown Community Library originally opened as the Louisa Gonser Community Library in homage to Louisa M. Gonser, who donated her home on West Main Street to be used as a public library and a YMCA. It was later renamed to Kutztown Community Library, but its current building was named in honor of Louisa Gonser.
10. Mifflin Community Library is the only System library location to offer standing-room-only computer stations. These are positioned behind four, sitting computer stations.
11. Muhlenberg Community Library sits in the former arts building at C. E. Cole Intermediate School since its move in 1999.
12. Reading Public Library is the 6th oldest library in the United States having been founded in Widow Drury’s Tavern in 1763.
13. Robesonia Community Library shares a space with the Borough of Robesonia—a relationship which began in the library’s early years, having occupied a 12x18’ former kitchen provided by the Borough Council.
14. Schuylkill Valley Community Library, in partnership with Leesport Borough, received a Keystone Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2020 to add a meeting/ program space, 2 new restrooms, install automatic front doors, and replace the roof.
15. Sinking Spring Public Library is the only full municipal library within the county as a department of the Sinking Spring Borough.
16. Spring Township Library has an indoor phone both to allow for private phone calls or podcast recordings.
17. Village Library of Morgantown started out in a renovated garage and moved to its present building in 1990.
18. Wernersville Public Library is the third oldest library in Berks County having been established in 1906. Its current facility is part of the Wernersville Borough building.
19. West Lawn-Wyomissing Hills Library is housed in what used to be a fire company social hall. The former bar (circulation desk) and bowling alley bench (children’s area seating) are still there.
20. The building currently occupied by the Womelsdorf Community Library was once a former post office and bank.