About Us | Berks County Public Libraries

The Bernville Area Community Library (BACL) is a vital public resource that connects people of all ages to all forms of knowledge (books, movies, e-books, and more) and to programs that inform, entertain and enrich.

The library is committed to being a welcoming and safe environment for everyone.

Well-informed staff offer helpful services to patrons of all ages.

As a hub in the community, the library provides an atmosphere that promotes learning and a lifelong joy of reading.

Open/Close Library History

In the fall of 1993, a group of people met to discuss the need for a library in the Bernville area. Determined a valuable asset for the community, a suitable location was found for the Library. A book drive and fund drive followed.

On November 11, 1994, the Bernville Area Community Library opened to provide service to the Borough of Bernville and the Townships of Jefferson and Penn as well as residents of the surrounding communities. The Library was located in an 1100-sq. ft. office space along Rte. 183 in Bernville owned by DeLong Realty. Initially, the library was staffed by volunteers and open ten hours a week. In 1997, the Bernville Area Community Library became a member of the Berks County Public Libraries System. In April, a librarian was hired and by September service hours were increased to twenty hours a week.

In 1998, Redner's Markets investigated the feasibility of purchasing the building complex and expanding their Bernville Quick Shoppe. The plan proposed the demolition of the entire complex that included several businesses, apartments, and the Library. With concerns of where the Library could be relocated, Redner's Market representatives reviewed with the Library Board Members the possibility of providing space for the Library. After review of the needs and financial projections of the Library, Redner's presented a generous proposal to provide space for the Library on the 2nd floor of the new building. The 3,000-sq. ft. Library was to include areas for children's books, reference, fiction, non-fiction, magazines, and computer centers. Also included were office space, a multi-purpose room, and an outside elevator for access by persons who could not use the steps.

To accomplish the transition to the new building, Redner's accommodated the Library by providing temporary space above the existing store in September 1998. The new Redner's Quick Shoppe and Library were constructed at the north end of the building site. The Library was completed in January 1999.

Platinum donors ($10,000 and over) to the Library included the Woman's Club of Bernville, Mark and Janice DeLong and their children and families, and David J. Batdorf, Esquire. The Woman's Club raised funds with "The Game of the Bernville Area Community," a Monopoly-style game featuring local businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed to the Library.

In 2010, Redner's replaced the elevator with a ramp to the library entrance. The ramp was dedicated on November 12, 2010 by State Senator Michael O'Pake and State Representative Jim Cox.

In 2014 and 2015, improvements in the library back room included the installation of permanent shelving, a wall to block off the storage/utility area, and construction of our four sturdy wooden book carts. A continuous used book sale in the back room was subsequently initiated, with a "free book cart" to give away unsaleable items.

In 2020, the Library installed a Free Little Library at Boyer's Supermarket just outside of Bernville. The Free Little Library has continued to be quite popular with members of our community. That same year, the Library digitized its collection of Penn-Bernville Elementary and Tulpehocken High School yearbooks from 1950 to 2020, and made the collection available through the Pennsylvania POWER Library.

In 2024 and 2025, the Library converted its former community/meeting room to a Teen Space for young adult use and programming. The back room then became the primary community meeting room and programming for other age groups.

The Library celebrated its 30th anniversary on November 16, 2024.

Open/Close Services

The Bernville Area Community Library (BACL) has books, e-books, movies and more, for all ages. Anyone with a Berks County library card can borrow items.

BACL provides reference assistance for research, homework, leisure activities, hobbies and more. We strive to meet the needs of all inquiries either through materials in our collection, online reference or by locating the requested item through other public libraries in Berks County. If an item is not available in the county we can also request that it be located through inter-library loan from other libraries in Pennsylvania. There is no fee for this service.

BACL has an activity area for children, comfortable reading areas, and tables for homework or other work. There is also a Teen Space for young adult use.

There is a Library of Things including gadgets, games, crafting tools, electronics and more - all available to borrow for free with a library card.

Pennsylvania's POWER Library and other databases can be accessed for free with a library card, via the BACL Website. Some are available from your home; others must be used at the library. The databases cover biography and history, genealogy, auto repair, personal finance and investing and more. Pennsylvania public school yearbooks starting at 1950 have been digitized and are available. The Reading Eagle archives from 1868 to 2008 are also available.

BACL provides monthly Wi-Fi Hotspot rentals for unlimited high-speed Internet service anywhere a signal can be received. Wi-Fi Hotspots are portable and connect up to ten devices at a time, including desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc.

A variety of programs are offered for all ages. Children's programs include preschool, baby, and toddler story times, STEAM programs for children, Read to a Therapy Dog, and the summer reading program. Other programs offered include but are not limited to Anime, Crochet/Knit, a LEGO club, a book group for adults, and Bingo. Library events are publicized on the BACL Website and Facebook page.

People using our public computers or our wireless access for their own computers in the library are welcome to ask for assistance with basic computing and internet functions. A children's early learning computer is also available. Our staff is well trained and knowledgeable in using computers and in most cases can resolve or troubleshoot problems you may encounter working online. There is no fee for using the computers or the Wi-Fi.

We offer photocopies, printing, and outgoing fax service for a small cost-recovery fee.

BACL stocks brochures and pamphlets for community events, travel guides, and public assistance. During tax season most federal, state and local tax forms are available, via printing from the internet for a small cost-recovery fee.

A meeting room is available to use for community group meetings. There is no fee to use the room.

Open/Close Staff & Trustees

A list of staff members and members of the Board of Trustees. Board of Trustee meetings are open to the public and are listed on our Events Calendar. Meeting minutes from Board of Trustee meetings are available at the library.