From the Director's Desk
Hello Muhlenberg Community Library Friends and Family:
We’ve had such a great fall, so far, here at the library. Our bookshelves are up and look fabulous with all the new releases displayed on them. There is a new writers’ guild that is meeting at the library weekly and we just wrapped up a wonderfully successful author event with L.D. Zane.
The writers’ guild that is now meeting at the library has been around for 30 years. One of the attendees is a 12-time published author. I’m reading one of the books now. It’ll be available for you to check out the minute I’m done. It’s called A Cold Killing and I discuss it in my monthly read list.
So it’s finally happening… we’re going to start a new True Crime Book Club! I can’t tell you how excited I am about this. A lot of people have expressed interest in a true crime club. I’m looking at December as a start month and I already have something in the back of my mind for a first book. Stay tuned for details, on our Facebook page and website.
We are preparing a new display, featuring local authors. I really want to support all the amazing writers that live in this county and the surrounding ones. Check out their books and you’ll see what I mean – we have amazing local talent.
Please come support our Harvest Craft Fair fundraiser on October 24, at the Muhlenberg High School. If you follow us on Facebook you’ve been seeing all the wonderful crafters that will be selling that day. I’m really looking forward to seeing the items coming this year and starting some holiday shopping in the process. Come support us and support all of these talented artisans, as well.
As always, your partnership- whether through borrowing, donating, attending library programs or spreading the word- keeps this library thriving for all of us.
What I’m currently reading: (Request a title by clicking on the book image.)
Mission & Vision Statement
Mission Statement
The mission of the Muhlenberg Community Library is to promote lifelong learning opportunities by offering free library services to all who seek to change, improve, enrich, and enjoy their lives.
Vision Statement
Muhlenberg Community Library will build an awareness of the library as a center for knowledge and resources as well as a springboard for creative ideas to enrich our community.
Muhlenberg Community Library will be a welcoming safe hub of knowledge, resources, programs, and activities for all citizens to make connections towards community progress.
Karen Schreiber - President
Kathleen Felker - Vice President
Linda Roebuck - Treasurer
Kelly Gorski - Recording and Corresponding Secretary
Diane Benson - Trustee
Norma Rutt - Trustee
Sue Roekle - MSD School Board Representative
Lori Madara - Trustee
Judy Kutzamanis - Trustee
Isabelle Lemus - Trustee
The Muhlenberg Community Library Board of Trustees generally meets at 4:30 pm on the second Monday of each month in the Muhlenberg Community Library. Meetings are open to the public and are listed on our Events Page. The minutes are available by request from the library director.
Agendas for board meetings are posted at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled meeting. Changes and up-dates to the agenda may take place after posting within 24 hours of the scheduled meeting.
2022 Meeting Agendas
2023 Meeting Agendas
No February Meeting
No August Meeting
2024 Meeting Agendas
No August Meeting
2025 Meeting Agendas
2026 Meeting Agendas
Board Meeting Agenda 2026-10
Board Meeting Agenda 2026-11
Board Meeting Agenda 2026-12
Board Meeting Minutes 2023
2023 02 No Meeting
2023 08 No Meeting
Board Meeting Minutes 2024
2024-08 No Meeting
Board Meeting Minutes 2025
Board Meeting Minutes 2026
2026-09 Board Minutes
2026-10 Board Minutes
2026-11 Board Minutes
2026-12 Board Minutes
The Muhlenberg Community Library has been serving the public for over 50 years since its beginning in 1960. Our history is full of people dedicated to providing a place to educate the community.
- Gabriele Ulmer - Library Director
- Eileen Simms - Assistant Library Director
- Tara Ring - Public Relations Coordinator
- Elizabeth Lash - Senior Library Assistant
- Melissa J. - Library Assistant
- Marcia R. - Library Assistant
- Alexia S. - Library Assistant
- Bonnie F. - Library Assistant
- Bryanna E.. - Library Assistant
- Brian L. - Library Assistant
- Colby L. - Library Assistant
Cole P.- Library Assistant
The Fine Free pilot program started on June 1, 2021. All Berks County Public Libraries have since moved to completely fine free for overdue items. Read on to see how it works and what are the existing exceptions.
Old fines? If you have old fines or fees on your account please contact the library to discuss amnesty options that may be available so you can start using your card. We would love to see you again!
Overdue items? There will be no late fines on items that are returned within 30 days of being overdue. Any item overdue by 30 days will go to "Lost" and the patron account will be blocked from borrowing until that item is returned.
Lost or damaged items? Fees that apply to lost or damaged items will still be charged. It pays to take care of the items you borrow! The fine free program applies only to overdue fines.
What are the exceptions? Certain types of materials will still accrue overdue fines. Overdue fines will still be charged on the following items:
- Items from the Library of Things
- Passes (i.e. Admission passes for museums, science centers, etc.)
- Interlibrary Loans (materials borrowed from outside the county)
- T-Mobile WiFi Hotspots
Policies, Forms, & Information
Forms
Meeting Room Requests
Please visit our Meeting Room page for more information about our Meeting Rooms and to access an Application Form. After you read over the policy and complete the Application Form, please submit it to the library either in person or by email.
Book-a-Librarian
If you need some technological assistance, please fill out one of our Book-a-Librarian forms and submit it to the library either in person or by emailing it to the library.
Volunteer Application Form
If you'd like to volunteer at the library, please complete a Volunteer Application form and return it to the library either in person or by emailing it to the library.
Policies
Countywide Service Policies
These service policies, along with local library policies, govern library use.
Muhlenberg Community Library Policies
Following is a list of local library policies in .pdf format:
- Anti-Fraud Policy
- Bid Procurement Policy
- Board of Trustees Bylaws
- BCPL Borrowing Policy
- BCPL Internet Policy
- BCPL Membership Policy
- Cash Management Policy
- Children Unaccompanied or Abandoned by Adults
- Collection Development Policy
- Compensation Policy
- Conflict of Interest Policy
- Credit Card Policy
- Document Retention Policy
- MCL Employee Handbook & Personnel Policy
- Library Abuse Prevention Policy
- Library of Things Policy and Waiver
- Lost & Found Policy
- Meeting Room Policy
- Mission Statement
- Patron Behavior Policy
- Photography Policy
- Public Use of Telephone
- Reference Policy
- Security Camera Policy
- Service Policy
- Vision Statement
- Volunteer Policy
- Whistleblower Policy