Public Libraries in Reading, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania — United States
Public Libraries in Reading, Pennsylvania
Home of the Reading Public Library — founded in 1763 and one of the oldest public libraries in the United States.
2
Libraries
Libraries in Reading
Reading Public Library
📍 100 S. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19602
📞 610-655-6350 · 🕑 Mon–Tue 9–7, Wed–Fri 9–5:30, Sat 9–4, Sun closed
Exeter Community Library
📍 4569 Prestwick Drive, Reading, PA 19606
📞 610-406-9431 · 🕑 Mon–Tue 10–7, Wed–Fri 10–5, Sat 8–3, Sun closed
The Story of the Library in Reading
The Reading Public Library traces its origins to 1763, when it was founded as an English subscription library — making it one of the oldest libraries in the United States, though not one that operated continuously. It is often cited as the sixth oldest public library in the country.
The Main Library as it stands today at 100 S. Fifth Street was built in 1913 through the generosity of Andrew Carnegie. Over the following decades the library expanded across the city, opening the Northwest Branch in 1939, adding a bookmobile in 1951, and establishing the Southeast and Northeast branches in 1974.
About Public Libraries in Reading
Reading is served by the Reading Public Library and the nearby Exeter Community Library in Exeter Township, both members of the Berks County Public Libraries federation. A free library card from any member library gives Berks County residents access to the shared county catalog, so you can borrow, place holds, and pick up materials across the network. The card also unlocks the system's digital collections — eBooks and audiobooks, streaming, databases, and Pennsylvania's statewide POWER Library.
POWER Library is Pennsylvania's statewide electronic library, free to every resident with a local library card or a free POWER Library E-Card. It provides eBooks and audiobooks, Encyclopedia Britannica, the POWER Kids and POWER Teens collections, language learning, genealogy and job-search databases, and 24/7 "Chat with a Librarian" help. It is funded through the Pennsylvania Department of Education's Office of Commonwealth Libraries and federal LSTA funds.
📚 What You Can Access
- 📚 Books, movies, and materials from the shared Berks County catalog
- 📱 eBooks and audiobooks via Libby / OverDrive and cloudLibrary
- 🎬 Streaming movies and shows through the system’s digital services
- 🌐 POWER Library — Pennsylvania’s free statewide online library
- 🖨️ Public computers, printing, and copying
- 📶 Free Wi-Fi and quiet study space
- 🧒 Children’s and teen programs and collections
🏛️ Quick Facts
| Libraries | 2 (Reading Public Library + Exeter Community Library) |
| System | Berks County Public Libraries |
| Main Library | 100 S. Fifth St., Reading, PA 19602 |
| Phone | 610-655-6350 |
| Founded | 1763 (main building built 1913, Carnegie) |
| Library card | Free to Berks County residents |
| State resource | POWER Library (free statewide) |
Explore more public libraries in Pennsylvania
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Frequently Asked Questions