Lectures and Guest Speakers
The Foundation has funded multiple guest speaker visits to the library including Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin, Tracy Kidder, Nathaniel Philbrick, Dennis Lehane, Roland Merullo and award-winning historians Dr. William M. Fowler and Dr. Robert J. Allison.
Children’s Writing and Art Contest
The Foundation sponsored the Children’s Writing and Art Contest as part of the Children’s Summer Reading Program. The contest allowed students ages 5 to 11 to express their creativity and to encourage continued use of writing skills through the summer months.
Pledge For New Building
The Foundation pledged $200,000 to the library for refurbishment and expansion.
Global Eats, Summer Beats
The Foundation was a co-sponsor of the library “Beats and Eats” celebration. With several bands and food trucks, the library parking lot was transformed into an outdoor concert festival.
The Book Bike
The Foundation funded the purchase of the library’s new mobile book bike. Designed with a cargo trike frame that opens and turns inside out, the bike serves as a mobile library outpost, and it is ready to greet residents around town. Residents can sign up for a Reading Public Library card, browse, borrow, and return books and learn about RPL programs and resources.
Microfilm Project
The Foundation funded the digitization of historic, primary source microfilm. Now 550 rolls of the Daily Times Chronicle and other local papers are easily searchable from any computer. The newly launched digital archive website provides a simple and priceless historical research tool for all members of our community. The collection dates back to 1870 and contains decades of news, articles, and advertisements that will delight residents, businesses, and armchair historians.
Upgraded Personal Computers
The Foundation funded the purchase of new personal computer systems for the library, including several for the Teen Room.
Expanded Large Print Collection
The Large Print Collection grew substantially thanks to funding from the Foundation. The library now holds over 2,000 copies of large print books to meet the needs of our residents.
Purchased New Books For All Age Groups
The Foundation has routinely provided funds to enhance the book collection across all age groups.
Support Continuing Education For Staff
The Foundation supports the continuing education and professional development of library staff.
Hush Phone Booth
The Foundation funded the purchase of a hush phone booth for patron use. This box is a dedicated space for making calls, complete with a fold down laptop desk, WiFi capability and power sources.
Enhanced The Media Collection
Long before the days of streaming, the Foundation provided funding to establish the library’s robust DVD collection. The Foundation also provided a new sound and projection system for the large meeting room.
RPL Hold Lockers
The Foundation funded the purchase of “Grab and Go” lockers. The Lockers are available for easy after-hour or quick pick-up. Patrons can send items to the locker and access materials at their convenience. The new RPL Hold Lockers are located to the right of the main entrance of the library.
Virtual Author Chat
The Reading Public Library hosted a live virtual chat with Dirtbag, Massachusetts author Isaac Fitzgerald. It was sponsored by the Reading Public Library Foundation.