Berks County Libraries

Your Library Fine-Free IS NOW !

Article and Photos by Emily Orischak, Community Relations Coordinator, Berks County Public Libraries

At the start of 2023, all libraries of the Berks County Public Library System welcomed the new year by eliminating late fines on their traditional library materials and clearing all patron accounts of past fines.

What does this mean for you?

If your library account had accrued fines from late items, you now have a clean slate to borrow from your library again! The Berks County Commissioners partnered with local libraries to help give everyone a fresh start at their library by clearing fines from all accounts.

It’s important to note that there may be some accounts which have fees associated with them from items that were damaged or never returned to the library. Fees are different from fines and will remain on the account until resolved. Patrons who have fees are encouraged to contact their library about a possible solution.

Late vs Lost

While there will no longer be late fines for traditional library items returned a few days after their due dates, late fines will still be in place for specialty materials, including:

• Library of Things materials

• Museum/Admission passes

• Inter-Library Loans (from outside of the system)

• Technology

• Equipment

After so many days of not being returned, a long-overdue item will become marked as lost and the replacement fee is added to the library card account.

Welcome back to the library!

If you’ve stopped using your library due to overdue fines, we would like to invite you back to the library. You may be surprised to see what your library has to offer, including electronic media from its digital collection, free access to databases such as Ancestry.com, and household tools & equipment you can borrow with your library card from the Library of Things collection. Learn more about the fine-free change and see what is available at your library by visiting www.berkslibraries.org.

Borrow more than 30,000 titles from your library’s digital collection.

Borrow different crafting tools from your library like knitting needles, resin casting molds, and even a Cricut EasyPress (pictured).

Find yard games like these bocce ball and pickle ball sets by exploring the Library of Things collection online.

Looking to try something new? The Library of Things collection allows you to borrow before you buy to see if that item is right for you.

A library patron explores Ancestry.com at a genealogy program hosted by the Muhlenberg Community Library.

Longwood Gardens Community Read

By: Emily Orischak, Community Relations Coordinator, Berks County Public Libraries

As the winter frost thaws, yielding to the vibrant growth of spring, Berks County Public Libraries would like to invite readers to connect with nature during this year’s Community Read, sponsored by Longwood Gardens and hosted by your local library. Now in its 10th year, the Longwood Gardens Community Read is a collaboration between Longwood Gardens, local libraries, and museums to provide a communitywide read of selected book titles.

The Community Read occurs from March to May and features two adult titles and one for children that explore the connection between nature and food. Programs related to the 2023 theme will be held at various library locations. Copies of all three titles are available for patrons to borrow with a Berks County Public Libraries card. Electronic versions of both adult books may be borrowed from your library’s digital collection.

Learn more about this year’s Community Read by visiting www.berkslibraries.org/longwood-reads.

1. Black Food: Stories, Art, and Recipes from Across the African Diaspora, edited and curated by Bryant Terry

An exuberant celebration of foodways and culture, Black Food is a beautiful, fun read of powerful essays, stunning visual art, and delicious recipes focusing on the culinary histories of the African diaspora.

2. The Comic Book Guide to Growing Food by Joseph

Illustrated by Liz Anna Kozik

In this graphic novel guide, discover how to grow a successful vegetable garden, from planning, prepping, and planting to troubleshooting, care, and harvesting.

3. Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley

In this picture book for our youngest readers, trace the childhood roots of this revered chef’s appreciation for the bounties of nature as Edna and her family gather fruits, berries, and vegetables from their Virginia farm and turn them into wonderful meals.