Reading Public Library is pleased to announce that Melissa Adams has been named Executive Director. Adams has served as library director of Muhlenberg Community Library since 2016, successfully leading this Berks library through major challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and the renovation following the August 2020 flooding. She previously worked in library services at Pottsville Free Public Library and Lower Macungie Library. Ms. Adams held adjunct professor positions at Reading Area Community College and Albright College between 2008 and 2015.
Adams holds a Masters of Arts from Hunter College and a Master of Library and Information Science from Florida State University. She has served as Secretary and Vice President of the Berks County Library Association.
In her role as Executive Director, she will oversee the operations of the main library, three branches, outreach services, and a growing digital library footprint.
Adams said about the appointment, “I feel truly honored to be appointed as the Executive Director of Reading Public Library. The City of Reading is undergoing significant revitalization and the idea of working with the City and the community to help to make positive changes happen is really exciting. I envision a library that not only serves and reflects our community, but also works hand in hand to collaborate, co-create, and re-shape our future.”
According to Jim Shankweiler, an educator at Penn State Berks and chair of the Executive Director Search Committee, “In Spring of 2021, a Reading Public Library Search Committee took up the daunting task of searching for a new Executive Director for the Library. Search Committee members knew early in the process that Ms. Adams brought enormous value, knowledge, and energy with her. She has held a variety of demanding positions in Library Administration. Collectively, these experiences have given her deep exposure to the many aspects of Library operations. She has worked for quite some time in communities bordering Reading, so she has an astute understanding of our community’s needs. Let’s talk about being able to hit the ground running.”
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