From Barrio Alegría
Pictured above: The Reading Public Library Main Branch during the unveiling of the Rain Poetry project. Photo courtesy of the Reading Public Library
Authors, readers, and poets this fall will fill South Reading with the love of the written word for an event unlike any other.
The Reading Public Library and Barrio Alegría present Story Lane: Book Fair and Market, a celebration of modern, local literature that goes well into the evening.
“This is the kind of event you don’t want to miss,” said Melissa Adams, executive director of the Reading Public Library. “This bookfair represents a unique opportunity for Reading residents to explore books and the craft of writing, and more importantly to share their own voices as part of the experience.”
Slated for Saturday, Oct. 3, from 1-9 p.m., Story Lane: Book Fair and Market utilizes not only the interior of the library, but the surrounding area to have a rolling schedule of attractions.
“With opportunities to explore the writing process, hear from experienced authors, participate in hands-on activities, and browse the outdoor book market, there is something for every age and interest,” Adams said.
Visitors to the fair will find author panels, crafts for families, live poetry reading, food trucks, and a warmly lit night market for bookworms and datenight couples alike.
Barrio Alegría spent several months working with a team of neighbors and local writers to envision the book fair and night market.
Daniel Egusquiza is the Reading Public Library’s outreach coordinator and the executive director of Barrio. He said the collaboration between the two organizations for the fair combines the best attributes of both.
“The library is the natural home for a book fair; it sits at the center of the community and has always believed that knowledge should reach beyond its walls,” Egusquiza said. “For Barrio Alegría, this partnership represents something deeper. It’s a chance to dream bigger, to create something the city hasn’t seen before, and to do it alongside an institution that shares that commitment to access and belonging.”
“The act of reading is a journey, an adventure, and having spaces that help us begin or expand this journey is important,” Egusquiza said.
Aries Franklin Ortiz, also known as The Poet Smiley, is a Reading-based author, poet, and community organizer. Franklin Ortiz is the founder of the arts nonprofit The Smiley House Project and hosts monthly poetry readings and slams in and around Reading. So, she knows very well the passion people have for the written and spoken word, and she expects Story Lane to be a milestone in the Berks County literary scene.
“I look forward to being part of this event because it aligns with everything I stand for,” Franklin Ortiz said. “Creating spaces, building community, and using words as a form of connection. Of course, I love sharing my work, but more than that, I love connecting with other creatives from everywhere.”
In the coming weeks, local writers will be confirmed to lead workshops, read their work, and share their experiences on panels. Franklin Ortiz said that she hopes the public takes advantage of this cultural moment for the city.
“For readers, I want it to spark curiosity, inspiration, and a deeper love for reading and imagination. For authors, I want it to open doors to new audiences, new opportunities, and new confidence in their craft,” Franklin Ortiz said. “As for the city, I hope it reminds people that creativity lives here, it’s not going anywhere, and it’s bigger and bolder than ever!”
