From Berks County Public Libraries
On Thursday, Oct. 22, local business leaders, elected officials, and library staff gathered at the Village Library of Morgantown for a special Networking Night event hosted by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA). Attendees included Berks County Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr., Caernarvon Township Supervisors Keith Fritz and Ken Parris, and dozens of chamber members. The occasion highlighted the Berks County Public Library System’s 40th anniversary, bringing together community leaders and GRCA members for an evening of connection and celebration.
Public libraries serve as essential community centers, providing access to information, technology, educational programming, cultural experiences, and resources that support many communities. One of the more rural library locations in the Library System, the Village Library demonstrated its role as a valuable community hub while showcasing beneficial resources and services available to individuals, families, and businesses alike.
“We’re located at the southernmost corner of Berks County, and our communities often don’t have access to space or resources that can be more easily found in the county’s center,” said Village Library Director Carol Donahue. “That’s why, with the support of our surrounding municipalities, we often look for ways to collaborate with local organizations to bring community services closer to home for many in our service area.”
It’s through those partnerships that public libraries can often connect local businesses with an interested consumer audience by hosting educational workshops, demonstrations, and informational sessions.
“We are pleased to be able to partner with the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and celebrate this milestone alongside other chamber members,” said Stephanie Williams, system administrator for Berks County Public Libraries. “The event truly reflected the shared commitment of GRCA and our local libraries to support a connected community, and we’re thrilled to help foster meaningful relationships between our libraries and Berks business leaders.”
