RACC PATHFINDER # 5
Local Libraries
When you need materials, which The Yocum Library does not own, you can use other libraries in the area such as the following:
The Reading Public Library
5th & Franklin St
Reading, PA
610-655-6350 / 655-6355 (Reference)
www.reading.lib.pa.us
Hours: Mon-Wed 8:15 am-9pm, Thurs-Fri 8:15 am-5:30pm, Sat 8:45am-5pm
- The Reading Public Library owns a large collection of popular books, magazines, videos, and other materials.
- Because it is a federal depository library, it contains the area's largest collection of US government documents.
- Microfilm copies of The Reading Eagle and The Reading Times are available, as well as copies of Pennsylvania laws and regulations (Purdon's PA Code).
- Photocopiers and microfilm reader/printers are available.
Albright College Gingrich Library
13TH & Union St.
Reading, PA
610-921-7517
http://www.albright.edu/library/resource.html
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-midnight, Fri 8am-6:45pm, Sat 9am-4:45pm,Sun 1pm-11:45pm
Call for schedule changes during semester breaks.
- The Gingrich Library contains a large collection of books, magazines, and journals.
- The reference collection, recent magazines, and microfilm are on the first floor.
- The book collection is on the second and third floors, and bound back issues of magazines and journals are on the third floor.
- Coin-operated photocopiers are on the first floor.
- You cannot borrow books unless you join the library society for $25 a year; however, you can use any materials in the library.
Kutztown University Rohrbach Library
Kutztown, PA
610-683-4480 / 683-4481 (library hours)
http://www.kutztown.edu/library/index.htm
Hours: Mon & Thurs 7:45am-midnight, Fri 7:45 am & 5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 2pm-midnight
Call for schedule changes during semester breaks.
- The Rohrbach Library contains a large collection of books, magazines, journals, and media, especially in the field of education, as well as the complete collection of ERIC documents.
- The computer catalog is called Quincy.
- Photocopiers and microform reader/printers are available.
- In order to borrow materials, a library card can be obtained with a PA Driver's License and Social Security Number.
Penn State Berks Thun Library
Tulpehocken Road
Reading PA
610-396-6240
www.bk.psu.edu
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:00 am-10 pm, Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat noon-5pm, Sun 2pm-10pm
Call for schedule changes during semester breaks.
- The Thun Library has a computer catalog called ALIAS@ which contains the holdings of all PSU libraries as well as many online periodical indexes.
- However, there are not as many journals on site as Albright College or Kutztown University.
- Photocopiers are available.
- In order to borrow materials, a library card can be obtained with a PA Driver's license and Social Security Number.
Alvernia College DR. Frank A. Franco Library Learning Center
400 St. Bernadine St., Reading PA
(610) 796-8223
http://www.alvernia.edu/library/
Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-11pm, Fri 8am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-5pm Sun 2pm-10pm
Call for schedule changes during semester breaks.
- The Franco Library collection supports the curriculum of Alvernia, which is a private, Catholic college.
- Special collections include Polish language and Italian heritage sections.
- CD ROM databases, Search Bank, and First Search are available.
- Photocopiers are on the first floor.
The Historical Society of Berks County
940 Center Ave., Reading PA
(610) 375-4375
www.berksweb.com/histsoc/museum.html
Email: history@berksweb.com
Hours: Tues-Sat 9am-4pm / Reference Use Only
- There is a $4 per day charge for nonmembers for library use.
- However, this fee is waived for those who can identify themselves as students conducting research.
- The library collection contains a variety of primary and secondary sources relating to the history of Berks County.
- Much of the collection is in closed stacks.
- Photocopying services are available. No pens allowed.
Berks County Law Library
10th floor, Courthouse, 6th & Court St.
Reading, PA
610-478-6370
Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 / Reference Use Only
- The county law library has the best collection of legal materials in the area, but the material are written for law professionals and cannot be borrowed from this library.
- Popular materials on law are available at public and college libraries such as the Reading Public & The Rohrbach Library.