Library News

Borrow a tent or a metal detector from our Library of Things collection.

The Reading Public Library has three items to our Library of Things collection for adults with dementia.

Have some fun in the sun with yard games from our Library of Things!

Have you ever wondered what type of bird is making that sound?  Now you can find out!  

The Library is a cooling center for the Town of Reading.

Check out our events for the Summer! There is something for everyone!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Celebrate spring with our gardening collection.

Are you ready to jazz up your music selections?

Browse the new additions to the collection and place holds on your favorites!

Browse the new additions to the collection and place holds on your favorites!

Browse the new additions to the collection and place holds on your favorites!

Embrace the wanderlust!

Discover WOM’s favorite reads from 2021!

Are you ready to rock?

Join us in welcoming Dr. Sudeshna Chatterjee, Reading’s new Director for Equity & Social Justice!

Get in on RPL March Madness

Check out our events for March and April!

Visit a museum during February vacation.

This Valentine’s Day speed date dozens of books to find your perfect match!

Celebrate Black History Month with kanopy’s latest collection.

Check out our latest addition: a kids’ hieroglyphics kit!

See what won this year’s most distinguished awards for children’s and teen literature – the Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Printz, and more!

We’re about half way through our trip Around the World in 80(ish) Days!

Check out these books about Martin Luther King Jr. Day and race in America.

Here are some key happenings and highlights from 2021. Stay tuned for our latest programming and services throughout 2022.

Borrow a pair of snowshoes and get out in the snow!

Explore cuisine of all kinds in our cookbook collection.

Borrow our ring sizer and size that ring!

Here are your best of 2021 book lists. Get reading!

Check out our events for December, there is something for everyone!

Enjoy the ultimate karaoke experience with the Moukey Karaoke Machine!

Explore the distinct cinematic style of film noir with kanopy during Noirvember.

Enjoy Bonus Borrows from Hoopla!

Check out our events for November, there is something for everyone!

From cozy to creepy, we have a mystery for everyone.

Borrow our page magnifier to view words up to 3X the original size.

Explore Comics & Graphic Novels with Hoopla!

Censorship divides us. Celebrate reading during Banned Books Week and all year!

From computer basics to advanced software, you can conquer the keyboard with free online tutorials. Both LearningExpress and Brainfuse Help Now offer computer skills lessons.

Check out our events for October, there is something for everyone!

Narration and fine art together as one!

Back to school means back to classes, homework, and tests. Don’t worry – the library can help! Get access to live tutors and more with Brainfuse.

Whether you are changing careers or studying for an exam, LearningExpress Library can help you achieve your goals.

Borrow our four-piece tool kit and easily update your home.

Get excited for back to school with some of our favorite movies set in high school.

Now Streaming Thoughtful Entertainment

Pronouns: why do we use them, and how do they encourage inclusion, diversity, and acceptance? Read this post to learn more about the significance of pronouns and find resouces on gender and inclusion from our collections.

We’ve got loads of informative & inspirational magazines on the shelf!

Check out the Trustees GO Pass and the Boating in Boston pass!  These passes provide free or reduced admission to local outdoor spaces and places!

Click on the cover image to reserve your summer reading title. Summer Reading List Grades 9 & 10 Summer Reading List Grades 11 & 12

Click on the cover image to reserve your summer reading title. 6th Grade Summer Reading List 7th Grade Summer Reading List 8th Grade Summer Reading List

The Library and book drop will be closed Saturday, June 19, in observance of the new state holiday, Juneteenth.

The Library is a cooling center for the Town of Reading.

Celebrate Audiobook Month with Hoopla!

Check out our events for the Summer! There is something for everyone!

The Library and book drop will be closed Saturday, May 29 through Monday, May 31 in observance of Memorial Day. Our normal hours resume on Tuesday, June 1. Be sure to have your library card and PIN handy to take advantage of our many online and digital services.

Brand! New! Books!

Starting on Monday, May 17th, we will no longer require an appointment for browsing.

Visit the Ecotarium in Worcester. This pass provides a 50% discount for up to 2 adults and 2 children in one vehicle. Children under 2 free.

The 2021 winner of the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award was recently announced. Congratulations to…

WOM Book Group can help you find your next favorite read!

If you’re looking for a fun and educational app or video game for your children, hopping onto Google or the app store can be overwhelming. We’ve put together a brief list of trusted sources you can turn to for app reviews and recommendations.

A community-wide project for posterity! It’s been a year since the pandemic upended our lives. Let’s mark that occasion by documenting what’s brought us peace and helped us maintain our sense of promise during this strange time. What’s brought you hope and peace?

Do you have a young child who loves to play, learn, and figure things out? Our new Go & Grow items are a fun way to learn about problem solving and coding logic.

We are so excited to announce that our Library of Things and Go and Grow collections are BACK! 

Bridgerton Fans, rejoice!

Check out our newest collection- Binge Boxes!

Check out our updated services and events for March!

The Library will be closed Monday, February 15 in observance of Presidents’ Day. As always, be sure to have your library card and PIN handy to take advantage of our many online and digital services.

Do you have Mars madness in anticipation of NASA’s Perseverence rover touching down on February 22? We do! Check out our recommended reads and online resources for more exploration.

The Reading Public Library is pleased to add Chromebooks to our library circulating collection.

Learn about over 450 current and historic Black figures. Pop stars, politicians, artists, scientists, and more!

Your RPL Children’s librarians have recorded over 50 storytimes for you! Our recorded storytimes are fun and engaging educational videos.

Some great books recommended by RPL Staff!

Learning a language can be fun and rewarding, but also challenging. Add in remote schooling, and it can get even harder! If you’d like some ways to practice your skills and support the language learning you’re doing in school or at home, check out our free resources.

Do you have a student at home who could use some extra assistance? Log onto Brainfuse HelpNow, select your grade and subject area, and get connected to a live tutor.

In response to Governor Baker’s restrictions issued on December 22, the Reading Public Library has suspended all in-person library services until further notice.

If you’re looking for entertaining and educational activities for your young children over the holiday break, check out our DIY Storytimes!

The Reading Public Library is pleased to add Chromebooks to our library circulating collection.

What topic are you studying? Art, science, literature, history, economics, psychology… There’s a database for that!

Looking for the perfect gift for the big readers on your list?

Looking for the perfect gift for teen readers?

TumbleBooks is a wonderful way to support your child’s ELA curriculum. It’s packed with animated, talking picture books! And if you’re looking to sneak a little math into the school day, try TumbleMath.

Stream shows from PBS Kids, language learning programs like Little Pimm and BBC Muzzy, family-friendly movies, and popular picture book films with Kanopy Kids.

We offer three outstanding Scholastic Flix products for grades PreK to 8. They offer interactive content to support science, social studies, and ELA curriculum.

Did you know we have an entire Parent/Teacher book collection? It includes books about child development and education. We’ve purchased quite a few titles about homeschooling, some of which are featured here.

We updated our SmartStart collection with new titles!

November is Native American Heritage Month. If you haven’t yet read a book by a Native author, now’s the perfect time!

There’s an abundance of bundles in the Children’s Room! Make a browsing appointment and stop by to pick up some curated bundles of picture books on a variety of favorite topics.

Do you watch our What’s New in the Children’s Room videos?  Here is the list of things (in order by title) that Miss Olivia has talked about! Sign into your account and place any of them on hold!

Download the NOBLE Catalog App today! Get more out of your phone!

Book & media lists for you to explore.

Book & media lists for you to explore.

Book & media lists for you to explore.

The Reading Public Library is happy to announce that on Monday, August 31st, we will begin to offer space for all your studying, business, and computer needs by reservation only.

The Reading Public Library offers holds pick up printing!

On Wednesday, August 26, stop by the School Street side of the library to see an outdoor display dedicated to the Suffrage movement and from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm.

Come to the Pop-Up Summer Spot Library.  Pop-Up Summer Spot runs on Tuesdays, 10 am to 12 noon. through September 8th. 

Reading Public Library is celebrating 100 years of U.S. women earning the right to vote with a Massachusetts Humanities grant- The Vote: Exploring Voting Rights in America. Join us on Wednesday, July 29th at our kick-off event to celebrate and learn with author Tina Cassidy.

Are you ready for a Summer Reading Scavenger Hunt? We’ve hidden pictures of Reado soaring over a rainbow with a letter. Go find Reado!

Awareness, discussion, and action can all lead to change. Wherever you are on your journey, information is power. This guide was created to help youth grades 6-12 process events surrounding the killing of George Floyd.

We’ve put together a starter list of multi-generational book recommendations to support and understand the current protests and the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Reading Public Library, along with co-sponsor, the Reading Garden Club held our first large virtual program: Why Native Plants Matter on Tuesday, April 28th.

Borrow the Bushnell Binoculars today!

We have started a new Instagram account called @artinreading2020, and we want you to contribute! We are showcasing what anyone of any age is creating during this time of social distancing.

Come one, come all! Chumley’s Reading Challenge is for readers and listeners of all ages. It’s our remote reading club for while the library is closed.

With the growing amount of online activity teens and kids are engaged in, it’s important for them to know how to make smart choices. Engage the whole family with some of these resources, games and activities on Digital Citizenship.

Gone through all the teen books you had at home and need more? Don’t forget about e-book options available for free on the Libby app!

Our themed backpacks are super popular. Just grab a bag, check it out, and you have 10 picture books to read at home!

Are you logging into your account for the first time?

Access ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from home.

Are you looking for a romantic afternoon or a way to celebrate spring? Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum!

March 1-7 is Will Eisner week, an “annual celebration of comics, graphic novel literacy, free speech, and the legacy of Will Eisner.” (willeisner.com) Why not celebrate by reading a new graphic novel? These titles were added to our children’s collection in the past month: CHILDREN’S COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS AST Ottaviani, Jim Astronauts : women […]

What if Romeo and Juliet had lived…and had to deal with each other? That’s what the author of this book imagined in this gripping family drama.

New in the Children’s Room: one-stop shopping for all those superhero fans out there.

Teen hip-hop aficionados or the casual listener shouldn’t miss a beat with these selected books! Bob your head and tap your toes as you explore these fiction, poetry and nonfiction titles suitable for teens.

Borrow the Dremel Rotary Tool today!

In February we wish our loved ones a Happy Valentine’s Day. But we can celebrate every day of the year with these picture books about love, friendship, and family.

Visit the all-new Discovery Museum where play matters!

Do you know a young reader who is ready to move on from easier texts, but is not quite ready for long chapter books? Check out our new First Chapter section!

Give your child the confidence to eventually become a successful reader. Sign up for our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program today!

This mind-bending murder mystery will leave readers guessing until the very last page! Clever? Or convoluted? You decide!

Welcome, Year of the Rat! Learn about and celebrate Chinese New Year with a great children’s book.

New Year, New Books!

Puberty freaks parents out at least as much as it does teens. Faced with questions they may not be comfortable answering and perhaps hazy on their facts, teens could use a good book (or two or three…) or digital resource on the subject!

Borrow the Instax Camera today!

Have fun making your own holiday “thank you” cards with our paper craft kit!

This Staff Pick is especially good on audio. You won’t be able to stop listening!

Experience democracy and visit the Edward M. Kennedy Institute today!

Hoopla is a free streaming service of always available popular materials. Plus hoopla’s Kids Mode means only family-friendly content will appear when you browse.

She possessed a stunning beauty. She also possessed a stunning mind. Could the world handle both? Your group will love this powerful novel based on an incredible true story.

Do you have lots of boxes around the house from holiday purchases and shipping? Keep the kids busy and creative with all that cardboard!

These outstanding titles were all featured on 3 or more year-end best lists. Check them out today for yourself or the kids in your life!

Use your imagination to bring 10 animal puppets to life, and put on a show for your family and friends.

If you have a child and/or teen showing an interest in STEM or a budding computer scientist on your hands, be sure to explore all the library has to offer! From recommended apps and websites, to books and even gadgets, we’ve got you covered.

Borrow the Panasonic Video Camera for when you need something more powerful than your smartphone camera.

Looking for a gift idea for the holiday season? Or just to enjoy yourself? These teen titles (grades 6-12) are repeatedly featured on many “best of the year” lists!

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award winners were recently announced. Every year, the award winners are diverse and intriguing picture books. Reserve your copy of these titles today!

Have you read the book that is heartwarming, heartbreaking and a hit with book groups everywhere?

Multimedia books are perfect for emerging readers; your child can listen to a story and read along.

It’s the season for giving thanks and sharing with others. Why not start by sharing some of these picture books with the kids in your life?

Whether you’re choosing a college to attend or cramming for an exam, we have the books for you!

Have a gander at these bloody brilliant British TV series

Stop by the shelves under the window in nonfiction to browse our huge collection of Who Was, What Was, and Where Is titles.

Who says science can’t be fun and engaging? This historical novel is both…plus it comes with an enthusiastic thumbs-up from book groups.

Well known for its documentary, independent and foreign film collection, did you know the streaming service Kanopy also has an entire Kids section?

Getting stuck in rush hour has never been so much fun! This kit includes the all-consuming logic game, “Rush Hour,” along with two brain puzzle books.

If you like your fiction mixed with social issues, you might like this Staff Pick.

Do you love to knit? Are you looking for any easier way to wind your yarn?

Here are some picture books with characters who have to get creative and problem-solve. Put one on hold easily here!

The Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston houses some of the most innovative artwork of the 21st century. Located on the waterfront, there is always something amazing to see at the ICA.

Borrow one of our 5 early literacy kits and have fun Singing, Reading, Writing, Talking & Playing!

We’ve added some great new magazines to our children’s collection. Read about coding, illustration, strong women and more.

It’s time for school so make some noise! ! This Kids’ First Music Kit is a great introduction to playing any instrument.

Read up on the lives of the greats with our biography collection.
Rockstar Biographies

Interested in learning more about our new website? Check out this short video!

Borrow the Dremel Rotary Tool today!

Take a fall road trip to visit the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Try “reading the pictures” in these detailed and intriguing wordless picture books. Reading Rockets says “sharing wordless books is a terrific way to build important literacy skills, including listening skills, vocabulary, comprehension and an increased awareness of how stories are structured.” Put one on hold today!

Did you know we have magazines just for teens? Stop in today to browse all the great choices in the Teen Area.

Crayons and brushes in Reading’s 19th century classrooms? Learn more about “The Supervisor of Drawing” from what back when!

To listen to the Beach Boys for the remainder of the summer?

Check out “The Movie Queen” for a glimpse of 1935 Reading–from its businesses, factories and churches, to its people!

Borrow a tent from our Library of Things collection.

Here are some opportunities to play, sing, and connect with other itsy bitsy readers!

Escape the heat and chill out with a movie!

Click the link below to browse a list of some of our favorite summer movies in the library catalog.

Summer Movies

Spark your child’s interest with this easy to use and fun Kids’ Robotics Kit!

What was the fire protection plan back in 1673? When did Reading get it’s first fire truck? Find out how far we have come over the last 375 years!

Looking for a fun book to read at nighttime? Check out this list of excellent books to read aloud with the entire family:

Hitting the road? If you’re taking a laptop, smartphone, or tablet, you can take RPL with you. Watch hot movies, listen to the latest music, browse your favorite magazines, and read a sizzling page-turner, all for free and on the go!

Have you been wanting to dip your toes into the world of VR? Try out virtual reality technologies with this new Library of Things kit recommended for kids ages 10 and up.

Learn more about Reading’s own “100 Acre” story!

e-books for e-kids! Unlimited, free, always available streaming books for kids K-6 with Tumblebooks.

If you enjoyed One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus, then try one of these teen reads…

Visit the Wenham Museum. This pass provides half price admission for up to 4 people.

Kanopy free on-demand streaming with more than 30,000 of the world’s best films, including award-winning documentaries, rare and hard-to-find titles, film festival favorites, indie and classic films, and world cinema.

Check out one of these awesome LEGO books today and start building your universe!

Curious what others are reading right now? Glimpse these highly recommended books by Reading teens. Plus learn how you can share your favorites!

Explore early coding concepts with the Cubetto game in our Kids’ First Coding Kit! For kids 3 and up.

It’s time for caps and gowns all around the country!  Whether you know a recent grad, or are an alum of Reading Memorial High School, check out over 90 historic editions  “The Pioneer” online

Renee suggests this quirky fantasy inspired by historical events, sure to make you laugh-out-loud!

Stream thousands of movies, television shows, music albums and audiobooks, all available for mobile and online access through our partnership with hoopla digital. All immediately available (no waiting!) and free with your library card.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to share this book list with you. Put them on hold easily via the links in this post.

Susan suggests this gripping novel inspired by the true story of a young man’s false imprisonment for murder — and those who fought to free him.

Invite your kids to join in on the joy of cooking with the Kids’ Kitchen Pretend Play Kit.

Take a look at the old photographs from Reading’s industrial history. Do you recognize any of the buildings?

As we look forward to the spring and summer, here are some fun books for all ages to learn about where our food comes from and how to cook it!

Teens shared their latest favorite reads at January’s Book Buffet. If you’re looking for a great recommendation from other teen readers, try one of these!

Borrow our Mah-Jongg set from the Library of Things collection and see what all the fuss is about!

Visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History and enjoy a discounted rate with a library pass.