A young library patron checks out the new donations - photo from the Reading Eagle

Singer Taylor Swift recently donated 6,000 books to the public library in Reading, PA (pronounced “redding”). Swift, a native of nearby Wyomissing, PA, also donated to two other struggling libraries. The books are primarily geared toward young readers.

Reading was once a prosperous transportation, shopping and agricultural center. The Reading Railroad (remember that from Monopoly?) was centered there, as well as the first outlet mall in the country, VF Outlet Village. It continues to boast the presence of a symphony and a local baseball team, as well as many other attractions. The city has fallen on hard financial times of late, however. The public library nearly closed in 2009, so local library officials are hoping that this donation will bring in more support as well.

The Reading Public Library was my hometown library growing up (though I mostly used the bookmobile service, which came to my suburb every other Tuesday afternoon). I’ve still got many fond memories of visiting there. Thanks, Taylor Swift!