On October 23, 2025, Berks County Public Libraries, in partnership with the Berks County Jail, unveiled a fully-stocked book vending machine at the county’s prison in Bern Township.
Several elected officials attended the reveal including Berks County Commissioners Leinbach and Santoni Jr., along with Chief Operations Officer Kevin Barnhardt and Deputy Chief Operations Officer Larry Medaglia. The installation will help provide opportunities for kids to connect with their incarcerated loved ones through the enjoyment of books.
The book vending machine works similarly to its food and beverage counterparts. Visiting kids and teens will be given a token upon arrival which they can use to redeem a title of their choosing from the machine. All books may be brought along during their visit and are free to take home.
“Reading together as a family can help strengthen bonds between kids and their loved ones,” said Stephanie Williams, system administrator for Berks County Public Libraries. “It’s one of the focal points behind several programs facilitated by our libraries, including 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and family storytimes. By making books available during these family visits, we hope to offer the same opportunity for connection while providing a means to delve into their imagination.”
The Berks County Jail purchased the book vending machine and initial supply of books including titles such as The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney and Trolls: Tiny Diamond’s First Day of School by David Lewman. The machine can hold more than 230 books, spanning a wide reading range, and the Library System will continue to stock the machine as titles are chosen.
“We know that visits can be difficult for children, and we want to create an environment where they feel comforted and supported,” said Berks County Jail System Warden Jeffrey Smith. “The book vending machine gives children a chance to choose a story of their own, turning what can be a stressful experience into an opportunity for learning, imagination, and joy. It’s an investment not only in their visits here, but in their futures as readers and learners.”
The book vending machine is one of three on-going projects between Berks County Public Libraries and the Berks County Jail, including monthly book club events and providing withdrawn library books for the Jail’s collection.
