The Reading Public Library announced that the elevator at its Main Library is expected to remain out of service until January 2027 because of ongoing mechanical issues.
In a message to the community shared on social media, the library said the decision was made out of concern for public safety after the elevator experienced increasingly frequent breakdowns over the past two months.
According to the library, repairs and outages have become significantly more frequent in a short period of time, creating a safety concern for both patrons and staff.
The library said it is working with the City of Reading on the project and thanked the city for its support. Officials said they will provide updates on the repair timeline as more information becomes available.
While the Main Library elevator is unavailable, the library is directing patrons to its Northeast, Northwest and Southeast branch locations, which remain fully accessible. Patrons may request that materials from the Main Library be delivered to any of those branches, and services such as printing and scanning are also available at most branch locations.
The library also plans to introduce curbside service at the Main Library, with additional details about how the service will operate expected to be announced soon.
Library officials apologized for the inconvenience and said restoring full access to the Main Library as quickly as possible remains a priority.
Patrons are encouraged to check the library’s website and social media channels for updates on the repair project.
