Pictured: Autumn Karns, Benson Memorial Library, Rick Miller, Osterhaut Memorial Library, Karla Trout, 2025 PaLA President, Mary Jordan, Hazleton Public Library, Julie Diaz, Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library, Kit Kuchinski, Eastern Monroe Public Library.

For immediate release– 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 thr

Mechanicsburg, PA (October 28, 2025) – Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) honors the service of their members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth. On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the Mt. Lebanon Public Library was named the 2025 Library of the Year.

Mechanicsburg, PA (October 28, 2025) – Each year, the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) honors the service of their members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth. On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Kimberley Hrivnak was recognized for her service to the Association with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award.

Folasade (Sade) Olanipekun-Lewis of Philadelphia County named 2025 Trustee of the Year

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the 2025 Trustee of the Year was awarded to Folasade (Sade) Olanipekun-Lewis of Philadelphia County, in recognition of her extraordinary service, steadfast leadership, and transformative impact on the Free Library of Philadelphia and its community.

Jessica Serenti from the Scranton Public Library named 2025 New Professional Librarian of the Year

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the 2025 New Professional Librarian of the Year was awarded to Jessica Serenti.

Rebecca Dzikowski of the Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scranton and Dr. Roseanne Perkins of Kutztown University.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, three members of the Association were honored with Certificates of Merit. Certificates of Merit are awarded to individuals making outstanding contributions during the last five years in Pennsylvania. This year’s winners are Rebecca Dzikowski, Cataloging Assistant of the Weinberg Memorial Library at the University of Scranton, and Dr. Roseanne Perkins, Associate Professor at Kutztown University.

On Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the PaLA Elected Official of the Year Award was presented to Senator Jay Costa and Senator Lindsey Williams.

Accessible Small and Rural Communities

The American Library Association invites applications from small and rural libraries for the fourth round of funding of the Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities grant, which is anticipated to be the final round of funding. The initiative will offer $3.5 million in grants to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities.

2025 PaLA Scholarship Winners Announced!

We are urging members and non-members to speak to their state-level elected officials about the public library subsidy

Elections will be opening in June of 2025 to elect statewide positions for 2026.