Pottstown Library to Offer New Resources, and Needs Financial Resources Itself

Written by Community Editor Nicole Foulke

As the Pottstown Regional Public Library reaches out to the public with new online resources for job-seekers and grant-seekers, the library itself struggles with having the lowest municipal revenue in Montgomery county, according to Arthur Green, a member of the library’s Board of Trustees.

The library, which not only serves Pottstown, Lower Pottsgrove, Upper Pottsgrove, and West Pottsgrove, but also some Chester county residents, is not making money, said Green.  Further, he said, it has the lowest local government revenue per capita in the county.

According to Green, Pottstown itself is modernizing revenue collection effort in the library’s favor by using the millage rate regarding real estate taxes; those involved with the library hope that the other municipalities that they serve will do the same.  The library plans to apply for state and federal funds, said Green.

The library, housed in a historic building that is nearly 100 years old, needs an upgrade and must be careful to maintain its historic character.  Costs tend to rise, said Green.

Pottstown has been generous, he said.  “They have been very good about services like snow removal,” Green added.

The library’s current projects include updating their computer system, as well as adding resources for job-seekers and grant-seekers.  They have just joined the New York-based Foundation Center’s National Network, which will help library patrons, including non-for-profits, research grants and learn how to apply for them.  This may be available in October.

Another of the library’s new resources will be the online JobNow, which job-seekers can use for real-time interview advice, trained resume help, and advice for moving forward in a career.  JobNow is expected to go live for the library on Sept. 1. 

According to Green, those involved with the library are working on a comprehensive four to five year plan.