Random calls sent from Ext 6712

A patron called the other day to say that they were receiving phone calls from the library, ext. 6712. Apparently, this is call spoofing. IT says:

This is call spoofing, and scammers often choose a public phone number (such as ours).  I get them all the time from people trying to “approve my $50k loan if you call back to confirm”.

Unfortunately, we have no control over this as a public entity.  

The person can contact their phone company or block the number in a variety of ways.  It’s probably a good idea to register their home number on the government Do Not Call Registry to reduce these calls, but there’s always a way to get around it.

A Little Something to Say Thank You

We appreciate you! Your work keeps this library running and welcoming every day, and this doesn’t go unnoticed. As a small token of our thanks, and with the generous support of the Reading Public Library Foundation, we’re offering each staff member a fleece jacket or vest to wear at work.

The fleeces are navy blue with the RPL logo embroidered in white on the shoulder/chest area. They’re warm and comfortable, and a nice way to show we’re all part of the same team.

Each employee may choose one (1) item. To help you choose, use the links below for more information, then complete this form by Sunday, October 25.

Many thanks to the RPL Foundation for making this possible, and THANK YOU for all you do.
Option A Info (Fleece Jacket)
Option B Info (Women’s Fleece Jacket)
Option C Info (Fleece Vest)
Option D Info (Women’s Fleece Vest)

ORDER FORM (DUE 10/25/2026)

 

Facebook/Meta Changes & the RPL Newsletters

Meta/Facebook is changing its policy on posting links, and soon they will charge for posting more than two links each month. Since we will not pay for extra links, this is a good time to encourage people to sign up for our newsletter. That way, library users can stay informed about what’s happening at the library, and we can share updates directly.

If you haven’t already, please sign up for our newsletters.

General Newsletter
Children’s Newsletter

Signs and Displays

As collections move, you’ll notice we have updated, moved, and removed some of the signage and displays.

We removed the audiobook room signs and the ground floor sign, with updates coming soon.

Thanks to the Display Committee—Carol, Judy T., Ashley, Alissa, Jocelyn, and Desiree—for their great ideas. Regular lobby displays are paused, so there are no tables under the Brightsign or Borrower Services sign by the purple wall. This creates a more open, peaceful lobby and better views. With fewer visual distractions, it’s easier to interact with patrons and build relationships.

Other displays remain: the ground-floor non-fiction display (maintained by Alissa), displays opposite the Ref Desk, and those along the windows facing the parking lot. Some ground-floor display furniture will move to the Reading Room for collection highlights, maintained by R and R.

Please Note: Collections Moving

The audiobooks will be moved up to the first floor starting September 21. They will be at the end of the DVD section.

This is to make browsing more accessible, having the entire multimedia collection on the same floor.

The audiobook room will be closed to the public after this move. Admin is working on what that room will eventually become. If patrons ask, you can let them know that it is just “under construction.”

MIIA Wellness Healthy Charcuterie 101, Walktober, Webinar Buffet, Fun Days, and More

Healthy Charcuterie 101

Learn about building a beautiful and balanced charcuterie board that’s as nutritious as it is delicious ahead of the holiday season in MIAA’s Healthy Charcuterie 101 class in the Library Community Room on Monday, October 26 from 4:15 PM to 5:15 PM. Register by Friday, October 16.

Walktober

Register now to join Walktober, a fall step challenge beginning on October 1st. Fill your Walktober tree with red (6,000), orange (8,000), and gold (10,000) leaves. Employees and spouses enrolled in an active MIIA/Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan are eligible for the chance to win one of 40 $40 gift cards of their choice by earning at least 20 leaves and completed a post-program evaluation. Help Reading be the municipality/district with the highest average number of steps at the end of the program and receive a one-time free healthy snack delivery from Berkshire Naturals for all employees to enjoy!

Webinar Buffet

See attached for monthly Webinar Buffet offerings from MIIA. These flexible and short pre-recorded 10-minute webinars can be completed  anywhere any time during the month from your Reading MIIA Member Portal.

The webinars are open to all employees and their spouses. However, if you are a MIIA / Blue Cross subscriber and complete 5 webinars by early August 2027, you will earn a $50 gift card! 

Fun Day Challenges

All employees, retirees, and spouses are eligible to win raffle prizes by participating in monthly Fun Day challenges.

Choose an activity, take a picture of yourself, and submit via MIIA’s online Fun Day form.

Celebrate Collect Rocks Day in September by displaying a creative rock or visiting a famous rock or local geology exhibit.

Ompractice

Ompractice has created a series of on-demand meditations for the school teachers in our community to support the transition into the new school year.  Although the library staff are not school teachers, many similarities exist, specifically related to the transition from summer to fall.  

There are four new videos in the Back To School Reset Collection to check out, including grieving the loss of summer freedom, meditation for a different season (life isn’t always about reinvention!), preparing for the new school year, and the unfinished list.  These are open to everyone with or without an Ompractice membership.

Other Wellness Offerings

Keep an eye out for emails from Avantika at Town Hall regarding other wellness offerings as well!  You can also view all other MIIA Wellness Programs for Reading Employees on the Reading MIIA Member Portal

Employee Flu Clinic

The Public Health Department (PHD) has scheduled a flu clinic for employees at the library on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 12-2 p.m.
Walk-ins are welcome, but please feel free to register using this link or the QR code on the flyer to save your spot.
Can’t make it on 9/23?  No worries. PHD is offering flu clinics for the public throughout the fall:
  • October 4,5,6,7,8 and 26 (4-7 p.m.)
  • November 9 (4-7 p.m.)
  • December 9 (4-7 p.m.)
We will post details about those clinics later in September.

Little Essentials Library: Hygiene Initiative

We will be starting a Little Essentials Library in the Health Nook. It will premiere to the public at the end of October. This initiative is to give under-resourced folks in the community essential hygiene products at no expense to them; it’s all about being a caring neighbor and community member.

Starting on Tuesday, September 1st, we will be soliciting the public for donations. A box will be downstairs in the lobby. The Hygiene Team will monitor the donations.

What we will accept (ALL TRAVEL SIZE):

Soap & Body Wash
Shampoo & Conditioner
Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Lotion & Sunscreen
Lip Balm