A library this town built, and rebuilt.
One hundred and fifteen years on Broad Street, a $500,000 bequest from a former director, and more than 750 neighbours through the doors every week.
A building this town paid for, twice
The Spring City Public Library has served Spring City and East Vincent Township from 245 Broad Street since 1910. East Coventry formally joined our service area in June 2019.
For most of that history the library lived in a small 1,600-square-foot building that had once been a one-room schoolhouse. It was beloved and it was far too small.
Bertha Brower, a longtime Spring City resident and for many years the library’s director, left the library $500,000 when she died in 2001. Her condition was a dream rather than a clause: that the money be used to build a library capable of meeting the needs of the community in the 21st century. Her bequest, a long local fundraising effort and a state grant together made the current building real.
What stands there now is a community center as much as a library — a comfortable, modern, genuinely welcoming room for residents from the youngest to the oldest. More than 750 people come through the doors in a typical week. It is the only place in Spring City, East Vincent or East Coventry where family, information, technology, knowledge, learning, literacy and community all meet in the same building.
At a glance
- Serving since1910
- East Coventry joinedJune 2019
- Visitors each week750+
- Brower bequest$500,000
- Original building1,600 sq ft
- SystemCCLS member
We are a member of the Chester County Library System, which means your card works at every CCLS library.
How we got here
- 1910
The library opens, serving Spring City and East Vincent Township.
- Most of a century
Operating from a 1,600-square-foot former one-room schoolhouse on Broad Street.
- 2001
Bertha Brower, longtime resident and former director, bequeaths $500,000 toward a library built for the century ahead.
- A new building
The bequest, sustained community fundraising and a state grant combine to fund the library standing today.
- June 2019
East Coventry Township formally joins the service area.
- Now
750+ visits a week, a full program calendar, and a meeting room the whole town uses.
Open to everyone, no exceptions
We welcome everyone regardless of age, race or gender. There is no judgment here — you can simply be you.
Free means free
No fines for late returns on most materials, no charge to walk in, no charge to sit down, no charge to use a computer or ask a question.
A civic space, not a shop
A public library is the civic heart of a healthy community. Ours is a place to meet, work, study, tutor, vote on a book, or wait out an afternoon.
Literacy at every age
From baby story time to large print and audiobooks, the collection and the programs are built for the whole span of a life in this town.
The people at the desk
If you’re not sure who to ask, ask anyone. We’ll get you to the right person.
Who governs the library
The Board sets policy and oversees the library’s finances. Meetings are open to the public — call the library for the next date.
Jobs and volunteering
Employment
There are no employment opportunities at Spring City Public Library at this time. Openings at other CCLS branches are posted on the Chester County Library System website.
Volunteering
We value our volunteers, and we have opportunities throughout the week and on Saturdays — shelving, program help, book sales, gardening and more. Beth Keretzman coordinates volunteer services; call the library at 610-948-4130 or email her to get started.
Not a cardholder yet?
If you live, work, own property or go to school in Chester County, your card is free — and it opens every single thing on this page.