READING PUBLIC LIBRARY

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kate Thornton
Reading Public Library
610.223.5972

RPL BOARD PRESIDENT NOMINATED TRUSTEE OF THE YEAR

Reading, PA September 12, 2014 The Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA) has named Rene
Dietrich, President of the Reading Public Library Board of Trustees, as its Trustee of the Year for 2014.
Frank Kasprowicz, Library Director, nominated Dietrich for the award. Since joining the Board of
Trustees in 2013, Rene has been a tireless advocate and fundraiser for the Reading Public Library.

In 2012 Dietrich was elected President of the Board of Trustees. During her presidency, she has assisted
the library through extensive renovations to the Main Library, celebrated the 250
th
anniversary, and
worked tirelessly to increase financial support from the City, County and community at large. Rene
stresses the importance of having a 21
st
century library in Berks County. She believes that the library is
more than books, DVDs, and other materials but is also a community center for lifelong learning, says
Kasprowicz.
During her tenure Rene has participated in many meetings, events, and programs at and for RPL. She
marched in the 2013 Holiday Parade in Reading in an 18
th
century costume to help announce our
impending 250
th
anniversary with other Board members and library employees. She found a site on Penn
Street for a temporary library while the Main Library was renovated. She wrote letters to Pennsylvania
Representatives and Senators, the Governor, and the Office of Commonwealth Libraries imploring all for
support for libraries. She was and has been tireless in her advocacy for our libraries.
Dietrich will be honored at PaLAs Annual Conference at the Lancaster Marriott Hotel on Sunday,
September 28 for her outstanding volunteer work and commitment to Reading Public Library.

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