Library receives James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award

Student-made video highlights town’s vision and action plan

Last Wednesday’s snow did not stop the business community of Boyertown and the tri-county region from gathering for the annual Boyertown Area Progress Dinner hosted by the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce.

An estimated 165 people turned out for the event held at LaMassaria at Bella Vista Golf Course Jan. 17.

The Boyertown Area Community Library was presented with the 2018 James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award at the annual event. Library Director Susan Lopez and immediate past President Russ Phillips accepted the award.

The James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award is presented to an organization or individual in the Boyertown area — chosen for their contributions to the community.

Presenting the award on behalf of the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce, Greg Herb spoke about the library’s progress since it’s reopening in a new building in August 2017. He said the library has seen an increase in program attendance, circulation and computer usage.

“The overall patron experience has improved greatly. The library is excited about the potential the new building brings, and is looking forward to so much more in the years to come,” said Herb, who owns Herb Real Estate and is the president of the board of directors for the Foundation for Boyertown Education. “They have done an amazing job to be supportive and to help grow the Boyertown community.”

Going into greater detail, Herb said there were more than 80,000 visits to the library last year.

The library serves Boyertown, Colebrookdale, Earl, Douglass (Berks) and the surrounding area.

Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach said the library represents one of the anchor libraries in the Berks County Library System and he expressed the need for continued support of libraries. He added that not all communities will step up to financially support their libraries, but when the communities do, it’s a message to officials and to the state that “this library belongs to the community and that community wants it.”

Before the presentation of the 2018 James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award, there was a video presentation by five telecommunications students from Boyertown Area Senior High School. The video, which has been part of the annual event for several years, highlighted the dinner’s main topic for the evening — Boyertown as a tourist destination.

The video included an update on Building a Better Boyertown’s Community Visioning Process and highlighted Boyertown’s future as a top tourist destination hub; its continued growth; and maximizing the authentic quality of life resources.

REBECCA BLANCHARD — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Library Director Susan Lopez and past board of trustees president Russ Phillips receive the James K. Boyer Quality of Life Award presented by the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce at the annual Boyertown Area Progress Dinner Jan. 17.

REBECCA BLANCHARD — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Greg Herb addresses the crowd during the annual Boyertown Area Progress Dinner hosted by the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce at La Massaria at Bella Vista Golf Course, New Hanover.

REBECCA BLANCHARD — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA The Boyertown Area Senior High School String Ensemble performs during the 2018 Boyertown Area Progress Dinner on Jan. 17.

REBECCA BLANCHARD — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Greg Herb addresses the crowd during the annual Boyertown Area Progress Dinner held at La Massaria at Bella Vista Golf Course, New Hanover.

REBECCA BLANCHARD — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA State Rep. David Maloney presents Susan Lopez and Russ Phillips of the Boyertown Community Library with a certificate of recognition during the annual Boyertown Area Progress Dinner Jan. 17.