Long-time supporters of the Reading Public Library, Paul and Karen Oxholm, have been named co-chairs of the library’s 2025 Annual Appeal, the library announced Monday.
As a librarian, Karen Oxholm said, she witnessed firsthand the impact that libraries can have on students of all ages.
“The Reading Public Library plays a critical role as a community learning and media center for all of Berks County,” she said in a statement, “and all of us benefit from the tremendous resources that are made broadly available through their diverse educational programming.”
Paul and Karen Oxholm have been named co-chairs of the Reading Public Library’s 2025 Annual Appeal.
(Courtesy of the Reading Public Library.)
The library also announced the 2025 campaign goal of $65,000.
Donations from the campaign will directly sustain the library’s free programs and services for all ages, such as early literacy programming, after-school activities for teens, workforce development and senior outreach.
“Paul and Karen embody the spirit of community leadership that keeps our library strong,” Carolyn Shultz Spano, director of advancement and communications, said in a statement.
The Oxholms also have been dedicated volunteers and supporters of numerous Berks nonprofits including Reading Area Community College, United Way of Berks County and the Reading Musical Foundation.
“We are so grateful for their dedication,” Spano said, “and we hope their example inspires others to join them in sustaining the daily programs and services our community depends on, especially as the future of public funding remains uncertain.”
Donations can be made to the Reading Public Library at readingpubliclibrary.org.
For more information Carolyn Spano, director of advancement and communications at 610-478-8977 or carolyn.spano@readingpubliclibrary.org.