Taylor Swift donated 6,000 books to a library in 2011, helping it serve 27,452 people in 2025

When financial problems threatened to close public library branches across Berks County, Pennsylvania, a major donation from local native Taylor Swift helped keep them open for thousands of readers. In October 2011, the country music star donated 6,000 new books worth $68,000 (£52,000) to the Reading Public Library system. Fifteen years later, figures from the library network's official reports show that the system has grown into an important community resource. In 2025, it circulated 182,228 items and welcomed 27,452 people to its programs. Swift's donation came at a critical time, when cuts to local government budgets were putting heavy pressure on library services.Rescuing branch services in Berks CountySwift grew up nearby in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. She learned about the Reading Public Library's money problems through local news reports and decided to help. According to reporting published by regional news outlet WHYY at the time, Swift bought thousands of popular books to refill empty shelves across all four city branches. Each donated book received a gold star on its spine and a special bookplate inside the front cover recognising the pop star's gift. The donation was share...