Hamburg Public Library

The Hamburg Public Library is a brick building from 1903 with an L-shaped footprint and an octagonal rotunda at its core, creating an unusual floor plan. The square entrance is topped by a distinctive turret that gives the structure its recognizable profile.

Andrew Carnegie funded the construction of this building in 1903, making it the first library in Berks County to receive his financial backing. The building has continuously served its original purpose from that time forward.

The library serves as a gathering space where the community comes together for regular events and activities. These meetings shape local social life and show how the building functions beyond its role as a repository for books.

The building sits in the downtown area on North Third Street and provides computers, wireless internet, and printing services for visitors. On certain weekdays, particularly Tuesdays and Thursdays, the rooms stay open until 8 PM to serve more people.

The building's cornerstone contains a Bible, Shakespeare's works, Pennsylvania school laws, and historical documents from 1903. These hidden items offer a window into the era when the structure was built.