The Berkshire Reading Club of  is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1904 by a small group of women intent on "tudy that shall be both profitable and entertaining." The club was chartered by the State Library in Albany, NY in 1906 and continues to meet on Tuesday evenings in the members' homes. 
The second oldest such reading club in New York State, it provides intellectual and social involvement for women in the towns of Berkshire, Newark Valley, and Richford, and aims to be progressive in civic affairs.

 Topics studied and reported on have ranged from European and American history, prehistoric man, religion, politics, and current events, to the influences of the modern 20th century woman.

 In the early days of the club, the ladies encouraged the Town Board to build sidewalks and install street lights.  The reading club was influential in establishing the Berkshire Free Library, which is now housed in a historic home given by a charter member of the club. More recently, Christmas gifts and food have been taken to shut-ins or to the needy. This past Christmas, in recognition of their 100th year, they donated to the children of the area  more than  100 gift  wrapped, age-specific books.

 The club continues to encourage its members to be aware of and active in current library, reading and local issues.