Harry Bach

Harry Bach is an ardent lover of books. He loves their texture, the way they feel in your hands, their smell. Harry left New York City three years ago, after his wife died, and relocated across the street from the Free Library of Philadelphia. He then decided to volunteer for the library’s “Books to Go” program, and has become utterly indispensable to the program. Harry is in charge of sales: taking payments, filling out forms, and interacting with customers. He adores every aspect of the work, particularly the inevitable conversations with fellow book-lovers.

He is a wonderful match for the needs of the Library, particularly its commercial side: Harry is a former certified public accountant, who served as Salvador Dali’s accountant for many years. His work generates proceeds that help fund the library’s many community programs, including college preparatory classes, a summer reading program, job fairs, resume writing instruction, and more. In addition to Harry’s volunteer work with “Books to Go,” he provides a music appreciation program for others in the senior residence where he lives. Naturally, he also regularly picks up books and videos for them across the street at the library.

A charismatic figure with a pronounced New York accent, Harry recently was the star of an animated profile created by Artifact Pictures for the Coming of Age initiative. In that piece, Harry shares that in every city he goes to, the first place he visits is the library. As to volunteering at his favorite location in his chosen city, Harry says: “It’s so important— and it makes me feel so wonderful.”