What do you call a Bookmobile that doesn’t move? It’s not a riddle, it’s a real question that library staff at BAPL had to ponder after purchasing a “decommissioned” bookmobile and towing it to Fountain Hill. The name they came up with is “Books on the Hill” and after a long and windy road, it’s […]
Check out BAPL’s 2020 Annual Report, hot off the presses. It was a challenging year of course, but we’re proud of all we accomplished! [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.bapl.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/web-Copy-2020-Annual-Report.pdf”]
With the end of Statewide COVID restrictions now in place, we are happy to open up more of BAPL! There are still some limitations in place as we remain cautious. Libraries are a place where many children gather so it is important that we continue to be safe with regards to potential virus transmission. See […]
Dear Friends of the Swifts–John and Lynn Noble, Wilbur Mansion Development Team, Lehigh Valley Audubon Society, Sierra Club Lehigh Valley, Bethlehem City Council and Environmental Advisory Council, Lehigh University Environmental Initiative and Southside Initiative, Freemansburg Elementary School, Artefact Inc., Poets, Journalists, and Concerned Citizens: Wonderful news! The swifts are back! And they are using the […]
In addition to a property developer, several environmental scientists, and an expert in ornithology, the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s upcoming Chimney Swift presentation will have one panelist who notably doesn’t have a PhD. In fact, she hasn’t yet graduated fourth grade. The speaker will be Emma Huertas, a fourth grader from Freemansburg Elementary School. “She’s […]
I grew up with the angelic voice of Fairouz playing in the morning, and the awakening scents of Arabic coffee wafting in the air of my home (more than once a day because Arabs love their coffee and cannot go a day without that tiny cup of bitter caffeine). The Arabic language filled the halls […]
BAPL is happy to announce a new “text a librarian” service. All you need to do is send a text to us at 610-222-7337 and we’ll get back to you with a response. It’s like having a little librarian who lives in your phone! Try it out! […]
Please note that BAPL has not been charging overdue fines for any library items during the past year due to the difficulties caused by the pandemic. However, starting with any items checked out today (4/5/2021), overdue fines will be assessed for late items going forward. We have reduced the overdue fee on DVDs and video […]
In celebration of Liberty High School’s 100th graduating class in 2022, the Bethlehem Area Public Library is creating a digital archive of LHS Yearbooks. “We at BAPL want to give LHS alumni and their families a glimpse into Bethlehem’s past,” says Reference Librarian Matthew Rothfuss, the project’s lead. “By digitizing LHS yearbooks we aim to […]
BAPL Main, South Side, and Coolidge are now offering public computers again, in addition to limited and by-appointment browsing. This is effective March 1, 2021. Masks are required as is standard social-distancing protocol. Please note that the procedure is somewhat different at each location. If you have any questions, please call ahead of time. Main […]
Library patron and Bethlehem resident Kathryn Hancock Kashner wanted to make light of Old Man Winter’s recent stay in the city. So she grabbed her keys, gathered the kids, packed the car with snowboards and sleds, and drove to the large hill near the Bethlehem Ice Rink for some fun in the snow. After going […]
Join us (virtually) for a series of presentations in partnership with Lehigh Valley Audubon Society and the South Side Initiative: S.O.S. Save Our Swifts by Saving their Urban Habitat: Telling the Story of the Chimney Swifts and their Connection to Our City. This series is supported by the Lehigh Valley Engaged Humanities Consortium (LVEHC) Mellon […]
BAPL Main, South Side, and Coolidge are now open for limited and by-appointment browsing again as of January 11. Masks are required as is standard social-distancing protocol. Please note that the procedure is somewhat different at each location. If you have any questions, please call ahead of time. Main Library Normal hours No appointment required […]
Following Pennsylvania’s mitigation order, the Bethlehem Area Public Library will be using the following operating model effective Wednesday, December 16: All computer appointments will be canceled. All item checkouts will occur at the door of each library location. All returns will be accepted at the drop box of each location. Library staff will continue to […]
Thank you for stopping by 11Fest! You can watch on BAPL’s YouTube channel here. And there are lots of ways to support the studio! You can purchase one of the items or services/experiences below, or just make a donation. Here’s a link to easily give $11 dollars. You will help us fund the operation of […]