March 14, 2020

All BAPL Locations closed

All BAPL locations are closed. It is not known at this time when libraries in Pennsylvania will be able to re-open. We will keep our patrons notified as soon as we know more, by posting the information on our website, social media, and in the local media No library items are due during this time […]

BAPL News, Schedule Alerts
March 9, 2020

LV Book Fest Rescheduled

We have decided to reschedule our inaugural Lehigh Valley Book Festival, originally scheduled for the last weekend in March, to the first weekend of June. Your health and wellness as well as the health and wellness of our community is our first priority. Therefore, the new dates of the festival will be June 5, 6 […]

BAPL News
March 5, 2020

Matt Wolf wins Lehigh Valley Music Award for Spoken Word!

BAPL employee Matt Wolf was honored at the Musikfest Cafe on Sunday night along with names like A-town Slim, Philadelphia Funk Authority, and Trouble City All-Stars. No, Matt isn’t a secret rock star at night — it was an award for his poetry! The award was given to Matt by the Lehigh Valley Music Awards […]

BAPL News
March 2, 2020

3/3 at Lehigh: Kate Racculia!

Lehigh’s Notations series brings all sorts of great writers from all around the world to Bethlehem, but tomorrow’s author comes to Bethlehem from Bethlehem! It’s BAPL’s own Kate Racculia! You can see her reading at Zoellner Arts Center. Tuesday March 3, 7:00pm. Free and open to all! Kate Racculia is the author of three novels, […]

BAPL News
February 20, 2020

BAPL Hangs New Portrait of Local Literary Legend H.D.

There’s a new face at the Bethlehem Area Public Library. She’s gazing out over the stacks, opposite the circulation desk. Her name is H.D., and BAPL is thrilled to finally hang her portrait for everyone in our community to enjoy. The portrait will hang permanently in the Main Library at West Church Street, commemorating H.D. […]

BAPL News
February 12, 2020

Finding Your Roots at BAPL: Feb 26

Enjoy a screening of an episode from the PBS series “Finding Your Roots,” followed by an opportunity to research your own family tree at the library. Held in the Cohen Room at the Main Library. This event is presented in conjunction with PBS39. Please register for the event with PBS39 here. BAPL MAIN LIBRARY Wednesday, February […]

BAPL News, Local History
February 4, 2020

Bethlehem Author Joyce Hinnefeld’s “Beautiful” New Book

The newest title from Wolfson Press’ prestigious “American Storytellers Series” is from right here in Bethlehem. Joyce Hinnefeld, professor of English at Moravian College, is celebrating the release of her latest book The Beauty of Their Youth at the Bethlehem Area Public Library on March 17 at 5:30pm. Joyce has previously published the novels In Hovering Flight and Stranger […]

BAPL News
January 22, 2020

BAPL Coolidge Recipient of Ursula Genthner Artwork

On your next visit to BAPL Coolidge in Bethlehem Township, be sure to note the addition of four beautifully illustrated panels in the children’s area. Artist Ursula Genthner loved children, literature, and painting, and for years her artwork graced the rooms of the Moravian Book Shop where she sold many of her pieces. When the […]

BAPL News
December 31, 2019

First BAPL Author Event of 2020… Liz Moore!

Join us at the Main Library on Wednesday January 22 for a book-signing with prize-winning writer Liz Moore. Liz has dazzled readers and critics alike with her literary novels for over ten years, impressing them with her “fiercely intelligent” (New York Times Book Review) storytelling and earning the reputation as a novelist who “writes with compassion and […]

BAPL News
October 14, 2019

Coming Soon: Books on the Hill

The Bethlehem Area Public Library is bringing a new library service to Fountain Hill. We purchased a used, no longer road-ready bookmobile and are turning it into a mini-branch to be located right next to the pool at the corner of Spiegel Street and Stanley Avenue. We are calling it Books on the Hill. Books […]

BAPL News, outreach
September 26, 2019

The stories of local residents who served in World War II

We are proud to announce a major upgrade to a one-of-a-kind local resource. Check out BAPL’s World War II database, where you can find over 12,000 entries on local service people from WWII. This collection includes the many accounts in The Bethlehem Globe-Times published during the war. Many articles are light-hearted, highlighting neighbors and friends […]

BAPL News, Local History
September 3, 2019

Local Artist Matt Bednarsky Records Bob Dylan Cover in Studio 11

Singer/songwriter Matt Bednarsky has lived in Greenwich Village, Nashville, and even Peru, but he currently calls the Lehigh Valley home.  He’s released three studio albums and toured the country and the world, including Canada, Europe, and Australia.  In 2015, Concerts in Your Home named Bednarsky an Artist of the Year.  Most recently, however, Bednarsky has […]

BAPL News, Studio 11
August 28, 2019

Introducing Playrow Plaza!

We are so excited to see Payrow Plaza come alive with color and activity and to watch its transformation into PLAY-row Plaza! Thanks to our friends at the Bethlehem Health Bureau for turning this space outside the library into a fun activity ground for kids! There’s hopscotch and learning activities and all sorts of fun […]

BAPL News