March 12, 2026
June 29, 2020
Antiracist Resources
The Bethlehem Area Public Library is committed to actively supporting essential conversations and actions to confront racism in America. This page will feature antiracist resources available in our collections, links to external resources, and information about library programs that promote antiracist conversation within our community and with our patrons. In our collections Antiracist reading Stamped […]
December 9, 2019
Coming in March 2020 — Lehigh Valley Book Fest!
Inaugural Lehigh Valley Book Festival March 27, 28 & 29, 2020 Let’s Play Books Bookstore, in partnership with the Bethlehem Area Public Library, is proud to present the Inaugural Lehigh Valley Book Festival, to be held annually, the last weekend in March, commencing in 2020. Join us as we celebrate books – their authors, illustrators, […]
December 9, 2019
A Day in the BAPL
You may know that libraries, BAPL included, host a wide variety of events in addition to being the place where people come to check out books or do research. We host programs such as book sales, mindfulness training, children’s programs, films, concerts, even birthday parties. But did you know that we sometimes host them all […]
June 3, 2019
Punk Rock Flea Market Video
The Lehigh Valley Punk Rock Flea Market returned for its second year in 2019. This year’s event was held at the Ice House on April 27. Though the event was not held at BAPL, the proceeds still benefit the library. Plus it’s a ton of fun! Check out all the interesting and fun stuff that […]
May 1, 2019
#Whitman200 at BAPL
Walt Whitman’s 200th birthday is being honored around the country (and beyond!) this year. We were a little early (his birthday was May 31, 1819) in getting the party started, but what a party it was! On April 30, 2019 at the Main Library, we hosted 52 different readers performing the 52 sections of Walt’s […]
February 27, 2019
¡Alegría Bomba Es!: Celebrating Puerto Rican Black History Month at the South Side Branch
On Saturday, January 23rd, the South Side Branch celebrated the survival of African arts and culture within Puerto Rico, and now throughout the United States, with Luz Suarez and her group “Tikson Carib” who taught five different Bomba rhythms to excited participants. Whereas most dancing is a response to the sounds of the music, Bomba […]
January 7, 2019
Storytime at the YWCA Adult Day Center in Hanover Township
When Outreach Librarian Regina Kochmaruk delivered library materials to the YWCA Adult Day Center in Hanover Township in November, she was reminded of her own grandmother who had suffered from Alzheimer’s, and immediately thought about offering library programming created specifically for this special population of seniors living with memory impairment. Regina wanted to offer an […]
September 20, 2018
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (Music, Art, and Food!)
Join us at the Main Library on Saturday Sept. 29 at 2:00 pm for a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration. Hispanic Heritage Month is a nationally observed time to recognize and celebrate the traditions, contributions, diversity, and strength of citizens whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. This year’s celebration […]
August 29, 2018
South Side Branch of BAPL Receives Grant, Launches Vocational ESL of the Lehigh Valley
The South Side Branch of Bethlehem Area Public Library is a grateful recipient of a $1,000 grant from Vernon Library Supplies, which funds a new program: Vocational ESL of the Lehigh Valley. This course will be one of the few ESL (English as a Second Language) classes structured not only to help refugee and immigrant […]
August 29, 2018
Hello from the Road!
BAPL’s librarians have been busy doing some traveling this past month, visiting lots of community places and participating in lots of great events. Here are some pictures from the road! Learn more about our outreach department here.
August 14, 2018
Shoeless Joe, The Babe, & The Steel: The Highly Unlikely 1918 Bethlehem Steel League
In 1918, Bethlehem Steel didn’t just produce iron and steel—it ran a baseball league. Six factories were represented; the rosters included some of the greatest star players from the Major Leagues. The Bethlehem Area Public Library is proud to present Shoeless Joe, The Babe, & The Steel: The Highly Unlikely 1918 Bethlehem Steel League, Geoff Gehman’s talk on […]
September 19, 2017
Beat Happening Frontman and K Recs Founder Calvin Johnson Performing at BAPL!
Indie rock icon Calvin Johnson is bringing his latest band, Selector Dub Narcotic, to the Bethlehem Area Public Library for a performance on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Also performing will be Lehigh Valley indie rock band VoirVoir and New York City/Washington D.C. psychedelic pop band Secret Cities. The concert will be the second in Tape Swap […]
September 1, 2017
Meet the author of LA BORINQUEÑA!
Celebrated Puerto Rican graphic novelist comes to the Bethlehem Area Public Library, September 16th 3pm Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez is the creator of La Borinqueña, a new and original comic book character that has grown into a cultural phenomenon and a nationally recognized symbol of Puerto Rican patriotism, social justice, and equality for all. Miranda-Rodriguez will be speaking about […]