We would like to wish all of our patrons a happy and healthy 2019! With a new year beginning, new changes are also coming to Whitehall Township Public Library.

The library has new hours. We will be open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Stop by and pick up a handout or magnet with the library’s new hours.

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The library collects nonperishable canned and box food products, such as soup, Hamburger Helper and cereal. The library also collects canned pet food and paper products, such as paper towels, toilet paper and tissues. All items collected will be given to the food pantry at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 3900 Mechanicsville Road.

Items may be dropped off during regular library hours.

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The library is helping Whitehall Lions Club raise supplies for Peaceable Kingdom, Whitehall, which is in need of new pet toys, specific foods, clean towels and supplies to care for the cats and dogs.

Some specific items needed are dry food (Purina One or Pro Plan, Purina One dry kitten food and Royal Canin mother and baby cat dry food); canned cat food (Friskies turkey and giblets pate); KMR kitten formula (powder); soft dog treats; Miracle nipples (mini size); Kurunda beds; blankets and towels of all sizes; poop bags; cleaning supplies (trash bags, latex gloves, paper towels, laundry detergent, hand sanitizer and regular bleach); and household cleaners (Fabuloso, Lysol, Mr. Clean and Clorox wipes).

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The library will continue to collect items for Whitehall-Coplay School District students to be used in the Snack Pack Pals program.

The packs of food are gathered and packed for kids who are in the most need of nutritious foods to alleviate severe hunger needs during weekends when free breakfast and lunch are not available at the school. If you would like to make a food donation, see the list on the library website or pick up a copy at the circulation desk.

Donations may be dropped off during regular library hours.

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The library will be part of the new Lehigh-Carbon Library Cooperative. This will mean more resources and services for patrons to use and share among other libraries. We will be creating a one-card system by February 2019. Watch for more information and fliers at the library.

The SPARK libraries include Whitehall Township Public Library, Coplay Public Library, Public Library of Catasauqua, Emmaus Public Library, Parkland Community Library, Slatington Library, Lower Macungie Public Library, Southern Lehigh Public Library, Dimmick Memorial Public Library, Lehighton Area Memorial Library and Palmerton Area Library.

Patrons will have one library card and will be able to use it at any of the 11 partnering libraries. You may borrow materials from one and return it to another library listed above. If you need a book from one of the LCLC libraries, we will deliver it to a participating library for you.

We are proud and happy to be able to offer these services for our patrons and to share the free resources between our neighboring libraries.

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The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will no longer be sending tax forms to libraries, including rent rebate forms.

All forms will be accessible at revenue.pa.gov to fill out online. If you do not have access to a computer or printer, the library will print your forms for 10 cents per page.

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Call the library at 610-432-4339 for more information on any of our programs. We have the newsletter and calendar on our website, whitehallpl.org, and copies at the front circulation desk.