General information

Visit the Bethlehem Area Public Library at 11 E. Church St. (main) or 400 Webster St. (Southside branch) or 2740 Fifth St. (Coolidge) or visit www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuAN4Af6kv3jQl1us_WkWQ/featured and www.bapl.org/events/categories/virtual-events for a variety of items. For hours, information or to speak with staff members, call 610-867-3761 (main-11 W. Church St.) or 610-867-7852; 400 Webster St. (Southside branch) or 484-892-6267 (Coolidge). Chat service and general information: visit www.bapl.org (main) or at www.facebook.com/paBAPL or www.bapl.org/ssmain.htm (Southside) or https://www.bapl.org/coolidge/ (Coolidge).

Events are held live and virtually; refer to BAPL calendar for details. Due to the pandemic: hours, masking and capacity limits may change without prior notice. Check websites or call the above listed numbers to speak with staff members.

SOUTHSIDE BRANCH now open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays. Call the South Side Branch for more information at 610-867-7852.

BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE: Contact mhenninger@bapl.org to be notified about cancellations. Updates posted on news blogs at www.bapl.org; click ‘BAPL News’ on left-side of menu.

REQUEST ITEMS FROM THE LIBRARY for Bookmobile pick-up: call 610-867-3761, ext. 399 or e-mail info@bapl.org for adult materials. Children’s items: call 610-867-3761, ext. 499 or e-mail youthservice@bapl.org at least one day in advance of pick-up. Select pickup location: bookmobile before submitting request.

RENEWALS FROM HOME: log in to account at www.bapl.org or call 610-867-3761(x299) for the circulation desk.

Books on the Hill’s BUY-A-BOOK FOR BAPL gifts ($30 increments) to the library purchases new books that will receive a special bookplate honoring a loved one, family or organization, or commemorating a special occasion. They may be designated for either adult or children’s book collection.

Contribution levels are from one to four books, a shelf and an entire bookcase. For information and purchases, visit www.bapl.org/buy-a-book-for-bapl/

UPCOMING BOOK SALES noon to 8 p.m. July 13 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 16. Indoor book sale in Main Library basement. 50 shoppers at a time max. Follow COVID protocols.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF INDUSTRIAL HISTORY AND THE BETHLEHEM AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY summer of 2022 partnership for a free community Hands-On-History. All ages. Stories relating to industrial and Bethlehem history. Hands-on S.T.E.A.M. activities. Planes and Trains, 1 to 4 p.m. July 14. Tugi and the Bethlehem Steel. Both from 1 to 4 p.m. at NMIH, 602 E. Second St. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/bapl-nmih-hands-history-inventors

Main Library

Wednesday, June 15

Teen Game Night, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Grades 6-12. Variety of board and card games and snacks. No registration required.

Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/teen-game-night

When Gen Zs and Millennials Meet: Multiple Case Study on the Experiences of Black Male College Students. Dr. Chris Hunt, Moravian University Vice President, Dean for Equity and Inclusion. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Information, registration: visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/when-gen-zs-and-millennials-meet-multiple-case-study-experiences-black-male-college-students

Friday, June 17

Read to a kind, gentle therapy dog. Bring a book from home or select one from our shelves. Grades K-12; readers only. Register for a 15-minute session (between 11 a.m. and noon) by calling 610-867-3761, opt.4 or in-person at the library.

Teen Coffee and Coloring. Grades 6-12 Relax with a coffee or other beverage and color. 4 to 5 p.m. No registration required.

Saturday, June 18

Storytime with the City of Bethlehem Police Department. A police officer will read several picture books to children of all ages and talk to children about a day in the life of a Bethlehem Police Officer. Police-related craft. PLEASE NOTE: Due to officers’ limited availability, they may not be able to make a date, but a librarian will read the stories in their stead. 11 a.m. to noon. Outside lawn / porch.

Diving Our Oceans: From Science to Adventure with Dr. Christopher Kovacs and his underwater experiences, the role of science in scuba diving, the lessons learned from 700+ lifetime dives, and a discussion of what scuba diving brings to anyone willing to “take the plunge.” For interested children (and adults) ages 10 and up. 1 to 2:30 p.m. STEM (grades 6-12 and older). Registration required. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/diving-our-oceans-science-adventure.

Remaking a Home Writing Project of Touchstone Theatre. Facilitated by published author and writer Jan Cohen-Cruz, instructor, Touchstone’s Performance Creation MFA via Moravian University. 10 a.m. to noon. Co-hosts: BAPL, Refugee Community Center- Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Allentown. No holiday weekends, through October. Visit bapl.org/events/remaking-home-a-writing-workshop-/

Monday, June 20 through Friday, June 24,

Monday, June 27 and Tuesday, June 28 (seven sessions)

Learn how to code in SCRATCH for grades six to eight. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Create a story, game, or animation to share. Attendance at all seven sessions is essential for creating an end project. Registration is required: call 610-867-3761, opt.4, or stop in the library, or visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/scratch-coding-series-2

Monday, June 20

Stories and Songs in the Garden, Arts & Crafts. Ages up to and including grade five. 10 to 10:30 a.m. Outside Lawn / Porch at Main Library. Bring a blanket or towel for seating No registration is required. We will move to the porch if it rains.

Anime Club. Watch episodes of your favorite anime and share your love of anime with other fans. No registration required. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/anime-club-0

Robin Gow, a local trans poet and young adult, will read poems from Backyard Paleontology (Glass Poetry). Images of prehistoric worlds and dinosaurs explore queer embodiment and brotherhood. Open Q&A. 6 to7 p.m. Registration required; visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/poetry-reading-robin-gow

Tuesday, June 21

Prague, Vienna, Budapest and classical music travelogue with Bob and Madeline Brown. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/world-travel-videos-bob-and-madeline-brown

“Songs My Brothers Taught Me” (2016), director: Chloe Zhao. Virtual film club, 7 to 8 p.m. Registration required; good for all series events): visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/virtual-film-club-songs-my-brothers-taught-me-2016

STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) stories, activities. No registration required. Children with accompanying adults. 10 to 10:30 a.m. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/story-stem

Wildlands Conservancy. All ages. Learn about Pennsylvania animals through this informative and fun session with Wildlands Conservancy. Interactive activities and live animal ambassadors to meet. No registration needed. 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 22

Notable Women in African American Literature: “Passing” by Nella Larson. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. With Lehigh University’s Stephanie Powell Watts. Registration (required): visit www.bapl.org/events or call 610-867-3761. Information: visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/african-american-author-series-nella-larsens-passing

Teddy Bear Storytime. Grab your bear, wear your pj’s and join us for stories to get you ready for sleep. We’ll have a fine selection of books and fingerplays perfect for a night of restful sleep. 7 to 7:30 p.m. No registration is required. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/teddy-bear-bedtime-storytime-0

SouthSide Branch

All month

Tiny Art Gallery arts and crafts, all ages (including adults). Pick up an art kit at the South Side Branch or the Banana Factory and create a masterpiece to be displayed at the library throughout the month of July. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/tiny-art-gallery-teaching-artist-session

Anytime Storytime Corner. DYI story time, Different books and a free craft available every week. Visit www.bapl.org/events/anytime-storytime-at-south-side-2022-02-28/ for more information.

Anytime S.T.E.M. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Information: https://www.bapl.org/events/anytime-stem-south-side-branch-2022-05-18/

Through Wednesday, June 22

Family Read Aloud Book Club, ages seven and up. Visit website. Read the book “Rump” (the “fairly true” tale of Rumpelstiltskin). Join the group at 5:30 p.m. June 22 for a casual dinner, discussion and activities. Space is limited. Registration required; call 610-867-7852. Visit www.bapl.org/events/join-us-for-family-read-aloud-book-club-2022-05-18/

Wednesday, June 15

First of eight citizenship classes. Volunteer teacher My Lien Nguyen will teach a course to prepare you for the citizenship test. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/citizenship-classes

Wednesday, June 15, 22, 29

Summer Reading Kick-off: “Oceans of Possibilities” - Under the Sea. 10:15 to 11 a.m. Preschool, elementary ages. Information: visit www.bapl.org/events/summer-reading-kick-off-at-south-side/

Saturday, June 18

Summer reading adventure replay: Under the Sea family friendly games and giggles. Pick up a treasure map and start the adventure. 11:30 a.m. to noon. Preschool, elementary ages. www.bapl.org/events/summer-reading-adventure-replay/

Monday, June 20 through Thursday, June 23

Celebrate Freedom Day and emancipation. All ages. Create a keepsake, browse our books and enjoy a snack! 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/celebrate-freedom-day-south-side

Free lunch with a librarian. Kids 18 and under. Activities. Space limited to 20 children. First come, first served. More dates and registration are at https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/free-lunch-librarian-south-side

Monday, June 27 and July 11 and 25, Aug. 8

All We Can Save: Learning and Living In A Time of Climate Crisis. 6 to 7 p.m. To access readings, visit www.bapl.org/events/all-we-can-save-learning-living-in-a-time-of-climate-crisis-4/ To register, visit www.bapl.org/ events/categories/ virtual-events

Coolidge Building

Thursday, June 16

Chess for beginners. Teens grades six through 12. Liberty HS teen volunteer Master Chess Player Christopher Giannarar. Outside at picnic tables. Registration required. Visit https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/event/chess-beginners-0

The Bethlehem Press calendar listings are, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of printing. We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information submitted by external parties.