Close your eyes and picture the library. What did you see? A gloomy room, a stern librarian, a dense silence that is unbreakable?

When I was a child that was the prevailing atmosphere in public libraries.

Then a new library was built. Tall windows, bright colors, an area dedicated to children and a friendly, fun atmosphere.

Libraries are constantly changing and evolving in order to serve the community in the best way possible. There are some great ideas for changes for the future.

At the forefront of change is the development and use of technology in the library. We have new computers and high-speed Internet. We have hot spots, which can bring the Internet to your home. We have Wi-Fi so that you can use your phone, tablet or laptop in the library.

The most important change for the library in Catasauqua has been the automation of the collection of books and other items the library holds. This has enabled the library to join the Lehigh Carbon Library Cooperative. This is an organization that includes Coplay Public Library, Dimmick Memorial Library, Emmaus Public Library, Lehighton Area Memorial Library, Lower Macungie Library, Palmerton Area Library, Parkland Community Library, Penn Kidder Library, Slatington Public Library, Southern Lehigh Public Library, Whitehall Township Public Library and, of course, the Public Library of Catasauqua.

Residents of Catasauqua and North Catasauqua boroughs and Hanover Township, Lehigh County, who have a library card can now borrow books, DVDs, CDs and more from any of these libraries. They can be borrowed through the computer system, or the staff at the Public Library of Catasauqua are happy to help. The books are delivered to your home library within a day or two and can be returned to your home library to be sent back.

You also have access to a large library of e-books, which are free to borrow and read. These e-books are automatically removed when they are due back so there’s no need to remember to return them.

Consider applying for a library card and using it to access all these wonderful opportunities.

DECEMBER BOOKS

Fiction: “The Wonder of It All,” Barbara Taylor Bradford; “Manner of Death,” Robin Cook; “Day,” Michael Cunningham; “Lone Oaks Crossing,” Janet Dailey; “The Frozen River,” Ariel Lawhon; “Betrayal,” Phillip Margolin; “Absolution,” Alice McDermott; “What Waits in the Woods,” Terri Parlato; “Holmes, Marple & Poe,” James Patterson and Brian Sitts; “Upside Down,” Danielle Steel; “Fourth Wing,” Rebecca Yarros; “Iron Flame,” Rebecca Yarros

Nonfiction: “The Book of Animal Secrets: Nature’s Lessons for a Long and Happy Life,” David B. Agus; “Oath and Honor: A Memoir and a Warning,” Liz Cheney; “Quantum Body: The New Science of Living a Longer, Healthier, More Vital Life,” Deepak Chopra; “How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier As You Get Older,” Michael Greger MD; “The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2024,” Sarah Janssen; “Elvis and the Colonel,” Greg McDonald; “What Happens in Vegas: True Stories of the People Who Make Vegas, Vegas,” James Patterson and Mark Seal; “The Lost Tomb: And Other Real-Life Stories of Bones, Burials and Murder,” Douglas Preston; “My Name is Barbra,” Barbra Streisand

Juvenile: “Minecraft: The Outsider,” Danica Davidson; “The Puppets of Spelhorst,” Kate DiCamillo; “The Dark Sun (Bamboo Kingdom No. 4),” Erin Hunter; “Claudia and the Bad Joke (Baby-Sitters Club No. 15),” Ann M. Martin; “Lego Dream Chasers and the Riddle-Spokens,” Kaela Rivera; “Winter Turning: A Graphic Novel (Wings of Fire No. 7),” Tui T. Sutherland; “I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964,” Lauren Tarshis

Young adult: “Five Nights at Freddy’s: Fazbear Frights Graphic Novel Collection Vol. 4,” Scott Cawthon; “Every Time You Go Away,” Abigail Johnson; “Betting on You,” Lynn Painter; “To Kill a Shadow,” Katherine Quinn; “Last Girl Breathing,” Court Stevens

Children’s picture books: “Big Book of Spanish Words,” Clever Publishing; “The Yawnicorn,” Emily Hamilton; “Batman and Superman Swapped!” Richard Ashley Hamilton; “Grace’s Chinese New Year,” Jackie Huang; “Bumblebee’s Big Mission,” Patty Michaels; “Dragonboy and the 100 Hearts,” Fabio Napoleoni; “Love From Bluey,” Penguin Young Readers; “Hornbeam All In,” Cynthia Rylant

Board book: “Baby Shark Feels Happy: A Book About Emotions,” Pinkfong