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GETTING A LIBRARY CARD

Reward yourself with the many benefits that come with a Bethlehem Area Public Library membership!

If you’re 15 years old and up and a resident of Bethlehem City, Bethlehem Township, Fountain Hill or Hanover Township (Northampton Co.) you can apply for your card online and we will mail it to you for no charge. When you receive your card you can immediately start using it to check out eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital Magazines, and access all other BAPL online resources. Then come in to validate and activate your card to enable borrowing books, CDs and DVDs.

If you are living outside of BAPL’s borrowing area, you may be eligible for a card through the Access Pennsylvania program. To apply for an Access card, use the form below and then come to the Main Library to pick up your card. You must bring photo ID and your valid home library card at that time.

Fill out the online form to get your card mailed to you.

For Businesses and Organizations

Give your business a competitive edge and achieve better results with our eResources!

In today’s highly stressed business environment, achieving more with less is on everyone’s mind. Reliable, up-to-date information your business or organization can use to get a competitive edge has always been at a price — until now!

Bethlehem Area Public Library is offering businesses or organizations that are in our Service Area FREE access to all of our subscription-level databases using a Bethlehem Area Public Library Card for Business. Additionally, your staff will be able to borrow materials from our circulating collections without having individual member borrowing priviledges at BAPL — a win-win for company and employee.

It’s fast and easy to get a Bethlehem Area Public Library Card for Business with our downloadable application. Return your completed form per instructions and your company and staff will be on a path to business “enlightenment” in no-time.

Download Business Application

Current Cardholders

People with current library cards from other public libraries in Pennsylvania can get a library card at the Bethlehem Area Public Library with photo ID and their home library card with a blue and white Access sticker on it (placed by their home library).

Cards for Children

Parents of children from birth to 14 years of age must sign for the child’s card and show identification. A legal guardian must present proper documentation.

Card Usage

Your library card is for your personal use only – each member of your family should get his own. You will be responsible for anything that is checked out on your card, so please don’t lend it to anyone and report it to us immediately if you lose it. Please bring your library card with you whenever you come to the library. If you forget, you must have identification before we will check anything out to you. This is for your protection.

What’s Needed to Get a Card

Identification Required for a Resident Bethlehem Area Public Library Card

Column 1
One from this column is sufficient – these show who you are and where you live

  • Valid PA driver’s license with current address
  • Valid PA non-driver’s photo ID with current address

Column 2
One from this column PLUS one from Column 3 is required – these show who you are

  • Driver’s license with old address (photo)
  • Passport
  • Military ID with photo
  • School photo ID
  • Employment photo ID
  • U.S. Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) with photo
  • Any other official photo

Column 3
One from this column PLUS one from Column 2 is required – these show where you live

  • Current tax statement addressed to applicant with current address
  • Current lease agreement addressed to applicant
  • Current utility bill or bank statement addressed to applicant
  • Current vehicle registration or auto insurance card with applicant’s name
  • Current school report card or class schedule
  • Current school bus card
  • Current YMCA or other club card with address
  • Current pay stub

Important Notes

Property owners must provide property tax documentation plus above resident ID information.

Access Library Card – Current Pennsylvania library card with access sticker, plus photo ID

Lost or Forgotten Library Card – Adults must have photo ID; age 17 & under must state pertinent information from their patron record. Pennsylvania driver’s license may be used as alternative ID once your PDL number is on record.

Replacement of Lost Card…..$1.00

Note: Fines are charged on days when the library is closed due to the availability of the book drops.

Bethlehem Area Public Library

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Public Library, Public Use Recording Studio - Studio 11, Children’s Library. Books, E-books, movies, history, music, events.

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Dec 21

Open
Did you know that BAPL offers the language learning app Mango? You can go to our website and choose the research and learning option on the left hand side then scroll down to Mango. Mango allows you to explore numerous languages in a comprehensive way. If BAPL is your home library and you have a library card you may sign in at the link below: https://mangolanguages.com/

Did you know that BAPL offers the language learning app Mango? You can go to our website and choose the research and learning option on the left hand side then scroll down to Mango. Mango allows you to explore numerous languages in a comprehensive way. If BAPL is your home library and you have a library card you may sign in at the link below:

https://mangolanguages.com/ ...

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Dec 20

Open
Register now--space is limited!

Register now--space is limited! ...

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Dec 20

Open
Engaging Together for Local Climate Action Tuesday, January 7, 2025 7:00pm - 7:45pm Bethlehem and Easton’s Climate Action Plans (CAPs) set ambitious goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions to near zero. But how can these plans become reality? The Nurture Nature Center's CREATE Connections project empowers communities to act. Join Science Director Kate Semmens and Project Specialist Lauren Fosbenner in this Zoom webinar to discover how youth, libraries, local groups, and city leaders are making a difference—and how you can too. This is part one of our virtual series on local sustainability and healthy living. Registration required for Zoom link: https://t.ly/dAsgB

Engaging Together for Local Climate Action

Tuesday, January 7, 2025
7:00pm - 7:45pm

Bethlehem and Easton’s Climate Action Plans (CAPs) set ambitious goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions to near zero. But how can these plans become reality? The Nurture Nature Center`s CREATE Connections project empowers communities to act.

Join Science Director Kate Semmens and Project Specialist Lauren Fosbenner in this Zoom webinar to discover how youth, libraries, local groups, and city leaders are making a difference—and how you can too. This is part one of our virtual series on local sustainability and healthy living.

Registration required for Zoom link: https://t.ly/dAsgB ...

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Dec 19

Open
TAB is back! Are you in grades 9-12 and interested in volunteering? Join us on Tuesday, January 14th 2025 from 3:15-4:15PM at BAPL Main for our informational meeting!

TAB is back! Are you in grades 9-12 and interested in volunteering? Join us on Tuesday, January 14th 2025 from 3:15-4:15PM at BAPL Main for our informational meeting! ...

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Dec 19

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Come on in for our Cozy Cuddle Story time on December 30th, 6:30-7:00PM! Pajamas are encouraged, and bring your favorite blanket or stuffed toy to enjoy the stories!

Come on in for our Cozy Cuddle Story time on December 30th, 6:30-7:00PM!
Pajamas are encouraged, and bring your favorite blanket or stuffed toy to enjoy the stories! ...

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What can you do with a Library Card?

Learn about borrowing from BAPL including how to reserve, renew and return materials, fees, and service areas.

Find Out More