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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.

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Aug 13

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Mindfulness in the Workplace BAPL- Coolidge August 21, 2024 7:00pm-8:00pm Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. This five-part series will introduce you to the practice of mindfulness in several facets of life. Presented by teachers from the LVHN Center for Mindfulness, the sessions will take place over a five-month period this summer at the Coolidge satellite branch in Bethlehem Township from 7- 8pm on select Wednesdays. Registration is required for each session, but you do not have to attend all five sessions. You will learn something beneficial, healthy, and transformative in each one. If you have registered for a particular session which you cannot attend, please cancel your registration online or by calling the Coolidge branch, so those on the waitlist may attend. Funding for this project has been provided by the City of Bethlehem. 5/22 Introduction to Mindfulness 6/19 Mindfulness & Self-Compassion 7/24 Mindful Communication 8/21 Mindfulness in the Workplace 9/18 Mindful Eating BAPL Coolidge 2740 Fifth St. Bethlehem, PA 18020

Mindfulness in the Workplace
BAPL- Coolidge
August 21, 2024
7:00pm-8:00pm

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. This five-part series will introduce you to the practice of mindfulness in several facets of life. Presented by teachers from the LVHN Center for Mindfulness, the sessions will take place over a five-month period this summer at the Coolidge satellite branch in Bethlehem Township from 7- 8pm on select Wednesdays.

Registration is required for each session, but you do not have to attend all five sessions. You will learn something beneficial, healthy, and transformative in each one. If you have registered for a particular session which you cannot attend, please cancel your registration online or by calling the Coolidge branch, so those on the waitlist may attend.

Funding for this project has been provided by the City of Bethlehem.

5/22 Introduction to Mindfulness

6/19 Mindfulness & Self-Compassion

7/24 Mindful Communication

8/21 Mindfulness in the Workplace

9/18 Mindful Eating

BAPL Coolidge
2740 Fifth St.
Bethlehem, PA 18020 ...

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Aug 13

Open
🧶✨ Fiber Arts & Friends ✨🧶 Bring your knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, sewing, macrame, etc. to the Main Library to chat with fellow enthusiasts and work on your projects. All ages, experience levels, and crafts are welcome, and we're happy to teach beginners! 🌟🪡 Bring your own fabric, or use our donation stash. No registration required. 🧵✨ 📅 Tuesdays 🕕 6:00pm - 7:45pm 📍 11 West Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 Come join us for a fun and creative evening! 🎨 🔗 More Info: https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/events/upcoming?keywords=fiber

🧶✨ Fiber Arts & Friends ✨🧶

Bring your knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, sewing, macrame, etc. to the Main Library to chat with fellow enthusiasts and work on your projects. All ages, experience levels, and crafts are welcome, and we`re happy to teach beginners! 🌟🪡

Bring your own fabric, or use our donation stash. No registration required. 🧵✨

📅 Tuesdays
🕕 6:00pm - 7:45pm
📍 11 West Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018

Come join us for a fun and creative evening! 🎨

🔗 More Info: https://bethlehemarea.librarycalendar.com/events/upcoming?keywords=fiber ...

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Aug 13

Open
We provide all that you need for this one-shot adventure: pre-rolled characters, a dice set, and a mini manual printout to use at the session. This program will be held at the Main Library on the 2nd floor, in the Youth Services Department. This program is for children entering grades 6-12. No registration is required!

We provide all that you need for this one-shot adventure: pre-rolled characters, a dice set, and a mini manual printout to use at the session.

This program will be held at the Main Library on the 2nd floor, in the Youth Services Department. This program is for children entering grades 6-12. No registration is required! ...

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Aug 13

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8/12/24 Monday night Open Mic Featuring the Crybabies with Jesse Fry

8/12/24 Monday night Open Mic

Featuring the Crybabies

with Jesse Fry ...

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Aug 13

Open
Happy Tuesday! Pinky is here for the sleepover and she's working so hard! I told her she might need a smaller chair, but she said she's fine! Reminder to those who signed up for the stuffed animal sleepover, today is drop off! If you didn't sign up but still want to, please call us at 610-867-3761 x499. Registration is required for Stuffed Animal Sleepover.

Happy Tuesday! Pinky is here for the sleepover and she`s working so hard! I told her she might need a smaller chair, but she said she`s fine! Reminder to those who signed up for the stuffed animal sleepover, today is drop off! If you didn`t sign up but still want to, please call us at 610-867-3761 x499. Registration is required for Stuffed Animal Sleepover. ...

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