The Bethlehem Area Public Library, located across from City Hall at 11 W. Church Street, is a valuable resource to Moravian University students. 

With its unique collection of physical materials and online resources, the public library neatly complements Reeves by supporting lifelong literacy, providing public services, and promoting community engagement. Together, both libraries are valuable tools that Moravian students should take advantage of.

Moravian students can sign up for a library card at no cost and take advantage of the library’s collection by bringing their student ID, proof of on-campus address and permanent address. 

BAPL has a weekly influx of new fiction and non-fiction books and offers Interlibrary Loan services, which allows students to track down and borrow books not at Reeves or in their collection from other libraries across the country. 

Other materials that can be checked out on a library card are DVDs, video games, mobile hotspots, magazines and even museum passes. E-books through CloudLibrary and movies through the streaming service, Kanopy, are available as well. 

Kanopy has recently released movies such as “Together,” starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie, and a wide variety of movies from different genres, including the classic “Dial M for Murder,” the romantic comedy “13 Going On 30,” and the family film “Where the Wild Things Are.” Library cardholders get 18 tickets per month to use on Kanopy, and each movie costs 0-4 tickets depending on popularity.  

In addition to materials that can be borrowed, the library offers an array of programs for the community, which can be attended even without a library card. 

One recently was “Rooted: A Story of Artists Embracing Place,” a film and discussion about the transformation of Bethlehem from a steel town to an artistic community of music, visual arts, theater, and festivals. 

Another event, “Ghost Stories with Benefits,” welcomed acclaimed Lehigh Valley writers Ruth Setton and Katherine Ramsland, who shared ghost stories that inspired paranormal elements in their fiction. 

The library offers classes, such as French for beginners, crocheting, painting, yoga, and clubs including Diverse Voices Bookclub, Cookbook Club, Film Club, Sip and Stitch and a soon-to-be-starting Cryptid Club. Also offered are author talks and public speakers on educational topics such as writing, traveling, history, and nature and events such as the Lehigh Valley Book Festival and bi-monthly used book sale, where most items are $1. 

Library events are typically held in the Cohen Room on the first floor and in the Laros Room on the second floor of the library. 

Whether you are searching for a book for your class or doing research for a project, BAPL is an excellent place to look, in addition to Reeves Library. 

For any local history enthusiasts, BAPL has The Bethlehem Room, which houses a special collection of non-circulating maps, directories, journals, photographs, and more dating back to 1741 when Bethlehem was founded by the Moravians. 

Many archived documents include extensive information on the history of Moravian settlements and buildings, beneficial for students interested in the history of the Moravian culture and religion, the university and seminary, or other aspects of historical Bethlehem. 

BAPL has two glass-enclosed huddle rooms, approximately 7-by-20 feet, on the first floor, which are equipped with outlets, tables, and chairs available to reserve, perfect for groups of up to six. There is a public quiet study area as well as tables and chairs surrounding the library stacks. 

The Cohen Room and the Laros Room are also available to rent when not in use for library events. These larger rooms, accommodating up to 50 people, are an option for Moravian clubs or groups seeking an off-campus location to hold larger meetings, and they can collaborate with the library for community engagement and networking opportunities. The Laros Room costs $30, and the Cohen Room costs $50 to rent for up to four hours.

Many of the great resources at BAPL are made possible by the Reference Department. 

“Another room available for reserve is Studio 11, a free recording studio stocked with recording equipment and instruments,” said Emily Doyle, Head of Reference at Bethlehem Public Library. “Access to the studio includes use of various microphones, a sound board, a drum kit, keyboards, amps, percussion instruments, and more.” 

Doyle also revealed an exciting new addition to the library collection. “It’s been a long time in the making, but we’ve partnered with 20 different museums across the Lehigh Valley, Bucks County, and Philadelphia, in which patrons can reserve tickets for free with their library card,” Doyle said.

Some of those institutions are the Da Vinci Center, Eastern State Penitentiary, Elmwood Park Zoo, and Mütter Museum. Each museum pass has its own rules regarding the number of people admitted on each pass, with many allowing 2-6 people, making this an inexpensive activity for friends and family.

The Bethlehem Area Public Library is more than the books on its shelves. Engagement with the public library allows people to connect with their community, which is important for students to foster during college to prepare for after graduation. 

Involvement promotes civic engagement, leading to networking and volunteer opportunities with the library or other organizations. Public libraries serve as a social infrastructure that offers free access not only to books, but to technology and educational programming, all while providing an affordable and productive third place for students off campus. 

“We hope that more students take advantage of their opportunity to get a library card with us while they are attending Moravian University,” Doyle said.