After taking a year off, our Tween/Teen Lock-In is back and better than ever! Bring a friend and make some new ones at this after-hours party for grades 6-12 on Friday, Aug. 9, from 8 p.m. to midnight. This teens-only event will feature a scavenger hunt, MuVChat, photo booth and more. Registration and a permission slip are required. Space is limited so sign up today.
Books, chocolate, goals

Patti Lloyd
Most library fans will agree that books are one of the finer things in life. And many of us would also say the same about chocolate. If you agree, join us Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. for a Book and Chocolate Pairing. Sample books in a variety of genres paired with different flavors of chocolate that may inspire you to read something new to you!
Kids reading
Keep your child’s reading skills sharp this summer with our many literacy opportunities for school-age kids. Next up is a Reader Read-In Thursday Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. featuring the classic “Frog and Toad Are Friends.” Practice reading in a relaxed environment with a teen volunteer (supervised by one of our literacy experts), or read quietly alone or as a family. The Read-In starts at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be available. For grades 1-5.
On display
In August, the library’s hallway exhibit space features photographic works by Hillary Raimo and landscapes in oils and pastels by Jaqueline Smith.
Do you have artwork or a message you would like to share with others? The library has three different display and exhibit spaces available to the public on a first-come basis. Sign up through www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org by clicking on the “Book a Space” tab, or visit the Information Desk to see what is available.
The three different exhibit areas include: hallway wall space, which can be reserved up to 24 months in advance; three, 6-by-3-foot exhibit tables opposite the entrance to the library proper, which can be booked one to six months in advance; and locked exhibit cases in the hallway and Children’s Place, which can be reserved up to a year ahead of time.
The library’s Displays and Exhibits policy, available on the website, provides additional guidelines.
Library of Things
Have you checked out our Library of Things recently? New things are being added all the time to this innovative collection supported by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library.
Here, you can borrow the tools you need to explore a new hobby, experience nature, play a game, be a do-it-yourselfer, investigate new technology, and so much more!
Make some music with our ukuleles, keyboards, guitar effects pedals and drum kits. Be handy around the house with the laser level, car code reader and home inspection kit. Or try out entertainment devices like the Nintendo Switch, karaoke machines, board games, VR headsets and more. We’ve also got camcorders, Wi-Fi hotspots and Chromebooks, along with telescopes, trail cameras, fishing poles and binoculars. And all of these “things” are just the tip of the iceberg! Visit www.bethlehemlibrary.org /borrow/library-of-things or pick up a brochure at the library to see a complete list. Most items are requestable and borrowable for two weeks at a time with your library card.
— Kristen Roberts