Friends, area residents and elected officials joined the family of the late Bob Cohen at the Bethlehem Area Public Library Nov. 16, to officially dedicate the Bob Cohen Room.

The $300,000 project converted the once children’s library area into a multi-purpose 3,600- square-foot space complete with ADA accessible restrooms, kitchenette and room divider.

Cohen served on the library’s board of trustees over several decades, according to head librarian Josh Berk, who said that Cohen and his wife Amy came to him to discuss the eventual reuse of the space once the children’s library was expanded and relocated to the library’s second floor.

Cohen was remembered for his exploratory, curious nature and his brother Bill called him the “epitome of the library” because of that spirit.

Cohen passed away in 2016, but with his his Nov. 19 birth date approaching, attendees joined in singing ‘Happy Birthday” and remembering his friendly, community-spirited life, while they also enjoyed some birthday cake and refreshments.

Proclamations from Mayor Robert Donchez and Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure, who attended, were presented to the family. Donchez proclaimed Oct. 16 ‘Bob Cohen Day’ in Bethlehem.