General information

Visit the Bethlehem Area Public Library at 11 E. Church St. (main) or 400 Webster St. (SouthSide branch) or 2740 Fifth St. (Coolidge) or visit www.youtube.com/channel/UCsuAN4Af6kv3jQl1us_WkWQ/featured and www.bapl.org/events/categories/virtual-events for a variety of items. For hours, information or to speak with staff members, call 610-867-3761 (main-11 W. Church St.) or 610-867-7852 400; Webster St. (SouthSide branch) or 484-892-6267 (Coolidge). Chat service and general information: visit www.bapl.org (main) or at www.facebook.com/paBAPL or www.bapl.org/ssmain.htm (Southside) or https://www.bapl.org/coolidge/ (Coolidge).

RENEWALS FROM HOME: Log in to account at www.bapl.org or call 610-867-3761(x299) for the circulation desk.

ART AND POETRY WORKSHOPS, City rotunda; BASD student art exhibit workshop: “Interview with Art: A Poetry Workshop & Public Reading.” Facilitated by local poet, Cleveland Wall, participants select student art works to inspire poetry about the art. On May 18 after the exhibition at the Rotunda has ended, the selected art pieces will be moved to the Bob Cohen Room at the Main Library where there will be a public reading of the poems that were inspired by them. 15 adult participants limit. For information, visit www.bapl.org/events/art-and-poetry-workshop-with-the-bethlehem-fine-arts-commission-the-basd-and-bapl-adult-session/ To register, email Cleveland Wall at cwall@bapl.org

REMAKING A HOME W RITING PROJECT with Touchstone Theatre. Facilitated by published author Jan Cohen-Cruz, an instructor in Touchstone’s Performance Creation MFA through Moravian University. 10 a.m. to noon. Co-hosts BAPL, Refugee Community Center at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Allentown. Every Saturday morning (no holiday weekends) through October. Visit www.bapl.org/events/remaking-home-a-writing-workshop/

U.S. POET LAUREATES SERIES. Second Tuesdays via zoom. Hosted by Lehigh University professor Bob Watts. 11-part series. Read the poet’s work for free on The Poetry Foundation (https://www.poetryfoundation.org/) or check BAPL’s collection. Discussion and presentation on the poet. Registration required. For schedule, visit www.bapl.org/events/poet laureate-series-2022-05-10.

UPCOMING BOOK SALES: noon to 8 p.m. May 18 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 21. Indoor book sale in Main Library basement. 50 shoppers at a time max. Follow COVID protocols.

Main Library

Throughout May

Star Wars take-home crafts including Obi-wan-centric ones. While supplies last. Visit www.bapl.org/events/star-wars-takehome-crafts-all-month-long-at-the-main-library-2/

Adult pennant craft kits; include supplies to decorate triangular burlap pennants and design suggestions that can be used for Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Puerto Rican Day, Juneteenth, Flag Day, LGBTQ Pride Month and Independence Day. Pick up your kit at the Reference Desk at the Main Library, while supplies last.Visit www.bapl.org/events/crafts-for-adults-decorative-pennants/

Wednesday, May 4 and Thursday, May 5

Homework help for grades K-12. Moravian University America Reads program provides tutors to help with school assignment questions. No registration required. 4 to 6 p.m. Follow social distancing guidelines; masks are a must. Visit www.bapl.org/events/homework-help-tutoring-for-grades-k-12-at-the-main-library-/

Wednesday, May 4

Registration deadline for May 6 Mary Pat Beebe Friday Morning Book Club. See May 6 entry below.

How to Raise a Reader for families. Casual dinner and presentation on proven strategies and techniques to help raise a lifelong reader. Limited space; registration required. 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. Presented by the Friends of the Library.Visit www.bapl.org/events/how-to-raise-a-reader-dinner-and-strategies-for-parents/ for information and registration.

Star Wars trivia night, 6:30 p.m. Visit www.bapl.org/events/star-wars-trivia-night-at-the-main-library

Friday, May 6 (register by May 4)

Mary Pat Beebe Friday Morning Book Club. 10 a.m. Zoom. Registration required. Email invites sent May 5. Information, to register, visit www.bapl.org/events/mary-pat-beebe-book-club-2-2022-05-06/

Saturday, May 7

Free comic book day, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Select a comic book. Takeaway crafts, prizes and activities featuring your favorite characters. No registration required. Visit www.bapl.org/events/free-comic-book-day-at-the-main-library/

Remaking a Home Writing Project - Touchstone Theatre. Facilitated by published autheor and writer Jan Cohen-Cruz, Touchstone’s Performance Creation MFA instructor (via Moravian University). 10 a.m. to noon. Co-hosts BAPL, Refugee Community Center at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, Allentown. Saturday morning (no holiday weekends) through October. www.bapl.org/events/remaking-home-a-writing-workshop-/

Monday, May 9

Nintendo game night for grades two and up. WiiU and a Wii available for play (with supervision). Several games to choose from including Lego Star Wars for the Wii, Mario Party 10, Smash Brothers and more. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visit www.bapl.org/events/nintendo-night-for-grades-2-at-the-main-library-3/

Tuesday, May 10

Teen Board, grades six to 12. 4 to 5:15 p.m. www.bapl.org/events/teen-board-for-grades-6-12-at-the-main-library-12/

U.S. Poet laureates series. Hosted by Lehigh University professor Bob Watts. 11-part series. Read the poet’s work for free- visit www.poetryfoundation.org/- or check BAPL’s collection. Discussion, presentation on Billy Collins. Registration required; visit www.bapl.org/events/poet laureate-series-2022-05-10.

Wednesday, May 11

In conversation with Jason Rekulak and his classic horror book “Hidden Pictures”; cost- tickets required, includes signed copy of the book. 6:30 p.m. Visit www.bapl.org/events/in-converstaion-with-jason-rekulak-hidden-pictures

SouthSide Branch

Anytime Storytime Corner. DYI story time, Different books and a free craft available every week. Visit www.bapl.org/events/anytime-storytime-at-south-side-2022-02-28/ for more information.

Mondays – Thursdays

Homework Help -Lehigh University’s Alpha Phi Sorority students available to help students in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade with homework. Any subject, any grade level. 4:30-5:30 p.m. For more information, call 610-867-7852 or visit www.bapl.org/events/homework-help-south-side-branch-4/

Wednesdays through May 25

Preschool spring storytime. 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. www.bapl.org/events/preschool-spring-storytime-at-south-side-2022-05-04/

Thursday, May 5

Toddler Story time hosted by BAPL, Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St. 18 months to six years old. Masks are a must. Stories, rhymes, songs, silliness. 10 - 10:30 a.m. Visit www.bapl.org/events/storytime-at-the-banana-factory-4/

Coolidge Building

Thursday, May 5

Toddler Story time hosted by BAPL, Banana Factory, 25 W. Third St. 18 months to six years old. Masks are a must. Stories, rhymes, songs, silliness. 10 - 10:30 a.m. Visit www.bapl.org/events/storytime-at-the-banana-factory-4/

Saturday, May 14

Create a sustainable pollinator garden for beneficial butterflies, bees, and birds. Help Coolidge create one of their own. Learn about native plants and add them to our front walkway. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This program is a PA Remake Learning Days event. Adults and school-age children. Information: call Regina at the Coolidge branch, 484-892-6267. Visit www.bapl.org/events/nature-by-design-create-a-butterfly-garden-at-the-coolidge-satellite-branch/

Monday, May 16

I Wonder About Bugs: family learning and fun night. 5 to 6 p.m. Visit www.bapl.org/events/i-wonder-about-bugs-a-family-learning-and-fun-night-at-the-south-side-branch/

Tuesday, May 17

Closed for Election Day

The Bethlehem Press calendar listings are, to the best of our knowledge, correct at the time of printing. We are not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of information submitted by external parties.