Library Cards

The Northampton Area Public Library extends service to all residents of the Northampton Area School District. Any resident who is age 12 or older is eligible for an adult card.

 

¨ Children in Kindergarten and up to the age of 12 may get a library card with parental permission.

 

¨ All patrons are required to fill out patron record cards, which are retained by the library.

 

¨ Proof of residency is required. A valid driver’s license is the preferred proof of residency.

 

¨ Library cards are renewed on a yearly basis.

 

¨ A $1.00 fee is assessed for lost library cards.

Number of renewals

Items may be renewed one time only. Reserve materials and class project books may not be renewed. Telephone renewals are taken at any time before the materials are overdue. You may also renew items through our online catalog.  Special allowances are made for snow days.

Special Services

Reserving Materials:

Materials that are in circulation may be requested and placed on reserve. Patrons are then notified by telephone when the materials are available. Materials are then held for 3 business days at the front desk. After that time, materials are returned to circulation or passed on to the next person on the reserve list.

Interlibrary Loans:
If we do not have what you are looking for, we can request an Interlibrary Loan. This loan goes through our District Center, The Bethlehem Area Public Library. If the district center does not have the materials requested, the request will be sent to other libraries.  Click here to see our interlibrary loan policy.  Click here to request interlibrary loan items online.

 

Homebound Services:

Persons living in the Northampton Area Public Library’s direct service area who because of age, illness or other temporary or permanent disability are unable to use the library are eligible for homebound services.  Eligibility for each individual will be determined by the director.

 

The patron may borrow books, magazines, pamphlets, music CDs, DVDs, Playaways (portable digital books), CD-ROMs, and books on CD.    The patron may also choose between regular or large print books. These materials are delivered and picked up by a home delivery service volunteer.

 

The reference librarian will determine what sort of materials each homebound patron would like to receive and can send an assortment matched to their interests or pull specific titles requested by the individual.  The library will also borrow books from other libraries (through interlibrary loan), if we do not own a specific title.  Click here to apply online for this service.

History of the Library

The following is an excerpt from the building dedication program from 1973.  A copy of the program is available for viewing at the library.

 

“The first Public Library in Northampton opened its doors on August 23, 1965.  It was located in the bay at the North end of the Northampton Memorial Community Center.  It contained over 5,000 volumes and various magazines and newspapers.  Mrs. Elizabeth Schmoyer served as the first Librarian with Mrs. Dorothea Borger as assistant and Mrs. Cynthia Hess as Clerk-Typist.  Mrs. Arlene Koch served as custodian and we are proud to note that she still serves in that post.

 

The first Board of Trustees were appointed to serve by the Northampton School Board and were as follows: Dr. George A. Eichler, deceased, President; Mr. John A Sylvester, Vice President; Mrs. Leon F. (Catherine G.) Smith, Secretary; Mr. E. Albert Boyer, Treasurer; Attorney Frank Skrapits, Mrs. Lloyd C. (Mabel I.) Schisler, Mr. George Bennis, deceased; Mr. Darle Strohl and Mr. Stephen Budihas.  On the first day of operation 475 books were borrowed.  By December of that year 693 Juvenile cards and 694 Adult cards had been issued and 4,384 books had been circulated.  This rapid growth in such a short period of time had proved great interest and need in the community for a Public Library.  The Board of Trustees soon realized that the Library would not be long in outgrowing its limited quarters in the Community Center.

 

Early in 1966 the Northampton Borough School Board was dissolved when the Northampton Area School District became a Union District, thus, since the School District was the financial backer of the Library the name of the library was changed to Northampton Area Public Library and the Area residents were included in borrowing privileges and area people were appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees.  The new Board consisted of the following: Dr. George A. Eichler, President; Mr. John E. Sylvester, Vice President; Mrs. Leon F. (Catherine G.) Smith, Secretary; The Rev. John Reese, Treasurer; Mr. John Hauck, Mrs. Lloyd C. (Mabel I.) Schisler, Mr. Robert L. Jones and Mrs. Michael (M. Alene) Shafer.  Shortly thereafter Dr. Albert G. W. Schlegel and Mr. Jacob Seiple were added.

 

In October 1967 a valuable doll collection was presented to the Library by Mr. and Mrs. Wesley R. Wilson of Bethlehem.  Mrs. Wilson is the former Anna Schisler of Northampton.  The collection consists of dolls dressed authentically as the First Ladies in their inaugural gowns.

 

At the end of 1966 the Library was serving approximately 22,000 persons residing in the Area School District and the Board was seriously taking note of the inadequacy of the present location and had many discussions about the erection of a new building.  A building fund was established by Dr. George A. Eichler, with a contribution on October 19, 1966, but the fund grew very slowly.

 

In July 1967 the first library branch was established in the Lehigh Township Elementary School.  This branch was open several evenings each week and manned by volunteers living in that area, but supervised by the Librarian.  In March 1968 the second branch was opened in the Moore Township Elementary School.  This branch was also maintained by volunteer help but with the supervision of the Main Library Staff.

 

Additional space for the Main Library was approved by the Community Center Board.  This space was a strip 5’ x 60’ from the room adjoining the library.  Shelves were built there, for the overflow of books by the Universal Atlas Cement Company.

 

On August 18, 1970, Miss Linda J. Snyder joined our staff as Head Librarian.

 

On August 1, 1970, the Bath Public Library located in the Municipal Building in the Borough of Bath became the third and largest branch, thus affording more and better service for the Area.  The staff at the Bath Branch includes: Mrs. Dorothy Y. Nordquist, Mrs. Helen M. Evrard and Mrs. Elizabeth A. Gabriel under the supervision of the Head Librarian, Miss Snyder.

 

The growth by now was so rapid that the Board of Trustees still planned, hoped and dreamed that someday they could find the means to build a new Library.  This dream was finally realized in October 1971 when the Board was informed that Mr. and Mrs. George H. Schisler had announced they would provide $125,000.00 for the construction of an Area Public Library Building.  When the announcement was made Mr. Schisler said : ‘I was born and brought up in Northampton and conducted my business here all my life.  I’ve been wanting to do something for the people of the Community for a long time.  The Library is a good opportunity.  It serves a good purpose.  Providing it with a permanent building was as fine a way as I can think of to show my love for this Community and my appreciation for what the people have done for me.’  What a wonderful, Christian thought to share your good fortune with your fellowman!  The Community will be forever in debt to Mr. and Mrs. Schisler for this generous gift.

 

The Board now began the prodigious but delightful task of planning this beautiful new building.  Mr. Jay Ferreira of Bond and Miller, Associates was selected to be the Architect for the Building.  In October 1971 the Borough of Northampton deeded the land, located on Laubach Avenue, bounded by the Northampton School District property and the Northampton Memorial Community Center, to the Northampton Area Public Library, for the new building.  On April 17, 1972, the charter of incorporation was issued.  The charter lists it as a non profit corporation which can accept tax deductible monetary gifts.  The Area it serves includes the boroughs of Northampton, Bath, Chapmans Quarries and the Townships of Allen, East Allen, Lehigh and Moore.”

 

As of August 2009, the library has more than 67,000 items including books, music CDs, DVDs, CD-Roms, books on CD, magazines and newspapers.  There are approximately 2,500 juvenile cardholders and 12,500 adult cardholders.  In the period of July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009, there were 133,538 items circulated.

 

The library currently has only one building.  The branches have all been closed for many years.  At this time, the library is staffed by Mary Beller, the Library Director, eight full-time staff and four part-time staff.