Very very helpful, kind and welcoming staff members…read more I really enjoyed the selection of magazines!!! Outside- A wonderful spot that overlooks the city. There are some cute little children's activities to do there but overall there is a huge Christmas tree, and a very wonderful library. It was nice to walk around with friends !

I've been going to the Bethlehem Library, main branch, since I was a kid, and it's always a…read morecomforting feeling walking into that historic building. I'm sad they got rid of the microfilm readers; I guess those were moved to the Allentown Library. Makes sense that these aren't as popular as they used to be, but I'll miss heading down to BAPL and idly scrolling through old newspapers for an hour or two. Anyway, the selection is basically good here. Lots of new fiction and classics, and a solid collection of DVDs and audiobooks and CDs. The staff is sometimes friendly, sometimes not as friendly. They're mostly fine. But the noise level of BAPL main branch . . . I have never been to another library as loud as this one. At any given time, library patrons are talking at normal volume, using noisy phones, or just generally, you know, not being silent, which is what you're supposed to be at a library. Isn't that one of the oldest rules of civilization, that you shut your mouth when you enter the hallowed grounds of the town library? When I was there a few days ago, a band concert or practice, I couldn't quite tell which, was going on in the "Quiet Study Room" between four and five o'clock. The doors were shut but of course it was extremely loud. I can't imagine them doing this kind of thing at Easton Library or really any other library I've visited in my entire life. I'll keep going to BAPL, I love a library, and like I said, their selection is good. But this is not a place I'd go and spend a couple hours just enjoying the atmosphere (or microfilm newspapers); when I go to BAPL, it's to grab something I've already researched on my own, and get out.

For people that work at a Library, they're very rude. Even the higher ups are not very polite.read more

I've only been to this BAPL location once. DH wanted a specific book and, for some odd reason,…read morethey shelved it at the Southside location. It's small with a tiny selection, but it does have a decent sized computer lab, if you need that. Parking is a pain, though. Unlike the main branch, which has a decent amount of street parking plus after hours parking in the city garage, street parking at this branch is very difficult at times. I'd go to the main branch, unless you see online that the title you need is here.

This is probably, short of a few areas colleges, the nicest library in the LV by a long shot…read more * There's only one parking lot in the back of the building and while it's not too large, I've never had trouble finding a space although if you did I guess you would be parking on the street which around here is kind of sketch. * Nice longer hours being open until eight Monday thru Thursday. * Nice sized children's area on the second floor and if the noise level is a bit too much on the other side of the second floor there is an adult's only area which is normally pin drop quiet. * Now that the libraries in Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton have joined forces one library card allows you to borrow from all three and return books to all three very much hassle free. * If there is one negative it would be that don't come trying to use one of their computers for any online activities as while there are a good number of terminals they are regularly full and people camp out for what seems like forever. * While a library has existed in Allentown for over one hundred years, the current building was built in the early 70's and quite honestly it looks like it. Also, don't let Google fool you into thinking that there are other Allentown library branches because this has been it since 2009 when deep state budget cuts forced the Emaus Avenue branch to close. For right now this is our go-to library when needed as everything is new-ish, clean and the staff is very customer service orientated. What's not to like?

I will agree with other reviewers. This is a very nice library. But I'm most disappointed with the…read morelack of professionalism and tolerance that some of these staff members have shown. I was recently here one night reading a book and waiting for my son to finish up with his study group and as I'm sitting there. These two staff members were whispering loudly about some incident that must have happened. And as she was talking the man's first question was ,Were they Hispanics? Are you serious. Is that the first thing that come out your mouth? Wow and I thought Allentown was more diverse than some of the suburbs. But I guess bias behaviors are everywhere these days. Guess I wont be coming here no more neither will my children. STOP JUDGING SO QUICKLY

There is always kids making a lot of noises when I'm try to do research here not a good place.read more

The Marx room is amazing for genealogical research! And the staff is very friendly and…read moreknowledgeable

I stumbled upon this library by accident due to my daughters taking dance lessons in the basement…read moreevery week and after a few months it really grew on us enough that even though it's out of our way we come here now instead of dealing with the more hostel and inept staff of the BAPL. While it may be a bit of a pain to some, the HAL does not open their outside book drop when the library is open so you always are handing it to a person inside or are putting your material in their inside drop area which is right at the front desk so you know they have the book and there is no mystery as to where it may have vanished. Also they allow you with ease to renew things over the phone. More than once we forgot to return something and were not near any options for the Internet but one easy call and the items were promptly renewed without hassle. Try that with the BAPL. It's like getting wisdom teeth pulled through your ear. While the catalog is naturally smaller they have most of what you would want and their magazine choices are quite vast. HAL is not for everyone due to it's smaller size but it works for us and we'll be coming for the foreseeable future.

This library is a gem! It's a center of our Coopersburg / Center Valley area for families, and it's…read moretucked right in by the Rail Trail here and soccer fields... all great things in real "hub" of our community! I think it should be more heavily funded and expanded with greater book collections for all our students in the area, including college/grad students etc. Also, it should have a coffee shop attached to it for those who want to check out books and go drink some coffee... akin to the Barnes & Noble sort of experience, or far better yet, Powell's Books of Portland, OR! Anyway, great little libraries are key to great, thriving communities for families and this one is a great start!!

Very community-centric and kid-friendly. The staff are supremely helpful, and the atmosphere gives…read moreoff a very cozy, local vibe. They also occasionally have rare literature and movies on sale at rock-bottom prices. Even the high school students who volunteer there are remarkably polite and can help you find what you're looking for.

The library was renovated in approximately 2021. The library is beautiful. I find the staff very…read morehelpful. Many volunteers work there to keep the books in order. There are new places to work. Their programs are great for all ages: from toddlers to seniors, and everyone in between. I love The Book Shop, which is a special room located in the back left corner of the library. You can buy books in very good condition. The Book Shop donates the money for many library programs. It's always decorated for the season. I love it!

A special thank you to Karen and everyone at circulation- I was so pleased that o left with a…read morevolunteer application. They are such wonderful, and kind people. A++

Great local library where staff are helpful, personable and knowledgeable…read more Those characteristics are very vital when you need questions answered about books, computers or media. Shout out to front desk employee, @Tammy and @Colton today for understanding my issue and responding and resolving it in a timely manner . Awesome teamwork. We appreciate your efforts and ongoing support.

The nicest library I've ever been to. The kids section is huge and has tons of toys in addition to…read morebooks. The kids programs are incredible. Every week they have things for the kids to attend. The library also serves as a community center where people can meet to work on a puzzle together or have a book club and the local homeless also are welcome to hang out and pick up some free toiletries and things like that. It's just an absolutely amazing library and community center.

Cute library with several different spaces. I enjoyed the civic center and relaxed there for an…read morehour just reading.

Y'all, this place has Charles Dickens' actual writing desk…read more We entered this beautiful building, mouths agape in wonder. One of the security guards told us to head straight up to the 3rd floor -- he compared it to a small museum full of rare things. Intrigued, we took his advice. So glad we did! We happened upon the free guided tour of the Rare Book Department, and spent the next hour happily being shown treasures such as books with special bindings, books with gold leaf, the taxidermied raven named Grip which inspired Edgar Allan Poe's famous work, and yes, Charles Dickens' desk, complete with his scratched-on initials. Later, we came across a giant shoe in one of the reading rooms. This place is fantastically magical. Love the Free Library of Philadelphia.