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Library Facilities
The Bethlehem Public library's essential mission has not changed, but we are implementing ways to better serve our patrons with new technology, expanded programming, and inviting spaces that encourage community connections and also provide private study areas.
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ACCESS
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Handicap parking and a ramp are available at the front entrance. A phone call to the staff can be made in advance of arrival to request assistance. There are handicap parking spaces in the rear and easy access to the Children's Room and the Leever Community room on the lower level. Please note that there is no elevator between floors.
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MAIN ROOM
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The first floor houses the adult collection, including fiction, mysteries, large print, sci-fi and fantasy titles, and new publications. Magazines, videos, and music CDs are also located here. There are three personal computers with internet access and a laser printer for public use. The library also offers Wi-Fi service for patrons with their own laptops, PDAs or other personal devices. Copies and fax services are available for a small charge.
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CHILDREN'S
ROOM |
Separate areas in the Children's Room on the lower level offer picture books for pre-schoolers, easy readers and chapter books for beginning readers, and a large collection of stories and non-fiction for middle graders. There are board books for toddlers, reference books for homework help, and educational games, toys and puzzles for rainy day fun. Subject collections of learning materials are loaned in backpacks funded by a grant from Thomaston Savings Bank to the Friends of the Library. The attractive room, enhanced by artist Carol Osinski's mural, is the setting for pre-school story hours, summer craft activities and summer "pj" story parties.
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LEEVER
COMMUNITY ROOM |
Created from a storage room on the lower level in 1988 with generous gifts from Harold and Ruthann Leever, this pleasant room offers space for meetings of community and civic groups. It is the site of book discussions and lectures, and book sales and literary coffeehouse performances sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
The room is equipped with a projection system for VHS, DVD and PowerPoint presentations. A small kitchenette is available for serving simple refreshments. In addition to the customary folding tables and chairs, there is a podium constructed of local wood by "Woody" Mosch in memory of librarian Barbara Mierzwinski. |
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EXHIBITION
SPACES |
Art, photography, artifacts, crafts or items of interest from residents and visiting artists are frequently on view in the Main Room display cases or in the Leever Community Room. Exhibits may be hosted by the library several times a year at the invitation of the Library Director or by inquiring at the circulation desk.
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^ Connecticut artist Carol Osinski transformed a former closet into a cozy reading nook with her painting of local scenes and storybook characters.
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^ Artwork on display in the Main Room ranges from classical paintings to a custom made quilt to various exhibits in the display cases.
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^ A custom circulation and information desk funded by the Friends of the Library is a focal point near the Adult Fiction area.
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^ Pre-schoolers love to identify details in the Winnie-the-Pooh wall painting.
^ Larry Hunt, mastermind of Masque,
crafted a giant elephant mask that reminds children of stories like deBrunhoff's "Babar" and Kipling's "The Elephant Child." |
^ The Children Room's hundreds picture
books, easy readers, toys, games and attractive bulletin board displays capture the imagination of our youngest visitors. 
^ What little visitor can resist Winnie-the-Pooh and Eeyore the Donkey?
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^ When Eric Ganetski celebrated his birthday, the library received one of his dad's carefully constructed dinosaur models - a perfect display for the library's collection of dinosaur books, perennial favorites of primary graders.
^ Around a window in the Children's Room, Bethlehem resident Judy Bridge created a decorative border with her charming paintings of beloved storybook characters.
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