Hi! Thanks for checking out our new blog, where we’ll be writing about everything we’ve got going on at the library. Whether it’s an event, a new resource to make your life easier, or a peek behind the scenes, we’ll share it with you here. And while this first message is a bit on the long side, we promise to keep future posts short and lively!
It’s been an exciting 2018 so far at EPL, and I wanted to share a few highlights …
In February, we broke ground on the new Children’s wing. We’re adding 2,600 square feet to house the children’s and young adult collections and creating a dedicated space for teens. That will open up space to expand the adult area, which will include a new lounge and a Friends of the Emmaus Library ‘bookstore.’
I’m happy to say we’re on schedule and on budget. Thanks for putting up with the noise, dust and unfinished parking lot these past few months – and thank you for your generous donations! We wouldn’t be where we are without your support.
Construction is expected to wrap up in October and we look forward to sharing the new wing with you a few weeks after that. Stay tuned for details on our grand opening.
In June, we went live with our new circulation system – SPARK. We migrated records for more than 90,000 items and 13,000 patrons, and while the transition went smoothly overall, we know there have been a few hiccups. We appreciate your patience and support while we worked through the issues.
SPARK will bring significant savings over our old system. It also means that for the first time ever, you’ll have the catalogs of 11 area libraries at your fingertips, since all of the libraries in Lehigh and Carbon counties (except for Allentown*) will now use the same system. Early next year, you’ll be getting a new library card that will be good at all 11 libraries in the ‘Lehigh-Carbon Library Cooperative’ without having to register at each one or have a card covered with barcodes.
We had our biggest Summer Reading Club ever, preventing the dreaded ‘summer slide’ in reading skills and making sure kids hit the ground running this fall. A total of 423 kids and 110 teens logged more than 3,100 hours over the summer. Some 280 adults got in on the fun too, submitting book reviews for a chance to win gift baskets every week.
Thank you to our sponsors (see right) for their generous support!
Don’t miss our Summer Reading Club Finale Pool Party on Thursday, August 23, 5-8 PM at the Emmaus Community Pool. Be sure to bring your EPL card to get in free! We will be having snacks, crafts and a story with Miss Sue.
So, as you can see, it’s been a very busy year so far, and we look forward to a fun fall in the new wing and more great changes.
Check back for new posts every few days and watch your email for our new newsletter in the next few weeks.
See you at the library!
Maryellen Kanarr
Director
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* The Allentown Public Library is part of the ‘Lehigh Valley Library System’ — along with the Bethlehem and Easton public libraries — and will have a separate card. The Emmaus Public Library is part of the ‘Lehigh-Carbon Library Cooperative,’ which includes 11 libraries in Lehigh and Carbon counties.
