South Side branch library lacks Lehigh presence

Libraries are known for being quiet places filled with community members reading or working with minimal distractions, but on an average day the South Side Branch of the Bethlehem Area Public Library is quiet in a different way.

It’s quiet with the sound of emptiness.

The South Side Branch of the Bethlehem Area Public Library is a place where members of the community are encouraged to read, learn and participate in events held at the library. While this may not be lost among members of the Bethlehem community, the majority of Lehigh students remain unaware of this resource even though it is located on Webster Street, not far from Lehigh’s campus.

A regular patron, Al Bermudez, said he usually sees adults in their late 30s in the library. He said students seem to lack knowledge about the library as a resource beyond what’s offered on campus.

“Since we are on Lehigh’s campus we have our own library, so we don’t really hear about the off-campus library,” Tori Richardson, ’19, said. “It is more for the people who live around here.”

Branch manager Brenda Grow said there are differences between Lehigh’s on-campus libraries and what the South Side Branch can offer students.

“I would think more (Lehigh students) would come,” Grow said. “Unless they changed the college/university libraries, their collection caters to the curriculum. So you can’t tell me there aren’t students who want to read for enjoyment even though they are going to school or for a non-busy weekend. We are not flooded with college students.”

Janine Santoro, a branch adult services technician, said she would like to see students use their expertise in different subjects to benefit the community by conducting their own workshops at the library. She said mostly older people and members of the Bethlehem community attend these events and she also cited a lack of volunteers to run these programs.

Grow partly attributes the shortage of volunteers to a lack of awareness of volunteer positions. She said the only way students can find out about volunteer positions is by looking at their website or going in and asking.

Students are also eligible to attend the adult workshops the library offers. In the past, workshops have included knitting, crocheting and positive psychology. Grow said these are well-attended by the general community, but not college students. There will also be upcoming classes on basic Spanish and Zumba, which students are encouraged to attend.

Clare Ebner, the circulation technician for the South Side Branch, said an important way students can get involved is through the South Side book sale, which will run this week from Nov. 15-19.

In addition to providing programming and educational tools for adults, one of the main functions of the South Side Branch is it serves as a safe place for kids.

“It is a safe location for kids to come after school where they can utilize our resources, socialize, as well as provide entertainment and educational resources,” Grow said. “People of the South Side trust us, so they will come. People have learned by word of mouth we would help them to the best of our ability. Not all libraries will do that.”

The library also offers workshops for kids such as storytime classes. Ebner said the library carries an assortment of both new and classic books and media.

Although the South Side Branch is looking for volunteers, some university organizations do work with the library toward the goal of helping out the community.

Throughout November and December, members of Alpha Phi sorority are hosting a STEM workshop at the library. These workshops aim to educate children in second through eighth grade who are interested in learning about STEM-related fields and opportunities.

During the first session, around 30 children attended the event from the Bethlehem community. Different booths were set up so attendees could interact and learn about science and technology. These included working with circuits, robotics, KEVA planks, physics and math. The event was free with no prior registration required.

“I would definitely attend again to volunteer and hang out with the kids because they are amazing,” Alpha Phi volunteer Ally Kornberger, ’19, said. “They want to come to the library, learn and engage in educational activities.”