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July 21

Bethlehem library begins work on $1.3 million children's center

Why Bethlehem's mayor and the city's top librarian took a sledgehammer to a library wall.

A heavy whack. And then a bang.

The sledgehammer wielded by Bethlehem Mayor Robert Donchez and the city's top librarian, Josh Berk, drove holes into the walls of the second floor library Thursday. And then, the men handed off the hammer to other local leaders to bang a few more holes.

It wasn't an act of vandalism but a ceremonial "wall-breaking" meant to mark the start of a $1.3 million project aimed to promote children's education.

Named for a longtime volunteer, the Frances L. Barnard Children's Center will triple the size of the children's reading room, offer more technology and incorporate a layout designed to inspire creativity and imagination.

In a time when more information is able to be accessed online, Berk said space for children and families to come together to learn in the same room is even more important.

"We're ready to knock down the walls," Berk, executive director of the library, told a group of community leaders and business dignitaries at a news conference.

The reading room is expected to be open by early next year.

The children's center will be on the second floor of the Main Library, 11 W. Church St., which was formerly the home of "the stacks," older books and bound periodicals in storage.

"This new addition will be spacious and inviting," Donchez said. "The new facility is designed to enhance academic growth and education and encourage children to enjoy reading and learning."

Robert Furst, Buckl Architects and Lehigh Valley Engineers are overseeing the project.

Barnard, a volunteer at the main library, had left a sizable bequest to the library for the children. Her son, David Barnard, and his family traveled from Virginia to attend the event.

The library also received a $500,000 grant from the state and raised the match through donations from 1,400 individuals, businesses and local foundations.

The reading room is the third phase of the library's "Room to Grow" project.

The first phase, completed in 2011, included the new Laros meeting room, a new roof, office relocations and a new ADA-compliant elevator at the Main Library. The second phase, completed in 2013 included, focused on repairs and renovations to the South Side Branch Library.

The main library was built in 1967.

The first and third phases of the Room to Grow project were supported from grants from the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, Pennsylvania Department of Education. The funds were provided by the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

Nicole.mertz@mcall.com

Twitter McallBethlehem

610-778-2253

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