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Hours & Closings
The current Library Hours are as follows:
- Monday 10am-5pm
- Tuesday 10am-8pm
- Wednesday 10am-8pm
- Thursday 10am-8pm
- Friday 10am-5pm
- Saturday 9am-4pm (9am-1pm July & August)
- Sunday CLOSED
2023 Closing & Holidays
Any unanticipated full-day or early closures, and delayed openings will be noted on this website, Facebook, and Instagram. In addition to these resources, you can check WFMZ for adjusted hours due to inclement weather.
The following is a list of scheduled closures (all are full-day, unless otherwise noted).
- Monday, January 2, 2023 – New Year’s Observed
- Monday, January 16, 2023 – Martin Luther King Day
- Monday, February 20, 2023 – President’s Day
- Friday, April 7, Saturday, April 8, 2023, and Monday, April 10, 2023 – Spring Holiday
- Saturday, May 27 and Monday, May 29 2023 – Memorial Day Holiday
- Tuesday, July 4, 2023 – Fourth of July Holiday
- Saturday, September 2 and Monday, September 4, 2023 – Labor Day Holiday
- Monday, October 16 and Tuesday, October 17, 2023 – Staff training
- Saturday, October 21 – 2023 Nazareth Halloween Parade
- Wednesday, November 22, 2023 – Closure @ 5 pm/ Thursday, November 23 through Saturday, 25 – Thanksgiving Holiday
- Saturday, December 9, 2023 – Open to public for festivities/not serving patrons – Christmas in Nazareth
- Saturday, December 23 and Monday, 25, 2023 – Winter Holiday
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Vision & MissionOur Vision & Mission
Vision Statement
The library will be the community center of the municipalities we serve, where members of the community share experiences, information, and cultivate relationships.
What is the purpose of the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity? The answer is to provide books, story times, and Internet access. However, our library offers more than that. The library provides a variety of services and access to many resources. These include:
- Programming for children and adults
- A clean, safe place to read, work, study, and collaborate
- Written materials in a wide variety of formats including print, large print, audio, and electronic
- Public access computers
- Wi-Fi capabilities
- Online resources
It is not our mission to provide these services and resources. It is through these services and resources that the library strives to fulfill its mission, this is our unique reason to exist. The methods of how we accomplish our mission are fluid, but the relevance of our mission continues.
Mission Statement
To inspire and enrich the lives of the residents in our supporting municipalities by offering valuable lifetime literacies and a community centric service approach.
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Location & Service AreasLocation & Service Areas
Street Address
Memorial Library of Nazareth & Vicinity
295 East Center Street
Nazareth, PA 18064
Main entrance is located on Pine Street, via our parking lot.
Phone & Fax
610.759.4932 (phone)
610.759.9513 (fax)
Supporting Municipalities:
We are proud to serve our supporting municipalities: Bushkill Township, Lower Nazareth, Borough of Nazareth, and Upper Nazareth Township. Residents of these four municipalities can receive a MLNV library card with proof of address. To learn more about who is eligible for a library card, click here.
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MembershipMembership Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a library card, you must belong to one of the following groups:
- A current resident of one of the 4 communities that support the library: Bushkill Township, Lower Nazareth Township, Nazareth Borough, or Upper Nazareth Township. Please bring proof of your residency (e.g., driver’s license, utility bill, insurance, etc.) when applying for a card.
- A member of another Pennsylvania library, holding a valid library card with the “Access PA” sticker on it. This sticker makes you eligible to receive a card from our library. Please present your home library membership card when applying for an MLNV card.
Residents of Stockertown, Tatamy, and Plainfield Townships are not eligible for MLVN Library cards because those townships do not contribute to the library’s funding. If you are a resident of one of these townships, you may purchase a library card from one of the following libraries, to be used only at the library issuing the card:
Bangor Public Library
Easton Area Public Library
Blue Mountain Community Library
If you are a resident of a township that does not support a public library, consider talking to your local government officials about the benefits of doing so.
Programs, events, and library space usage are open to all members of the public, regardless of membership status.
To learn what library provides you with services, please click here.
Children between the ages 2-12 with a valid library membership are eligible to participate in the Summer Reading Program. Children who are Access patrons, meaning Nazareth is not their home library but they have an orange Nazareth card, may also register for Summer Reading. If the child is not old enough to receive a library card at their home library, but their parent/guardian has an up-to-date card from both their home library and Nazareth, they are still eligible to register for Summer Reading. Children who are old enough to receive a card at their home library must do so. Children who live in a municipality that does not support a library may not register for the Summer Reading Program reading challenge, but they are free and welcome to attend all library programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t all municipalities and boroughs support the public libray?
The residents of our supporting municipalities enjoy everything our library offers because their government leaders believe libraries are an essential government service. These local municipalities support the library as part of responsive and responsible government.
What other mechanisms support the library?
Libraries are assigned by the state to District Library Centers. District Library Centers have nothing to do with School Districts. The Library receives no funding from the Nazareth Area School District. The Library receives no funding from the Bethlehem Library District. The Library receives no funding from Northampton County.
What service area does our district serve?
Our Library is assigned to the Bethlehem Library District.
How does this affect Tatamy, Stockertown, and Plainfield Township?
Tatamy, Stockertown and Plainfield Township are not part of this Library’s service area. Tatamy and Stockertown are assigned by the state to the Easton Area Library District Center and any discussion on funding library service must first be with the Easton Area Library District.
How can a municipality become a member?
Any municipality wishing to provide library services to their residents by supporting our Library would have to agree to contribute using our current formula which is based on reported EIT numbers from each municipality. Residents of Tatamy, Stockertown and Plainfield Township have the strongest influence in persuading their local government officials that providing library service is a priority for their community.
Can I buy a library card?
The Easton Area Library and Bangor Library sell cards to non-residents. Therefore, residents of Tatamy, Stockertown, and Plainfield Township who are willing to purchase a card do have library service. Please remember that these purchased library cards can only be used at the library that they are purchased. Library cards that do not contain ACCESS PA stickers are not accepted at the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity.
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StaffOur Staff
Holly Bennett
Executive Director
610.759.4932 x6
Catherine Stewart
Senior Library Associate
610.759.4932 x5
For any questions, please call 610.759.4932 or email the following departments (emails will be returned within 3 business days):
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Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors
A (9) member Board of Directors plus (2) Emeritus members governs the library. Directors represent each funding municipality. Members of the Board serve for a period of three years.
- Jeff Shepherd – President
- Mary Reichel – Vice President
- Leonard Fodera – Treasurer
- Julie Bender – Secretary
- Becky Bartlett – Member
- Jarred Bedoya – Member
- James Cunningham – Member
- Barbara Fischl – Member
- Amy Templeton – Member
- Chris Crook – Nazareth Borough Liaison
- Nate Golub – Lower Nazareth Township Liaison
2023 Meeting Dates
- January 24, 2023
- February 28, 2023
- March 28, 2023
- April 25, 2023
- May 23, 2023
- June 27, 2023
- July – No meeting
- August 22, 2023
- September 26, 2023
- October 24, 2023: Meeting Location:;S Church St & Center St, Nazareth, PA 18064
- November 14, 2023
- December 12, 2023
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Work With Us!Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
Employment
The Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity requires that applicants submit an employment application for open positions. You may submit a résumé, but you must also complete the entire application; incomplete applications will not be considered. Résumés are not accepted without a completed employment application.
Applications can be downloaded and emailed to [email protected].
Job Openings
- There are no active job openings at this time.
MLNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates must pass PA State and Federal criminal background checks and obtain a PA Child Abuse History Clearance Certificate.
To apply, fill out our employment application. Submit your application to [email protected] or submit at the front desk.
Volunteer
- For volunteer opportunities, please click here »
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Library Business & FundingLibrary Business & Funding
Funding Sources
The Library is supported locally by contributions from: Nazareth Borough, Lower Nazareth, Upper Nazareth and Bushkill Townships. The Library budget is determined by the Library’s operating needs, goals of the current strategic plan and anticipated state funding.
The Library budget is prepared and recommended by the Library Budget Committee, which is made of members of the Library Board and 1 elected official from each supporting municipality. The budget is then submitted to the Library Board for approval. The Board approved budget is then sent to each funding municipality.
Funding is also received in the form of state aid contributions from the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries. State funding amounts are calculated on local funding received, therefore any decreases in local funding adversely affect future state funding. This fact makes full funding from each local municipality vital.
Other funds are received from private fundraising, donations, grants and fines/fees collected.
The Library receives no funding from the Nazareth Area School District.
The Library receives no funding from Tatamy, Stockertown, or Plainfield Township.
A municipality wishing to become a supporting municipality would be obliged to agree to the current local funding formula.
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Library HistoryHistory of the Library
The idea of a public library for Nazareth and its surrounding communities was conceived following WWII when the community decided to erect a living memorial honoring all the local men and women who served in time of war.
Prior to construction of a library facility, Mr. Nelson Freeman donated the second floor of his South Main Street store as a temporary library.
The ground was broken for the Library on April 30, 1950 and the dedication was held May 30, 1951.
By 1970, library usage had increased almost tenfold. The heirs of Peter and Katherine Trumbower donated the Trumbower home, at the corner of Center and New Streets, as a larger library facility. The library moved into this, its present location, in May of 1970.
Once again the library outgrew its building, and in September of 1995 a campaign to build the 1.2 million-dollar addition began. Construction and renovation of the library, as it appears today, began in December of 1997. The new facility was rededicated on June 13, 1999.
Source:
Yeakel, Elmer & Alice. (1998) The History of the Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity. Moravian Hall Square Museum Craft Shop: Nazareth, PA.
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FAQsFrequently Asked Questions
What do I need to get a library card?
Please view our Membership Eligibility for complete information of who can join the library and how to do so.
Do I need a library card to use the computers?
You do not need a library card to use our computers. Any member of the public may use our public computers. No sign-in is required.
My children go to Nazareth schools, why can we not get library cards?
The library receives no funding from Nazareth Area School District. School district distribution has no bearing on library service area.
Residents of Stockertown, Tatamy, and Plainfield Townships are not eligible for MLVN Library cards because those townships do not contribute to the library’s funding. If you are a resident of one of these townships, you may purchase a library card from one of the following libraries, to be used only at the library issuing the card:
Bangor Public Library
Easton Area Public Library
Blue Mountain Community Library
If you are a resident of a township that does not support a public library, consider talking to your local government officials about the benefits of doing so
Programs, events, and library space usage are open to all members of the public.
If I can't join MLNV, where is my library?
The following is a list of local libraries and the townships that they serve.
Go to Memorial Library of Nazareth if you live in:
- Bushkill Township
- Lower Nazareth Township
- Nazareth Borough
- Upper Nazareth Township
Go to Easton Area Public Library if you live in:
- Easton Area School District
- Easton (city)
- Forks Township
- Lower Mount Bethel Township (the part served by the Easton Area School District)
- Palmer Township
- Riegelsville Borough
Go to Bethlehem Area Public Library if you live in:
- Bethlehem (city)
- Bethlehem Township
- Fountain Hill Borough (Lehigh County)
- Freemansburg Borough
- Hanover Township (Northampton County)
- Lower Saucon Township
Go to Mary Meuser Memorial Library if you live in:
- Wilson Area School District
- Glendon Borough
- West Easton Borough
- Williams Township
- Wilson Borough
Go to Northampton Area Public Library if you live in:
- Northampton Area School District
- Allen Township
- Bath Borough
- Chapman Quarries Borough
- East Allen Township
- Lehigh Township
- Moore Township
- Northampton Borough
Go to Bangor Public Library if you live in:
- Bangor
- East Bangor
- Lower Mount Bethel Township (part)
- Portland
- Roseto
- Upper Mount Bethel Township
- Washington Township
Go to Hellertown Area Public Library if you live in:
- Hellertown Borough
NOTE – Some Northampton County Communities do not support a public library including: Tatamy, Stockertown and Plainfield Township. Residents of those communities may purchase cards at: Easton Area Public Library, Palmer Public Library and Bangor Public Library. These cards may be used at the issuing library only.
Do you accept book donations?
The library only accepts book donations during specific weekends before our biannual book sales. For up-to-date information on donation days, click here
The library accepts new and used book published within the last three years for consideration for our collection and for our ongoing lobby book sale.
How do you sign up for the online newsletter?
Go here or email [email protected] to sign up for our monthly newsletter.
How many times can I renew a book?
Books circulate for 2 weeks. You can renew a book three times, unless it is on hold for another patron (in that case, you cannot renew). Books will automatically renew unless a book is on hold for another patron, so calling or coming in to renew is not necessary. The library does not charge fines for overdue materials.
Please contact the Circulation Desk for renewal policies for other items (e.g., DVDs, museum passes, etc.).
My items are overdue, how do I pay fines?
The library does not charge fines for overdue materials. Materials checked out and not returned with the full eight-week renewal period will be considered “Lost,” and the patron in question will not be able to check out further items until the lost item is returned. If a patron has actually lost an item, they must replace in full or pay the full cost of an item to have it removed from their account. The library will also charge the full cost of replacement if an item is damaged beyond repair, i.e. heavy water damage, torn-out/missing pages, etc.
I damaged a book, what should I do?
The library has an in-house repair specialist who will freely repair minorly damaged books and discs. This includes damages such as, loose or torn pages, damaged spines, scratches, torn covers, etc. Patrons should not attempt to repair any item themselves, or they may be charged for further damage. Patrons who return items deemed damaged beyond repair; such as those with water damage, staining, writing, missing/torn-out pages, etc.; will be charged the full cost of replacement for the item in question.
What other items can I check out with my library card?
The library has a large collection of DVDs available for check out, including movies, TV shows, and non-fiction media. The library also has a collection of Xbox, PS4, and Nintendo Switch games available. Wi-Fi hotspots are available for patrons for a pre-scheduled, 1-week check out period free of charge. The library also lends other odd items like board games, educational tools, and cake pans. The library has 5 ukuleles available for patron use.
How do I renew my library card?
Patrons who are residents of Nazareth Borough, Upper Nazareth Township, Lower Nazareth Township, and Bushkill Township must renew their library cards every three years. Patrons must present their library card in person to renew it. Replacement cards can be given at a charge of $3.00. Renewal of library cards ensures that patron information is up-to-date.
Patrons with an orange access card must renew annually. Patrons must present the same information as above, as well as their home library card with proof it is up-to-date.
Where is the copy machine and how does it work?
There is a black & white self service copy machine located by the patron computers; the coin slot is located next to it (and it does accept small bills and give change!). Copies are .15 cents/page.
Alternatively, you may bring your copies to the circulation desk, where a staff member will copy your documents for you.
For color copies and special copying requests you must bring your documents to the circulation desk.
What is the cost of different services?
Please click here for a full list of services we offer and their respective costs.
What are your hours?
The current Library Hours are as follows:
Monday 10am-5pm
Tuesday 10am-8pm
Wednesday 10am-8pm
Thursday 10am-8pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 9am-4pm (9am-1pm July & August)
Sunday CLOSED
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Contact Us!Patron Policies and Procedures
Patron Policies and Procedures
Click below to view and download the Memorial Library of Nazareth & Vicinity’s current policies for patrons. These policies cover patron behavior, meeting room reservations, and technology usage.
*NOTE: Many of our policies are currently being updated for 2024. If a current policy is not available in regards to an inquiry you have, please contact the library at 610-759-4932 (x1) for clarification on current rules.
Patron Behavior
This policy covers patron behavior within the library, including food, personal devices, substance use, and appropriate use of library space.
For further clarification on what constitutues an unattended child, and how the library is directed to deal with any issues that may arise, please refer to our Unattended Child Policy.
Meeting Rooms
Our meeting room policy is designed to allow equal access to all qualifying groups without discrimination. It is built to comply with the principles of the American Library Association and Library Bill of Rights.
To learn about reserving a meeting room, please contact [email protected] or stop into the library.
Technology and Internet
Our internet usage policy is designed to provide a safe and private browsing experience for all patrons.
In addition, the library provides the use of free WiFi hotspots to valid MLNV cardholders. To view our policy and obtain information on checking out a hot spot, please email [email protected]
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PA ForwardPA Forward
The Memorial Library of Nazareth and Vicinity (MLNV) was awarded a Gold Star rating by the Pennsylvania Library Association on November 18, 2019. The PA Forward program sponsors the Gold Star award. PA Forward is a Pennsylvania Library Association initiative that is partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, Governor.
PA Forward operates on the belief that “libraries have moved far beyond just being book repositories. They are agile institutions serving real-life needs. Libraries are the key to powering progress and elevating the quality of life in Pennsylvania by fueling the types of knowledge essential to success: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy, Civic and Social Literacy, Health Literacy, and Financial Literacy.” (Source:paforward.org)
The MLNV started working on its PA Forward star status at the beginning of 2019. Since February, the library has received a Bronze Star and Silver Stars for all five literacies highlighted by PA Forward. The MLNV will retain Gold Star Library status for three years.
With the help of PA Forward, our library strives to provide information and programming that promotes and strengthens the following literacies: basic, information, civic, social, health, and financial.
For more information on our PA Forward programming, check out our informational brochure.
