Bethlehem Area Public Library
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL, INFORMATIONAL, CULTURAL, AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA AND ITS SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $3.6 million
- Spending
- $3.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 6.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 64%
- Employees
- 71
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $103,720, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2511 of 11 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $2.9 million spent. DURING 2024, THE BETHLEHEM AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY SUCCESSFULLY SUPPLIED THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF BETHLEHEM, BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP, BOROUGH OF FOUNTAIN HILL, AND HANOVER TOWNSHIP WITH LIBRARY MATERIALS INCLUDING BOOKS, PERIODICALS, ELECTRONIC RESOURCES, DVDS, BOOKS ON TAPE, BOOKS ON CD, AUDIO CDS, AND PLAYAWAYS (MP3 PLAYERS LOADED WITH SPOKEN BOOKS) FOR INFORMATIONAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, AND EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.THE ADMINISTRATION, CIRCULATION, AND TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS ARE INVOLVED IN MANY LIBRARY ACTIVITIES. RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE ALL THE PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN THE CIRCULATION AND HOUSING OF LIBRARY MATERIALS; MAINTENANCE OF PATRON RECORDS; PURCHASING OF SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT AND FURNITURE; LIBRARY-WIDE PUBLICITY AND PROMOTION; FUNDRAISING; BOOK SALES AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS; COORDINATION OF VOLUNTEERS; BOOKMOBILE SERVICES; BUILDING RENOVATIONS; REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND VEHICLES; DELIVERIES TO THE BRANCH AND DISTRICT LIBRARIES; AND VARIOUS OTHER GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES. THE DISTRICT CONSULTANT IS DESIGNATED BY COMMONWEALTH LIBRARIES AS BEING THE LIAISON FOR THE BETHLEHEM LIBRARY DISTRICT WITH ITS THREE OTHER DESIGNATED LIBRARIES - THE MEMORIAL LIBRARY OF NAZARETH, THE NORTHAMPTION AREA PUBLIC LIBRARY, AND THE HELLERTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE DISTRICT CONSULTANT OFFERS CONSULTING SERVICES AND WORKSHOPS FOR ALL FOUR LIBRARIES IN THE DISTRICT.THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ALL FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS AND BANK ACCOUNT RECORDS; PRODUCING MONTHLY OPERATING FUNDS REPORTS AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET; EMPLOYEE ATTENDANCE RECORDS; VACATION SCHEDULES; PERSONNEL RECORDS AND PAYROLL; MANAGEMENT OF THE LIBRARY'S FRINGE BENEFITS PROGRAM; MAINTAINING THE LEHIGH VALLEY LIBRARY SYSTEM FINANCIAL RECORDS; ADMINISTRATING STATE GRANTS; AND MAINTAINING THE DATABASE OF LIBRARY CONTRIBUTORS.THE ADULT SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS MADE UP OF THE INFORMATION DEPARTMENT AND THE INTERLIBRARY LOAN DEPARTMENT. TOGETHER, THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THE BEST POSSIBLE REFERENCE SERVICE TO THE LIBRARY'S USERS. REFERENCE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED IN PERSON, ON THE PHONE, BY MAIL, ONLINE, AND BY E-MAIL.IN ADDITION, THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT ALSO HANDLES MAINTENANCE OF THE PERIODICALS COLLECTION AND THE LOCAL HISTORY ROOM; INTERLIBRARY LOAN SERVICES NOT ONLY FOR LIBRARY PATRONS, BUT ALSO FOR OTHER DISTRICT LIBRARIES; AND A NEW OFFERING OF EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING ADULT PROGRAMMING. THE DEPARTMENT ALSO COOPERATES WITH THE LINDERMAN LIBRARY OF LEHIGH UNIVERSITY ON THE BETHLEHEM DIGITAL HISTORY PROJECT, WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY MANAGED BY MORAVIAN COLLEGE. THE SITE FEATURES IMAGES AND TRANSCRIPTS OF PRIMARY SOURCE MATERIAL RELATING TO BETHLEHEM'S FIRST 100 YEARS.THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ARE TO CONTINUALLY MAINTAIN THE LIBRARY'S ADULT BOOK COLLECTION, TO KEEP IT CURRENT AND COMPREHENSIVE AS OUTLINED IN THE "MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY, AND TO ORDER, RECEIVE, CLASSIFY, AND PREPARE ALL LIBRARY MATERIALS (ADULT, CHILDREN'S AND AUDIO-VISUAL) ACCURATELY AND PROMPTLY. THIS DEPARTMENT ORDERS ALL ADULT MATERIALS (PRINT AND NON-PRINT) AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING THE COLLECTIONS BALANCED AND CURRENT. REVIEWS NEED TO BE READ, AND SUBJECT AREAS THAT NEED UPDATING ARE IDENTIFIED. OUTDATED BOOKS ARE DISCARDED AND REPLACED WITH UPDATED EDITIONS, IF APPLICABLE. ALL CHILDREN'S AND YOUNG ADULT MATERIALS ARE ALSO RECEIVED, CATALOGUED, AND PROCESSED IN THIS DEPARTMENT.THE YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORDERING AND MAINTAINING MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS, AS WELL AS A PARENTING COLLECTION. THEY PROVIDE EXTENSIVE CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING INCLUDING STORY TIMES FOR ALL AGES, EDUCATIONAL AND ENTERTAINING PROGRAMS OF A HUGE VARIETY, FAMILY PLACE PROGRAMMING (A NATIONAL INITIATIVE), SUMMER READING PROGRAMS, AND AN ACTIVE TEEN ADVISORY BOARD. IN ADDITION, THEY WORK CLOSELY WITH AREA SCHOOLS, DAYCARES, AND HEADSTART PROGRAMS AND DO OUTREACH PROGRAMMING OUTSIDE OF THE LIBRARY BUILDING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 1944.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.