June Happenings

 
 

Happy summer! June is the perfect time to share this photo of our charming porch and invite you to stop by the Library to enjoy some peaceful moments here, or in our rustic Outdoor Reading Area. If it gets too hot for you, spend some time inside in the air-conditioning browsing books & magazines, playing in the Children's Area, taking advantage of Wi-Fi & technology, attending programs, or just relaxing in our cozy space.


NEPA Gives! On June 4-5, 2026, our Library is participating for the first time in NEPA Gives, a 24-hour online giving extravaganza for our whole region. Last year, NEPA Gives brought together nearly 250+ organizations to raise nearly $1.4 million, and we are excited to be a part of the movement this year! Your gift matters! On June 4-5, we invite you to join in and donate to Barrett Friendly Library (our legal name) on NEPAGives.org between 7:00 PM-7:00 PM to help us reach our goal of $2500. All proceeds benefit library programs and services.


Books & Bubbly! Join us for our most delicious fundraiser at the Library on Fri, June 19, 6:30-8:30pm. Sample tasty treats and beverages from local restaurants, businesses, and friends of the Library. Enjoy an evening with good company in a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Tickets are on sale at the Library and online. $35 in advance; $40 at the door. Adults only, age 21+.


SAVE THE DATE:

On Saturday, August 1, the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library will host our 2026 LOL Comedy Night at Buck Hill Falls’ Tennis Tea. This Library fundraiser includes dinner, a live auction, a silent auction, and a hilarious evening of entertainment with comedians from New York City (arranged by Carla Johnston). Details coming soon; registration begins in early July. 

Artist Bev Abel captures nature’s many moods on canvas, like the power of an approaching storm, the peace of a summer afternoon, or the joy of brightly colored wildflowers. These exquisitely rendered watercolors, oils, and pastels are on display in the Weiler Family Community Room through August. Bev was recently awarded an honorable mention in Plein Air Magazine’s PleinAir Salon Art Competition.


Help us find some missing pieces! We're compiling a list of past Librarians who ran Barrett Friendly Library prior to 1988 and we have some gaps to fill in, mostly in the 1930s. We believe we have all of the names, but not all of the dates. If you know of anyone who served in that role, please let us know and help us finish our project!

This summer, the Barrett Township Historical Society display case features photos on the theme "We the People" to celebrate the formation of our nation and to represent people of the past & present in our community. Come take a look and see if you recognize anyone in this wonderful assortment of images!


Join us on Sunday, June 14, 1-4pm at the Cresco Train Station for Barrett Township Historical Society's Flag Day Celebration. Play historic children's games with Chelsea & Mary Ann! Stroll around and enjoy Early American craft demonstrations, face painting, a roving musician, an ice cream truck, and more!


Stop by the Library's table at the Rotary's Concert in the Park on Tue, June 30, 4:30-8:30pm (rain date: Wed, July 1). Spin & win library prizes, sign up for a library card, and more! For information about the event please visit the Rotary's website at https://www.rotarypoconos.com/concert-in-the-park


"Unearth a Story" at the Library this summer! Adults can participate in a "BINGO" challenge beginning in July (stay tuned for details). Kids are invited to the Summer Reading Kick-off Party on June 22 (registration required). Dinosaurs, archaeology, and dirt--we think you'll dig it!


Start your summer with a variety of programs this June including Movie Day (June 2), Book Clubs, Meditation, Storytimes, Summer Reading Kick-off Party for kids, and more!  For details, descriptions, and lists of upcoming programs, follow these links: Adult Programs; Youth Programs. Check our Facebook page www.facebook.com/BPFLibrary and web calendar www.barrettlibrary.org/events/ for additional programs, posts, and opportunities.


This year our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Community organizations in Barrett and Paradise Townships are planning a variety of activities and events throughout the year to celebrate this milestone. Follow the link below to view the shared calendar to see what's going on when and where. It may look sparse now, but more will be added in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates. Happy semiquincentennial!

America250 Barrett Paradise Community Calendar of Events


There are always new sparkling bargains to be found on our costume jewelry sale table. Get more bling for your buck! Then check out our Book Sale Corner. We have an abundance of items that have been trimmed from the collection and we will continue adding more as we work our way through the Library! Bag Sale: All items (books, audiobooks, DVDs) $5 a bag. Need a sturdy bag for all your purchases? We have tote bags for sale, too (scroll to see photo below). All proceeds benefit Library services.

Visit our website for updates and digital resources: www.barrettlibrary.org.


Read often and visit your Library!


Mary Ann Lewis

Library Director

Currently reading The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck, this month's Afternoon Book Club selection.

COMMUNITY INFO:

Crocheters needed! Join a local group that makes sleeping mats to help the homeless. The 3'x6' mats are crocheted using strips of plastic grocery bags. The mats are donated to homeless shelters in the Stroudsburg area. Get involved to help those in need and create awareness of what plastics are doing to our rivers and oceans! Please call or stop by the Library to get contact info for the group organizer.

Library Hours:

  • Mon, Wed: 10am – 8pm
  • Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat: 10am – 5pm


 

Computer Use: Walk-ins are welcome, or you may call ahead to reserve a computer.

Prints and copies: $0.25 per page for black & white; $0.50 per page for color.

Faxing: $1.50 for the first page plus $1 for each additional page. Staff assisted.

Scans: $1 per job. Staff assisted.

Online library card sign up!

You can begin registration for a library card on our catalog home page. Scroll to the botttom and click Request Library Card. Or feel free to call the Library or stop in to register for a card.


Also, if you have a library card but the number starts with "P," you can request a new 14-digit card using this form, or call/stop in to update.

 
 

Costume Jewelry Donations

Cleaning and organizing? If you come across old or unused costume jewelry please consider donating it to the Library. The jewelry will be put out for sale at the Library. All proceeds support Library programs and services. We appreciate your support!

 
Searchable History Project
Interested in local history? Our Searchable History Project is in the process of digitizing materials in three local history collections, beginning with items from the Buck Hill Falls community. The items that have been digitized are now available online, so you can view and explore the collection. So far, there are over 200 images from the early 1900s (many of the Cottages) and Buck Hill Breeze issues from the 1920s, ‘30s, and ‘40s. The archives web site and the project are a work in progress; come back often to see what's been added. You can go directly to the site at https://barrettlibrary.catalogaccess.com, or look for the Searchable History link on the Library’s main web site: www.barrettlibrary.org.
 
Brainfuse
Brainfuse provides support for learners of all ages, with an emphasis on assisting students in grades K-12. The Homework HelpNow service is staffed by professional tutors with expertise in all K-12 subjects. Online tutoring is available from 2 pm to 10 pm, seven days a week, to anyone with a library card. A Writers Lab allows students to receive live support with writing, or upload documents and receive feedback from experienced tutors. The platform also features: Practice tests and preparation for exams, including the SAT, ACT, ASVAB, GRE, GMAT and others; a 24/7 Question Center – students submit questions that are answered within 24 hours; support for students studying a foreign language; and more! Brainfuse also has support for adult learning, including preparing for the GED, career based exams, and help with writing resumes and preparing for interviews.
 
Hoopla!
Download ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music! You can borrow six items per month. If you haven't made an account with Hoopla yet, here's how (you will need your 14-digit library card number to create an account):
  • Go to www.hoopladigital.com.
  • Click on “Get Started Today,” located at the upper middle of the page to set up your account.
  • Follow the prompts to register.
  • After registering, download app onto your smart device and log in with new account information (You can also set up an account through the app).
 

Libby e-books, Audio-books, & Digital Magazines

Libby/OverDrive e-books: Download and enjoy e-books on your computer or portable device. The collection includes fiction and nonfiction e-books for all ages. Libby also offers audio-books and magazines. Click here or look for the link on the Library’s web page (www.barrettlibrary.org). This will take you to the Easton Library District Libby/Overdrive page. Search for titles or browse the collections. Click “Borrow” on a title, then select Barrett Paradise Friendly Library from the drop-down menu. Then enter your library card number (14-digit barcode with no spaces or dashes) and your PIN* (same PIN you use for our online catalog, the last 4 digits of your phone number, unless you changed it). Next, select Download (choose format) or Read (in your browser) and follow the prompts. If you use a mobile device (smart phone, tablet), OverDrive will prompt you to download the Libby app. If you already use Libby, you can add your Barrett Paradise Friendly Library account.

 

Free Library of Philadelphia

Any resident of Pennsylvania can get a library card from the Free Library of Philadelphia! With your new library card number, you can access their many digital media platforms, including Libby/OverDrive. To get your library card, go to https://catalog.freelibrary.org/MyResearch/register.

Click "Online" under "How to get a card?" and follow the instructions. Then browse all the digital media databases Free Library of Philadelphia has to offer! There are tens of thousands e-books, audiobooks, and more!

 

Name a Shelf at

Barrett Paradise Friendly Library

Something to think about: Name a Shelf at the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library! Please consider "buying" a shelf to honor an individual or an event. Your gift of $100 buys a nameplate attached to a small shelf in the Library. A gift of $1000 buys an entire section of shelves (3-6 shelves). Stop by the Library to fill out a form, or follow this link to submit a form online.

Curbside Pickup Service!
Yes, we still offer Curbside Pickup Service! Just call the library and let us know which books, audiobooks, magazines, and DVDs you want. We’ll arrange a time for you to come to the library and deliver them right to your car. Not sure what you want? Browse our online catalog (https://bpfl.sparkpa.org) or let us know what you like and we’ll make some suggestions.
 

The Board of Trustees of the Barrett Paradise Friendly Library meets on the 4th Monday of the month at 5:30 pm at the Library. The Board meets every month except December. Board meetings are open to the public.

 

Barrett Paradise Friendly Library | (570)-595-7171 | www.barrettlibrary.org/


Our Mission: To strengthen our community, the Library connects people with ideas, experiences, and each other, and inspires them to dream and succeed as lifelong learners.

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