The Palmerton Area Public Library is celebrating National Library Month for all of April. The theme for the national declaration is "We Do More Than Books."

Diane Danielson, the director of the library, thinks the theme suits them perfectly. They not only serve as a traditional library, but also as a community center."That's more of what libraries have become," she said. "And we have the space for it."Each month, clubs and classes meet in the library, as well as events such as art shows and music performances.This month, the Annual Photography Show will be held from 1-3 p.m. onApril 17. Then onApril 21, Celtic music will fill the halls.Seasons, a five-sibling band who have performed nationally, will play their fusion of music that incorporates harp, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle and more. The concert is free. Donations will be accepted to help cover the traveling expenses of the band."I'm looking forward to a good attendance for that one," Danielson said.One of the things Danielson said she loves most about the library is being there for people, even those who don't have a library card.She said a woman came in recently from Tamaqua and asked if she could use the computers. Not having a library card for Palmerton, the lady thought maybe she wouldn't be allowed to use the machines."She was so excited to be able to walk into a library and be allowed to use it without a card," Danielson said. "She said we made her day. It's good to be able to do that for people."The library is also helping people by running "Food for Fines" this month. But people don't have to have a fine in order to donate, she said.For those who do have fines, they are welcome to donate one nonperishable food item for every $1 of fine owed. The food can be placed in the green grocery cart by the front door. Last year, they filled the grocery cart three times, Danielson said. She hopes they can beat that this year. The donations will be given to the Christian Action Council of Palmerton Area Churches food pantry.Like any "business," it doesn't run on air. The library charges a rental fee to organizations and businesses that want to meet or hold classes there. This provides some revenue to the library.There are knitting and quilting clubs, a teen club, Third Monday Book Club, yoga, watercolor and computer classes, and even coloring for adults."You have to adapt to the new world or you would be out of business," she said.Recently, the library received a $5,400 grant from the Behler Foundation and purchased 12 laptops, a storage cart and a wireless printer. She hopes the new edition will be useful for the computer classes (they have four different classes) and the homework helpers that meet every Monday and Wednesday."I think it's going to work out really well," she said. "It was nice to get that extra money to purchase them."The library also gets help from the Friends of the Library Association and library board to raise money. They are already putting out "Save the Date" announcements about the golf tournament to be held on Aug. 26 at the Mahoning Valley Country Club."I have to say our library has a fantastic board," she said. "Our board members are a really hardworking dedicated group of volunteers."