Palmerton Area Library is more than just a building with books. It has opportunities for everyone of all ages.

Preschool Story Hour is held at 10:30 a.m. on each Friday through the school year. The programs are free and there is no preregistration. All are welcome.Palmerton Area Library Knitting Club is for all area residents interested in knitting, crocheting and other crafts. See what's new in the crafts and share stories. Ideas will be discussed about knitting for various charities.The knitting club meets on the first and third Monday of each month at the library from 6-8 p.m. The club is free.New members are always welcome.Palmerton Area Library Third Monday Book Club meets the third Monday of each month at the library from 12-1:15 p.m. for adults. New members are always welcome. On Nov. 21 they will discuss "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. On Dec. 19 they will discuss "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See.Yoga classes are offered on Saturday mornings at 9 a.m. Participants should call the teacher at 570-436-1762 for more information.The library sponsors a used book sale in the basement on a daily basis. New used books arrive daily along with videos, puzzles and CD's. Lots of good paperbacks and children's books are available. Over 2,000 books and videos are available. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the library will hold a "Buck a Bag" sale. Fill a bag with books for only $1. Do your Christmas shopping at the library.The board of directors of the Palmerton Area Library meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the library at 4 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.The next meeting of the Friends of the Library will be Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.Stop in the library to pick up a membership form or join online and find out opportunities to volunteer and serve the library.Visitors and new members are always welcome.The Teen Advisory Group is for students in grades 7-12. New members are always welcome. The group is currently remodeling and painting a section of the library basement. They will meet at the library after school on Thursday, Nov. 17 to begin plans for a Holiday party for the younger kids. Call for more info and ask for Mariann.There are ongoing watercolor classes for kids. Call the teacher at 610-824-4962 for more information about signing up.Tail Waggin' Tutors is children reading to dogs and sponsored by Therapy Dogs International, Inc. They will be at the library every month on the second Saturday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.It is free to all area children but they must register ahead of time for a time slot.Practice your reading skills with no pressure. The next session will be Saturday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Call the library to reserve your time slot.The library has started a new volunteer program. Ask at the desk for a volunteer packet and sign up to help shelve books, work in the book sale, decorate the display window, adopt a shelf, help with the teen group, etc. Individuals must be at least 13 years old. Volunteers are needed to help sort donated books for the basement book sale. Outdated, damaged, or unsuitable books are separated. Volunteers are needed to tear the covers off before the books are delivered to the recycling bin. Volunteers then put the suitable books on the shelves in the basement. This volunteer work can be done any time the library is open.The Homework Helpers program is an exciting new addition to the activities at the library. Volunteers will tutor your child after school on Wednesdays. If your child needs extra help with math, reading, spelling or any other subject, call the library to sign up for this free service. Also call if you would like to volunteer to be a tutor. So far about 20 students in grades 1-8 have been participating. The program is after school until 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Students receive group or individual help from retired teachers and other qualified adult volunteers and high school honor students. Parents must fill out a registration form and students must bring their homework or assigned projects to the library.Parents interested in enrolling their children should call the library and ask for Mariann.Registration is now being taken for Beginner computer classes which will start in Dec. You may also put your name on the waiting list for spring classes.Over 40 handmade items for a raffle are currently on display. Items are donated by the library staff, volunteers, friends and supporters. Stop in today to purchase tickets. The drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 5.Purchase a Gold Card for a friend or family member. For a fee of $100 per year the holder of the Gold Card is exempt from all late fines and fees, a great gift for the library lover in your family.Donate a book to the library in honor of a loved one as a Christmas gift. Don't know what to get for that person who has everything? This is a great way to support the library and show your Christmas spirit.Coming in January is the Palmerton Area Library Annual Art Show and Lunch sponsored by the Friends of the Library will be held Sunday January 29 from 12-3 p.m.Tickets are on sale now. Artists wishing to display work should call the library for more information.The Palmerton Area Library is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.The library has six computers with Internet access, color printer and copier, fax service over 50 magazines and newspapers available for the public. Currently, over 33,000 books, DVD's, cd's, audio books and children's books with cd's are available for checkout by the public.The library is working with the other libraries in the Allentown district to have free downloadable eBooks and eAudio books available by Jan. 1, 2012. At that time, patrons with an eReader (Nook, Kindle, iPad, etc.) will be able to download free books from home 24 hours a day.If you would like to learn more about any of the programs at the library, please call 610-826-3424.