Bethlehem Library Notes for Wednesday, January 5, 2022

We’ve wrapped up yet another unexpected year at the library. Despite the challenges we faced with pandemic-related closures and service limitations, we spent much of 2021 dreaming up new ways to bring you the best of Bethlehem Public Library in a safe and socially responsible way. 

Some highlights from 2021:

— Our Luminaries for Hope display on the plaza walkway in early January was a way for our Bethlehem neighbors to share messages of hope for the new year;

— The library’s Kindness Matters campaign encouraged others to pay kindness forward;

— Our seed library returned in the spring with a new online “shopping” portal. We also added home seed-starting kits to our Library of Things collection;

— We added a texting option to our curbside pickup service;

— Rock star, playwright, and author Larry Kirwan paid a virtual visit and talked about his life and work, including his most recent novel “Rockaway Blue”;

— Coffee and Conversation hosted noted speaker Giacomo Calabria for a four-part virtual series highlighting the military science of the American Civil War;

— Creativebug, which provides thousands of high-quality, on-trend arts and crafts instructional videos, was added to the library’s digital resources;

— The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library held outdoor Pop-Up Book Sales in May and September;

— Bethlehem Public Library’s budget of $4.45 million for the 2021-22 fiscal year was overwhelmingly approved by voters. There was no increase in the levy over the previous year;

— Multiple Story Strolls were set up around town so that families could enjoy a picture book and activities outside;

— Summer Reading returned with the theme Tales and Tails;

— The library partnered with the town to provide family-friendly live entertainment all summer at our Thursdays in the Park series. We also welcomed the return of our Evenings on the Green summer music series;

— Children’s author and illustrator Jeff Mack stopped by for an outdoor event to talk about why and how he makes his books;

— Author Dr. Gretchen Sorin and filmmaker Ric Burns were part of a lively and important conversation sponsored by Upper Hudson Library about the documentary “Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America”;

— A new mobile app launched that allows users to search the catalog, manage their accounts, place holds, pay fines, and more;

— The Great Give Back provided an opportunity for library patrons statewide to partake in meaningful, service-oriented experiences;

— New York Times bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz, who has written seven novels, including “The Plot,” joined us for a virtual Q and A;

— October was a busy month for the library, with a virtual pumpkin-carving contest, trick-or-treating at the library, and the community Trunk or Treat event at the town park;

— Our blood drive in November was well-attended after a year’s hiatus;

— The library distributed K9-95 masks and rapid COVID test kits provided by Albany County and the Town of Bethlehem Emergency Management Office; and

— At year-end, circulation of library materials is once again approaching pre-pandemic levels.