Bethlehem Library Notes for Friday, January 8, 2016

Wouldn’t it be great if we could know what babies were thinking? Teaching sign language to infants and toddlers can facilitate this early communication by allowing them to relay basic needs and thoughts to their caregivers using signs.

The Bethlehem Public Library is pleased to be offering a Signing for Babies and Toddlers series that will take place every Friday, from Jan. 15 until Feb. 5, at 10 a.m. Over the course of the program, presenter Rebecca Demarest will show parents how to use American Sign Language with their children, which is credited with fostering spoken language development.

Bring your baby or toddler to the library and get ready to play, sing, and sign. Registration is required, and you can sign up online at bethlehempubliclibrary.org or by calling the library at 439-9314. Please plan on attending all of the sessions in the series.

Demarest is a speech language pathologist and Signing Smart instructor in the Capital District. She began signing with her own daughter, who was able to use about 25 signs regularly by her first birthday. She now instructs other parents in age-appropriate ASL vocabulary.

A show of force

Do you make it your business to know all there is to know about the Star Wars universe? Can you recite key passages from every one of the movies, including the one just released? Are you a force to be reckoned with when it comes to Start Wars trivia? If so, your presence is requested at our Star Wars Trivia Night on Tuesday, Jan. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m.

Parents and kids can team up to cover all of their bases. Register online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org or call the library at 439-9314.

Tax filing help

We are now making appointments for tax filing assistance with staffers from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. If your household income is under $62,000, you can get free help filing your state and federal returns. Returns must be e-filed. Time slots are available at the library on Tuesdays from Jan. 26 to April 12, and appointments must be made in person at the information desk, at which time you will be provided with a list of items you will need to bring.

Charge ahead

Don’t forget, the library’s new charging kiosk provides free, secure charging for most mobile devices. Each locker has three universally compatible charging cables –MicroUSB, iPhone 3/4/4S, and iPhone 5/5C/5S cords. Users simply need to key in a four-digit code to secure the locker and use the same code to retrieve their devices.