Bethlehem Library Notes for Wednesday, January 12, 2022

— Photo by Kristen Roberts

Starting at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, Bethlehem Public Library staff handed out a limited number of COVID-19 test kits curbside. The tests were gone by 9 a.m. They were made available through Albany County and the Town of Bethlehem Emergency Management Office to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.”

This holds true even as we struggle to keep our spirits up amid increasingly contentious public discourse and seek moments of connection with our fellow human beings that spark joy. Kindness matters. And you matter to us. That’s why we’re bringing back our Kindness Matters campaign and inviting you to pay kindness forward.

In the coming weeks, we’ll be inviting you to share acts of kindness you’ve experienced or been a part of by tagging the library on social media using #BPLKindness. Those who participate in our weekly Kindness Matters challenges in January will be entered to win some great Kindness Matters goodies.

You might also find some special surprises in your Book or Media Bundle request, along with personal notes from library staff. Go to www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/book-bundle-request to sign up for a Book or Media Bundle.

Check our calendar this month and next for take-and-make craft kits that will be available for children while supplies last. Children are encouraged to make the craft to give to a family member, friend, or neighbor. Visit bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to see what’s coming up.

We’re showing teens that we care about them by offering Just for Me: Book Boxes filled with curated treats and books to keep. These are available to BCSD teens in grades 6 through 12, one per household. Sign up is open through Jan. 17. Boxes will be available for delivery or pickup in mid-February. To register for your Teen Book Box, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/teen-book-boxes.

Our Kindness Matters campaign is generously co-sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library. Sharing kindness with others is just as rewarding as receiving it. Let’s start 2022 off with kindness! 

Celebrate community with

collaborative sketchbook 

Everyone is invited to contribute to the collaborative Bethlehem Community Sketchbook. Borrow it from the library and fill in your page with a drawing, poem, painting, or anything else that you can think of.

When the sketchbook is full, it will become a permanent part of the library’s collection. All entries are welcome, but we encourage you to explore this year’s theme: Kindness Matters. Look for the sketchbook at the library’s Information Desk. 

Speak up

with Pronunciator 

Did you resolve to learn a second language in the new year? The library can help!

While there are a lot of language-learning programs out there, Pronunciator, an online language resource available to Bethlehem cardholders, takes a personalized approach to make learning work for you.

Just select the language and topics you love, the skills you want to build, and how much you want to study each day, and Pronunciator will build a personalized course just for you — in a matter of seconds. You can choose from over 160 languages to learn, including American Sign Language. 

Bethlehem cardholders can access Prononunciator on the library’s Research page at webapps.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/research.asp.