Bethlehem Library Notes for Friday, January 29, 2016

When the calendar switched over to 2016, many of us vowed to be more mindful of what we eat. There are a lot of aspects to healthy eating, but most nutrition experts agree that preparing your own meals gives you greater control over what you are consuming, in terms of cost, calories, and flavor.

To help you meet your wellness goals by preparing your own nutritious meals, the Bethlehem Public Library is offering a “Healthy Seasonal Cooking” event on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 2:30 p.m. A ShopRite dietitian will show you how to cook meals using seasonal ingredients that taste good, are good for you and feature items readily available for the time of year.

Registration for this program is required. Sign up online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org, in person, or by calling 439-9314.

Let them eat cake pops

Here’s a sweet idea for teens: Come to the library on Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., for “Cake Pops and Crafts!” Whip up some yummy cake pops and create fuse bead masterpieces while they are baking. What better way to spend a chilly February afternoon?

Reference only

a mouse click away

We’ve recently added materials from the Gale Virtual Reference Library to our databases. Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, is a longtime publisher and aggregator of educational content, tools, services and other resources. The GVRL e-books are available 24-7 with no wait and can be browsed, searched and downloaded from any Internet-connected device.

Topics include test preparation, financial literacy, job readiness, computer literacy, do-it-yourself projects and cooking. They are also integrated into the library’s online catalog, so they will show up if they match any of your searches. GVRL funding is provided by the Upper Hudson Library System. 

The Gale Virtual Reference Library e-books are just one example of the many resources provided through our databases. If you haven’t checked out the list of materials available recently, it’s worth a browse at www.bethlehemlibrary.org, click on “databases” in the Quick Links section

E-filing your taxes

You can make an appointment for tax filing assistance with staffers from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. This is not a tax preparation service; it is meant to assist those who are looking to file online. If your household income is under $62,000, you can get free help filing your state and federal returns. Time slots are available at the library on Tuesdays through April 12, and appointments must be made in person at the information desk.