Bethlehem Library Notes for Thursday, February 15, 2018

Have you met our Friends? If you were on the Friends-sponsored bus to New York City in December or enjoyed some ice cream during the final performance of our Evenings on the Green summer concert series, then you probably have.

If you’ve ever borrowed a museum pass or checked out an American Girl doll, ukulele, telescope, or GoPro camera, then you have our Friends to thank as well.

If you haven’t met the Friends already (and even if you have!), then stop by the library Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 7 to 8 p.m. and get to know them a little better at an informal Friends of Bethlehem Public Library meet and greet. This is your opportunity to learn more about what its members do and how you can become more involved.

Friends of Bethlehem Public Library is an advocacy group dedicated to increasing public awareness of the library, and its generosity has supported many important library programs and services.

Think you’d like to be a Friend too? Memberships start at $20. For more information, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and find the Friends link on the “About Us” page.

Making a federal case

The third talk in our four-part Federalist Papers series takes place Monday, Feb. 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., with humanities scholar Giacomo Calabria discussing Papers No. 39 and 51.

Initiated by Alexander Hamilton, the 85 anonymous Federalist Papers advocated for the adoption of the United States Constitution. Federalist No. 39 defines what a republican form of government is and considers whether the nation is federal or national. No. 51 addresses means by which checks and balances can be created in government.

The series ends March 19 with a look at Papers No. 64, 70 and 78.

The Federalist Papers may be accessed through Wikipedia, with limited paper copies available during the presentations. Pick up a brochure with additional details at the Information Desk or visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org, where a recording of the second talk and interview with Calabria are also available.

The series is grant-funded and sponsored by Humanities New York.

Winter break at the library

Stop by for some great library programs for kids of all ages during winter break week, starting off with a return of The Puppet People on Monday, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m.

Solve the mystery of Book Island and help the hero save the day in a performance for kids and families that promises plenty of public participation. Doors open 15 minutes prior to performance and space is limited. This program is part of the Ann Seegal Memorial Storytelling Series.

Also coming up during break week:

— Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 10 a.m.: Hula Hoop for Health and Fun is an instruction-based hula-hoop exercise class just for teens. Sign up online or call;

— Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 2 to 3 p.m.: Build with Dominos at the library;

— Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m.: “The Lego Ninjago Movie” is rated PG and runs for 100 minutes; and

— Thursday, Feb. 22, at 10 a.m.: KBA: Kids Builder Association lets kids build their own fun with Legos and more.