Bethlehem Library Notes for Tuesday, March 30, 2021
— Photo of a sketch from the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University
The writings of French author and traveler Alexis de Tocqueville are the subject of a four-part virtual series, Democracy in America, with guest speaker Giacomo Calabria, through the Bethlehem Public Library.
In March 2020, the library was faced with an unprecedented challenge as we closed our doors in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
As difficult as it has been, this past year has inspired us to find new and creative ways to be the library you deserve while being mindful of everyone’s health and safety. Our 2020 annual report shows how these efforts have paid off. A copy of the annual report is available on our website: bit.ly/3dcVF86.
While the numbers show a drop in overall circulation — not unexpected under the circumstances — they also tell the story of all the ways we managed to have an impact on our community in spite of the restrictions we were up against. We plan to continue moving those numbers in a positive direction in 2021, and we’re grateful for your ongoing support, which makes all of this possible.
Missed it in person?
Watch it on YouTube
Last fall, we hosted the four-part virtual series Democracy in America highlighting the writings of Alexis de Toqueville and featuring popular guest speaker Giacomo Calabria. The series, grant-funded by Humanities NY, is now available to watch on our YouTube channel (bit.ly/2ObFak4).
Some background: In the early 19th Century, de Toqueville, a French aristocrat, political scientist and historian, travelled extensively throughout the United States analyzing American society. Following his travels, he penned the well-known “Democracy in America,” which describes the young country’s emerging political system.
Graphic novels
Hoopla’s on-demand access to popular e-books, audiobooks, streaming video and music has been a huge hit with our cardholders. Many of you are also discovering one of the features that sets Hoopla apart from other digital services and enhances our collection as a whole – its vast selection of graphic novels and comics.
Fans of the genre will appreciate the diverse collection of 15,000+ titles from dozens of different publishers (not just big names like Marvel and DC) and including works spanning different genres and interests from the last 100 years.
Both fans and newcomers to graphic novels will like Hoopla’s user-friendly browsability. You can search by genre, publisher, audience or popularity, and you’ll also find links to series pages with other volumes and editions listed. The digital reading experience is also a plus, with Hoopla's built-in technology that enables full-page and panel-by-panel views for an immersive experience.
If you haven’t yet explored the world of graphic novels, Hoopla’s expansive catalog gives you the perfect excuse to check it out! Visit hoopladigital.com to get started.
Library hours
The library is currently open for in-person use, as well as curbside pickup. Hours are subject to change, so please visit our website for the most up-to-date information.
The library building is open: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Curbside hours remain: Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.