Bethlehem Library Notes for Friday, May 6, 2016

Dogs make great listeners. They don’t interrupt or snicker if you stumble over your sentences. They have infinite patience, and they adore a kind word and some attention. It is these traits that make them such great nonjudgmental book buddies for kids in grades one to five who’d like a little practice reading aloud, a skill that can build self-confidence and expand vocabulary.

This month, a canine visitor will be stopping by the Children’s Place in the Bethlehem Public Library to listen to some stories during our two Paws to Read sessions. Drop in any time between 3:45 and 4:45 p.m. on May 5 or 26 (both Thursday), and bring a favorite book or borrow one of ours to read to a gentle dog. No sign up required.

Take a trip with friends

The Friends of the Library are once again sponsoring two trips to Glimmerglass Opera this summer: Puccini’s La Bohème on Monday, Aug. 1, and Monday, Aug. 22.

The Glimmerglass trips have been an annual summer tradition for many years, and they are a great way to enjoy an elegant outing while supporting the Friends. Each bus will leave CDTA’s Delaware Avenue park-and-ride lot next to Mercato’s Restaurant at 9:30 a.m., on the day of the performance. The cost is $135 for each outing, which includes lunch at the Otesaga Hotel. Your check is your reservation  —  no refunds unless your seat is sold. For more information, contact Polly Hartman at 439-3291.

Seats fill quickly. You will find a reservation form in the May/June edition of Footnotes and online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.

Use text messaging

Patrons of the library and other UHLS member libraries can now receive text messages for hold pickups, overdue reminders, and courtesy notices.

It’s easy to opt in to this service through your library account. Once you update the information in your account settings and click “submit,” you will receive a confirmation message. For help getting started, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org or ask a library staffer.

Text message notices are in addition to phone and email notices. You can cancel the messaging service anytime by replying STOP, STOP ALL, END, QUIT, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE or by asking a staff member at the circulation desk.

If your mobile service charges text messaging rates, those rates will apply.