Bethlehem Library Notes for Friday, September 1, 2017
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Celebrating those who help: The Bethlehem Public Library marked the conclusion of this year’s Summer Reading Program with a community fair on the Green that highlighted the organizations that help us Build a Better World.
September is National Library Card Sign-up Month, and we're celebrating with a library-themed scavenger hunt from Sept. 5 to 30 that will test your library savvy. Participants will be entered in a raffle for some great prizes. Adults can stop by the information desk or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org beginning Sept. 5 to get started; kids can head to the Children's Place.
A library card is your ticket to free educational resources and activities for all ages. You can sign up for your own library card online anytime at bethlehempubliclibrary.org or drop by the library circulation desk for help.
The library will be closed Saturday through Monday, Sept. 2 to 4, for the Labor Day weekend. Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m. and begin on Sept. 10.
A full fall slate
We may be saying so long to summer, but at the library, there are plenty of reasons to greet fall with anticipation, as it marks the return of some of your favorite programs. They include:
— Regular Tai Chi instruction returns beginning Sept. 7 at 10:30 a.m. and continuing on most Mondays through the fall. The program focuses on the core movements of the Tai Chi for Diabetes form. These movements build on skills week to week and provide a solid foundation in Tai Chi for people of any age;
— Our Coffee & Conversation series kicks off the season with a crowd favorite on Friday, Sept. 15. To Life! Part 3, presented by Richard Feldman, features songs from popular American musicals about falling in love and being yourself. Coffee & Conversation, which is co-sponsored by Bethlehem Senior Projects format, is an hourlong program starting at 1 p.m. with a coffee and social hour following. A strong lineup continues through fall with topics that touch on music, history, culture and more. Pick up a flyer at the library or find the schedule online;
— After the summer hiatus, our book discussions begin anew in early September. DayBooks meets at 1:30 p.m. monthly on a Monday. Featured this fall are "All Things Cease to Appear" by Elizabeth Brundage, who will be joining the discussion on Sept. 11, and "The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts" by Joshua Hammer.
Two evening book discussions - AfterDinner Books on Wednesdays and AfterDinner Too on Tuesdays - meet at 7 p.m. on alternate months. Those discussions will delve into "The Last Painting of Sara De Vos" by Dominic Smith in September and "Silence" by Shusaku Endo in October. New members are always welcome, and copies of the books are available at the information desk. Audio and downloadable copies may also be available; and
Our monthly Listening Parties with Bethlehem librarian Michael Farley are also back! This is a great chance for you to join fellow music lovers and share your opinions about the artists that have shaped the musical landscape. Up first is Steely Dan on Thursday, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m. This popular '70s band created a jazz/rock hybrid style.
More information about all of these programs can be found in the latest edition of Footnotes, mailed to every home in the Bethlehem Central School District, and online at bethlehempubliclibrary.org.