Bethlehem Library Notes for Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Fall is officially here, and your garden is getting tired. At the library’s “Putting Your Garden to Bed” program, Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Martie Teumim will talk about how to prepare your garden for its long winter’s nap.

Join us Monday, Sept. 30, at 7 p.m., when Teumim will discuss amending the soil, protecting shrubs and trees, deer proofing, and more.

This event ties into the Seed Library that was introduced this spring. Programs like this have taken place throughout the growing season and are meant to support those new to gardening, as well as encourage fledgling farmers to continue participating in this sustainable activity.

Following its successful 2019 launch, the Seed Library will return next year with more seeds and a whole new crop of programs!

Ancestry DNA

Home Ancestry DNA tests have changed the playing field when it comes to researching your family tree.

Genealogist Lisa Dougherty will be at the library Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. to help demystify the test results. She will discuss how to use the test to facilitate family history research, as well as how to use the Ancestry DNA website, interpret ethnicity estimates, and find and read your matches.

Help for dementia caregivers

In partnership with Eddy Alzheimer’s Services, the library holds regularly scheduled Support and Guidance for Dementia Caregivers sessions, the next one of which is planned for Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Social workers will be available to speak with caregivers of individuals with dementia beginning at 11 a.m. Contact Sarah LaPierre ( ; 518-238-4164) to reserve a time slot.  This service is funded by a grant from NYS Department of Health.

Access for all

At the library, we work hard to be accessible to people of all abilities. Patrons who anticipate a need for accommodations to attend a program or use the library, are asked to contact the Information Desk at 518-439-9314, option 2.  We may need at least seven days of advance notice to accommodate some equal access needs, but many of these services are available immediately.

Below are some of the ways in which we strive to be accessible to everyone:

— Our public spaces are compliant with the Americans with disabilities Act;

— American Sign Language is available at programs (requires some advance notice);

— Assistive listening devices are available in the Community Room for programs and events. Patrons may wish to bring their own headphones;

— We custom print Braille library cards on site;

— We have Braille materials for children;

— Our home delivery service Books to People reaches patrons who are homebound;

— We have an extensive large-print materials section, and eBooks, and eMagazines provide an opportunity for font enlargement on e-readers;

— We can coordinate materials from the New York State Talking Book and Braille Library (TBBL) for our patrons.

— Mobility devices are available to use on site, including a motorized scooter, walker with seat and wheelchair;

— Movies are shown with Subtitling for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing when possible; and

— An Optelec magnifying reader can enlarge research and other materials.