Bethlehem Library Notes for Tuesday, November 15, 2022
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Bethlehem staff and trustees are currently taking a closer look at the library building and how it could best serve the community.
At the end of 2019, the Bethlehem Public Library was starting to put the finishing touches on a long-range plan that would provide a blueprint for our future in terms of services and space needs. As we all know, things changed dramatically in early 2020 with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
We were able to adjust the long-range plan to be flexible enough to encompass a rapidly evolving outlook, but felt it was important to go back to the drawing board when it came to looking at the library building and how it could best serve our community.
Keeping in mind the public feedback we received when we started this process, we have once again turned our gaze toward the future of this building. We have recently hired an architect to come up with some ideas that incorporate those earlier comments while also addressing new issues that became apparent over the past couple of years.
We welcome your input as we move forward and encourage you to share your comments. Email your thoughts to Library Director Geoff Kirkpatrick through the online form at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/contact-us/contact-the-director.
Or stop by one of our monthly board meetings, which take place the second Monday of the month. Public comment is open at the beginning and end of each meeting.
Yoga at the library
Yoga has long been recognized for its many physical benefits, such as increased flexibility, balance and muscle tone, as well as mental benefits, including stress relief and improved concentration.
Want to learn first-hand if this might be something for you? The library will be hosting two upcoming Community Yoga sessions with Dan May, who will share Jai Yoga School's Bhakti yoga tradition that includes song, cultural information and stories. Sessions will take place Saturday, Nov. 19, at 2:30 p.m. and Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. Community Yoga is a gentle and grounding community-level yoga class designed for practitioners of any skill level. Registration required for this program, but space is limited. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the event.
More Sunday Music
Our ever-popular concert series, A Little Sunday Music, continues the 2022 season Sunday Nov. 20, at 2 p.m. with some classical chamber music by the Lark Strings. The quartet is made up of locally based musicians with extensive training and professional experience on an international level.
Concerts take place in the Community Room and are free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. We would like to thank the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library for generously sponsoring this musical event.
Thanksgiving hours
The library will close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, and remain closed Thursday, Nov. 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday. The library will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 25. Staff and trustees would like to wish our Bethlehem neighbors a very Happy Thanksgiving!
The library will also be closed all day Friday, Dec. 2, for staff training.