— Photo by Cathy Brenner
The joy of browsing: The Bethlehem Public Library transformed its plaza walkway into a Pop-Up Library recently to provide patrons with a chance to browse a selection of books while the library building remains closed.
We know people do judge a book by its cover. It’s part of what makes wandering among the shelves looking for something new to read so enjoyable. To replicate that experience, we’re turning our library inside-out and bringing you a pop-up browsing experience on our plaza (the entrance walkway off the parking lot).
At our Pop-Up Library, you’ll find hot new releases and popular titles for kids, teens, and adults. The Pop-Up Library will be available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. — weather permitting! Visit our website (bethlehempubliclibrary.org) for any changes to dates or hours.
While browsing the Pop-Up Library, please observe the following rules:
— Masks must be worn at all times;
— One person or family per browsing area;
— Practice social distancing and keep six feet apart; and
— Hand sanitizer will be available to use.
We are always looking for new ways to bring you the library experiences you love while being mindful of everyone’s safety during this ongoing pandemic. Curbside pickup got books and other materials back in your hands, but the Pop-Up Library is perfect for when you just want to look around and don’t have a specific title in mind to request.
Book Bundle
Still not sure what you feel like reading? You can now request a personalized Book Bundle
Just fill out our online request form (bethlehempubliclibrary.org/book-bundle-request), and our librarians will personally select 10 items for curbside pickup based on your preferences. Book Bundles are available for kids, teens, and adults.
Raise a glass
to history
Local history buffs or anyone who just likes to hear wild tales from days gone by will want to join us on Friday, July 24, for a “Sip and Learn: Virtual Cocktail Hour” focused on Albany’s Prohibition days. Fix yourself a drink and settle in as Maeve McEneny-Johnson, education and heritage coordinator with Discover Albany, takes you on a virtual tour through the tumultuous history of Albany during the era of Prohibition.
Happy Hour begins at 7 p.m., but you must pre-register with your email in order to receive your Zoom invitation from the library. Sign up here: bit.ly/2ZATnug.
Summer Reading
Imagine Your Story as you participate in our 2020 Summer Reading Challenge entirely online — from sign-up to claiming your prizes, along with a full schedule of virtual programs. It’s super easy, fun, and a great way to have a summer adventure. Visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org/summer-reading-2020 to get started.
This week’s virtual programs:
— Paper crafting with Kate: Flaming Phoenix — Make a festive and whimsical creature inspired by the Summer Reading theme: Imagine Your Story. You’ll find it on our YouTube channel along with lots of other craft tutorials;
— Social media scavenger hunt — It’s easy to share your photos. Submit them as a reply to our theme posts on Facebook or tag us on Instagram #BPLScavengerHunt. By submitting a photo, you give the library permission to use it in an online photo gallery;
— Make your mark with our summer bookmark design contest! Details at bethlehempubliclibrary.org/5050-2.
When Jester Jim visits the library — you know you are in for a treat. His shows are a fast-paced thrill ride that audiences of all ages can’t get enough of. Juggling? Check! Spinning iPads? Yup! Comedy? For sure! Toilet plungers? Uh, yeah, those too!
This year, Jester Jim is stopping by for a virtual performance on Tuesday, July 21, that promises more of the same, but in a safe and socially distant way. Beginning at 11 a.m., his 40-minute Live Zoom broadcast promises tricks, balancing, and plenty of interactive laughs that you’ll be talking about for days. Come join us for all the fun and interact with Jim as he takes juggling to another level!
To watch the live show, visit our website at bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “calendar” tab for the link.
Virtual programs:
— July 16: Interactive Zoom Storytime — Join us for an interactive family storytime on Zoom! Families will have the option to turn on their cameras and microphones and participate in the storytime. Sign up on our website (bit.ly/3iOBwr6) to get an invitation to the Zoom event;
— Paper crafting with Kate: Colorful Unicorns — Make a festive and whimsical creature inspired by the Summer Reading theme: Imagine Your Story. You’ll find it on our YouTube channel along with lots of other craft tutorials;
— Social media scavenger hunt — It’s easy to share your photos. Submit them as a reply to our theme posts on Facebook or tag us on Instagram #BPLScavengerHunt;
— Make your mark with our summer bookmark design contest! There are categories for all ages, and the winning bookmarks will be printed and distributed this fall. Details:bethlehempubliclibrary.org/5050-2.
Trace your roots
If you are finding yourself with some time on your hands this summer, why not use it to research your family history? On our website, you’ll find the online tools to help you get started. Ancestry.com, one of the biggest names in do-it-yourself genealogy, is temporarily available to use offsite with your library card.
HeritageQuest gives you access to U.S. census data and over 1 million genealogy and local history articles. On our Local History webpage you’ll find even more resources, including our Spotlight newspaper archive and the New York Heritage digital collections. Go to bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “Research” tab to get started.
We are also scheduling one-on-one genealogy appointments over Zoom to help with your questions and introduce you to the family history resources available on the library’s website. To make an appointment, fill out the online form bethlehempubliclibrary.org/14131-2. Appointments last approximately one hour.
Updates
Did you know you can now get your library items to go? Curbside pickup is available at the library from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and to -6 p.m. Fridays. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/curbside-pickup for details.
We are also accepting returns 24/7. Please follow the parking lot signs and use the designated drop-off sheds. Just a reminder: Returned materials are quarantined for 72 hours so they will not show up as checked in right away. Fines are not accruing at this time.
— Photo by Tanya Choppy
The Bethlehem Public Library is now offering curbside pickup from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, of library items on hold. The library is also accepting returns 24/7 in the designated gray dropoff sheds in the parking lot.
We’re living through a historic moment of the 21st Century. It won’t be long before a new generation will ask, “What was living through the pandemic like?”
The library would like to collect your recent memories of life during quarantine. Write about it, or send images, audio, or video. Tell us about your personal experience and any details that are meaningful to you, even if it’s just one incident. (“Everything still seemed normal to me until I went down the paper-goods aisle in the grocery store, and all the shelves were empty.”)
You can submit your thoughts and photos using a form on our website (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/quarantine-memories-archive) or email them directly to: . By submitting your quarantine narrative and any attachments, you hereby grant unrestricted use to Bethlehem Public Library. Your contact information will not be made public.
Here are some questions to get you thinking about your quarantine memories:
— How did the look of your neighborhood change?
— What was the impact on events that you had already planned for?
— How did you keep in touch with people you normally saw on a regular basis?
— Did you lose touch or reconnect with anyone as a result of quarantine?
— If you worked from home, what was that like?
— How easy or difficult was it to manage emotions, and anxiety?
JobNow
JobNow can help you get back to work.
The coronavirus pandemic and stay-at-home order has upended the job market. During this time, we are working hard to bring together the resources our community needs to help them get back to work.
We have recently added JobNow by Brainfuse to our research and database collection (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/research.asp). This powerful job tool features up-to-date nationwide and local job search engines, professional résumé critique and proven interview techniques, along with live job coaching from 2 to 10 p.m. daily.
It’s like a personalized career center that uses advanced virtual technology to help job seekers of diverse backgrounds and needs.
In addition to JobNow, the library has compiled a list of local and national employment and training opportunities, as well as unemployment information, to help you take that next step. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/workforce-development-resources.
Curbside pick-up, returns
You can now arrange a curbside pickup at the library by placing items on hold through our online catalog. When you receive a notification that one or more of your items are ready, you can stop by the library from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays to pick them up.
Once at the library, give us a call at 518-439-9314 and press 5. A staffer will assist you. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/curbside-pickup for more information.
You may now drop off your library materials 24/7 using the designated gray sheds in our parking lot. Please note that items will be sequestered for at least 72 hours and will not show up as “returned” in your account right away. There are no fines or late fees at this time.
Summer reading
Sign up at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org for the Summer Reading Challenge for adults, teens, and children. Once you sign up, you can get started checking off your reading milestones right away!
If you drive by Bethlehem Public Library these days, you may see a little more activity than in recent weeks. As the Capital Region slowly eases into reopening, we are finalizing our no-contact curbside pickup procedures — an important first step in our phased reopening plan. We’ll begin testing this process out on those who have existing holds from March, so we can fine-tune it for efficiency and safety.
With other libraries in the Upper Hudson system operating on their own phased reopening schedules, we may not have access to all of the materials outside of our collection right away. Please keep that in mind when looking for items to place on hold, as we work with our partner libraries to do our best to fill your requests.
At this time, we are also preparing to receive all of those books, movies and other items you have been waiting to return since we closed our doors. Because we expect the volume of the returned materials to exceed our current capacity, we are setting up some temporary drop-off areas that will allow us to keep the returned items untouched for 72 hours before processing. Just a reminder: Checked out materials have had their due dates extended while we have been closed and have not been accruing fines.
Look for these changes in the coming days. We are excited to finally add these in-person services to the library’s digital materials and programs that have been available throughout the Coronavirus shutdown.
Budget and trustees vote on June 9
The library budget and board of trustees vote will be held Tuesday, June 9. It will take place entirely by absentee ballot, which is being mailed to households in the Bethlehem Central School District.
For the 2020-21 fiscal year, the library has a proposed budget of $4.48 million. The levy portion of the budget comes in at about $4.2 million, an increase of 2.64 percent over last year and within the state-mandated spending cap.
Also on the ballot this year are two trustee seats. The six candidates for trustee — Marc Gronich, Kristi Narang, Mary Phillips, Lisa Scoons (incumbent), Ryan Venter and Charmaine Wijeyesinghe – had an opportunity to introduce themselves recently and talk a little bit about why they are running at our virtual Meet the Candidates Night. You can watch a recording of the event on our YouTube channel.
You can also watch the recording, read candidates’ answers to a voluntary questionnaire and view a breakdown of the library’s proposed 2020-21 budget on our election webpage: www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/2020-election-and-budget-vote.
Teens in the kitchen
Teens who are usually busy with homework, sports, volunteering and other after-school activities can channel that energy into picking up some kitchen-savvy skills. On Friday, June 5, at 4 p.m., we’re hosting a Time-Saving Meals for Teens Zoom event with Hannaford Dietitian Patty Wukitsch, who will share some tips and tricks for teens in the kitchen. Sign up here: bit.ly/3draV0p. The library will e-mail an invitation to the webinar the day of the event. The program will be recorded and posted to our YouTube channel to watch later.
Judging from the number of new signups and downloads, 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 over 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! Visithoopladigital.com to get started.
Live tutoring with HelpNow
Do your childrn need a little help mastering the material required for their at-home schooling? Bethlehem cardholders now have access to HelpNow by Brainfuse, an easy and intuitive learning resource for all ages and levels with personalized homework help in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science and social studies), as well as SAT preparation.
There is a skill-building tool for all types of learning styles — from flashcards to practice quizzes and videos.
Live one-on-one online tutoring is available in math, science, writing and other subjects for elementary, middle school, high school and college students from 2-11 p.m. daily. All Brainfuse tutors have at least a four-year degree and are background checked.
Find HelpNow on the library’s Research webpage (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/research.asp) along with these other learning tools for students:
— Kids InfoBits; and
Do you need an escape?
Are you dreaming of a vacation these days? You may start rethinking that after our Virtual Escape Room for Adults: Get Me Home!
Our escape rooms, in-person and virtual, have long been popular with our younger patrons, but this time the grown-ups get a chance to test their problem-solving skills. Participants will work together to open all the virtual locks before time runs out and they’re stranded on vacation (and in this case, that’s not a good thing).
The game starts precisely at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3. Please register anytime before 5:30 p.m. that day so we can email you an invitation to access the Zoom meeting. Sign up here: bit.ly/2T4Q0rE.
Library elections
The library budget and board of trustees vote has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 9. There are two seats on the ballot and six candidates, including one incumbent.
Visitwww.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/2020-election-and-budget-vote to see who is running and to read their responses to a library questionnaire.
There are so many benefits to learning a new language, not the least of which is keeping your brain sharp at a time when all of the days seem to flow together. While there are a lot of language-learning programs out there, Pronunciator, the library’s newest online language resource, takes a personalized approach to make learning work for you (without the hefty price tag).
Just select the language and topics you love, the skills you want to build, and how much you want to study each day, and Pronunciator will build a personalized course just for you — in a matter of seconds. You can choose from over 160 languages to learn, including American Sign Language.
Bethlehem cardholders can access Pronunciator on the library’s Research page (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/research.asp), along with these resources and more: Consumer Reports, Ancestry.com and Chilton’s Online Auto Repair.
Let’s talk
We miss interacting with our wonderful library community, and many of you probably miss each other too. As a public gathering space, we thrive on all of those serendipitous connections that happen every day — connections that aren’t happening when our doors are closed.
To bring back that opportunity for connection and conversation, we are holding online Community Chats through Zoom. At the Community Chats, we will give a short introduction or presentation and then open up the meeting for questions or discussion. A librarian will be on hand to facilitate, but the forum is really about you and what’s on your mind.
Upcoming chats include a talk with Town of Bethlehem Historian Susan Leath, genealogy tips with librarian Frank Somers, an introduction to our databases, children’s literature tips and more. Visit our online calendar (go to www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “Calendar” tab) to see what’s coming up.
To participate in a Community Chat, click on the session you are interested in below, and sign up with your email address. The library will send a Zoom invitation when the chat is scheduled to begin. If you are new to Zoom video conferencing and would like to know more about how it works, please email us at .
Election and budget vote
By executive order, the library budget and board-of-trustees vote has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 9. It will take place entirely by absentee ballot, which will be mailed to households in the Bethlehem Central School District in the coming days. Click here for the library’s proposed 2020-21 budget and candidate information.
Your library is here for you
We are looking forward to a time when we can connect once again as a community. In the meantime, please visit our website (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org) for online programs and resources, as well as building updates and at-home learning activities for families. Got questions? E-mail us at .
“Carnegie’s Maid” by Marie Benedict was chosen in a Bethlehem Public Library poll for the May 28 Zoom Book Discussion. A work of historical fiction, it tells the story of a poor farmer’s daughter hired to work in one of Pittsburgh’s grandest households who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie’s transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world’s first true philanthropist.
Bethlehem library staff and the board of trustees have been busy working up a phased reopening for when state guidelines allow us to start providing in-person service to you once again. While we aren’t sure what that timeline will be, we do know the first steps will include opening up the book drops in some capacity and working toward no-contact curbside pickup.
Access to the library building and programs may be limited for some time as we do all we can to safeguard public health. We also want to reassure you that we are establishing rigorous sanitizing and cleaning protocols for returned materials.
Just as we have made it our mission to step up our digital presence during this mandated closure, we promise to put that same energy toward engaging, educating, and entertaining you as we move toward a time when we can once again be a lively community gathering space.
Story time online
Do you miss story time at the library? We do, too!
That’s why we’re bringing a weekly story time into your home via Zoom, an online meeting tool. Join us at 9:30 a.m., Tuesdays through May 26 for a Zoom Family Story Time. This is a fun and engaging way for children up to age 6 to work on their early literacy skills through stories, singing, movement and more.
Go to bit.ly/2zhnV9v at the scheduled time and use the password 562837 to sign in. Once you sign in, your email and video will not be visible to other participants and your sound will be muted, so feel free to sing and clap along with abandon!
Looking to explore some picture books at your own pace? Check out our Story Time Online Kits highlighting dozens of popular titles. Each “kit” features a video of the story being read — sometimes even by the author — along with several related activities to do at home. Visit our Story Times page at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs/children/story-time and then click on the cover you want to explore. New stories are being added every week!
Budget vote
The library budget and board of trustees vote has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 9. It will take place entirely by absentee ballot, which will be mailed to households in the Bethlehem Central School District in the coming days. The library’s proposed 2020-21 budget and a list of who is running for the two seats on the board of trustees is on the library’s website.
Zoom Book Discussion
The results are in for our upcoming May 28 Zoom Book Discussion hosted by librarians Anne Coletta and Frank Somers. In an online poll earlier this month, readers chose “Carnegie’s Maid” by Marie Benedict.
In this work of historical fiction, Clara Kelley is not who they think she is. She’s not the experienced Irish maid who was hired to work in one of Pittsburgh’s grandest households. She’s a poor farmer’s daughter with nowhere to go and nothing in her pockets who may have spurred Andrew Carnegie’s transformation from ruthless industrialist into the world’s first true philanthropist.
To sign up for the book discussion, go to our online calendar (ny.evanced.info/bethlehem/lib/eventcalendar.asp) and click on the event — there are two times available, 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. An invitation to participate via Zoom will be emailed to you. This title is available in Hoopla (unlimited copies) and OverDrive. Visit our e-content page to check it out (bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/ebooks-emagazines).
The Bethlehem Public Library remains closed based on state and local guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visit our website (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org) for updates.
Please know that the library has been working hard to craft a phased reopening plan that is mindful of the health and safety of our community as we look ahead to a time when we can once again serve you in person.
Share a recipe
Have you been stress baking or spending a lot more time in the kitchen than usual? Share your favorite recipe (with photos, if you can) for the Upper Hudson Library System Community Cookbook challenge.
Please include your name and your home library. Recipes will be collected through July 1 and compiled in a free downloadable cookbook. Send your recipe submissions to Librarian Cathy Brenner at .
Zoom story time
Check out our Zoom Family Story Time every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. through May 26. Enjoy stories, songs, and activities for children up to age 6 with a caregiver. To participate, go to: bit.ly/3eIaek5 (password is 562837) at the scheduled time.
Please note: Zoom story times require you to sign in using the password provided above. Your email and video will not be visible to other participants and your sound will be muted.
Trustees meet
The Library Board of Trustees will meet virtually Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m. You can watch the meeting live on the library’s YouTube channel or website. Public questions or comments may be directed to Library Director Geoffrey Kirkpatrick at . A draft of the minutes will be available within 10 days of the meeting.
Our commitment to organizational transparency continues, even as group gathering guidelines and building closures pose a challenge to holding our monthly board of trustees meetings. Please visit our board of trustees webpage (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/board-of-trustees) for more information.
Research and learn
Visit our Research webpage (bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/research.asp) for access to a robust collection of online local history materials, newspaper archives, encyclopedias, Consumer Reports, Chilton’s Auto Repair, and more. You’ll also find academic resources and health and medicine databases as well as business and investment tools like Morningstar, Value Line, and ReferenceUSA.
Ready to learn a new language? Choose from 163, including American Sign Language, with Pronunciator.
Are you thinking about researching your family tree? We’ve got the tools to help you get started. Ancestry.com, one of the biggest names in do-it-yourself genealogy, is temporarily available to use offsite with your library card.
HeritageQuest gives you access to United States census data and over 1 million genealogy and local history articles. Click through to our Local History webpage and find even more resources, including our Spotlight newspaper archive and the New York Heritage digital collections.
Need some help getting started? E-mail us at with your genealogy research questions so we can point you in the right direction.
Got questions?
Reach out by email at and staff will assist you. You can also call the library at 518-439-9314 and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as we are able, but please allow additional time for questions asked via voicemail.
The Bethlehem Public Library remains closed based on state and local guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please visit our website (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org) for updates.
The music never stops at our online Listening Parties.
Our Listening Parties have moved online, and instead of just one day, the discussion can go on all month — and beyond! Each month, librarian Michael Farley presents a solo artist, a band, a time period or style; in April, it was Johnny Cash.
Coming up in May, the spotlight is on the Girl Groups. Listen to and discuss The Shirelles, who reached the Top 40 with “Tonight’s the Night” and in 1961 became the first girl group to reach No. 1 with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”
And then listen to some of the many Girl Groups that followed over the next few years before they faded away during the British Invasion. Their sound and style has outlived the hits, influencing musicians from the ’60s to the present day.
With each month’s artist or genre, discussion topics will be introduced by background material to help set the context, along with biographical information and how the artists fit into the history of music. All of the musical examples can be found by clicking the provided links to Spotify.
To join the Listening Party any day, any time, visit the libraries program page at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs and click on the link under “Adults.” You’ll also see lots of other programs highlighted in green that you can enjoy online.
Book talk
Read and connect with online book discussions.
You’ll find our popular book discussion groups — Daybooks, Check ’em Out Books, and Afterdinner Books — are now on Goodreads so you can keep up with your reading list and stay in touch with your librarian moderators and fellow readers. Head to our program page (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs) and click on “Book Discussions”to get to the Goodreads link.
Hoopla has it today
Have you tried Hoopla yet? With Hoopla, you can have on-demand digital access to e-books and audiobooks, digital magazines, movies, music, comics, and TV shows. The best part is there’s no waiting. You will get five instant borrows each month, but some titles are “Bonus Borrows” and won’t count toward your monthly total. Visit www.hoolpladigital.com, and select Get Started Today.
Hoopla is available to library cardholders in the Upper Hudson Library System, of which Bethlehem is a part.
Even more ways to watch, read and listen online
And Hoopla’s just the tip of the iceberg. It joins OverDrive, Flipster, Kanopy and more. Head to the library’s eContent page to find out what else is available to download and stream. You’ll find helpful links and tips if you are new to using these services, but if you need more help, send an email to , and we’ll get back to you.
Got questions?
Reach out by email at and staff will assist you. You can also call the library at 518-439-9314 and leave a message. We will get back to you as soon as we are able, but please allow additional time for questions asked via voicemail.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Outdoor signs from the Bethlehem Public Library staff tell patrons that they are missed. While the doors are closed, staffers have been busy stepping up the online resources available to cardholders, such as additional e-books, digital magazines, streaming services, as well as research and learning tools. Librarians have also developed virtual programs like online book discussions and a poetry contest.
Hoopla is here! Now library cardholders have even more choices when it comes to checking out e-books, audiobooks, and more. Hoopla is an on-demand digital service available to all cardholders in the Upper Hudson Library System, of which Bethlehem is a part.
In addition to e-books and audiobooks, Hoopla has a broad selection of digital magazines, movies, music, comics, and TV shows. Unlike other services, there’s no wait. Titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later.
How it works:
— You will get five instant borrows each month. These digital borrows will reset every month and you can borrow more than one title at a time. Some titles are “Bonus Borrows” and won’t count toward your monthly total;
— Books are available for 21 days, videos are available for 72 hours, and music titles are available for seven days after you borrow;
— Hoopla is available on your desktop, phone, tablet, Alexa devices, Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Android TV. Download the app to take your digital loans anywhere;
— To sign up for Hoopla, visit www.hoolpladigital.com, and select Get Started Today. Follow the prompts to create an account, select Bethlehem Public Library and enter your library barcode. If you are not a Bethlehem patron, choose the Upper Hudson library with which your card is associated; and
— For help with Hoopla, please visit the www.hoolpladigital.com. If you need help with your library card, please email .
Read, listen, and watch
And Hoopla’s just the tip of the iceberg. Head to the library’s eContent page to find out what else is available to download and stream, as well as helpful links and tips if you are new to using these services.
You can get e-books, audiobooks, and e-magazines through OverDrive — and there are thousands of titles to choose from. More e-magazines are available to Bethlehem cardholders through Flipster, and we are adding new titles all the time, including Do It Yourself, Elle Décor, Simply Gluten Free, Paleo Magazine, and more.
Bethlehem cardholders may also stream movies and high-quality children’s programming or explore one of The Great Courses through Kanopy. You may watch on any computer, television, mobile device, or platform by downloading the Kanopy app.
Even more e-books and audiobooks for all ages are available through the Upper Hudson Library System, including Tumblebooks, Teen Book Cloud, Audio Book Cloud, Romance Book Cloud, and myON. You’ll find links to all of these on our eContent page at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/ebooks-emagazines.
Get a library card online
Ready to check out all that great eContent? If you don’t already have one, you’ll need a library card. To make it easier for our patrons to get immediate access to our digital materials and services, you can sign up for a library card online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Budget vote delayed
The library’s budget vote and trustee election originally scheduled for May 19 has been delayed by executive order. Further information regarding a rescheduled date is not available at this time, but we will keep you up to date as we know more.