— Photo by Kristen Roberts
The Bethlehem Public Library’s 2019-20 budget is $4.3 million and maintains funding for materials, programs, and community spaces, all within the state-mandated spending cap.
The Bethlehem Public Library has proposed a budget of $4.3 million for the 2019-20 fiscal year. The levy portion of the budget comes in at about $4 million, an increase of 3.31 percent over last year and within the state-mandated spending cap.
The spending plan allows the library to continue offering and improving the programs, services, materials, and community spaces our patrons are looking for. It allocates additional funding for library materials, including e-books and the Library of Things, as well as more of the concerts, expert lecturers, and author visits that are in high demand.
The budget also takes into account upcoming capital expenses to keep our facility comfortable and safe, as well as expected increases in professional services and property tax refunds.
“The 2019-20 budget represents our commitment to being an important part of the community, today and many years from now, while staying within the state-mandated tax cap,” said library director Geoffrey Kirkpatrick.
A detailed budget chart is available in the May/June issue of the Footnotes newsletter and online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Bethlehem Central School District residents will vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
Also on the ballot is one full-term, five-year seat. A list of candidates will be available on the library website (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org) on Wednesday, April 24. An informal Meet the Candidates evening will be held at the library on Thursday, May 2, at 6 p.m
Glimmerglass with Friends
The Friends of the Library are once again sponsoring two trips to Glimmerglass Opera this summer: “La Traviata” on Tuesday, July 30, and “Showboat” Saturday, Aug. 17.
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 518- 439-3291.
Seats fill quickly. You will find a reservation form in the May/June edition of Footnotes and online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Join the conversation
Coffee and Conversation continues Friday, April 26, with “Win, Place or Show.” A representative from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will discuss the history of thoroughbred racing as the Kentucky Derby approaches.
Coffee & Conversation programs are free and open to everyone. They begin at 1 p.m. and last about 60 minutes with a coffee and social hour following. The series is co-sponsored by Bethlehem Senior Projects Inc.
Are you sticking around for spring break? So are we! You can pick up a schedule at the Bethlehem Public Library or by visiting www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Drop by for a program and check out some books, magazines, or movies while you’re here to enjoy at home. We’ve also got musical instruments, GoPro cameras and virtual reality headsets to borrow, or take home a museum pass and go on a day trip with the family.
Below are some of the week’s highlights for kids and families.
— Friday, April 19: Vacation Cinema
A yellow stuffed bear with a red T-shirt and all its woodland pals help an adult rediscover the joys of life (PG, 104 min., Walt Disney), 10 a.m. Bring a blanket or pillow to get comfy on the floor;
— Monday, April 22: Snap Circuits
Have fun and learn about electricity and circuit basics as you work in teams to explore the library’s different circuit kits, 10:15 a.m. For ages 9 to 14;
— Monday, April 22: Get Growing for Earth Day
Read a story and learn how seeds germinate and plant your own seeds to take home, 2 to 2:45 p.m. Sign up online or call;
— Monday, April 22: Family Book Discussion: “All of-a-Kind Family”
Read Sydney Taylor’s story about five sisters growing up in New York City in the early 1900s and then join in a family discussion, 3:30 p.m.
— Monday, April 22: Stuffed Animal Sleepover
Wear your PJs and bring your stuffed animal for stories, fun, and a snack, 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. After a group photo, your stuffed animal is invited to spend the night at the library. Pickup begins the following day at 10 a.m. and continues through 5 p.m. on April 25. Sign up online or call;
— Tuesday, April 23: Silent Wings: Birds of Prey
Explore the fascinating world of hawks, falcons, owls, and eagles with the Wildlife Institute of Eastern New York, 11 a.m. to noon or 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Space is limited;
— Wednesday, April 24: Preschool Challenge
Your baby, toddler, or preschooler can talk, read, write, sing, and play their way to reading as we provide a variety of fun activities in the Community Room, 2 p.m.;
— Wednesday, April 24: KBA: Kids Builder Association
Build your own fun with Legos, Snap Circuits, K’nex, blocks, puzzles, origami and more, 6:30 to 8 p.m.;
— Thursday, April 25: Earth Day Exploration
Meet at the Van Dyke Preserve in Bethlehem for crafts, story time and a short hike, 10 a.m. to noon. Co-sponsored by the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. To register, go to mohawkhudson.org/events;
— Thursday, April 25: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Afternoon
Join your friends to play Super Smash Bros. on the Nintendo Switch, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Snacks will be served. For grades 6-12; and
— Friday, April 26: Vacation Cinema
A stuffed bear in a red T-shirt and his friends embark on an adventure to find their donkey friend’s missing tail. (G, 63 min., Disney), 10 a.m. Bring a blanket or pillow to get comfy on the floor.
Holiday closing
The library will be closed Sunday, April 21, for the Easter holiday. Regular hours will resume on Monday, April 22, at 9 a.m. We’re open online all the time atwww.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
— Photo by Cathy Brenner
A bench just for pint-sized patrons makes a perfect perch for these three as they wait for their books to be checked out at the Bethlehem Public Library.
Members of Bethlehem’s Friends of the Library are holding a weekend-long book-sale bash from Friday to Sunday, April 12 to 14, where they’ll be taking donations of newer works in good condition and offering some great book bargains.
Books donations will be accepted in the Community Room on Friday evening from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. The book sale begins Saturday afternoon and runs from 1 to 5 p.m., continuing Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.
Donations can only be accepted during the above times and must fit the following criteria: current adult paperback or hardcover fiction and nonfiction; current children’s board books and picture books; and current elementary- and middle-school chapter books.
The Friends cannot accept books older than 10 years; torn or moldy books; encyclopedias; videos, tapes, or CDs; magazines; computer books older than three years; test-prep books older than the current year; or textbooks of any kind, including law and medical books.
Take a hike!
For those with an aversion to the cold, the coming of spring brings with it the promise of finally getting outside for some fresh air. Need some hiking inspiration to get you motivated?
Author and outdoor enthusiast Alan Via will be at the library Wednesday, April 17, to share a visual tour of great places to hike — some with water where dogs or kids can splash and most within a short drive. His “Great Hikes All Around Us” talk will begin at 7 p.m.
A locater map and list of hikes to be discussed are available on the library’s website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/great-hikes-all-around-us.
This is Alan’s seventh presentation at Bethlehem Public Library. Past programs have included “The Lostkills: Off the Beaten Path in the Catskills” in 2017 and “Above It All” in 2016.
Alan is a Slingerlands resident, winter 46er and author of the hiking guide “The Catskill 67: A Hiker’s Guide to the Catskill 100 Highest Peaks Under 3,000 Feet.” He has hiked extensively throughout the United States and Canada.
Growing guidance
On Tuesday, April 16, author, farmer and University at Albany professor emeritus Gary S. Kleppel, Ph.D, will discuss the ways that agriculture can improve environmental quality, public health, and the economy as documented through practices he has implemented on his own farm collectively known as the Eden 2.0 Project.
The program, “How Farming with Nature Can Save the Food System and the Planet,” begins at 7 p.m.
Dr. Kleppel has spent the past decade studying sustainable agriculture and the ecology of human-dominated landscapes. He and his wife operate a small farm in Knox that produces grass-fed lamb, wool, free-range poultry and eggs, and artisan breads.
This event supports the BPL Seed Library, which is located behind the Information Desk and features a variety of open-pollinated vegetables and some herbs.
— Photo by Jody Squadere
The all-female Celtic trio Triskele brought down the house at the Bethlehem Public Library on Wednesday, March 27, with a two-hour performance featuring traditional, original, and some modern Irish music.
Wait out the April showers with us as we mark the return of our perennially popular Friday afternoon adult lecture series, Coffee and Conversation.
Coming up first on Friday, April 5, Delmar resident Jim Ketcham will embody Mark Twain’s acerbic wit as he takes on the author’s persona to describe “the whole damned human race.” Ketcham has been performing as Twain since 1979 in a number of venues across the country.
Ketcham notes that, although Twain died more than 100 years ago, his take on hypocrisy in politics and religion, race relations, militarism, lying, and more is still relevant. Following the performance, the audience will be given a chance to ask questions about Twain’s life and death, as well as his possible takes on current events.
The following Friday, April 12, Shannon Fromma, the Times Union’s “Shopportunist” columnist and deal-finder extraordinaire, will share tips for planning a budget-friendly summer vacation.
The series takes a break for a week and then returns with “Win, Place or Show” on April 26, where a representative from the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame will discuss the history of thoroughbred racing as the Kentucky Derby approaches.
Coffee and Conversation continues through May and June with even more great programs to be featured in the upcoming May/June Footnotes newsletter.
The Coffee and Conversation series is co-sponsored by Bethlehem Senior Projects Inc., and programs are free and open to everyone. They begin at 1 p.m. and last about 60 minutes with a coffee and social hour following.
Call 518-439-9314 or visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org for more information.
Learn about the places in “Pride and Prejudice”
Jane Austen fans may feel transported to another time and place when reading her books, but what do we really know about some of the places that influenced these classic novels? Come to the library to find out!
On Saturday, April 6, at 2 p.m., David M. Shepard, author of “The Annotated Pride and Prejudice,” will share pictures and anecdotes about some of the locations in Jane Austen’s novel and how they related to her own life. Places in “Pride and Prejudice” is presented by the Capital Region Chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America.
Uncovering Albany’s history, street by street
On Sunday, April 7, we’ll be looking at the history of some places a little closer to home. Author Erik Schlimmer will present “Albany History Uncovered” from 2 to 4 p.m., where he will take the audience on a virtual tour of the history of Albany’s street names as described in his book “Cradle of the Union: Albany History Uncovered.” A Q&A and book signing will follow.
Open lines of communication
The bipartisan Better Angels Capital Region New York State Alliance will hold a skills workshop Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. to give participants a communication toolkit to help them better navigate the polarized political discussions that are all too common today.
The series will continue in May. Visit www.better-angels.org for more information about the Better Angels Alliance.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
A Studio Makerspace — which provides a space and the equipment for the public to produce videos — debuted at the Bethlehem Public Library with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, March 22. Cutting the ribbon are, from left, Maureen McGinnis of the Bethlehem Chamber, Town Supervisor David VanLuven (partially hidden), Bethlehem Town Board member and library Trustee Joyce Becker, Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy, town board member Jim Foster, library board President Mary Redmond, library board Vice President Mark Kissinger, and library Director Geoffrey Kirkpatrick.
Sip and sightsee with Friends. Save the date — May 4 — to spend a lovely spring Saturday with the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library on a Finger Lakes bus trip and winery tour.
The trip will include stops at three wineries in the Finger Lakes region, a buffet brunch at Belhurst Castle, and time to shop at Sauders Market. Know a mom who could use a short getaway? This would be a perfect early Mother’s Day gift!
The bus will depart from the Delmar Park and Ride at 6 a.m. and return around 9 p.m. Your check is your reservation; there are no refunds unless your seat is sold. The cost is $142 for members and $145 for non-members. For more information, call Elissa Zwiebach at 518-573-7184 or visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/friends-of-bethlehem-public-library to fill out a reservation form.
Start your own seedlings
Our brand-new seed library is off to a strong start, with high-demand seeds being replenished all the time. Our most popular varieties so far are tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini and basil.
To get the seed library up and running, we’ve got some great gardening programs for both new and experienced gardeners of all ages. Coming up Sunday, March 31, Eric de Long of Foxtail Community Farm will share some tips and tricks for starting seedlings at home, including low-cost options for light, water, and heat requirements. Join us from 2 to 3 p.m. and find out how to get a head start on the growing season.
For more information about the seed library, including what’s available and how it works, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs/seed-library.
Flip for it
With more than 100 titles available to access instantly, the Flipster digital magazine collection continues to evolve with popular publications for cooking enthusiasts, including Bon Appetit and Rachael Ray Every Day, as well as fashion favorites like Elle and Vogue.
You’ll find magazines focused on fitness, personal finance, travel and so much more. It’s easy to browse and view what’s available through the Flipster link on our website, or select the “Open in App” option to download magazines to a free, easy-to-install app, where they can be read and managed offline.
Some titles are exclusive to Bethlehem cardholders, and you will need a library card to download titles or view them in an off-site browser. If you’re in the library, however, you won’t need to sign in at all.
Board candidate information
Nominating petition forms and informational packets are available at the library for candidates interested in serving on the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees.
Petitions must contain at least 49 signatures of voters residing in Central School District No. 6 of the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. Petitions must be filed with the district clerk of the Bethlehem Central High School at 700 Delaware Ave. in Delmar by 5 p.m. on April 22.
The election and budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
A young visitor waits for a challenger at the giant Connect Four game in the Children’s Place at the Bethlehem Public Library.
The library’s second program honoring Women’s History Month celebrates the men whose vocal support helped propel the push for women’s voting rights in the United States.
On Sunday, March 24, at 3 p.m., author and New York University professor Brooke Kroeger will discuss her book “The Suffragents: How Women Used Men to Get the Vote,” which details how powerful New York men did more than just provide “celebrity endorsements” and were, in fact, influential suffrage allies.
In her book, Kroeger describes the origins and expansion of the Men’s League for Women’s Suffrage, which grew from 150 original members to thousands spanning the country. This group helped convince politicians, the press, and the public that women deserved the vote.
This event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Albany County.
Music to get your Irish up
Enjoy a toe-tapping afternoon of Irish music with Triskele on Wednesday, March 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. This all-female Celtic band from Albany will perform traditional, original and some modern Irish music.
Band members Sharon Wheeler, Noeleen Druckenmiller and Jennifer Kilinski are multi-instrumentalists with a knack for harmonizing. Their performances tend to have an educational quality and include discussions about the Gaelic language, traditional instruments, Irish history and more.
Triskele has released three CD’s, the most recent being “The Collar City Uprising,” which was recorded at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. They have performed in a number of venues locally and across the pond.
This event is co-sponsored by Bethlehem Senior Projects, Inc. All ages are welcome!
That’s incredible!
Hey, parents, did you remember there was no school on Friday, March 22?
Make plans to spend the day at the library, as we enjoy an “Incredible” double feature with everyone’s favorite animated super family. The original (PG, 115 min., Disney) shows at 10:30 a.m., and the sequel (PG, 118 min., Disney) starts at 2:30 p.m.
Bring a blanket or pillow to get comfy on the floor.
Board candidate information
Nominating petition forms and informational packets are available at the library for candidates interested in serving on the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees.
There is one seat on the 2019 ballot, currently held by incumbent Joyce Becker, who will not be seeking re-election.
Petitions must contain at least 49 signatures of voters residing in Central School District No. 6 of the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. Petitions must be filed with the District Clerk, Bethlehem Central High School, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar by 5 p.m. on April 22.
The election and budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Planning before planting: It’s time to start planning your garden at the Bethlehem Public Library. Patrons may choose up to six packets of organic, open-pollinated seeds from the all-new Seed Library located behind the Information Desk.
The Better Angels Capital Region NYS Alliance will be holding its second information session Friday, March 15, at 2:30 p.m. as part of a series of programs with the library to encourage more people to find new ways to talk to one another and participate together in public life.
On Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. the bipartisan citizens’ group will hold a skills workshop to give participants a communication toolkit to help them better navigate the polarized political discussions that are all too common today.
The series will continue in May. Visit www.better-angels.org for more information about the Better Angels Alliance.
Learn hands-only CPR
Hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a simple skill that can save lives. According to the American Heart Association, more than 20 percent of cardiac arrests occur in public places, and administering hands-only CPR has been shown to greatly improve the chances of survival.
Learn this life-saving skill at the library on Tuesday, March 19, at 7 p.m. A Delmar-Bethlehem EMS representative will demonstrate the hands-only CPR technique followed by some hands-on practice and informal trivia fun with health-related prizes.
Listen up
At this month’s Listening Party, we turn the spotlight on Renee Fleming. Join us Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. as we listen to and discuss this esteemed soprano who continues to be widely honored for her work in opera, pop, jazz and Broadway.
Our Listening Parties meet monthly through June to hear selections from classic albums while discussing the life and music of great musicians. Join fellow music lovers and share your personal impressions and memories, rediscover milestones in music history, and talk about the artists that have shaped the musical landscape.
It’s like a book club, but for music — everyone is welcome! Bethlehem librarian Michael Farley will facilitate the discussions.
Board candidate information
Nominating petition forms and informational packets are available at the library for candidates interested in serving on the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees.
There is one seat on the 2019 ballot, currently held by incumbent Joyce Becker, who will not be seeking re-election.
Petitions must contain at least 49 signatures of voters residing in Central School District No. 6 of the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. Petitions must be filed with the District Clerk, Bethlehem Central High School, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar by 5 p.m. on April 22.
The election and budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
— Photo by Jody Squadere
An impromptu Uno game broke out at the Bethlehem Public Library on a recent Sunday, courtesy of the new collection of board games to borrow.
It’s time to get growing at Bethlehem Public Library! This spring, we are starting our very own seed library, featuring a variety of open-pollinated vegetables and some herbs. Seed libraries like ours support sustainability and food security by allowing the community free access to the means of growing their own food.
Our seed library, located at the back of the Information Desk, will be self-serve with some limits on quantities. To get the seed library up and running, we’ve scheduled some great gardening programs for both new and experienced gardeners of all ages.
Join us Saturday, March 9, at 3 p.m. as we launch the seed library with a screening of “Seed: The Untold Story,” a documentary film about the importance of heirloom seeds (PG, 94 min., Seneca Falls Picture Company).
Later in the month, Eric de Long of Foxtail Community Farm will share some tips and tricks for starting seedlings at home, including low-cost options for light, water, and heat requirements. Join us Sunday, March 31, from 2 to 3 p.m. and find out how to get a head start on the growing season.
In April, farmer and author Gary Kleppel makes a return visit to the library to talk about the ways that agriculture can improve environmental quality, public health and the economy. His program, “Eden 2.0: How Farming with Nature Can Save the Food System and the Planet,” will take place Tuesday, April 16, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Little gardeners are invited to join us Monday, April 22, at 2 p.m. for a special “Get Growing for Earth Day” event where they’ll hear stories and learn how seeds germinate before planting some to take home. Sign up for this program online, or call 518-439-9314.
You can expect even more exciting programs and additions to this new service in the coming months.
Sunday Music wraps up with recital
A Little Sunday Music wraps up the 2018-19 series on Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m. with a vocal recital by Irina Tikhonenko, who will perform British and Russian classical art songs. Concerts 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 another wonderful season of this ever-popular concert series!
Board candidate info
Nominating petition forms and informational packets are available at the library for candidates interested in serving on the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees.
There is one seat on the 2019 ballot, currently held by incumbent Joyce Becker, who will not be seeking re-election.
Petitions must contain at least 49 signatures of voters residing in Central School District No. 6 of the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. Petitions must be filed with the District Clerk, Bethlehem Central High School, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar by 5 p.m. on April 22.
The election and budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Young people became part of the show at the storytelling extravaganza “Bawshou and the Water Dragon” on Monday, Feb. 18, at the Bethlehem Public Library. The performance was part of a full week of activities for kids and families during the winter break.
Let’s talk about the state of civil discourse in this country. Many of us would agree that the “civil” part is frequently lacking. Enter the Better Angels organization. This bipartisan citizens’ movement was launched in 2016 with the goal of unifying a divided nation by bringing blue and red Americans together in a working alliance.
The Better Angels Capital Region New York State Alliance will be holding a series of programs with the library to encourage more people to find new ways to talk to one another. The first information session will be held Monday, March 4, at 6 p.m., with a second information session scheduled for Friday, March 15, at 2:30 p.m.
On Monday, April 8, at 6 p.m. the group will hold a skills workshop to give participants a communication toolkit to help them better navigate the polarized political discussions that are all too common today.
Visit www.better-angels.org for more information about the Better Angels Alliance.
A battle to remember
In the summer of 1777, British troops threatened to capture Albany and cut off New England from the other colonies. A detachment sent to capture stores in Bennington were expecting little in the way of resistance, but instead met with a decisive check by militias from Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
The Battle of Bennington marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War, and local historian David Pitlyk will be at the library Tuesday, March 5, at 7 p.m. to discuss this pivotal engagement and how it has been commemorated over time.
Women in history
Celebrate Women’s History Month with us as we present a pair of programs that highlight the achievements and struggles of notable women and those who would help them in their quest for equality.
On Wednesday, March 6, Lorraine Weiss from the Shaker Heritage Society will discuss some of the key women in the Watervliet Shaker Community, a group that was ahead of its time in treating men and women as equal. “In Her Rightful Place: Women in Shaker Society” will take place from 1-2 p.m.
On Sunday, March 24, at 3 p.m., author Brooke Kroeger will discuss her book “The Suffragents: How Women Used Men to Get the Vote,” which details how powerful New York men were influential suffrage allies. This event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Albany County.
Board candidate information
Nominating petition forms and informational packets are available at the library for candidates interested in serving on the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees.
Petitions must contain at least 49 signatures of voters residing in Central School District No. 6 of the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. Petitions must be filed with the District Clerk, Bethlehem Central High School, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar by 5 p.m. on April 22.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
A trio of friends finds a quiet corner to play in the Children’s Place at the Bethlehem Public Library.
Nominating petition forms and informational packets are available at the library Information Desk beginning Monday, Feb. 25, for candidates interested in serving on the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees.
There is one seat on the 2019 ballot, currently held by incumbent Joyce Becker, who will not be seeking re-election.
Bethlehem Public Library takes very seriously its responsibility to serve the community by providing access to resources and programming that enhance the quality of life of our residents. Our trustees make this possible through their dedication and vision, and they fill a very important public-service role that affects every taxpaying resident, whether that person has set foot in the library or not.
Board meetings are held at the library monthly and are open to the public. Meetings begin at 6 p.m. and last about two hours. Trustees are expected to regularly attend.
Petitions must contain at least 49 signatures of voters residing in Central School District No. 6 of the towns of Bethlehem and New Scotland. Petitions must be filed with the District Clerk, Bethlehem Central High School, 700 Delaware Ave., Delmar by 5 p.m. on April 22.
The election and budget vote will be held on Tuesday, May 21, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
Newsletter available
The March/April edition of Footnotes has been mailed, and it’s full of some great summer programming for all ages. You can also pick up a copy in the library or view it online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Intro to the Internet
The world wide web can be a daunting place for beginners. How do you find the information you’re looking for? And what’s a domain, browser, cache or cookie? The library can help.
On Monday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to noon, we’re holding an “Intro to the Internet” class for computer beginners. We’ll go over the basics of using the Internet, focusing primarily on the world wide web. Call 518-439-9314 to sign up.
BCN-TV reminders
Bethlehem’s public access station, BCN-TV, features productions that range from 30-second public service announcements to long-running series. Shows span a wide range of topics — public affairs and poetry, religion and relationships, music and medicine, education and environment. Local school and town board meetings are also cablecast, and a community calendar runs daily.
You can easily find out what is on and coming up on BCN-TV with our online guide. The listings are continually updated and project the schedule a week out. Find the new weekly BCN-TV guide online atwww.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/tvschedule.asp.
You can watch BCN-TV on Spectrum Channel 1301 and Verizon Fios Channel 28.
Storm and ice warning
In the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Weather conditions can occasionally cause icing near the entrances that could lead to closure even when the town roadways are clear. Call ahead at 518-439-9314 if you are unsure. Information may also be available on our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.