— Photo by Kristen Roberts
The Year of the Pig was celebrated at the Bethlehem Public Library with a heart piggy craft at the Children’s Place creation station.
What do you do when the kids have a whole week off of school in the middle of winter?
Head to the library, of course! We’ve got fun programs scheduled the entire winter break featuring performances, parties, movies, and more.
Check out the complete list at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org or pick up a flyer at the library.
A dragon’s tale
The fun starts Monday, Feb. 18, with a special storytelling event for all ages. In “Bawshou and the Water Dragon,” storytellers Bells & Motley, the husband-and-wife team of Sondra Bromka and John Bromka, present a traditional Chinese tale of wonder and adventure through costume, dance ,and music performed on authentic Chinese instruments.
The library will be hosting two performances of “Bawshou and the Water Dragon,” one at 11 a.m. and the second at 2 p.m., along with special participation workshops for children before each show. The event is part of the Ann Seegal Memorial Storytelling series. Seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.
And so much more
The busy February vacation week continues with the following activities for kids:
— Friday, Feb. 15: Super Smash Afternoon — Join your friends to play Super Smash Bros. on the WiiU, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. For grades 6-12;
— Tuesday, Feb. 19: Unicorn Party — Join us for unicorn stories and a craft, then decorate your own magical cupcake, 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. Each child must be registered individually; please sign up for only one session. For kids and family;
— Wednesday, Feb. 20: Stone Soup — Shape biscuit dough into a yummy treat and watch a classic Stone Soup tale while they bake. When the biscuits are done, enjoy them with some vegetable soup, 2 p.m. Please bring a canned vegetable or soup for the local food pantry. For kids and family. Sign up online or call;
— Thursday Feb. 21: KBA — Kids Builder Association — Build your own fun with Legos, Snap Circuits, K’nex, blocks, puzzles, origami and more, 10 a.m. For kids and family;
— Friday, Feb. 22: No-Sew Caterpillar and Story — Listen to a story about a caterpillar, then make your own cuddly caterpillar to keep, 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. For kids and family. Sign up online or call; each child must be registered individually.
— Friday, Feb. 22: Vacation Cinema — A yeti is convinced that the elusive creatures known as “humans” really do exist (PG, 96 minutes, Warner Bros.), 2:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or pillow to get comfy on the floor. For kids and families.
Underground Railroad history
Pamphlets and newspapers are being distributed. People are singing songs of protest in some of the churches and at meetings and conventions.
The 1960s civil rights movement? No, this is the Underground Railroad movement of the mid-19th Century.
On Monday, Feb. 18, from 7-8 p.m., Paul and Mary Liz Stewart, independent researchers and co-founders of Underground Railroad History Project, will share this new interpretation of an old story. “The Underground Railroad: The First Civil Right Movement” will highlight many of the movement’s components, as well as who was involved.
— Photo by Cathy Brenner
Local civil rights attorney Stephan Haimowitz discusses the range of racial controversies affecting the country at Bethlehem Public Library’s “Racism and the Law” program on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
The Capital Region has no shortage of talented musicians, and the Bethlehem Public Library has been very lucky to feature many in the popular winter concert series, A Little Sunday Music, which resumes Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. with The Bleecker Consort, a local ensemble specializing in Medieval and Renaissance music.
The Bleecker Consort formed in 1988, and its members come from a variety of professional backgrounds. They play a diverse set of instruments, from early strings such as mandolin, lute, harp and hurdy-gurdy, to recorders, reeds and a variety of percussion. In 2018, they released “Bleecker Consort Live at St. Paul’s,” which was recorded during two “Music at Noon” concerts at St. Paul’s Church in Troy.
Concerts are free and open to the public. A Little Sunday Music is sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library.
Be a part of the story
We’re kicking off winter break on Monday, Feb. 18, with storytellers Bells & Motley, who will share two performances of “Bawshou and the Water Dragon,” a traditional Chinese tale of wonder and adventure told through costume, dance and music performed on authentic Chinese instruments.
Even better, children in grades 2-8 can sign up to be part of the story by taking part in workshops prior to each performance where they learn how to play the instruments and manipulate props. Workshops take place at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. and are limited to 15 participants. Performances are at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. To sign up, visitwww.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “Calendar” tab. This is an Ann Seegal Memorial Storytelling event.
A trivia night for film fanatics
Do you know not only the Best Actor and Best Actress Academy Award winners from past years, but also who took home the statues for Best Cinematography and Foreign Language Film? Yes? Then we have a movie-themed trivia night coming up that’s just for you!
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the library is hosting a special Academy Awards trivia challenge. The fun starts at 7 p.m., and winners get bragging rights, as well as some cool prizes donated by the Friends of the Library.
Video-editing class
There are two more Adobe Premiere Elements training sessions scheduled before the opening of the library’s Studio Makerspace in mid-March. Learn how to edit videos, create titles, insert transitions, add special effects, adjust audio and more to create a professional looking video suitable for a variety of media. Two-hour training sessions take place Monday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m.-noon or Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please sign up for only one.
We’ll also be holding a special Video Editing for Teens session on Friday, Feb. 8 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. This program for teens in grades 6-12 is less instructional and more of an informal test drive of the Adobe Premiere Elements software. Participants must sign up.
Register online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org (click on the “Calendar” tab) or call 518 439-9314.
Who doesn’t have a sweet spot for Charlie Brown? He has a heart of gold that keeps us rooting for him.
On Friday, Feb. 1 from 10 to 11 a.m., kids and families are invited to watch how Charlie Brown and his friends celebrate Valentine’s Day while making a few heart-shaped valentines of their own at our “Valentines and Hearts Galore” program.
No age limit on fun
Who says kids should have all the fun? Grownups can head to the library Monday, Feb. 4, for an adults-only gathering to play games, including chess, color and socialize from 6-8:30 p.m. Snacks will be served!
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.
New life for old home movies
Do you have some old home movies on VHS that you would like to digitize? You can now borrow an analog video converter from our Library of Things.
Make a digital copy of those precious memories from a VCR, camcorder or other analog sources using the Elgato Video Capture. The device includes RCA and S-video cables, as well as a SCART adapter. They are available to borrow on a first-come basis, and must be picked up and dropped off at Bethlehem Public Library.
If you have a VHS tape but no longer the device to play it, you can reserve some time in the tech room to make a digital copy using the library’s equipment.
Video-editing class
At the library’s Adobe Premiere Elements training sessions, you’ll learn how to use the software to edit videos, create titles, insert transitions, add special effects, adjust audio and more to create a professional looking video suitable for a variety of media.
Two-hour training sessions take place Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.; or Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please sign up for only one session. Register online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org (click on the “Calendar” tab) or call (518) 439-9314.
Storm and ice warning
Please remember that 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 once the town roadways are cleared.
Call ahead at 518-439-9314 if you are unsure. Information may also be available on our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Racism can be obvious when it comes in the form of big, glaring declarations of hate, but it can be subtle and pervasive, too, with the roots of many of these issues going back to the birth and growth of the United States, according to local civil rights attorney Stephan Haimowitz.
In “Racism and the Law: Confronting the Realities,” a two-part series beginning Wednesday, Jan. 30, and concluding the following Wednesday, Feb. 6, Haimowitz will delve into the range of racial controversies affecting this country — from mass incarceration, to voting rights, affirmative action and beyond.
He will review how United States law embedded racism in the country’s birth and growth, then moved incrementally to ban discrimination. He will also examine many of today’s disputes in terms of three divergent legal concepts: color blindness, diversity, and reparations.
Haimowitz presents a timely discussion in light of a Siena Research Institute poll released just this month that found the majority of New Yorkers do not hold a positive view of the current state of race relations, a rapid decline from just six years ago.
The program begins at 7 p.m. both nights. A list of suggested reading and films to accompany the discussion can be found in the library and online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/racism-and-the-law-confronting-the-realities.
An introduction to video editing
The library has scheduled a number of Adobe Premiere Elements training sessions as we gear up for the opening of our brand-new audio/visual studio. Learn how to use the software to edit videos, create titles, insert transitions, add special effects, adjust audio, and more to create a professional-looking video suitable for a variety of media.
Two-hour training sessions take place Thursday, Jan. 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.; or Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please sign up for only one session. Register online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org (click on the “Calendar” tab) or call 518-439-9314.
Tops in 2018
We’ve tallied up the items most frequently checked out from Bethlehem Public Library over the past year, and the results are in. The No. 1 circulating item in 2018 was a library laptop computer, followed by the portable WiFi hotspot, two items from our growing Library of Things.
Coming in at No. 3 is People magazine, followed by the most checked out DVD — “The Shape of Water.” Our most popular museum pass of 2018 was for the Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci), and the most frequently checked out book was “The Woman in the Window” by A.J. Finn, followed closely by Kristin Hannah’s “The Great Alone.”
We can’t wait to see what’s tops in 2019!
— Photo by Tori Russo
Sew sweet: Learn how to make these easy-to-sew sweetheart charms at Bethlehem Public Library Friday, Jan. 18. Registration is required.
What’s not to love about spending a chilly afternoon crafting a heartwarming gift for your sweetie — or yourself? Sign up for the Bethlehem Public Library’s Sew It Yourself: Sweetheart Charms program on Friday, Jan. 18, at 3:30 p.m., and we’ll show you how to create hand-sewn felt heart-shaped charms with a pocket for a special note, treat or trinket — just in time for Valentine’s Day.
All supplies will be provided; you can make one or a whole bunch. This program is for adults and teens. Registration is required. Sign up online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org (click on the “Calendar” tab) or call 518-439-9314.
An introduction: Digital video editing
Are you intrigued by all of the possibilities presented by digital video editing — from creating your own show to organizing your home movies and photos in a fun and shareable way. It is now easier than ever with library laptops equipped with Adobe Premiere Elements, and we’ll show you how to do it.
The library has scheduled a number of Adobe Premiere Elements training sessions as we gear up for the opening of our brand-new One Button audio/visual studio. Learn how to use the software to edit videos, create titles, insert transitions, add special effects, adjust audio and more to create a professional-looking video suitable for a variety of media.
Two-hour training sessions take place Monday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to noon; Thursday, Jan. 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Feb. 5, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m.; Monday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to noon.; or Thursday, Feb. 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Please sign up for only one session. Register online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org (Click on the “Calendar” tab) or call 518-439-9314.
Movie break for kids
Schools are closed Monday, Jan. 21, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but the library will be open. Kids and families are invited to drop by for a special Vacation Cinema at 10 a.m. Bring a blanket or pillow to get comfy on the floor.
On display
During the month of January, the library’s hallway exhibit space is featuring photographs by Halina McKenney and works by Elissa Zweibach. In February, there will be featured artwork by Lauren Axeford and photos by Bert van Grondelle of the Schenectady Photographic Society.
Do you have artwork or a message you would like to share with others? The library has three different display and exhibit spaces available to the public on a first-come basis. It is easy to sign up through www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org by clicking on the “Book a Space” tab, or visit the Information Desk to see what is available.
The three different exhibit areas include: hallway wall space, which can be reserved up to 24 months in advance; three, 6-by-3-foot exhibit tables opposite the entrance to the library proper, which can be booked one to six months in advance; and locked exhibit cases in the hallway and Children’s Place, which can be reserved up to a year ahead of time.
The library’s Displays and Exhibits policy, available on the website, provides additional guidelines.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Little ones rang in the New Year at the Bethlehem Public Library with some dancing and fun, along with a countdown — at noon on Monday, Dec. 31.
If you are looking to grow your business or seek out new career or marketing opportunities in the new year, get a head start with Bethlehem Public Library’s powerful digital research tool, ReferenceUSA, a big data resource that grants access to continuously updated business and residential information in the United States and Canada for research, marketing, job-seeking and more.
Local small business owners and marketing professionals can get a leg up and optimize marketing prospects using the data on ReferenceUSA, as well as the site’s sophisticated mapping tool that helps identify potential customers. Beyond the marketing and business possibilities, ReferenceUSA is a valuable tool for general research, such as locating individuals or information about healthcare professionals.
To access the site through Bethlehem Public Library, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “Research” tab. On the research page, you’ll find ReferenceUSA listed in alphabetical order. The service is free for anyone to use on-site at the library, where the data collected can be downloaded and saved. Bethlehem patrons can also access the site remotely using a library card.
Research tools
Speaking of database resources at the library, Bethlehem cardholders also have access to Scholastic Go!, where students can search a collection of more than 115,000 articles, newspapers, videos, atlases and more in one go. The information will come back intuitively organized and easy to cite.
Scholastic Go! also features an Internet index that includes more than 80,000 carefully selected websites to provides additional, reliable information on any given subject. Start your next research assignment with Scholastic Go! Access the link on the BPL Research webpage at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/research.asp.
Ready to relax
Did you resolve to be more mindful in the new year? We can help. Join us Friday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m. for an introduction to Qi Gong, an ancient Chinese art that promotes health and wellness. De-stress with the gentle flowing movements and breathing exercises of qi gong.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. All abilities welcome. The class is taught by certified instructor and Bethlehem librarian Cathy Brenner.
Study hall
The library has set aside dedicated group study space for Regents test prep from Tuesday, Jan. 15, through Thursday, Jan. 24. Most study halls will take place in our community room, unless otherwise noted.
Students and their tutors are welcome to drop in and stay as long as needed during scheduled hours. The full schedule is available at the library and online at www.bplteens.org.
Check mates
Do you know a kid who loves to play chess or wants to learn how? Tell them to sign up for one of our Chess Club sessions in January and February.
At Chess Club, teen volunteers play chess with school-age children of all experience levels. Upcoming Chess Clubs will be held Jan. 15 and 29, and Feb. 5 and Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. Sign up at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. It is a good time to reflect on all the ways human trafficking robs people of their freedom and how it can be prevented.
With that in mind, Theresa Schillaci, Safe Harbour coordinator for Albany County, will be at the Bethlehem Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. for a talk about how the organization helps youth who are victims or at risk for human trafficking. To be a part of this important discussion, sign up online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org or call 518-439-9314.
Study hall at the library
Are you ready for Regents? The library has set aside dedicated group study space for Regents test prep from Tuesday, Jan. 15, through Thursday, Jan. 24.
Most study halls will take place in our community room, unless otherwise noted. Students and their tutors are welcome to drop in and stay as long as needed during scheduled hours. The full schedule is available at the library and online at www.bplteens.org.
Technology fund
The Krakower-Storch Family Technology Fund, established at the end of 2016 by Bethlehem residents Joe and Naomi Storch, is used by the library to purchase items for our collection that use technology to inform, educate, or entertain. In the five years following the creation of the fund, Joe and Naomi have pledged to match up to $1,000 per year of other donations.
There are so many ways that advances in technology can bring about positive changes in our lives, but many times those advances aren’t affordable for individuals. Adding these types of items to our collection — where they can be used and borrowed by many — means they can have a much broader impact on our entire community.
The library is so grateful to the Storch family for the establishment of this fund to strengthen and extend our current spending in the area of new technologies for public use.
To contribute to the Krakower-Storch Family Technology Fund, please contact Library Director Geoffrey Kirkpatrick at 518-439-9314, ext. 3022. You may also donate online through the Friends of the Library page on our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/friends-of-bethlehem-public-library.
Mango season
If learning a foreign language is on your list of things to do in the new year, check out Mango Languages, a fun and easy-to-use, self-paced language learning program with more than 70 language courses. It’s easy to get started; just head to our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “Research” tab at the top of the home page.
You’ll find Mango listed alphabetically under “Research A-Z.” Once you click the link, you’ll be asked to create an account using your email address, and then you’ll be ready to say “bonjour” to your new language.
Storm warning
Please remember that, in the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Call ahead. Updated information may also be found on our Facebook page and website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Another exciting year at the library is coming to a close and, as we look back, we are reminded of all the different ways our patrons use our services to enrich their lives and connect with the community.
Some highlights from 2018:
— Customized library-card programs let our patrons to be the stars of their own cards (along with Bad Kitty);
— We completed heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning construction to modernize our heating and cooling system and prepare our building for a comfortable and sustainable future;
— Two library programs — Rubber Ducky Club and The Federalist Papers series — earned Program of the Year honors from the Upper Hudson Library System;
— In a partnership with Bethlehem Senior Services, the library co-hosted a prom for senior citizens at Town Hall;
— Wi-Fi signal was expanded to the Five Rivers Environmental Education Center in the first state-and-public-library partnership of its kind;
— Author Sue Halpern stopped by as part of the Writers and Friends series;
— The Krakower-Storch Family Technology Fund, founded by library supporters Joe and Naomi Storch, received an anonymous donation of $10,000, significantly increasing the amount available to spend on new technologies for public use;
— We added Chromebooks, solar chargers, American Girl dolls, ukuleles, analog video converters, and wireless projectors to our Library of Things;
— Our annual indoor miniature golf event was free and open to the entire community;
— The new self-checkout kiosks at the Circulation Desk and the Children’s Place are giving patrons plenty of checkout options;
— Our Local Author Book Fair was headlined by award-winning audiobook narrator George Guidall;
— Patrons can now sign up for one-on-one genealogy help with a librarian;
— Bethlehem was one of 36 libraries participating the 2018 Upper Hudson Library Expedition; and
— A series of films, music, and lectures marked the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
First Night
The library will be hosting a number of family-friendly activities from 7 to 10 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, as part of the townwide Bethlehem First Night celebration.
Andy the Music Man returns with two high-energy musical performances, and we’ll have theater workshops with Broadway Bound Performing Arts Academy, along with face-painting and green-screen fun throughout the evening.
All activities take place in the library’s lobby and meeting rooms, and regular library services will not be available.
The library is also a venue for First Night advance button purchases.
New Year’s Eve – Preschool Style
Do you have little ones who lack the energy for those late-night New Year’s Eve festivities? Then come to the library earlier in the day to celebrate with us and be home before naptime!
On Monday, Dec. 31, kids and families are invited to our New Year’s Eve Until Noon party that begins at 11 a.m. Wear something fancy or keep it casual to enjoy some bubbles, dancing, and games as we count down to noon.
Holiday hours
The library will be closing at 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, and all day Tuesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. We’re always open online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
The Bethlehem Public Library is once again part of the lineup of venues for First Night Bethlehem, a walkable family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration held in the heart of Bethlehem. The townwide festivities kick off Monday, Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks at the Four Corners.
Make your way down to the library anytime between 7 and 10 p.m. for some exciting programs and activities for kids, tweens, and families.
Warm up in the Community Room with some high-energy tunes from Andy the Music Man, who will perform two sets beginning shortly after the doors open. Later on, take part in a theater workshop with Broadway Bound Performing Arts Academy.
Face-painting will take place throughout the evening in the Story Hour Room, and we’ll have the green screen set up in the Board Room for some picture-taking fun. Please note that regular library services will not be available.
It will be a night to remember as we welcome the New Year, library-style!
The library is also a venue for First Night advance button purchases.
School break
Need a change of scenery this December break? Come to the library, where we’ve got a full schedule of fun for kids, families and teens!
A scratch art Creation Station will be set up in the Children’s Place all week, so drop by and let your inner artist get creative. Teens can enjoy two activities just for them on Thursday, Dec. 27: Bean Bag Chair sewing at 10:30 a.m. and a Super Smash tournament on the WiiU at 2 p.m. (sign-up required for both programs).
Everyone is invited to our Vacation Cinema event on Friday, Dec. 28, at 10 a.m., which will feature a popular animated film about the wacky misadventures that ensure when a monster family from Transylvania embarks on a luxury cruise.
Later that day, children ages 9 and up can learn the basics of weaving on a loom made of straws at 3 p.m. (sign up online atwww.bethlehempubliclibrary.org or call 518-439-9314.
On Monday, Dec. 31, kids and families are invited to get festive at our New Year’s Eve Until Noon celebration that begins at 11 a.m. Wear something fancy or keep it casual to enjoy some bubbles, dancing and games as we count down to noon. Don’t forget to come back later that evening for an evening of First Night fun!
Holiday hours
The library will be closed Monday through Tuesday, Dec. 24 to 25, for the Christmas holiday, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. We’re always open online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Storm warning
Please remember that in the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Call ahead. Updated information can also be found on our Facebook page and website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Is cabin fever starting to creep in for you and your toddler or preschooler? Come to the Bethlehem Public Library to enjoy a snowy story time, and then decorate a snowy scene using your fingertips and white paint at the “Stories and More: Snowy Fingerprints” program Friday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m.
This event is for children up to age 6 with family, and it counts as a Rubber Ducky Club activity! Not sure what that means? Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs/children/rubber-ducky-club to learn how your child can earn cool prizes while building early literacy skills.
What are Friends for?
Everyone knows life is better with friends, and the library has some pretty good ones dedicated to increasing public awareness of our mission, as well as sponsoring programs that enrich the entire community.
Want to know more? The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library will hold its annual organizational meeting on Monday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. New Friends and those interested in the all-volunteer group are always welcome.
Some of the library’s most popular events and activities are funded by the Friends, including mini-golf, bus trips to Glimmerglass and New York City, and the ice-cream social during the Evenings on the Green summer concert series finale. If you’ve ever borrowed a GoPro camera or checked out an American Girl doll, ukulele, telescope or metal detector, you have the Friends to thank as well.
The Friends also underwrite the popular winter concert series, “A Little Sunday Music,” and support the “Writers and Friends” guest-author series. Because of the Friends, library patrons can check out free passes to a number of area museums and historic buildings, including Olana, MASS MoCA, the Albany Institute of History & Art, Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci), Children’s Museum at Saratoga, and more. (You’ll find the complete list at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org; find “museum passes” under the “More” tab.)
The Friends of the Library meet on the third Monday evening, every other month. Meetings are open to the public. If you would like to play a greater role in this community organization, introduce yourself at the next meeting or contact the Friends’ liaison at .
WWI series ends
The library is wrapping up its World War I 100th Anniversary series on Friday, Dec. 14, at 2:30 p.m. with a screening of “All Quiet on the Western Front.” The Universal movie is not rated; it runs for 133 minutes. The 1930 film is based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque about the experiences of a group of young German recruits and the tragedy of war through their eyes.
Holiday hours
The library will be closed Monday through Tuesday, Dec. 24 to 25, for the Christmas holiday, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. We’re always open online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Storm warning
Please remember that, in the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Call ahead. Updated information may also be found on our Facebook page and website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.