— From “Book Folding for Beginners and Beyond”
Beth Dounane-Oldrich of Delmar will teach book-folding at the Bethlehem Public Library.
Come learn the art of book folding Monday, July 18, at 3 p.m. with Beth Dounane-Oldrich, Delmar resident and the author of “Book Folding for Beginners and Beyond.” Book folding is the art of folding pages in books to create a sculptural effect. This is an eco-friendly craft that transforms used books into art, almost like a modern-day twist on origami.
All materials will be provided, but if you have a hardcover book that you'd like to make into a piece of art, feel free to bring it.
Dounane-Oldrich is a middle school teacher and a lifetime crafter. During the pandemic, she came across the art of book folding. After falling in love with this craft, she opened up the Etsy store, Patternybooks. Her book, “Book Folding for Beginners and Beyond,” contains detailed tutorials, helpful hints and 12 unique patterns. Sign up using the online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com.
Ukraine crisis
in context
Feeling perplexed about news of the war in Ukraine? Bethlehem Public Library will host a panel discussion Monday, July 18, at 6 p.m. featuring University at Albany professors Timothy Sergay and David Rousseau to help put the international crisis in context.
This in-person program will be held in the library’s Community Room. Registration is required. Participants can sign up using the online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com.
Sergay is an associate professor of Russian languages, literatures and cultures. He has broad experience translating Russian texts and has written articles in Russian and English on poetry and translation theory.
Rousseau is associate professor of political science at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and associate professor at the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity. Rousseau’s research focuses on military conflict, shared identity, political development and foreign policy.
Read all summer
Summer reading is going strong, and there’s still time to sign up! Registration for the 2022 Summer Reading Challenge is happening now and open to all ages. Once you sign up, you can track your progress through challenge cards for a chance to earn some great prizes. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/summer-reading-2022 to get started.
Not sure what to read this summer? Check out our reading list resources at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/what-to-read-next to help you narrow down your choices.
No judgment,
no fines
Fine-free borrowing is finally here! The library no longer charges fines for overdue books and other media. Replacement fees and charges for lost or damaged items still apply, and fines of $1 per day for Library of Things items and interlibrary loan, as well as $5 per day for museum passes and Wi-Fi hotspots, will remain. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/fine-free-at-the-library for details.
Summer hours
The library is closed Sundays in July and August. You can access the library catalog and other library services online anytime at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
— Photo from Bethlehem Public Library staff
Gray skies couldn’t dampen the mood at the Thursday, June 22, Bethlehem Senior Chorus concert on the library Green.
Dive into reading: The 2022 Summer Reading theme, Oceans of Possibilities, explores aquatic animals and stories inspired by the sea. Readers of all ages can be a part of this refreshing trend by registering for our Summer Reading Challenge. Track your reading progress through our online challenge cards for a chance to earn some great prizes.
Summer Reading is about more than just books. In case you were wondering, audiobooks do count toward your total. And our youngest library friends can also participate by having someone log the books that are read to them, in addition to other cool pre-literacy activities. We’ll be hosting ocean-themed programs all summer long at the library, so be sure to check out the calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to see what’s coming up!
Need some Summer Reading inspiration? We can help! Our staff can assemble a custom Media or Book Bundle just for you to take to the beach, camping, or on that upcoming road trip. Just fill out the form on our website so we can learn a little about your reading preferences. Once you’ve heard back from us that your bundle is ready, stop by to pick it up, or drive by for curbside service. Visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org/book-bundle-request to make your request.
For more information about Summer Reading and to sign up for the challenge, visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org/summer-reading-2022.
Fine-free borrowing
As part of our preparations to go fine free in July, we recently removed existing fines from Bethlehem cardholders’ accounts. This means everyone will start our fine-free era with a clean slate!
The library is officially going fine free July 1. From that day forward, we will no longer charge fines for overdue books and other media. Replacement fees and charges for lost or damaged items still apply, and fines of $1 per day for Library of Things items and interlibrary loan items, as well as $5 per day for museum passes and Wi-Fi hotspots, will remain.
Fine free means judgment free. If you’ve been avoiding the library because you’re worried about paying fines, we are happy to welcome you back! Click here to register for your new card online (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/online-library-card-application), or give us a call at 518-439-9314 or e-mail us at to check if you already have a card.
Summer music
A staple of summer, our Evenings on the Green summer concerts series are always free through the generous support of the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library. This year, concerts will take place every Tuesday at 7 p.m. from July 5 to 26. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will take place the following day.
The library’s casual outdoor concert series has been around for more than four decades. Concert-goers can bring a blanket or lawn chair, pick a spot on the Green, and get ready to listen to some great music. Evenings on the Green concerts are always free and appropriate for all ages:
— July 5: Zan and the Winter Folk;
— July 12: Narrow North;
— July 19: The Lustre Kings; and
— July 26: Musicats.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
The Bethlehem Public Library is starting to bring back the toys in the children’s area – and there are even more on order! The return of toys is part of the final phase of the library’s phased reopening plan.
Get to know some of your favorite authors and enjoy Q&A opportunities with bestsellers through one of the following virtual author talks available to Bethlehem cardholders. Talks will occasionally feature more than one author at a time, and additional copies of the featured books will be available.
These two talks are coming soon:
— June 29 at 7 p.m.: Author talk with Reavis Z. Wortham: “The Texas Job”
Reavis Z. Wortham will discuss his new book, “The Texas Job.” Set in 1931, this well-crafted crime novel features Texas Ranger Tom Bell, a supporting character in “The Right Side of Wrong,” Wortham’s third Red River mystery. Bell becomes a target when he discovers a dead body on the outskirts of Pine Top, a bustling oil boomtown in East Texas; and
— July 7 at 9 p.m.: Author talk with Alka Joshi: “The Henna Artist”
Join us for an enchanting evening with New York Times Best Selling author and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick Alka Joshi as she discusses her captivating and bestselling novels, “The Henna Artist” and “The Secret Keeper of Jaipur.”
Alka Joshi was born in India and immigrated to the United States when she was 9 years old, and published her debut novel, “The Henna Artist,” at the age of 62. Vivid and compelling in its portrait of one woman’s struggle for fulfillment in a society pivoting between the traditional and the modern, “The Henna Artist” leads the audience on a journey through 1950s post-independence India that is all at once lush and fascinating, stark and cruel.
In this interview, Alka will share her inspirations for her work, how her mother’s life story has influenced her writing, and her experience and role in the creation of a Netflix series based on her books.
To sign up for one of these talks or see what other ones are coming up, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/author-talks.
Read with us
this summer
Sign up for our 2022 Summer Reading Challenge today and start tracking your progress through challenge cards for a chance to earn some great prizes. This year’s theme, Oceans of Possibilities, explores animals and the stories inspired by the sea.
The Summer Reading Challenge is open to everyone — pre-K to adults.
Register online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org, and join us for the Summer Reading kickoff Friday, June 24, as our friends from the Puppet People present two performances of “The Pirate of Book Island.”
Coming soon:
Fine-free borrowing
Bethlehem Public Library is going fine-free on July 1, 2022. From that day forward, we will no longer charge fines for overdue books and other media. Replacement fees and charges for lost or damaged items still apply, and fines of $1 per day for Library of Things items and interlibrary loans, as well as $5 per day for museum passes and Wi-Fi hotspots, will remain.
Fine free means judgment free. If you’ve been avoiding the library because you’re worried about paying fines, we are happy to welcome you back! Click here to register for your new card online (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/online-library-card-application), or give us a call at 518-439-9314 or e-mail us at to check if you already have a card.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
“Bethlehem Public Library loves Pride Month,” says Kristen Roberts. “Be sure to check out some of the great librarian-recommended titles in our display at the Information Desk because ‘books show us every color of the rainbow.’”
A fine farewell: Great news!
Bethlehem Public Library is going fine free on July 1, 2022. From that day forward, we will no longer charge fines for overdue books and other media.
Going fine-free means you will no longer receive daily fines on overdue books and media. “No fines” does not mean “no responsibility.” You are still responsible for returning your items — we do want them back!
Replacement fees and charges for lost or damaged items still apply, and fines of $1 per day for Library of Things items and interlibrary loan, as well as $5 per day for museum passes and Wi-Fi hotspots, will remain. Cardholders owing $10 or more will have their accounts blocked until the amount is paid down.
Materials that are more than 30 days overdue are assumed lost, and you will be billed for the replacement costs. However, if you bring back the item, those charges will be dropped. Please remember that other people may want the item you borrowed, so don’t hesitate to return it.
As always, e-content never accrues any fines and will automatically be returned at the end of the lending period. E-content is always accessible to Bethlehem cardholders regardless of fines or fees on a cardholder’s account.
Why go fine free?
Daily small charges called fines are “compliance charges” used to incentivize material returns, but research has shown those small fines do not significantly contribute to those returns. Eliminating those charges reduces barriers to library access and creates a more positive library experience for patrons and staff at the Circulation Desk.
Overdue fines on average make up less than one quarter of one percent of the library’s annual budget. The library has been able to shift other budget lines to make up for the lost revenue.
If you’ve always thought of paying your fines as a donation to the library, you still can. Donations to the library can be made through the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library. Your donation will support critical library programs and services. To learn more or donate online, visit bit.ly/FriendsBPL.
Fine-free means judgment-free. If you’ve been avoiding the library because you’re worried about paying fines, we are happy to welcome you back! Click here to register for your new card online (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/online-library-card-application), or give us a call at 518-439-9314 or e-mail us at to check if you already have a card.
For more information about fine-free lending, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/fine-free-at-the-library.
Let’s dance!
Bollywood dancing has long had international appeal for its colorful, theatrical style and unique gestures and movements that are used to tell a story through dance.
Children in first through fifth grades are invited to learn more about this tradition at our Bollywood Dancing for Kids program on Saturday, June 24, at 11 a.m. Join us on the Green for a demonstration by Narthanalaya School of Arts, followed by instruction and a brief performance.
Visit our calendar at Bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
Juneteenth reminder
The library will be closed Sunday, June 19, in honor of the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth.
By Kristen Roberts
Meet us at the park: What’s more fun than an evening of silly antics, magic or music? Watching it all live and in-person with your family and friends!
Let’s get together in the park this summer for live entertainment featuring some of your favorite performers. The library has teamed up with Bethlehem Town Parks and Recreation to offer Thursdays in the Park, a family-friendly series every Thursday at 6:30 p.m. from June 16 to Aug. 18. This series is co-sponsored by Friends of Bethlehem Public Library and Friends of Bethlehem Parks and Recreation Department.
Back by popular demand is our first performer in the series: Heard. Energetic and upbeat, this band will be kicking things off June 16 with a vibrant sound that incorporates influences from West Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and beyond.
The following week, the zany Zucchini Brothers will be playing music for kids of all ages. On June 30, The Rumble Kings, an old-school guitar band, will rock South Bethlehem Park. And that’s just the month of June!
Check out the complete summer lineup below:
— June 16: Heard: World Jazz;
— June 23: Zucchini Brothers;
— June 30: Rumble Kings at South Bethlehem Park;
— July 7: Ron Cain’s Captain HurriCain’s Underwater Adventure Magic Show;
— July 14: Doc Benson Band;
— July 21: Out of the Box;
— July 28: David Engel’s Captain Nemo’s Adventure Academy;
— Aug. 4: Storyteller Diane Edgecomb’s Trail Mix;
— Aug. 11: Playin’ with Fire at Henry Hudson Park; and
— Aug. 18: The Traveling Lantern Theater Company’s Camp Ocean.
Shows take place on the special events lawn at Elm Avenue Park unless otherwise noted, with space available on a first-come basis. Visit bethlehem.librarycalendar.com for additional details.
Speak up
with Pronunciator
Explore the world by learning a new language! While there are a lot of language-learning programs out there, Pronunciator, the library’s online language resource, takes a personalized approach to make learning work for you. 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. You can choose from over 160 languages to learn, including American Sign Language.
Bethlehem cardholders can access Pronunciator on the library’s website at bethlehempubliclibrary.org. Click on the “Research” tab in the main menu bar.
Juneteenth
The library will be closed Sunday, June 19, in honor of the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the day a Union regiment brought news to remote Texas that the Emancipation Proclamation had ended slavery – 2-1/2 years earlier.
Members of the Upper Hudson Library System are invited to take part in “We Who Believe in Freedom: A Community Conversation,” a special presentation in honor of Juneteenth.
Gather virtually over Zoom Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m. for a free community conversation with Dr. Alice Green about her book “We Who Believe in Freedom: Activism and the Struggle for Social Justice.” Green founded the Center for Law and Justice, a civil rights organization, in 1985, and serves as its executive director.
Sign up at bit.ly/3uUggZ5.
Tomb with a view: Our Coffee and Conversation series for adults continues Fridays at 1 p.m. in person on the Green, and on June 3, we’ll be heading down the Nile — with a crafty twist!
Hear all about the archeological find of the 20th Century — the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. View some examples of the treasures found and Egyptian masks. A fun Egyptian-themed craft will follow the presentation. Visit our calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
What’s cooking?
Did you miss it the first time around? Back by popular demand is our virtual Lebanese Cooking class with Robert Khalife on Wednesday, June 8, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Khalife, a native of Lebanon, will prepare several dishes popular in his native country. This is a live cooking class for those wishing to cook along, or it could be viewed as a cooking demonstration.
Recipes will be provided in advance. Participants will be able to pick up kits at the library containing some unique spices and ingredients prior to the program. This program is open to adults and teens 16 and older. Visit our calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
Stroll with us
Head out for some fresh air and enjoy an outdoor story at one of the following Story Strolls in the Town of Bethlehem:
— On Bethlehem Public Library grounds, starting at the Delaware Avenue entrance;
— Pine Hollow Arboretum in Slingerlands;
— The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s Normans Kill West Preserve; and
— Elm Avenue Town Park by the playground; the Story Stroll is on the lower loop trail.
Story Strolls promote literacy, physical activity and time together for caregivers and children as you follow a story along on a numbered path.
Wi-Fi out and about
Spending some time outdoors this weekend? Don’t forget you can tap into our vast network of Free Library WiFi in public places throughout town. Stream some music, find a trail map, or check for upcoming events – without using up your phone’s data.
You’ll find Free Library Wi-Fi 24 hours a day, seven days a week outside the library building, at the Elm Avenue park and pool, at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center, at Colonial Acres Park in Glenmont and the Town Hall parking lot and playground.
Whenever you see “Free Library WiFi” show up on your device, you’ll know you’ve tapped into the library’s growing digital network that provides Internet access all over town.
Wi-Fi to go
When it comes to free library Wi-Fi — you can also take it with you. The library loans out Wi-Fi hotspots to Bethlehem cardholders. Use the device to stream music or your favorite show or do some online research on your own time and in your own space — there are no restrictions as long as cell service is available.
The devices are easily portable and can be borrowed for two weeks at a time. Search the catalog at bethlehempubliclibrary.org to request yours.
The library would like to thank voters for approving the $4.3 million budget levy for 2022-23. Your ongoing support will allow the library to continue to invest in physical and electronic resources, while making adjustments for expected increases in energy costs and building maintenance over the coming year.
As a service-driven organization, we’ve taken a close look at our staffing needs, and the 2022-23 budget provides for the addition of two new staff positions, with one dedicated to coordinating and supporting volunteer and accessible employment opportunities at the library. We also remain mindful of our role in removing barriers to library access within our community, and the 2022-23 budget supports our move to a fine-free model in the coming months.
On Tuesday, May 17, voters also elected Sarah Patterson to a five-year term on the board of trustees. She said her goal as a trustee is to help the library continue to serve the community in new and innovative ways, while still maintaining the loaning of books as a core component.
The library’s board meetings take place on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. and are always open to the public.
Longtime trustee
exits board
Next month, the Bethlehem Library Board of Trustees will bid farewell to Mary Redmond, who is stepping down from her post after two five-year terms, five years of which she served as board president.
Redmond, during her tenure as trustee, helped shepherd through a massive heating-ventilation-air-conditioning upgrade and kept a watchful eye on the library’s financial reporting. The library and board of trustees have benefited from her community connections and perspective.
Memorial Day
Bethlehem Public Library will be closed Memorial Day weekend Saturday to Monday, May 28 to 30. Access the library catalog and other library services online anytime at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Watch for us in the town Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30. After a two-year pandemic hiatus, this fantastic community event returns, and we can’t wait to be a part of it. See you there!
A conversation
about social justice
Bethlehem patrons, as members of the Upper Hudson Library System are invited to take part in “We Who Believe in Freedom: A Community Conversation,” a special presentation in honor of Juneteenth.
Gather virtually over Zoom Monday, June 20, at 7 p.m. for a free community conversation with Dr. Alice Green about her book “We Who Believe in Freedom: Activism and the Struggle for Social Justice.” In discussion with Paul Grondahl, director of the New York State Writers Institute at the University at Albany, Green will talk about her experience as a life-long advocate for social justice, discuss historic and continuing challenges in our community, and share the work she is currently doing and how community members can help.
To sign up, visit bit.ly/3uUggZ5. A Zoom link sent following registration.
This program is presented in collaboration with the Center for Law and Justice and the New York State Writers Institute and is provided by the Upper Hudson Library System.
— Bethlehem Public Library file photo
The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library will hold an outdoor book sale fundraiser Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, from noon to 4 p.m.
Celebrate warmer days with some cool craft tutorials from Creativebug, an online resource for Bethlehem cardholders that provides thousands of high-quality, on-trend arts and crafts instructional videos.
Learn how to hand-sew some cute farm-animal finger puppets, craft an intricate fairy bubble wand, crochet an easy-breezy tank top, and so much more with step-by-step instructional videos. You will need your library card to start an account so you can revisit past projects or pick up where you left off on a current one.
New classes are added daily. To see what you can do at Creativebug, visit www.creativebug.com/lib/bethlehemlibrary.
Book a space
Public groups can request to reserve meeting space in the library’s Community Room and Board Room free of charge. At this time, requests can be made up to 6 months in advance through our online reservation system. When patrons request a room, they agree to the terms and conditions of our meeting room policy.
To see what’s available, visit bethlehem.librarycalendar.com/reserve-room.
Groups booking rooms at the library are required to follow any health and safety rules that apply to the library as a whole. Currently, masks are strongly encouraged, and food and drink, as well as use of the Community Room kitchen, are allowed. Please be aware that this situation could change with little notice.
Study rooms inside the library are available on a first-come basis for one hour at a time. Stop by the Information Desk next time you visit to see what’s available.
Ladies of
the Revolution
We’ll be getting crafty at our upcoming Coffee and Conversation Friday, May 20, at 1 p.m. At the Remember the Ladies program, we’ll be learning about some of the Revolutionary heroines whose spunk and spirit left a mark on U.S. history.
Stories about their adventures will be shared by a presenter in 18th Century clothing. After hearing these amazing tales, you’ll be invited to choose from assorted materials to craft miniature paper-backed portraits of your favorite trio. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
Book sale
It’s almost here! The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library’s Book Sale Fundraiser will be held on the library plaza this Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22, from noon-4 p.m. For sale will be books and other materials that have been removed from the library collection and are in excellent condition. Many are duplicate copies of popular titles, and large print titles will be available.
Enjoy some live music while you shop on Saturday, with guitarist Warren Sieme playing familiar tunes for families from noon-1 p.m., and jazz trumpeter Steve Lambert and guitarist Joe Finn performing from 2 to 3 p.m.
Pricing is cash-only by suggested donation; the Friends will not be able to make change.
Election info
To find the results of the 2022 budget vote and Board of Trustees election, please visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/2022-election-and-budget-vote.
Memorial Day
The Bethlehem Public Library will be closed Memorial Day weekend Saturday through Monday, May 28 through 30.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
The Dero Fixit station in front of Bethlehem Public Library is open for 24/7 bicycle maintenance.
On Wednesday, May 4, the two candidates running for the Bethlehem Public Library Board of Trustees discussed their backgrounds and goals for the library at a virtual Meet the Candidates event. There is one open seat this year, and on the ballot are Sarah Patterson and Annie Scott.
Watch their presentations and learn more about the candidates through their responses to our questionnaire available online: www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/board-of-trustees/2022-election-and-budget-vote.
The Bethlehem Public Library has a proposed budget of $4.58 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The levy portion of the budget comes in at about $4.3 million, a 3.25 percent increase over last year and within the state-mandated spending cap.
Bethlehem Central School District residents will vote on the budget on Tuesday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
Get ready
to ride
May is National Bike Month. Is your bike ready to ride? The library has a public-use bicycle service station near the entrance closest to the parking lot that is free to use, 24 hours a day. The Dero Fixit device features hanger arms that bring the bike off the ground and allow the pedals and wheels to move freely. It includes all of the tools needed to perform basic bike repairs and maintenance on the spot.
Change a flat, adjust the brakes and derailleurs, or fix a wobbly seat — all at the library. Attached to the Fixit station by cables are Philips and flat-head screwdrivers, six sizes of Allen wrenches, six sizes of box wrenches, and two tire levers. Adjacent to the station is a heavy-duty air pump with a universal pump head that accommodates all valve stem types.
If you ride your bike to the library but didn’t bring your lock, no worries! You can borrow one of ours with your library card. Now you can take your time browsing for books and materials or enjoying a library program while knowing that your bicycle is safe and secure.
Friends Book
Sale Fundraiser
The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library will hold a Book Sale Fundraiser on the library plaza Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, from noon to 4 p.m. For sale will be books and other materials that have been removed from the library collection and are in excellent condition. Many are duplicate copies of popular titles, and large print titles will be available.
Pricing is cash-only by suggested donation; the Friends will not be able to make change.
Enjoy some live music while you shop with the following performers scheduled for Saturday, May 21:
— From noon to 1 p.m.: Guitarist Warren Sieme will play familiar tunes for families; and
— From 2 to 3 p.m.: Jazz trumpeter Steve Lambert and guitarist Joe Finn will perform.
Story time
Please note that the library’s indoor Family Story Times on Fridays have a very limited number of spots available. Registration is required, and this program is not available on a drop in basis.
We continue to offer regular Family Storytimes, Baby Bounce and Books, and Music and Movement outside on the Green. Visit our calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to see what’s available.
Memorial Day
The Bethlehem Public Library will be closed Memorial Day weekend, Saturday through Monday, May 28 to 30.
In May, the library will begin offering an indoor Family Story Time with a limited number of spots available. Registration for this story time is required. Please note that this program is not available on a drop-in basis.
We continue to offer regular Family Story Times, Baby Bounce and Books, and Music and Movement outside on the Green. Enjoy stories, songs, and more with all of your story-time friends. These programs will be canceled in inclement weather, so be sure to check our calendar if the skies look “iffy.” There’s no need to sign up for our outdoor story times; just come on by!
Visit our calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to browse and sign up for storytimes.
Helping women
and girls in need
The library is accepting new, unopened donations of feminine hygiene products to give to our local food pantry. According to the not-for-profit organization Feeding the Hungry, millions of women in this country go without important personal-care items every day because of shrinking household budgets, and one in five girls left school early or missed school entirely because they didn’t have menstrual products available. A donation bin will be set up in the library lobby through May 25.
This collection for women in need locally ties into a program we’re holding later this month to help girls around the world have access to menstrual hygiene products through the MoonCatcher project. We’re holding a sewing bee on Wednesday, May 25, at 1 p.m. to assemble reusable pads and bags to be distributed to young women in 30 different countries. No special skills are required to participate. Space is limited. Visit our calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
Everything’s better
in bundles
Not sure what to read, watch, or listen to next? Want to find some new books for your kids without having to scan the shelves for something that jumps out at you?
Our Book Bundles include selections hand-picked for you by one of our librarians based on the reading preferences you share through this form: www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/book-bundle-request. We use that information to narrow down 10 curated picks in your favorite genres and formats — maybe with a surprise or two thrown in!
Bundles are available for adults, teens, grade-schoolers, and “read-to-me” children up to age 6. We even have special bundles that can be customized for educators. You will be contacted by email or phone when the items are ready for pickup. Questions? E-mail .
Budget and
election news
Bethlehem Public Library has a proposed budget of $4.58 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year. The levy portion of the budget comes in at about $4.3 million, a 3.25 percent increase over last year and within the state-mandated levy cap.
There is one open trustee seat. On the ballot are Sarah Patterson and Anne Scott. Visit our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org to learn more about the candidates.
The board of trustees will hold a public budget review at its meeting on Monday, May 9, which begins at 6 p.m. and can be watched on the library’s YouTube channel: bit.ly/BethPLYouTube.
Bethlehem Central School District residents will vote on the budget Tuesday, May 17, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.