Do you love digital borrowing at the library but crave instant gratification? Then Hoopla’s for you! The all-in-one digital service lets you instantly borrow audiobooks, e-books, graphic novels, music, movies, TV series, and now even magazines.
With the new Hoopla Magazines BingePass, you get a week of unlimited access to a collection of more than 50 in-demand magazine titles for all ages and interests, such as HGTV; Elle; Popular Mechanics; Fast Company, Inc.; Men’s Health; Time for Kids; Woman’s Day; Runner’s World; Wine Spectator; and many more.
The Hoopla Magazines experience is designed specifically for digital use, so it’s easy to navigate. (Can’t find what you’re looking for? Don’t forget, we also have hundreds of digital magazines through Flipster and OverDrive.)
There’s also a Hoopla BingePass for the Great Courses Library Collection. Explore more than 300 courses with a wide range of topics, from art to zoology. With The Great Courses, there’s never any homework, tests or pressure — just in-depth instruction from some of the world’s greatest professors. The Great Courses are also available on our Kanopy streaming service.
You can also watch high-quality and engaging documentaries and nonfiction series from Hoopla’s Curiosity Stream BingePass. Use one borrow to access an ever-growing collection of award-winning films, shows, and series covering science, nature, travel, history, technology, and more.
How does a BingePass work?
— BingePasses are available to Bethlehem cardholders and will count as just one of your 10 monthly borrows in Hoopla;
— After you borrow a BingePass, you can access the content immediately. The content is available to you for seven days. To access it again, you can find your BingePass in the Borrowed section of My Hoopla;
— Once you’ve borrowed a BingePass, you’ll be logged into the BingePass partner website or app where you can explore all they offer, directly through their platform.
To access Hoopla, as well as our other digital collections, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and click on the “eContent” button.
Black History
Month collections
Since the 1970s, February has been celebrated as Black History Month, a time to recognize the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans throughout history who have helped make this country what it is today.
Hoopla has compiled a number of Black History Month collections that focus on the Black experience in the United States, including e-books for adults, teens, and children; audiobooks; books by Black authors; and graphic novels. Visit Hoopla (www.hoopladigital.com) and search for “Black History Month” to see what’s available.
Sing along with
“Encanto” soundtrack
Can’t get enough of la familia Madrigal? The Oscar-nominated soundtrack to “Encanto” is available to stream on Hoopla so you can sing along with all your favorites (as long as you don’t talk about Bruno). The soundtrack features eight original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and its vibrant Latin rhythms will have you and your family up and dancing on even the dreariest of winter days. Visit Hoopla (www.hoopladigital.com) and search for “Encanto” to find the soundtrack.
We’ve changed the way we handle renewals. We are now automatically renewing eligible items that have reached their due date. This means you won’t have to lift a finger to have your loan period extended.
There are some exceptions, including materials that have already been renewed twice, those that have another patron hold, and high-demand non-renewable items like museum passes.
When you receive your due-date reminder, it will show the items that have been automatically renewed along with the new due date. You will also see which items cannot be renewed, so you’ll know exactly what has to go back to the library and what you can keep a little bit longer.
Community expedition
There’s still plenty of time to take part in our Community Expedition for kids and families. Enjoy the outdoors this winter and explore our shared community and natural areas.
Stop by the Children’s Place anytime from now until Feb. 25 to pick up expedition supplies (stamp pad, journal, and map) and start your journey. Visit the mapped locations at your pace and on your schedule.
Keep your eyes peeled at each location to complete the activities before stamping your journal. Expeditioners will have a chance to explore places like the Pine Hollow Arboretum, Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail, Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy areas, and more.
Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy some fresh air with our Community Expedition. Before you know it, spring will be here, and you will have firsthand knowledge of all the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities in our own backyard.
Homework
help online
Does your child need a little extra help this school year? Library cardholders have access to HelpNow by Brainfuse, a learning resource for all ages with personalized homework help in core subjects, as well as SAT preparation. Live one-on-one online tutoring is available for elementary, middle school, high school, and college students.
Find HelpNow on the library’s Research page at bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/research.asp.
Storm 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.
— Photo from Onnesha Roychoudhuri/Melville House Books
Onnesha Roychoudhuri will be joining Bethlehem Public Library for a virtual Q and A and discussion of her book “The Marginalized Majority: Claiming Our Power in a Post-Truth America” on Monday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m.
Our every-other-month Check ’Em Out book-discussion group is bringing in noted author Onnesha Roychoudhuri for a virtual Q and A and discussion of her book “The Marginalized Majority: Claiming Our Power in a Post-Truth America” on Monday, Feb. 7, at 7 p.m.
Roychoudhuri is a writer, speaker, and educator with over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of storytelling and social justice. “The Marginalized Majority” was named one of the best books of 2018 by Kirkus Reviews. She regularly leads writing and storytelling workshops and her writing has appeared in publications such as Rolling Stone, The Boston Review, McSweeney’s, The Rumpus, The Nation, Salon, and Mother Jones.
In “The Marginalized Majority,” Roychoudhuri argues against the notion that, if progressives want to reclaim power, they need to reach across the aisle and look past identity politics. Instead, she makes the case that progressive voices are already the majority — and that a plurality of identities is not only their greatest strength, but is also at the indisputable core of successful progressive change throughout history.
To sign up, visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com and click on the date of the event. You can borrow a copy of the book from the library or download the audiobook on Hoopla with no wait:www.hoopladigital.com/title/12151550.
Need tax forms?
We’ve got ’em!
Tax season has begun, and we know that for many people, the library is their go-to for forms and information. The library has federal tax forms available now and state forms are coming soon. Did you know we can also print copies of any tax form for you at the Information Desk?
Homeschool
library skills
A library is every student’s best friend. We’ve got research materials to help with assignments, as well as books and additional reading to enhance studies. On Friday, Feb. 11, at 10:30 a.m., we’re holding a Homeschool Library Skills program just for students in grades 6-12 who are homeschooling. Join us for an overview of using the library’s card catalog and databases and get some hands-on experience. To sign up, visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com and click on the date of the event. Workforce resources
Looking to make a career change or kick your job search into high gear in 2022? Curious about your chances of being hired with the skills and experience you have today? Our librarians have compiled a list of workforce development resources that can help steer you in the right direction. Find it at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/workforce-development-resources.
Do you know your employability score? Visit our workforce development resources page and scroll down to JobZone to find out. Start by taking the “What’s my employability score?” survey and then explore the website for ways to help you improve your score and get that job.
Kindness – pass it on!
Be sure to follow us on social media to share all the ways acts of kindness have made a difference in your life. What are your favorite quotes about kindness? Share them by tagging us at #BPLKindness.
“Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson was the most read nonfiction book in 2021 at the Bethlehem Public Library. It was also the most-borrowed nonfiction e-audiobook. “Caste” takes a deep dive into the caste systems throughout civilization, including those in the United States that institutionalize the divisions within our society.
Borrowing picked up last year as we were able to increase our hours while taking appropriate safety precautions. One thing remains certain: Our borrowers know what they love! Below are some of your most-loved loans of 2021.
Up first is Most Borrowed Novel: “The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig. This reader favorite was even the featured read at our December Check ’Em Out Books discussion group.
Bethlehem’s Most Borrowed DVD of 2021? “Minari,” which follows a Korean American family who move to an Arkansas farm in search of the American dream. What will we watch in 2022?
In nonfiction, this title rose to the top in 2021: “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. It was also the most-borrowed nonfiction e-audiobook. “Caste” takes a deep dive into the caste systems throughout civilization, including those in the United States that institutionalize the divisions within our society.
Readers stayed immersed in the world of the Hunger Games with the prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins, which was the most-borrowed young-adult title of 2021.
“MarioKart 8” for the Nintendo Switch was once again the most-borrowed video game title in 2021, but last year we also added some PS5 titles like “Jurassic World: Evolution 2” and “Subnautica: Below Zero” that are sure to give Mario a run for his money in the future.
Dog Man author Dav Pilkey continues to rule the roost when it comes to Most Borrowed Children’s Book. In 2021, it was the 10th in the series, “Mothering Heights.”
Last year, more people started venturing out and about. That might be why The Empire Pass to New York State Parks was our most borrowed museum pass in 2021.
For the third straight year (pre- and mid-pandemic), laptop computers and Wi-Fi hotspots were the most borrowed items in our Library of Things collection, reflecting the need in our community for digital access.
In e-books, “The Four Winds” by Kristin Hannah topped the most-borrowed list in 2021 for fiction. This bestseller is an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against a backdrop of the Great Depression.
“Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, HER Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed” by Lori Gottlieb takes the reader behind the scenes of a therapist’s world and came in first for most-borrowed nonfiction e-books of 2021.
The suspenseful thriller “Five Total Strangers” by Natalie D. Richards was the most-borrowed digital young-adult title of 2021.
Our digital magazine collection grew in 2021, but it was the gossipy distraction of US Weekly that propelled it to the top of the Most Borrowed list for 2021.
Downloadable audiobooks have quickly replaced CDs as the preferred way to listen to books. In the top spot for most-borrowed fiction titles for 2021 is the great American detective story “Promised Land” by Robert B. Parker.
To check out one of these most-borrowed titles for yourself, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org and search the catalog or click on the eContent button on the homepage to download digital content.
We know it’s cold outside, but sometimes the best way to survive an upstate winter is to get out there and embrace it! With that in mind, we’ve created a Community Expedition for kids and families that will encourage you to get outdoors this winter to explore our shared community and natural areas.
Stop by the Children’s Place anytime from now until Feb. 25 to pick up expedition supplies (stamp pad, journal, and map) and start your journey. Visit the mapped locations at your pace and on your schedule. Keep your eyes peeled at each location to complete the activities before stamping your journal.
Expeditioners will have a chance to explore places like the Pine Hollow Arboretum, Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail, Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy areas, and more.
Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy some fresh air with our Community Expedition. Before you know it, spring will be here, and you will have firsthand knowledge of all the wonderful outdoor recreation opportunities in our own backyard.
Take a deep breath
The beginning of the new year can be a stressful time — especially when you’re facing down an ongoing pandemic. Take a moment for yourself and relax with a virtual guided meditation session Saturday, Jan. 29, led by Melissa Hurt, a communication coach, certified trainer of Lessac Kinesensic voices/speech and movement, and a certified yoga teacher.
Meditation can help reduce stress, calm the mind, and promote emotional health. The guided meditation session begins at 3 p.m. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
Celebrate community with
collaborative sketchbook
Speaking of community activities, everyone is invited to contribute to our collaborative Bethlehem Community Sketchbook. Borrow it from the library and fill in your page with a drawing, poem, painting, or anything else that you can think of.
When the sketchbook is full, it will become a permanent part of the library’s collection. All entries are welcome, but we encourage you to explore this year’s theme: Kindness Matters. You can find the Sketchbook at the Information Desk.
Sharing kindness
Our Kindness Matters campaign is going strong with surprise giveaways, Just for Me: Teen Book Boxes, and more! For more information, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/kindness-matters.
Be sure to follow us on social media to share all the ways acts of kindness have made a difference in your life. Share your Kindness Resolutions for 2022 by tagging us at #BPLKindness.
Kindness Matters is generously co-sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library.
The kindness of kids
Do you know someone under 18 who has made a contribution to the community? We want to know about it! We are now highlighting the volunteer activities of kids in our community on a special bulletin board in the library hallway.
The Kids Making a Difference display can be reserved for one month at a time and is a great way to give a shout out to young people who are giving back to their community. For details or to reserve a spot, call the library at 518-439-9314.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Starting at 7:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, Bethlehem Public Library staff handed out a limited number of COVID-19 test kits curbside. The tests were gone by 9 a.m. They were made available through Albany County and the Town of Bethlehem Emergency Management Office to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.”
This holds true even as we struggle to keep our spirits up amid increasingly contentious public discourse and seek moments of connection with our fellow human beings that spark joy. Kindness matters. And you matter to us. That’s why we’re bringing back our Kindness Matters campaign and inviting you to pay kindness forward.
In the coming weeks, we’ll be inviting you to share acts of kindness you’ve experienced or been a part of by tagging the library on social media using #BPLKindness. Those who participate in our weekly Kindness Matters challenges in January will be entered to win some great Kindness Matters goodies.
You might also find some special surprises in your Book or Media Bundle request, along with personal notes from library staff. Go to www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/book-bundle-request to sign up for a Book or Media Bundle.
Check our calendar this month and next for take-and-make craft kits that will be available for children while supplies last. Children are encouraged to make the craft to give to a family member, friend, or neighbor. Visit bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to see what’s coming up.
We’re showing teens that we care about them by offering Just for Me: Book Boxes filled with curated treats and books to keep. These are available to BCSD teens in grades 6 through 12, one per household. Sign up is open through Jan. 17. Boxes will be available for delivery or pickup in mid-February. To register for your Teen Book Box, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/teen-book-boxes.
Our Kindness Matters campaign is generously co-sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library. Sharing kindness with others is just as rewarding as receiving it. Let’s start 2022 off with kindness!
Celebrate community with
collaborative sketchbook
Everyone is invited to contribute to the collaborative Bethlehem Community Sketchbook. Borrow it from the library and fill in your page with a drawing, poem, painting, or anything else that you can think of.
When the sketchbook is full, it will become a permanent part of the library’s collection. All entries are welcome, but we encourage you to explore this year’s theme: Kindness Matters. Look for the sketchbook at the library’s Information Desk.
Speak up
with Pronunciator
Did you resolve to learn a second language in the new year? The library can help!
While there are a lot of language-learning programs out there, Pronunciator, an online language resource available to Bethlehem cardholders, 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 — in a matter of seconds. You can choose from over 160 languages to learn, including American Sign Language.
Bethlehem cardholders can access Prononunciator on the library’s Research page at webapps.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/research.asp.
We’ve wrapped up yet another unexpected year at the library. Despite the challenges we faced with pandemic-related closures and service limitations, we spent much of 2021 dreaming up new ways to bring you the best of Bethlehem Public Library in a safe and socially responsible way.
Some highlights from 2021:
— Our Luminaries for Hope display on the plaza walkway in early January was a way for our Bethlehem neighbors to share messages of hope for the new year;
— The library’s Kindness Matters campaign encouraged others to pay kindness forward;
— Our seed library returned in the spring with a new online “shopping” portal. We also added home seed-starting kits to our Library of Things collection;
— We added a texting option to our curbside pickup service;
— Rock star, playwright, and author Larry Kirwan paid a virtual visit and talked about his life and work, including his most recent novel “Rockaway Blue”;
— Coffee and Conversation hosted noted speaker Giacomo Calabria for a four-part virtual series highlighting the military science of the American Civil War;
— Creativebug, which provides thousands of high-quality, on-trend arts and crafts instructional videos, was added to the library’s digital resources;
— The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library held outdoor Pop-Up Book Sales in May and September;
— Bethlehem Public Library’s budget of $4.45 million for the 2021-22 fiscal year was overwhelmingly approved by voters. There was no increase in the levy over the previous year;
— Multiple Story Strolls were set up around town so that families could enjoy a picture book and activities outside;
— Summer Reading returned with the theme Tales and Tails;
— The library partnered with the town to provide family-friendly live entertainment all summer at our Thursdays in the Park series. We also welcomed the return of our Evenings on the Green summer music series;
— Children’s author and illustrator Jeff Mack stopped by for an outdoor event to talk about why and how he makes his books;
— Author Dr. Gretchen Sorin and filmmaker Ric Burns were part of a lively and important conversation sponsored by Upper Hudson Library about the documentary “Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America”;
— A new mobile app launched that allows users to search the catalog, manage their accounts, place holds, pay fines, and more;
— The Great Give Back provided an opportunity for library patrons statewide to partake in meaningful, service-oriented experiences;
— New York Times bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz, who has written seven novels, including “The Plot,” joined us for a virtual Q and A;
— October was a busy month for the library, with a virtual pumpkin-carving contest, trick-or-treating at the library, and the community Trunk or Treat event at the town park;
— Our blood drive in November was well-attended after a year’s hiatus;
— The library distributed K9-95 masks and rapid COVID test kits provided by Albany County and the Town of Bethlehem Emergency Management Office; and
— At year-end, circulation of library materials is once again approaching pre-pandemic levels.
Did you know your Bethlehem library card lets you borrow from our vast collection of books, movies, and more and also gives you access to the 28 other libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System?
Prefer to go digital? Our e-book and e-audiobook collection includes thousands of titles and is expanding all the time. We also offer video streaming services and a huge selection of online learning tools.
When you borrow instead of buy, you can save hundreds of dollars a year!
The library is about more than books and media, though, and even if you are already a frequent library user, you might not be aware of all the “extras” we offer:
— Programs, concerts, and events for the whole family — from early literacy and book discussion groups to craft and sewing classes;
— Laptops and Wi-Fi hotspots to borrow for digital access on the go;
— Online language-learning and citizenship resources;
— On-site printing, copying, and faxing;
— Employment resources;
— One-on-one tech help;
— Twenty-four-hour WiFi at five locations throughout town;
— An expansive Library of Things where you can borrow board games, household tools, musical instruments, telescopes, and more; and
— Passes that offer free admission to dozens of area museums.
Most importantly, we are a community gathering place where everyone is welcome. If you have any questions, we’re here to help. Give us a call at 518-439-9314 or email .
We look forward to your next visit to Bethlehem Public Library and can’t wait for you to discover all the great library services available to you! To learn more about the resources available to cardholders, visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org/welcome-to-bethlehem-public-library.
Switch to Libby
E-book readers, have you made the switch to Libby yet? Now is the time to do it. The Libby app makes it easy to borrow OverDrive e-books, audiobooks and magazines to read on your phone or tablet. Download Libby from your app store. Setup is simple for new users and current OverDrive app users.
In early 2022, the legacy OverDrive mobile app will no longer be available to download and will be phased out.
Need help making the switch? Give us a call at (518) 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org/online-content-through-overdrive-and-libby.
Storytime online
Looking to explore some picture books at your own pace? Bethlehem librarian Miss Anne has put together some Storytime Online Kits highlighting popular titles like “The Kissing Hand,” “The Day the Crayons Quit,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and more. So whether you are traveling or the library is closed for the holiday, you can treat your little ones to a storytime – anytime.
Each “kit” features a video of the story being read – sometimes even by the author – along with several related activities to do at home. Visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs/children/story-time/storytime-online-kits and then click on the cover you want to explore.
Storm warning
In the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Call ahead at 518-439-9314 if you are unsure. Information may also be available on our website at bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
— Combined image from Bethlehem Public Library staff
“As we were setting up our newest Story Stroll in Elm Avenue Park, we took it as a good sign that a ‘deer’ friend stopped by and seemed quite ‘fawned’ of it,” writes Kristen Roberts.
Don’t let yourself feel cooped up this winter. Head out for some fresh air and enjoy an outdoor story at our newest Story Stroll at Elm Avenue Park featuring “We Walk Through the Forest” by Lisa Ferland.
Story Strolls promote literacy, physical activity, and time together for caregivers and children as you follow a story along on a numbered path.
Looking for even more Story Strolls? Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs/children/enjoy-a-storywalk for a list of Story Strolls in our area.
Big data at
your fingertips
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, Reference Solutions (formerly ReferenceUSA), a big data resource that grants access to continuously updated business and residential information in the U.S. 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 available through Reference Solutions, as well as the site’s sophisticated mapping tool that helps identify potential customers. Beyond the marketing and business possibilities, Reference Solutions 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 Reference Solutions 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.
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 can also donate online through the Friends of the Library page on our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/about-us/friends-of-bethlehem-public-library.
Holiday hours
The library will be closed Friday and Saturday, Dec. 24 and 25, for the Christmas holiday, and Friday and Saturday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, for New Year’s.
December is a fine time to hunker down with a pile of books or a bunch of movies, and our Book and Media Bundles and Binge Boxes make it easy to do just that. There’s no need to worry about making multiple trips out and braving the crowds, the cold or the icy streets — the library offers one-stop “shopping” that will keep you entertained for days.
Who doesn’t love a nice surprise? Our Book and Media Bundles offer the same sense of mystery and excitement you get when opening a gift. When you sign up for one, our librarians hand-pick selections just for you 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 favorites genres and formats — maybe with a surprise or two thrown in!
Book and Media Bundles are available for adults, teens, grade-schoolers and “read-to-me” children up to age 6. You will be contacted by email or phone when the items are ready for pickup. Questions? Email bookbundle@bethpl.org.
Are you tired of Netflix but looking for a collection of binge-worthy films in one simple package? Look no further! We have hundreds of themed binge boxes to check out. With binge boxes, you can choose from themes like “Marvel’s Avengers,” “Tempt Your Palate,” or “Didn’t See That Coming” and you’ll get a pre-selected set of four to six films that fit the bill.
To see what’s available, search the catalog at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org for “Binge Box.”
Community Room
Our Community Room has been in high demand since it has been reopened for public use, and we recognize that it may not be as available as it has been in the past. This is due to a number of factors, including the need for a larger space for library-hosted programs and a smaller booking window.
We will continue to monitor the situation, but please note that the library’s board room is available for smaller groups to use, as well. For more information about booking a public meeting room at the library, go to www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/book-a-space.
Ancestry.com changes
We’d like to remind you that at the beginning of the new year, Ancestry.com will no longer be available for off-site use. Users will need to access the resource while at the library. This is a return to the company’s pre-pandemic terms of use.
Libby
In early 2022, the legacy OverDrive mobile app will no longer be available to download and will be phased out. Current OverDrive app users are encouraged to switch to Libby, which you can download from your app store. Setup is simple for new users and current OverDrive app users. Need help? Give us a call at 518-439-9314.
Holiday hours
The library will be closed Friday and Saturday, Dec. 24 and 25, for the Christmas holiday, and again on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, for the New Year’s holiday.