— Photo by Bethlehem Public Library staff
Kids create their own custom tails in honor of the Summer Reading theme “Tails and Tales” as the Bethlehem Public Library kicked off the Summer Reading Challenge with a Shake Your Tailfeathers event on the Green.
Andy the Music Man is ready to get your toes tapping at our next Thursdays in the Park performance on July 8. Andy is a children’s musician renowned for the special way he connects with his audiences. He mixes traditional and original songs while involving kids through sing-alongs, dancing, play-acting, and storytelling.
Our family-friendly Thursdays in the Park series is held in partnership with Bethlehem Town Parks and Recreation every Thursday at 7 p.m. through Aug. 5 at Elm Avenue Park.
Other upcoming shows include:
— July 15: Heard: World Jazz;
— July 22: Image Quilt Dance Theater;
— July 29: Ratboy Jr.; and
— August 5: Magician Ron Cain.
Shows are co-sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library and take place on the special events lawn at the park, with space available on a first-come basis. Visit bethlehem.librarycalendar.com for additional details.
Reading Challenge
Spend your summer reading with us! Registration for the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge is happening now and is 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-2021 to get started.
Concerts on the Green
Join us for some live music this Tuesday, July 13, featuring the Pent-Up Jazz Project playing jazz standards the whole family can groove to.
Our Evenings on the Green concerts are generously sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library and are appropriate for all ages. This year, they will take place every Tuesday at 7 p.m. through July 27. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will take place the following day.
Also coming up:
— July 20: Roxy and The Road Kings, playing classic hits from the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s; and
— July 27: Blind Crow, a progressive bluegrass string quartet.
Trustees meet
At their Monday, July 13, organizational board meeting, library trustees will swear in returning board member Harmeet Narang, as well as approve the 2021-22 authorizations. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. and can be watched on the library’s YouTube channel and website.
Summer hours
Please note, the library is closed Sundays in July and August. You can access the library catalogue and other library services online anytime at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Wi-Fi out and about
Planning a picnic in the park 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 also find Free Library WiFi 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 at the town hall parking lot and playground.
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 7 p.m. from July 1 to Aug. 5 at Elm Avenue Park in Bethlehem.
Our first performer in the series needs little introduction. Jester Jim, who will be kicking things off July 1, is no stranger to our library community. His zany sense of humor and mad juggling skills have made him an audience favorite. Last summer, he even brought the house down over Zoom — no easy feat when audience interaction is a big part of the show. This summer, he’s back and in person, and you won’t want to miss it! This is not your ordinary juggling show. With a trunk full of props and a looping machine, Jester Jim delivers mesmerizing entertainment for all ages.
Thursdays at the Park Summer 2021:
July 1: Jester Jim;
July 8: Andy the Music Man;
July 15: Heard: World Jazz;
July 22: Image Quilt Dance Theater;
July 29: Ratboy Jr.; and
August 5: Magician Ron Cain.
Shows are co-sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library, with space available on a first-come basis. Visit bethlehem.librarycalendar.com for additional details.
Summer Reading
Registration for the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge has begun and is open to all ages. Once you sign up, you can track your progress through challenge cards for a chance to earn some great prizes. Sign up here: bethlehempubliclibrary.org/summer-reading-2021.
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 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. Request your bundle here: bethlehempubliclibrary.org/book-bundle-request.
Live music
Our Evenings on the Green summer music series is generously sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library; the shows are appropriate for all ages. This year, they will take place every Tuesday at 7 p.m. through July 27. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will take place the following day.
Coming up:
— July 6: Nisky Dixie Cats, a seven-piece ensemble performing Dixieland-style jazz;
— July 13: The Pent-Up Jazz Project, playing jazz standards;
— July 20: Roxy and The Road Kings, performing classic hits from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s; and
— July 27: Blind Crow, a progressive bluegrass string quartet.
Fines reminder
Don’t forget: Beginning July 1, we will once again start charging fines for late items. For information about library fines and loan periods, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/loan-periods-and-fines.
Summer Reading is here. Get ready for a tail-wagging time! Summer Reading sign-up has begun, and this year’s theme — Tails and Tales — is a fun take on reading inspired by creatures mythical and real.
Registration for the 2021 Summer Reading Challenge at the Bethlehem Public Library is open to all ages. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org to register. Once you sign up, you can track your progress through challenge cards for a chance to earn some great prizes. You can also join us for themed programs all summer long — online and in-person. Check out the calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to see what’s coming up!
With the launch of Summer Reading comes the return of our all-ages bookmark contest, so break out those colored markers and get drawing! Entries in our Summer Reading Bookmark Contest can be submitted through Aug. 31. The contest is open to all ages, so pick up an entry form at the library or find one with the Summer Reading information online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Evenings on the Green
Live music is back at the library! We are so pleased to announce the return of our Evenings on the Green summer music series. The free concerts are generously sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library and are appropriate for all ages. This year, they will take place every Tuesday at 7 p.m. through July 27. 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:
— June 29: Red Dirt Highway: Americana and Folk music;
— July 6: Nisky Dixie Cats: Seven-piece ensemble performing Dixieland-style jazz;
— July 13: The Pent-Up Jazz Project: Jazz standards;
— July 20: Roxy and The Road Kings: Classic hits from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s; and
— July 27: Blind Crow: Progressive bluegrass string quartet.
Expanded hours
There have been a lot of big changes in recent days as we bring back even more of the library experience you had come to know and love in pre-pandemic times.
The library is now open for in-person use during the following hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Following state guidelines lifting COVID-19 restrictions, the library is not requiring masks inside the building. Unvaccinated individuals will be responsible for their own mask usage. Anyone who chooses to wear a mask for any reason may do so.
Please know that even as we bring back new ways of accessing the library, we are keeping other services like curbside pickup and Book Bundles that allow you to continue to decide how much contact you are comfortable with. Visit our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org for details.
Summer Reading is right around the corner! Hang out with us outside on the library plaza Sunday, June 20, at 2 p.m. as we use paint, markers, and more to create big, colorful lawn signs to celebrate the start of Summer Reading.
When we’re done, we’ll display our signs on the library lawn for everyone to see! No registration is necessary. All ages are welcome to participate. Children under age 9 should be accompanied by an adult at all times. This program will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to check the status.
You’re invited
to a Listening Party
On Thursday, June 17, at 2 p.m. we’ll be holding our annual “Be the DJ” edition of the Listening Parties series. That means you get to choose what the group listens to and discusses.
Send up to four selections of music to librarian and moderator Michael F. at . He will ask you for your comments during the discussion, but if you’re not comfortable speaking in public on Zoom, you can include your thoughts in the email.
What are Listening Parties? They’re like a book club, but for music! Join fellow music lovers and share your personal impressions and memories, rediscover milestones in music history, and talk about the artists that have shaped the musical landscape. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
Due date reminder
Remember to renew or return your overdue books before the end of the month to avoid late charges! The moratorium on late fees has been extended through the end of June, after which the library will once again start charging for overdue materials.
For more information about our loan periods and fines, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/loan-periods-and-fines.
Pop-Up Library
The Pop-Up Library on the Plaza takes place Tuesdays through June, from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., weather permitting. Our Pop-Up Library is a fun, outdoor browsing experience on the entrance walkway that offers a low-contact way to look through new releases and popular titles for kids, teens and adults. The library building is open during the Pop-Up Library, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for outside — there are plenty more shelves to look through inside.
Holiday hours
Just a reminder: The library will be closed Saturday, June 19, in honor of the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the day a Union regiment brought news to remote Texas that the Emancipation Proclamation had ended slavery – two-and-a-half years earlier. The day is typically celebrated with religious services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings, and festivals with music, food, and dancing.
Our doors are now open seven days a week. Masks are strongly recommended for all library visitors age 2 and up. Masks are mandatory for unvaccinated visitors. For the latest information about library hours and building updates, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/service-building-updates.
Warmer days are here, which means we’re turning the library inside out and bringing back our Pop-Up Library on the Plaza for the season!
Our Pop-Up Library will be set up Tuesdays in June from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., weather permitting. It’s a fun, outdoor browsing experience on the entrance walkway off the parking lot, where you’ll find hot new releases and popular titles for kids, teens, and adults.
Visit our website (bethlehempubliclibrary.org) for any weather-related updates. The library building will be open during the Pop-Up Library, so if you don’t see what you’re looking for outside — there are plenty more shelves to explore inside!
Closed for Juneteenth
The library will be closed Saturday, June 19, in honor of the 156th anniversary of Juneteenth, a holiday that marks the day a Union regiment brought news to remote Texas that the Emancipation Proclamation had ended slavery — two-and-a-half years earlier. The day is typically celebrated with religious services, speeches, educational events, family gatherings, and festivals with music, food and dancing.
Want to learn more about Juneteenth? Hoopla, one of our streaming digital services, has a collection of great books and movies to help kids learn more about the importance of Juneteenth and Emancipation – no wait required. See what’s available here: bit.ly/3hLDcRy. Or find dozens of books and media about Juneteenth for all ages in our catalog here: bit.ly/3ch6rLd.
Historic murder gets a new look
In 1827, a murder occurred at the Cherry Hill farm, home of the well-known Van Rensselaer family. The crime aroused tremendous public interest, and the subsequent trial culminated in the last public hanging in Albany.
Although it appeared to be a crime of passion, the case uncovered some simmering issues of the day including women's roles and legal rights, social class, punishment and the law, and slavery in New York. Join us for a special virtual presentation on the 1827 Cherry Hill Murder Friday, June 11, at 1 p.m. Hear the words of those involved in the crime and decide whom you think was guilty or innocent. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to sign up.
Summer Reading
Join us outside on the library plaza Sunday, June 20, at 2 p.m. as we use paint, markers, and more to create big, colorful lawn signs to celebrate the start of Summer Reading. When we’re done, we'll display our signs on the library lawn for everyone to see!
No registration is necessary. All ages are welcome to participate. Children under age 9 should be accompanied by an adult at all times. This program will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com to check the status.
Due date reminder
Remember to renew or return your overdue books before the end of the month to avoid late charges! The moratorium on late fees has been extended through June 30, 2021, after which the library will once again start charging for overdue materials.
For more information about our loan periods and fines, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/loan-periods-and-fines.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Go for a StoryWalk at the Bethlehem Public Library. The library recently set up “Fox and the Bike Ride” by Corey R. Tabor along the path circling the building.
There’s so much to explore at the library — inside and out! Stop by anytime to enjoy an outdoor story at our newest StoryWalk installed right here on library grounds!
Meander along the path circling the building as you enjoy the hilarious adventure cooked up by mischievous Fox in “Fox and the Bike Ride” by Corey R. Tabor. The StoryWalk begins at our Delaware Avenue entrance.
Our StoryWalks are supported by funds from the New York State Library’s Family Literacy Library Services Program and by Upper Hudson Library System.
WiFi out and about
Planning a picnic in the park 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.
We recently added the Town Hall parking lot and playground to the list of locations where we offer free WiFi 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You’ll also find Free Library WiFi outside the library building, at the Elm Avenue park and pool, at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center and at Colonial Acres Park in Glenmont.
All about Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is not normal aging. It is a disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Join us online Wednesday, June 16, at 6 p.m. for “Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia” to learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, Alzheimer’s disease stages and risk factors, current research and treatments available to address some symptoms, and Alzheimer’s Association resources.
This program is presented by the Alzheimer Association Northeastern New York Chapter. Sign up here: bethlehem.librarycalendar.com/events/understanding-alzheimers-and-dementia.
At your doorstep
Books to People is a free library delivery service available to residents of the Bethlehem Central School District who are unable to visit the library because of a permanent or temporary medical condition, including COVID-19 exposure concerns.
The library van will deliver requests every two weeks, and pick up returns. You can request books, circulating magazines, DVDs, music CDs and audiobooks. To ask for this delivery service, contact the library Information Desk at 518-439-9314.
Due date reminder
The moratorium on late fees has been extended through June 30. In the coming weeks, please check your account for any overdue materials that you might have forgotten about and bring them in to avoid charges.
Speak up with
Pronunciator
There are so many benefits to learning a new language, and now, with international travel beginning to open back up, you get ready to immerse yourself in that overseas adventure you’ve been dreaming about. With Pronunciator, the library’s online language resource, 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 for you. Choose from over 160 languages to learn, including American Sign Language.
Bethlehem cardholders can access Pronunciator on the library’s Research page (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/webapps/research.asp).
The library would like to thank voters for approving the $4.2 million budget levy for 2021-22 on Tuesday with an 83%-percent approval rate. The levy represents a 0-percent increase over the previous year. Your widespread support will allow us to cautiously plan for a return to the vibrant library experience of recent years.
Voters on Tuesday also re-elected Harmeet Narang to a five-year term on the board of trustees. Harmeet has been a member of the board since 2013 and currently serves as the chairman of the Long-Range Planning Committee.
The library’s board meetings, which typically take place on the second Monday of the month at 6 p.m., are always open to the public.
New mask guidelines
What do the state’s new mask guidelines mean for Bethlehem Public Library visitors? At this time, the library is strongly encouraging masks for all visitors inside the library and requiring them for unvaccinated visitors ages 2 and up.
This decision is based on New York State Department of Health guidance that strongly recommends masks in indoor settings where vaccination status of individuals is unknown.
Thank you for helping us keep Bethlehem Public Library a safe and welcoming space for all!
Get crafty
Have you tried Creativebug, a brand-new online resource for Bethlehem cardholders that provides thousands of high-quality, on-trend arts and crafts instructional videos?
At Creativebug, you’ll find fun and engaging classes for artists and makers of all ages and skill levels. In addition to instructional videos on drawing, painting, sewing, knitting, crochet, quilting, baking and more – all taught by experts – you’ll have access to downloadable patterns and supply lists. As part of the Creativebug community, you can also share your own images and tips with your fellow crafters.
Creativebug delivers expert instruction and inspiration straight to your favorite device so you can learn at your own pace – anytime and anywhere. You will need your Bethlehem 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.
Visit www.creativebug.com/lib/bethlehemlibrary to get started.
Library hours
We continue to expand library services based on current pandemic guidelines. Our doors are now open seven days a week, and we’ve added multiple computer/printing stations that can be used for 30 minutes per day.
The library building is now open for business: from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12:30-5 p.m. on Sunday,
Curbside hours remain: from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Monday-Thursday, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Just a reminder: Bethlehem Public Library will be closed Memorial Day weekend Saturday-Monday, May 29-31.
Due date reminder
The moratorium on late fees has been extended through June 30, 2021. In the coming weeks, please check your account for any overdue materials that you might have forgotten about and bring them in.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
Progress Club volunteers make sure Bethlehem Public Library’s outdoor spaces are beautiful all year round.
Now is the time to start rounding up those library books and other borrowed materials that may have gotten tucked away in a forgotten corner of your home as we prepare to restart fines for overdue items. The library has extended the moratorium on fines through June 30, after which we will resume charging late fees.
At the beginning of the pandemic and during the library’s unexpected closure, a decision was made to waive fines until there was a safe and reliable way to return materials. With so many things to worry about in those early days, being charged for an overdue book didn’t need to be among them.
Our automatic due date reminders have been going out since fall, but now that our doors are once again open seven days a week with book returns accepted 24/7, we will be charging for late items returned after June 30.
What does this mean for you?
— This extension of the fine moratorium gives you a little time to get back into the habit of returning library items when they are due;
— In the coming weeks, please check your account for any overdue materials that you might have forgotten about and bring them in;
— Remember to always renew or return your items by the due date to avoid late charges after June 30;
— For more information about our loan periods and fines for different materials, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/loan-periods-and-fines. Please note: The maximum charge for an overdue item is $5;
— Fees for lost or damaged items are not being waived.
Still have questions? Give us a call at 518-439-9314 or email us at .
Poetry power
Congratulations to our Poetry Month Contest winners: Kat F., Betsy R., Evelyn P., Marisa A., and Madeline S.! Click here to check out their winning poems. www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/national-poetry-month-2021-contest-winners
Prizes for the winners were donated by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library.
An outdoor oasis
We’d like to thank Ann Vandervort, Priscilla Miller, and the entire Delmar Progress Club for the amazing work they do to make our library grounds so colorful and inviting. Their tireless planning and planting in partnership with our maintenance crew is the driving force behind the park-like serenity of our outdoor spaces.
Your library today
We continue to expand library services based on current pandemic guidelines. Our doors are now open seven days a week, and we’ve added multiple computer/printing stations that can be used for 30 minutes per day.
Large gatherings and meeting room requests are still on hold, but we are expanding outdoor seating to make use of on nice days.
The library building is now open for business: from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Curbside hours remain from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Bethlehem Public Library will be closed Memorial Day weekend, Saturday to Monday, May 29 to 31.
— Photo by Kristen Roberts
A picnic was enjoyed by a group of Bethlehem Public Library patrons in the library’s plaza on Thursday, May 6. Additional tables have been set on the grounds so that people can enjoy the outdoor spaces or use them to access the library’s Wi-Fi while they study or work.
As the weather warms, we’ve installed additional outdoor seating on library grounds for those interested in working or studying outside while taking advantage of our super-fast WiFi and a nice spring day. Many of our tables also have umbrellas to provide some protection from the elements.
Desks and study rooms inside the library are currently unavailable, but all are welcome to use our outdoor spaces, which are beautifully maintained by the Delmar Progress Club and our very own maintenance crew.
Looking for a change of scenery? Find a safe, socially distant spot on library grounds to picnic, study, or just linger for a bit.
Hours expanded
Big news! We’ve expanded our in-person hours. Our doors are now open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and we’ve added walk-in hours on Sunday.
The library building is now open for business: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 12:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Curbside hours remain: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Digital literacy
There is still time to sign up for the remaining digital literacy classes hosted by the Upper Hudson Library System on GoToMeeting. These classes are available at no cost to library cardholders in the system, including Bethlehem. Now you can brush up on some of those skills that look great on a resume. Classes include Introduction to Microsoft Excel; Introduction to Windows 10; and Polling, Quizzing, Signups and more with Google Forms.
For details or to sign up, visit bit.ly/UHLSdigitalliteracy.
Friends book sale
The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library’s Pop-Up Book Sale is scheduled to take place on the library plaza Saturday, May 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. For sale are books gently used and discarded from the library collection, making space for the continued addition of new materials. Pricing is cash-only by suggested donation. The book sale is weather-permitting, and a rain date of May 22 has been scheduled.
Library vote
Bethlehem Central School District residents will vote on the library budget and an open seat on the board of trustees Tuesday, May 18, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
Bethlehem Public Library has a proposed budget of $4.45 million for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The levy portion of the budget comes in at about $4.2 million, a zero percent increase over last year and within the state-mandated spending cap.
A detailed budget chart and letter from the Board of Trustees are available in the May/June issue of the Footnotes newsletter and online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
There is one trustee seat on the 2021 ballot, currently held by incumbent Harmeet Narang, who is seeking re-election unopposed. His candidate’s statement is available to watch on the library’s YouTube channel.
The May 18 election coincides with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot/Shavuos. An absentee ballot option is available through the school district. For details: www.bethlehemschools.org/absentee-ballots-and-military-ballots-for-budget-vote.
Bethlehem Public Library has a proposed budget of $4.45 million for the 2021-22 fiscal year. The levy portion of the budget comes in at about $4.2 million, a zero percent increase over last year.
By identifying areas of savings, this spending plan allows the library to continue to invest in physical and electronic resources, as well as online access to research and investing tools, and career and educational support — without increasing the levy.
“We worked very hard to come up with a budget that maintains and grows our collection without an increased tax burden. We know that many have found the library and its resources to be a comfort during these tough times, and we believe the 2021-22 budget will allow us to continue the level of service our community deserves,” said library director Geoffrey Kirkpatrick.
A detailed budget chart and letter from the board of trustees are available in the May/June issue of the Footnotes newsletter and online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
There is one trustee seat on the 2021 ballot, currently held by incumbent Harmeet Narang, who is seeking re-election unopposed.
The board will hold a public budget review at their Monday, May 10, virtual meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. and can be watched on the library’s YouTube channel.
Residents will vote on the budget Tuesday, May 18, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Bethlehem Central High School.
Pop-up book sale
Save the date and make space on your bookshelves and stock up on some new-to-you books and DVDs at the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library’s Pop-Up Book Sale on the library plaza. The sale will take place Saturday, May 15, from 1 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. Pricing is cash-only by suggested donation.
Pandemic health
and wellness series
In May, we’re offering a virtual Pandemic Health and Wellness Series designed to help you focus on your own self care and take a break from the stress and anxiety of these challenging times. Visit our online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com and select the date and event to sign up:
— Evening Qi Gong: Tuesday, May 4, at 7 p.m.
Explore gentle postures that incorporate movement, visualization, and breathing in this class taught by librarian Cathy Brenner, who is a certified tai chi instructor. All ages welcome;
— Staying Motivated to Eat Healthy: Thursday, May 6, at 7 p.m.
Bounce back from a tumultuous year by learning mindful ways to choose nutritious, plant-forward foods and move more with Karen Roberts Mort from the Cornell Cooperative Extension;
— Learn to Meditate: Monday May 10, at 7 p.m.
Join the Shambhala Center of Albany to learn to meditate, to cultivate stability, clarity, and strength. For beginners and those who would like to refresh their skills; and
— Zentangle: Wednesday, May 12, at 6:30 p.m.
Join certified Zentangle Instructor Lisa Lehman for an intro to the Zentangle Method and practice some basic tangles.