Bethlehem Library Notes for Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Take a closer look at the fascinating world of fossils with amateur paleontologist David Clark on Tuesday, Dec. 15, as he gives a virtual tour of his prep room and fossil collection. Clark will share some of his best fossil finds, including special ones from New York, and talk about how he cleans and curates the collection.

Clark is a member and past president of the Friends of the University of Michigan Museum of Paleontology and has donated many specimens for scientific study, including a newly discovered crinoid (sea lily) that now bears his name.

“Fossil Science with David Clark” begins at 4 p.m. and will be followed by time for questions and answers. All ages are welcome. This program takes place over Zoom; registration is required. To sign up, visit the online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com and select the name and date of the program. 

The hunt is on 

Looking for something to do with your family that gets you out of the house in a safe and socially distant way? We've got just the thing! 

Stop by for a self-guided outdoor scavenger hunt on library grounds and see if you can find all of these winter-themed items:

— One Smiling Snowman;

— Two Pairs of Puffy Earmuffs;

— Three Precious Penguins;

— Four Frolicking Foxes;

— Five Mismatched Mittens; and

— A Rainbow Made of Snowflakes. 

Live tutoring

If hybrid learning this year is taking its toll and your child is falling behind, we have some tools that can help. Bethlehem cardholders have access to HelpNow by Brainfuse, an intuitive learning resource for all ages and levels with personalized homework help in core subjects (math, reading, writing, science and social studies), as well as SAT preparation.  

Live one-on-one online tutoring is available in math, science, writing and other subjects for elementary, middle school, high school and college students from 2 to 11 p.m. daily. All Brainfuse tutors have at least a four-year degree and are background checked. 

Find HelpNow on the library’s Research webpage: webapps.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/research.asp. 

Library fines 

The new year will bring some changes to our currently relaxed fine rules, which were established in the early days of the pandemic. With automatic due date reminders in place, 24/7 drop-off access and quarantine procedures established for returned items, the library will once again charge fines for overdue items returned after Dec. 31. 

What does this mean for you?

— Please check your account for any overdue materials that you might have forgotten about and bring them in;

— Because of the mandatory four-day quarantine, items returned will not show up on your account right away. Don’t worry, we will be taking that lag time into account once fines have been reinstated; 

— Remember to always renew or return your items by the due date to avoid late charges beginning Jan. 1, 2021;

— The maximum charge for an overdue item is $5. For more information, visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/borrow/loan-periods-and-fines;

— Fees for lost or damaged items are not being waived; and

— Questions? Give us a call at 518-439-9314 or email us at information@bethpl.org.