As we wrap up another tremendous year at the library, it’s a good time to reflect on all the ways throughout the past months we’ve been able to connect with the community – a relationship that inspires us to grow and enhance the services we provide.
2017 Highlights :
Our Friends-supported Library of Things continues to expand, with the addition of musical instruments, American Girl dolls, and tech tools like solar chargers, laptops and more.
Our Children’s Place was host to a brood of chicks this spring that our young patrons helped raise from eggs and tend to with help from naturalist George Steele.
We launched Rubber Ducky Club, a year-round early literacy program that allows babies, toddlers and preschoolers to log literacy moments and earn prizes.
The library handed out more than 1,000 solar eclipse viewing classes and featured special programming leading up to the rare Aug. 21 celestial event.
We redesigned our website for a cleaner, more accessible look.
Musical programming remains strong, with our Sunday Music concert series delighting classical music fans in the winter and Evenings on the Green providing more lively outdoor fare in the summer. We also began a partnership with the Center for Disability Services to co-host morning concerts for all ages and abilities.
Our popular Project Runway teen sewing series went green this year with a challenge to incorporate recycled materials in the designs.
The Ann Seegal Memorial Storytelling series featured Emily Ellison in the spring and a “Travel the World in Tales and Tunes” extravaganza in fall.
The library’s Halloween costume swap continues to grow and provide a way for even more people to “upcycle” their old costumes, and everyone got into the spirit of the annual indoor preschool Halloween parade.
Adults and children have enjoyed library cinema series with popular titles specially selected for them.
Indoor mini-golf returned this summer with a special guest appearance by Pete the Cat.
Job coaching and programming throughout the year aimed to help people make the next step toward their career goals.
Holiday Hours
We’ll be closed Monday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. We’re always open online at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
First Night at the library
The library will be hosting a number of family-friendly activities from 7-10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, as part of the townwide Bethlehem First Night 2018 celebration.
Warm up in the Community Room with some high-energy tunes from Andy the Music Man, who will perform two sets beginning shortly after the doors open. Later on, the talented kids from Broadway Bound Performing Arts Academy will showcase their singing and dancing. Face-painting will take place throughout the evening in the Storyhour Room, and make-and-take crafts will be set up in the hallway. You’ll even be able to try out the library’s brand-new Oculus Rift virtual reality headset in the Board Room and see what it’s like to immerse yourself in a digital world.
All activities will take place in the library’s lobby and meeting rooms, and regular library services will not be available.
Other events
All events are free and take place at Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Friday, Dec. 29
Giant Word Winder
Find out how to play this larger-than-life cross between Scrabble and Tic Tac Toe, 2-3 p.m. For grades K-5.
Friday, Dec. 29
Make it from Scratch
An introduction to Scratch Jr., a coding program for beginners, with sessions from 10-11:30am and 1-2:30pm. For children ages 5 and up who will work with caregivers in a 1-to-1 ratio on the library’s iPads. Register children only. Sign up online or call. Registration is limited.
Star Wars Trivia
Now that the latest movie in the series is out, it’s time to test your knowledge of the first eight films. (No spoilers, we promise!) May the Force be with you, 10-11:15 a.m. Prizes donated by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library. Sign up online or call.
— Kristen Roberts