#BethlehemPublicLibrary #SpotlightNews
Is cabin fever starting to creep in for you and your toddler or preschooler? Come to the library to enjoy a snowy storytime, and then decorate a snowy scene using your fingertips and white paint at the “Stories and More: Snowy Fingerprints” program Friday, Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. This event is for children up to age 6 with family, and it counts as a Rubber Ducky Club activity! Not sure what that means? Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/programs/children/rubber-ducky-club to learn how your child can earn cool prizes while building early literacy skills.
What are Friends for?
Everyone knows life is better with friends, and the library has some pretty good ones dedicated to increasing public awareness of our mission, as well as sponsoring programs that enrich the entire community. Want to know more? The Friends of Bethlehem Public Library are holding their annual organizational meeting on Monday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. New Friends and those interested in the all-volunteer group are always welcome.
Some of the library’s most popular events and activities are funded by the Friends, including mini-golf, bus trips to Glimmerglass and New York City, and the ice cream social during the Evenings on the Green summer concert series finale. If you’ve ever borrowed a GoPro camera or checked out an American Girl doll, ukulele, telescope or metal detector, you have the Friends to thank as well.
The Friends also underwrite the popular winter concert series,
“A Little Sunday Music,” and they support the “Writers and Friends” guest author series. Because of the Friends, library patrons can check out free passes to a number of area museums and historic buildings, including Olana, MASS MoCA, the Albany Institute of History & Art, Museum of Innovation and Science (miSci), Children’s Museum at Saratoga, and more. (You’ll find the complete list at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org; find “museum passes” under the “More” tab.)
The Friends of the Library meet on the third Monday evening, every other month. Meetings are open to the public. If you would like to play a greater role in this community organization, introduce yourself at the next meeting or contact the Friends liaison at [email protected].
WWI series ends
The library is wrapping up its WWI 100th Anniversary series on Friday, Dec. 14, at 2:30 p.m. with a screening of “All Quiet on the Western Front” (NR, 133 min., Universal), the 1930 film based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque about the experiences of a group of young German recruits and the tragedy of war through their eyes.
Holiday Hours
The library will be closed Monday through Tuesday, Dec. 24-25, for the Christmas holiday, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. We’re always open online atwww.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Storm Warning
Please remember that in the event of inclement weather, the library’s telephone system will provide information on a closing or delayed opening. Call ahead. Updated information can also be found on our Facebook page and website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Other upcoming events
All events are free and take place at Bethlehem Public Library, 451 Delaware Ave., Delmar. For more information, call 518-439-9314 or visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Tuesday, Dec. 18
KBA: Kids Builder
Association
Build your own fun with Legos, Snap Circuits, K’nex, blocks, origami and more, 4-4:45 p.m. For kids and families.
Chess Club
Sign up for one session per night and try your hand at chess with our teen volunteers, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. OR 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All experience levels welcome. For grades K-5.
— Kristen Roberts