Bethlehem Library Notes for Wednesday, January 19, 2022

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.