Bethlehem Library Notes for Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Every year when December rolls around, families look to the library to keep kids entertained and engaged during the school holiday. Despite all of the challenges of 2020, we are once again making that happen — with some modifications. Due to pandemic-related gathering restrictions, most of our December break programming will take place online this year.

Read on to learn more about the great things we have planned for vacation week and mark your calendars so your child can spend some time with friends at the library — virtually:

— Our Snowy Stories Contest kicks things off Dec. 21 and is open through Jan. 29. Celebrate all things winter and show off your creative writing skills at the same time. We’re inviting kids and teens in grades K-12 to write and submit an original short story by emailing it to us at . Stories incorporating visual elements may be e-mailed as PDFs. Winners will be posted online in February. Visit bethlehempubliclibrary.org/snowy-stories-contest for more information and some writing prompts to get the ideas flowing;

— Families can also stop by the library anytime for a self-guided outdoor Winter Scavenger Hunt on library grounds as you look for a series of winter-themed items like snowflakes, mittens, penguins and more. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/winter-scavenger-hunt for details;

— In the mood for a little live music? On Saturday, Dec. 26, at 2 p.m. listen to some live jazz online with the Pent-Up Jazz Project, featuring Cliff Brucker on piano, Linda E. Brown on bass, and Bob Vacca on drums. This event is for all ages, so everyone in your household can enjoy the concert together;

— From Dec. 27 through Jan. 3, families can check out “Vacation Theater: The Caterpillar Hunter,” featuring a character based on the beloved late wildlife expert Steve Irwin. In this backyard adventure, the Caterpillar Hunter shrinks himself and sets off to pursue elusive bugs and strange herbage in the wilds of a common North American vegetable garden. Register online for more information about how to access the limited time program;

— On Wednesday, Dec. 30, children in grades 2 through 5 can match their music knowledge against others when they play “Name That Tune” over Zoom. The fun starts at 2 p.m.; registration is required; and

— Our annual New Year’s Eve celebration for babies, toddlers and preschoolers is back! Join us Thursday, Dec. 31, at 11:30 a.m. and celebrate the new year by dancing to some favorite tunes before counting down together to noon! 

To sign up for our December break programs, visit the online calendar at bethlehem.librarycalendar.com and select the name and date of the program you are interested in. 

Due dates and 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.