With entertainment options limited during the pandemic, many people have found themselves with a little extra time on their hands. And many have put that time to use delving into their own family history – a rewarding hobby that can provide a sense of connection to one’s own heritage, past and present.
The library has a number of tools to help you dig deep, chief among them is Ancestry.com, which has been renewed for 2021 and is available offsite exclusively to Bethlehem cardholders. With Ancestry.com, you can search billions of records, including census, military and immigration records, to discover your family’s story. Non-cardholders can access Ancestry.com by using the library’s WiFi on library grounds, including the parking lot.
You might also find what you’re looking for with HeritageQuest, which gives you access to U.S. census data and over 1 million genealogy and local history articles. On our Local History webpage you’ll find even more resources, including our Spotlight newspaper archive and the New York Heritage digital collections. Find all of these resources linked from our Research page on our website at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org.
Have you hit a genealogical “brick wall” in your own search that you need to break through? E-mail us at [email protected] with your genealogy research questions so we can point you in the right direction. We are also scheduling one-on-one genealogy appointments over Zoom to help with your questions and introduce you to the family history resources available on the library’s website. To make an appointment, fill out the online form at www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/local-history/genealogy. Appointments last approximately one hour.
Your library
is here for you
Although the library building is currently closed to the public, staff are available to answer questions by calling (518) 439-9314 or by emailing [email protected]. We understand that there are a lot of ways in-person services like printing, photocopying, research help and more are vital to our patrons, and we have staff ready to find ways to creatively assist you even when our doors are closed.
The library is currently offering no-contact curbside-only pickup. If you are new to using our curbside service, please visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/curbside-pickup to help you get started.
You’ll also find a number of online services on our website (www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org), including ways to download eBooks, magazines and audiobooks, as well as stream movies and children’s shows. Be sure to check out our calendar for upcoming virtual events for all ages, such as concerts, performances and more.
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 2021 by tagging us at #BPLKindness.
Kindness Matters is generously co-sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library.
Our Facebook
page has moved
Follow us on over to our new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BethPL, which features all of the latest library news, information about library services and upcoming events, and a way to engage with fellow library fans.
Not on Facebook? You’ll also find us on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads and YouTube.
— Kristen Roberts
