Many scholars agree that the Capital District is one of several birthplaces of the American Industrial Revolution. Nineteenth Century entrepreneurs consciously used the cutting-edge technology of their day to transform the dominant rural-agrarian lifestyle into an infrastructure devoted to advancement of industrial enterprise.
On Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 6:30 p.m. speaker Michael Barrett will be at the library to talk about how developments in transportation, including the Erie Canal and railroads, were coupled with development of investment banking resources as well as advanced educational opportunity, to lead to a modern urban-industrial way of life. Inventions and developments in this region produced many of the components of our modern lifestyle, such as practical clothing, effective labor organizations, labor saving devices and mass-produced food.
This series is presented by the Town of Bethlehem Historical Association.
Barrett is a board member of the Lansingburgh Historical Society and the Albany Rural Cemetery; a past president and editor of the Brunswick Historical Society; a past chairman and editor of the Capital District Civil War Roundtable; a former member of the Board of Advisors at the N.Y.S. Military Heritage Museum; and a contributing author to The Encyclopedia of New Your State and Walloomsack Review.
Teen book boxes
Our Teen Book Boxes are back for fall! These special care packages for teens are filled with books and fun novelties to keep and enjoy.
Teen Book Boxes are only available to BCSD residents in grades 6-12; one box per household. Sign up for the spring box is open today through Sept. 20. In October, participants will be contacted when their box is ready for pick-up or delivery. Supplies are limited. Visit www.bethlehempubliclibrary.org/teen-book-boxes to sign up.
Our Teen Book Boxes are co-sponsored by the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library.
— Kristen Roberts
Books are being chosen from a limited stock and specific requests cannot be accommodated.
Buy books; support the Friends
It’s almost time again for the Friends’ fall fundraiser book sale at the library! Stock up on some new-to-you books and DVDs at the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library’s Pop-Up Book Sale on the library plaza Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10-4:30 p.m. For sale will be books and other materials that have been removed from the library collection and are in excellent condition. Many are duplicate copies of popular titles. Pricing will be cash-only by suggested donation.
See you at the block party
After the Friends’ book sale, head on over to the Elsmere Fire Department’s 100th anniversary block party Saturday, Sept. 17, from 5-9 p.m. Bethlehem Public Library will be on hand as we join the community in celebrating this notable milestone. The event will also feature food vendors, a bounce house, live music and more. The fire department is located at 15 W. Poplar Drive in Delmar.
Banned book bonanza
Let’s band together to read banned books. The Capital Region Chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union is teaming up with the Upper Hudson Library System to celebrate our constitutional right to read what we want during National Banned Books Week.
On Thursday, Sept. 22, from 6-8 p.m. a “Read Out” will feature regional notables — actors, writers, politicians, poets, and activists of all types — sharing parts of their favorite books that have, at one time or another, been banned or challenged in the United States. Limited in-person seats will be available at Albany Public Library’s Washington Avenue branch, and the program will be broadcast live on Zoom. In-person seats are available on a walk-in basis as space permits.
Register at tinyurl.com/ReadOut22 for more information and to receive a Zoom link to this hybrid event.
