SkillShare

Small Looms

Saturday, May 2, 12:00 – 3:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Hands-on weaving with fiber arts projects for library patrons of all ages. Members of the Whatcom Weavers Guild will bring projects to demonstrate as well as allowing the community to drop in for some firsthand experience.

Library Basics Tech Coaching*

Thursdays, May 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library (May 21 & 28 sessions will be in Study Room 1)

*Patrons must pre-register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.

The Bellingham Public Library offers one-to-one assistance with basic technology skills for the following:

• Accessing BPL’s digital library including downloading or streaming eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eFilms, and eMusic
• Basic computer / smartphone / tablet / e-reader skills
• Setting up and using email 

Ragfinery Mending Workshop

Friday, May 8, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Have clothing or gear that could use a little loving (i.e. rips, tears, holes)? Stop by for a FREE mending lesson from talented Ragfinery volunteers! Learn how to repair your clothes in real time and walk away with a fixed garment & a new skill.

Please note that “mending” refers to patching, replacing buttons, darning knitwear, etc. Mending excludes more involved processes such as hemming and alterations.

Correspondence Club

Saturday, May 9, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Correspondence Club invites people of all ages and abilities to make creative mail – cards, postcards, letters, and envelopes – to connect with others near and far. Participants have access to a wide variety of supplies, including glue sticks, a diverse paper collection, scissors, envelope templates, tape, etc. Guidance is offered upon request by an experienced teacher and correspondent. At its best, mail art encourages generosity, reciprocity, delight, and gratitude. 

Drop-In Home Item Repair

Tuesdays, May 12 & 19, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Bring your broken household items to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library and work with skilled volunteers from Northwest Free Repairs to learn how to repair them. Volunteers have experience repairing common household items such as toys, small kitchen appliances, electric tools and many other items that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Please note: broken items may not be dropped off to be repaired. Owners may participate in making the repairs with the repair volunteers. 

Affordable Homeownership: Drop-In with Kulshan Community Land Trust

Wednesday, May 13, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Kulshan Community Land Trust (Kulshan CLT) staff will answer your questions and offer information about our shared equity homeownership program, including: how shared equity homeownership works, who is eligible for their affordable homeownership program, how to apply, and what Kulshan CLT is doing to expand affordable homeownership opportunities for Whatcom County.

Bellingham Vet Center Information

Thursday, May 14, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library where staff from the Bellingham Vet Center will provide information on the services they provide. The primary mission of the Vet Center is to provide mental health counseling to veterans that are eligible for their services. They focus on trauma experienced in combat and areas of hostility as well as experienced Military Sexual Trauma and or harassment.

The Vet Center is also a resource center for veterans in general and can assist with signing up for VA health care, obtaining military records, file benefits claims, and referrals.

Spinning Fiber

Saturday, May 16, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

The SpinDrifters, Whatcom County’s spinning guild, will be in the SkillShare Space with their spinning wheels and drop spindles. Drop in anytime from 1:00 – 3:00 pm to watch them demonstrate their skills! They love to show the public what they do and the multiple ways to spin different fibers. They will have spindles specifically for people to try out for themselves with donated fiber. 

Bellingham Public Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, May 19, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Fireplace Room, Fairhaven Library

Regular Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Lecture Room at the Bellingham Public Central Library, 210 Central Avenue. May’s meeting will take place in the Fireplace Room at the Fairhaven Library. Meetings begin at 3:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and is encouraged to check the library’s website for the meeting agenda and packet.

NAMI Whatcom Resources and Advocacy

Wednesday, May 20, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

The NAMI Whatcom mission is to provide hope and improve the quality of life for those affected by mental health conditions through support, education and advocacy. We envision a world where all people living with mental health conditions know that they are not alone and live fulfilling lives. NAMI Whatcom programs are no-cost and led by peers. Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to find out what resources are available for anyone impacted by mental health conditions.  

Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections

Thursday, May 21, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Drop in to learn more about Opportunity Council services, get assistance completing Basic Food Benefit applications, and sign up for Bill Discount Rates through Puget Sound Energy and Cascade Natural Gas.

Typewriters 101: An Introduction to Operation and Maintenance

Thursday, May 21, 1:30 – 4:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Join us for a hands-on exploration of one of the most revolutionary machines in the literary world: typewriters! With a rich history that echoes through our modern era, typewriters have been employed for letter writing, remote journalism, storytelling and poetry, and even as a liberation device that enabled women to enter the office workforce in droves. Despite the ubiquity of computers and their endless ability to edit, decades later typewriters persist as writing instruments that inspire authors with a slower, more intentional writing style. The sound alone of a typewriter in use is hypnotic: from type bars hitting the cylinder to the ding warning the end of the line is mere characters away, typewriters draw you in. 

With six popular models of typewriters ready for exploration, this presentation is designed to engage library patrons of all ages. Local typewriter aficionado Jennifer Dunn will provide information and tutorials about the typewriters presented as well as tips to clean and repair that dusty typewriter in your attic. The typewriters on display will have excerpts from the authors who used and popularized particular models, paper to test out and free write, and a clean/repair evaluation station for those who bring in their typewriters for an inspection and guidance.

Street Law at the Library*

Saturday, May 23, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

*Pre-registration required. Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org to sign up. 

Street Law is a free legal advice clinic for income-eligible people to ask questions and get assistance in one-on-one consultations with volunteer lawyers. Appointments are limited to 15-20 minutes, and registration is required; a limited number of walk-in appointments may be available, but are not guaranteed. 

NW Regional Council Outreach Specialist Onsite

Tuesday, May 26, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Drop in and talk to NWRC Outreach Specialist about the WA Cares Fund and information about how to connect with other resources at NWRC.  Northwest Regional Council is a local agency that provides support for older adults and people with disabilities in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.

Bellingham Reads Book Group

Tuesday, May 26, 12:00 – 1:00 pm In-Person

Lecture Room, Central Library

Tuesday, May 26, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Online*

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. The featured title for May is The Cape Doctor by E.J. Levy. Meet in-person 12:00 – 1:00 pm OR *register for the online meeting at 6:30 pm by contacting Suzanne at scarlson-prandini@cob.org or 360-778-7236.

Smart Trips Workshop: Bike Maintenance

Thursday, May 28, 4:00 – 5:45 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Drop by the SkillShare space to practice basic bike maintenance with Libby Chenault from Smart Trips. Learn how to lube a chain, pump a tire or fix a flat, then take your new skills home to keep your bike rolling smoothly. Find out which tools are essential, how often you should perform these simple tasks and when your bike needs a more serious repair. Note: You will not be able to bring your own bicycle into the Library for this event. 

One Book, One Coast Book Talk

Saturday, May 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Join Adult Services Librarian Katie Bray in the SkillShare Space at the Central Library for an in-depth discussion of the graphic novel They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, the 2026 One Book, One Coast selection. Light refreshments will be served.

One Book, One Coast is a shared community reading program that celebrates literacy, learning, community, and civil discourse. Over 190 libraries across the West Coast will participate. All participating libraries will read and discuss They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger and illustrated by Harmony Becker. The program will close with a special author talk featuring George Takei that will be held in-person at East Los Angeles Library with a book signing to follow. The event will also stream live on YouTube beginning at 2 pm Pacific Time, and a link to the livestream will be available on our website.

Visit the Bellingham Public Library website for more information about One Book, One Coast and links to live and online events at other West Coast libraries. 

Contact:

Miranda LeonJones, Events Coordinator

mcleonjones@cob.org