The Bellingham Public Library offers a full line-up of programs and events for all ages in November 2024. Special displays and reading recommendations from Library staff will feature Native American Heritage Month and Seasonal Fuzziness.
Locations are noted below for each program, including the Central Library, the Bellis Fair Branch, the Fairhaven Library Branch, and other Bellingham locations. All Library programs are free of charge. For more information about Library services visit BellinghamPublicLibrary.org.
Please note: All locations of the Bellingham Public Library will be closed Mon. November 11, Thurs. November 28, and Fri. November 29.
Library Programs for Adults
Small Looms
Saturday, November 2
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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 allow the community to drop in for some hands-on experience.
Experience Brain Fitness
Mondays, November 4, 18, & 25
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Keeping your brain fit by learning new skills, exercising your memories and challenging your brain to adapt and change can help delay or prevent the onset of memory challenges. No matter what your age, you can change and strengthen your brain. Come get your brain loose and limber with fun brain training games and exercises led by Certified Brain Fitness Trainer Dawn Anderson. Adults of all ages welcome.
Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections
Tuesday, November 5
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop-in to meet with staff from Opportunity Council’s Community Resource Center and Community Programs teams. Staff will be available to provide information, referrals, and assistance on various community services. Get help with housing, food assistance, basic needs, and more.
Home Emergency Preparedness
Tuesday, November 5
6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
In this series offered by the Bellingham Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, we will share and discuss a different topic each month, including: an overview of our local hazards, the fundamentals of emergency preparedness, starting your 2-week kit, preparing in a year, creating your household plan, and more.
Library Basics Tech Coaching*
Wednesdays, November 6, 13, 20, 27
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Pre-registration required. The Library offers one-to-one coaching on basic tech skills and accessing our digital services. *Patrons must register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.
Drop-In Home Item Repair
Tuesdays, November 12 & 19
4:30 – 6:45 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Bring your broken household items to SkillShare at the Central Library and work with skilled volunteers from NW 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.
Bellingham Vet Center Info
Thursday, November 14
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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.
Street Law at the Library*
Saturday, November 16
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Pre-registration required
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. *Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org to sign up.
Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, November 19
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Board Room, Central Library
Regular Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Click HERE for more information and meeting agendas and minutes.
NAMI Whatcom’s Peer Support Collaborative
Wednesday, November 20
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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. Our peer supporters offer a safe space to share mental health recovery experiences with someone trained to listen. The goal is to learn together, understand where you are and where you want to go and support you in strategizing how to move towards hope and possibility. Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to learn more about resources available for anyone impacted by mental health conditions.
Learning Together Forum: Responsible Consumption and Production
Wednesday, November 20
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
The Library is partnering with WWU’s Sustainability Engagement Institute and the Center for Community Learning to bring people together to talk about sustainability topics. Participants will leave with new connections and opportunities for action. More details HERE.
Northwest Regional Council Outreach Specialists Onsite
Thursday, November 21
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop in and talk to NWRC Outreach Specialists about how to become an in-home caregiver and other services NWRC provides or can connect you to. Northwest Regional Council is a local agency that provides support for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.
Bellingham Reads Book Group
Tuesday, November 26, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. IN PERSON (no registration necessary)
Lecture Room, Central Library
Tuesday, November 26, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. ONLINE* (pre-registration required)
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In November we’ll be reading and discussing The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg. *Register HERE for the ONLINE meeting and receive the Zoom link. See a complete list of 2024 Bellingham Reads titles HERE.
Library Programs for Children
Stories and Play
Fridays, November 1, 8, & 14
10:05 & 11:30 a.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 5. A storytime and facilitated play experience for young children and the adults who take care of them. Enjoy stories, songs, play and activities.
Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs
Los sábados, el 2 de noviembre – el 23 de noviembre/ Saturdays, November 2 – November 23
11:05 – 11:45 a.m.
El centro de aprendizaje temprano, La sucursal del centro comercial Bellis Fair / Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Mall Branch
Los miércoles, el 6 de noviembre – el 20 de noviembre/Wednesdays, November 6 – November 20
3:30 – 4:10 p.m.
Dodson Room, la biblioteca central/Dodson Room, Central Library
Una hora de cuentos bilingües para niños y sus cuidadores/familias. Disfrute de cuentos y canciones divertidos en español y inglés. / A bilingual storytime for kids and their caregivers/families. Enjoy fun stories and songs in both Spanish and English.
Baby Time*
Monday, November 4
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fridays, November 1 & 8
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For babies ages birth – 12 months with an adult partner. Songs, rhymes, bounces, movement, and stories. Call 360-778-7200 or email Bernice at bchang@cob.org for registration information. *Pre-registration is required. Call 360-778-7200 or email Bernice at bchang@cob.org for registration information.
Little Storytime
Mondays, November 4 & 18 (no Little Storytime on Nov. 11)
Tuesdays, November 5, 12, & 19
10:05, 10:35, & 11:05 a.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.
Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, November 6, 13, & 20
10:05, 10:45, 11:25 a.m.
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join us for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun.
Preschool Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, November 6, 13 & 20
12:05 – 12:35 p.m.
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.
Preschool Storytime
Thursdays, November 7, 14, & 21
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.
Library Explorers
Thursdays, November 7, 14, & 21
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 6 – 10 with families welcome. Explore the world and wonders of the library through fun stories, experiments, crafts and more.
Builders Club at the Fairhaven Library
Wednesday, November 13
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Fireplace Room, Fairhaven Library
For children ages 4 – 12. Unleash the builder in you. All supplies are provided, including Legos, straw connectors, and more. Duplos and other blocks will also be available for younger children.
Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group*
Wednesday, November 13
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
*Pre-registration is required. Space is limited.
For youth in 5th – 8th grade. Snacks provided. *Register HERE. Note: Registration is for the full Fall Session (November is a virtual visit with author, Rex Ogle, author of our first pick, Free Lunch!). Upcoming meeting dates are Wednesday, November 13 (4:30 – 5:30pm); and Thursday, December 12.
Getting Crafty at the Library
Thursday, November 14
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 6 – 12. Enjoy some crafting fun. Each month the Library will focus on a new craft or put out a bunch of supplies and have open crafting time. All supplies and snacks are provided.
Pajama Storytime
Tuesday, November 19
6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 8 with siblings and family. Join us with your favorite stuffy for a fun, cozy storytime with books, songs and felt activities. Wear your jammies (pajamas) if you’d like.
Sunday Crafternoon at the Library
Sunday, November 24
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 9 – 14. Do you like crafting? Join us in the Lecture Room at the Central Library for a fun crafting activity. The program is free, and all materials are provided.
Builders Club at the Central Library
Monday, November 25
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children ages 4 – 12. Unleash the builder in you. New: monthly building challenges. All supplies are provided, including Legos, straw connectors, and more. Duplos and other blocks will also be available for younger children.
Teen Create ‘N Chill
Tuesday, November 26
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
Youth in grades 6 through 10 are invited to drop in to draw, craft, write, read, or just hang quietly in a mellow space just for them. Bring your hobby and your chill vibe. Snacks and drawing supplies provided.
