June 2025 Bellingham Public Library Programs and Events

Builders Club

Monday, June 9, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children ages 4 – 12. Join Library staff for monthly building challenges. All supplies are provided, including Legos, straw connectors, and more. Duplos and other blocks will also be available for younger children. 

Builders Club at the Fairhaven Library

Wednesday, June 11, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

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! Middle Grade Book Group*

Thursday, June 12, 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For youth in 5^th – 8^th grade. The Middle Grade Book Group meets on the second Thursday of each month. Snacks provided. Contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org about registration information. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited.

Summer Night Stories

Tuesday, June 17, 5:15 – 5:45 pm

Lee Memorial Park, Central Library

For children ages 3 – 8 and their families. Delight in an evening of stories, songs, and games. Bring a blanket to sit on if you’d like.

Middle Grade Meet-Up

Tuesday, June 24, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For youth entering grades 5^th – 8^th grade in the fall. Join Library staff and members of the Middle Grade Book Group for fun activities, snacks, and lots of talking about books. Registration is not required. All snacks and supplies provided. Questions? Email lsnorman@cob.org

Summer Fun!

Wednesday, June 25, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Lee Memorial Park, Central Library

Fun for children of all ages. Join Library staff outdoors for a variety of fun – bubbles, hopscotch, StoryWalk®, and more.

Pokémon Club

Thursday, June 26, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 7 – 11. Join fellow Pokémon fanatics for a Pokémon meet-up. All experience levels welcome! Come with friends or make new ones! Enjoy crafts, games, and other activities. 

Summer Crafts at the Bellis Fair Branch

Friday, June 27, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Bellis Fair Branch

For children ages 2 and up. Create a variety of fun summer crafts. All supplies provided.

Cuentos al parque / Stories at the Park

El sábado, el 28 de junio / Saturday, June 28, 10:30 – 11:15 am

Fairhaven Branch Library

Una hora de cuentos bilingües al aire libre para niños de todas las edades y sus cuidadores / familias. Acompáñenos para cuentos y canciones divertidos en español y inglés–¡y burbujas! / A bilingual outdoor storytime for kids of all ages and their caregivers/families. Join us for fun stories and songs in both Spanish and English — plus bubbles!

Library Card Night at Bellingham Bells

Thursday, June 26, 5:30 pm gates open, 6:35 pm first pitch

Joe Martin Field

Kick off Summer Reading with a Library party at the ballpark. Show your library card at the Joe Martin Field gate on June 26 for a free general admission ticket to the Bellingham Bells home game that night versus the Wenatchee Applesox. One ticket per library card. All ages welcome.

Basic Computer Skills Class: Google Docs*

Tuesday, June 3, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

The Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom Literacy Council invite people who cannot afford computer classes to sign up for Basic Computer Skills classes. This class will be led by a Whatcom Literacy Council volunteer who will use Northstar Digital Literacy lessons for instruction on basic computer skills, essential software skills, and using technology in daily life. Each student will have access to a laptop provided by the library for the class. *Pre-registration required. You can sign up for a single class or the full series, as space allows. Separate registration required for each session. The June 3 session will focus on Google Docs.

Home Emergency Preparedness

Tuesday, June 3, 5:00 – 5:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Prepare for potential emergencies by attending this monthly class, offered by the Bellingham Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management. Instructor Greg Hope will discuss a different topic each month including: an overview of local hazards, the fundamentals of emergency preparedness, starting your 2-week kit, preparing in a year, creating your household plan, and more. Classes are free and no registration is required. 

Library Basics Tech Coaching*

Wednesdays, June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

*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 

Opportunity Council: Early Learning and Family Services Outreach

Monday, June 9, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Visit the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to talk to members of the Opportunity Council’s Early Learning and Family Services team about preschool programs available throughout Whatcom County. Early Head Start supports infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, while Preschool and Head Start cater to children ages 3 to 5.

Finding Help with whatcomresources.org

Monday, June 9, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

In this hour-long hands-on presentation, Drew Whatley from Opportunity Council and the Whatcom Resource Information Collaborative will walk through how to utilize whatcomresources.org. Drew will provide some background on the ongoing community project, how to use advanced search features, and take suggestions and feedback on the tool. Useful for people trying to find services available to them as well as community advocates who help others navigate the social service landscape.

Basic Computer Skills: Career Search Skills*

Tuesday, June 10, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

The Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom Literacy Council invite people who cannot afford computer classes to sign-up for Basic Computer Skills classes. This class will be led by a Whatcom Literacy Council volunteer who will use Northstar Digital Literacy lessons for instruction on basic computer skills, essential software skills, and using technology in daily life. Each student will have access to a laptop provided by the library for the class. *Pre-registration required. Separate registration required for each session.  The June 10 session will focus on Career Search Skills.

Drop-In Home Item Repair

Tuesdays, June 10 & 17, 3:30 – 5:45 pm – TUESDAY, JUNE 10 PROGRAM IS CANCELED

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Bring your broken household items to the SkillShare Space 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, June 12, 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 share 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, filing benefits claims, and referrals.

Correspondence Club

Saturday, June 14, 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, 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 on request by an experienced teacher and correspondent. At its best, mail art encourages generosity, reciprocity, delight, and gratitude. 

Spinning Fiber

Sunday, June 15, 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 different ways to spin different fibers. They will have spindles specifically for people to try out for themselves with donated fiber. The SpinDrifters are happy to help folks come over to the fiber side. 

Embracing Your Mental Health

Monday, June 16, 5:00 – 5:45 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Program presenter Brandon Burbank will share from personal lived experience about his mental health journey and what has helped him overcome challenges and find balance, with a focus on 5 big components: 

1. Hospitalizations
2. Halfway House
3. Mental Health Treatment Program
4. Homelessness and Homelessness Recovery
5. Return to Work Phase

The presentation will be 20-30 minutes, followed by an opportunity for Q&A. Anyone who is struggling with mental health, or who has loved ones facing challenges with mental health, is invited to attend. No registration required.

About the presenter: Brandon Burbank was born and raised in Bellingham and has an AA in Arts and Sciences from Whatcom Community College. He is very passionate about the subject of mental health and works part-time at Whatcom Clubhouse, a local mental health support organization. Brandon self-published his first book, “Comeback 2 Success: Relentless Commitment for a Better Tomorrow.” He is very involved with NAMI Whatcom and is and is an active volunteer and attendee with Whatcom DBSA (Depression Bipolar Support Alliance). 

Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, June 17, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

Regular Library Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin at 3:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, click HERE.

WCC Open House: Pathways to Higher Education

Friday, June 20, 4:00 – 5:45 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library and talk to Whatcom Community College staff in person about college options, financial aid, program details, and any other questions you may have about enrollment, whether it’s to earn your GED, a specialized certification, or college degree.

Street Law*

Saturday, June 21, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

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

Bellingham Reads Book Group

Tuesday, June 24, 12:00 – 1:00 pm IN-PERSON

Lecture Room, Central Library

Tuesday, June 24, 6:30 – 7:30 pm ONLINE*

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In June the group will be reading and discussing Going Infinite by Michael Lewis. All are welcome. Meet in-person 12:00 – 1:00 pm or *register for the online meeting at 6:30 pm.

Learning Together Forum: Partnerships for a Sustainable World

Tuesday, June 24, 5:00 – 5:45 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

Join a special gathering to celebrate the power of partnerships at the final Learning Together Forum series on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Hosted by Bellingham Public Library in partnership with WWU’s Sustainability Engagement Institute and Center for Community Learning, this forum is free and open to all. Snacks provided. No registration needed. 

This final session will shine a light on SDG #17: Partnerships for the Goals – exploring how meaningful collaboration across cultures, sectors, and organizations is essential to creating a more sustainable and just world. Participants will share stories of partnerships that have enriched their lives and work, express gratitude, and exchange insights about what makes collaboration thrive. Expect new connections, fresh inspiration, and opportunities for future action.