December 2025 Bellingham Public Library Programs and Events

Mixed Age Music Class with Music Together®

Thursday, December 4, 10:00 – 10:50 am

Lecture Room, Central Library

Children ages birth – 5 and the grownups who love them® are invited for a fun-filled family music time. Ms. Audrey of Music Together Fairhaven® will lead music activities ranging from lullabies to full-on jam sessions (with child-friendly instruments).

Babies Music Class with Music Together®

Thursday, December 4, 11:30 am – 12:20 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages birth – 8 months and the grownups who love them® (no older siblings allowed as everything is geared towards the needs of our youngest non-mobile learners). Join Ms. Audrey of Music Together Fairhaven® to explore how to bond with your baby through music and learn what to look for and encourage developmentally as they begin their musical journey.

Pebble Party!

Friday, December 5, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 3 – 8 with siblings and family welcome. A special read-aloud followed by pebble-inspired crafts.

Builders Club

Tuesday, December 9, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children ages 4 – 12. Join us for 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.

Pajama Storytime

Wednesday, December 10, 5:15 – 5:45 pm

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.

The Caldecott Club: Mock Caldecott!

Thursdays, December 11 & 18, January 8, and Monday, January 26, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children of all ages and their families. Join the Caldecott Club for an exciting exploration of the year’s most stunning picture books. Read as many as you can, vote for your favorites, and then join us for a red carpet event on Monday, January 26 where we will watch the Youth Media Award ceremony together and hope our favorites win. A collaboration with the Bellingham Family Partnership Program.

Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group*

Thursday, December 11, 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For youth in 5^th – 8^th grade. Our book group meets on the second Thursday of each month. Snacks provided.

*Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org about registration information.

Sesame Street Workshop: Raising Kids in a Digital World*

Friday, December 12, 10:30 – 11:15 am

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children ages 3 – 5 and their caregivers. Join us for a free, family-friendly workshop designed to help young children and their caregivers explore healthy digital habits together. There will be stories, creativity and movement! *Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Click HERE to register.

Builders Club at the Fairhaven Branch

Wednesday, December 17, 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.  

Pokémon Club

Thursday, December 18, 3:00 – 4:00 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. 

Winter Crafts

Monday, December 22, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children ages 4 – 12. Create a variety of fun winter crafts. All supplies provided.

Note of Thanks

Monday, December 29, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

Fun for children of all ages. Use a variety of craft supplies to make thank-you notes for friends and family. All craft supplies provided.

New Years Eve Craft-a-Palooza

Wednesday, December 31, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 11 – 14. Come make some amazing crafts with cool materials. You bring your creativity and imagination, and we will provide the supplies and snacks.

Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections

Tuesdays, December 2 & 16, 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.

Home Emergency Preparedness: Home Hazard Hunt

Tuesday, December 2, 5:00 – 5:45 pm

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. This month will focus on Home Hazard Hunting. We’ll discuss how to identify and correct potential earthquake-related hazards in and around the home to reduce the risk of injury during an earthquake. We’ll also talk about how in an earthquake the contents of a home present a greater risk of injury than the structure itself in this part of the world. 

Library Basics Tech Coaching*

Wednesdays, December 3, 10, 17, & 31, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

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 

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

Small Looms

Saturday, December 6, 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.

Resource Navigation with Community Health Plan of WA

Monday, December 8, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Facing any barriers? Come receive help navigating resources available in the community, insurance benefits, and more with Adrian, Whatcom County Community Health Worker with Community Health Plan of Washington. Those without Community Health Plan of Washington insurance can also receive assistance navigating resources but will not have access to the benefits specifically tied to this insurance.

Drop-In Home Item Repair

Tuesday, December 9, 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 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 Information

Thursdays, December 11, 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.

Tape It! Glue It! Circ It! Fast Fixes for the Front Lines of Circulation*

Thursday, December 11, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Ever wonder how libraries keep well-loved books in circulation, even after they’ve been dropped, torn, or chewed on by mystery pets? Join us for a live demonstration of the quick and practical repair techniques library staff use every day to get damaged materials back on the shelves—fast.

This isn’t about fancy archival restoration—it’s about real-world fixes that are fast, functional, and designed to keep books readable and circulating.

*Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Click HERE to register.

Street Law at the Library*

Saturday, December 13, 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 Public Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, December 16, 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

Regular Library Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Lecture Room at the Central Library. Meetings begin at 3:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend and is encouraged to check the library’s website for the meeting agenda and packet.

NAMI Whatcom Peer Support Collaborative

Wednesday, December 17, 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. NAMI envisions 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.  

NW Regional Council Outreach Specialist Onsite

Friday, December 19, 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, December 23, 12:00 – 1:00 pm In-Person

Lecture Room, Central Library

Tuesday, December 23, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Online*

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In December we’ll be reading and discussing Stranger in the Shogun’s City by Amy Stanley. Meet in-person 12:00 – 1:00 pm OR register for the online meeting at 6:30 pm.

Top Ten Book Lists: Best of 2025 and Welcome to Winter Reading

Tuesday, December 30, 4:00 – 5:45 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Join us in the SkillShare space at the Central Library as Adult Services Librarian Katie Bray provides a monthly installment of her top ten book lists across a variety of genres. Whether you’re looking for your next great read, a new selection for your book club, or just want to know the latest and greatest, Katie will offer a hand-picked list of thought-provoking and entertaining titles for you to consider! 

At this session, Katie will discuss the Library’s favorite titles of 2025 and introduce our new Winter Reading Challenge for adults. Join us for a warm beverage and a time to get excited about winter reading.