Bellingham Public Library presents the following programs for adults and children in April 2023. Locations are noted for each program, including the Central Library, Bellis Fair Mall, and online. For more information see BellinghamPublicLibrary.org. All programs are free of charge.
Adult Programs
Drop-In Little Looms
Saturday, April 1, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Drop in for hands-on on weaving with fiber arts. Members of the Whatcom Weavers Guild will bring projects to demonstrate and answer questions.
Household Emergency Preparedness
Tuesday, April 4, 6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
In this series offered by the Bellingham Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, participants 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.
Friends of the Library Pop-Up Book Sale for Library Giving Day
Wednesday, April 5, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Library Plaza, Lecture Room, and Lower Lobby, Bellingham Central Library
For Library Giving Day, the Friends of the Library will be selling a variety of books in the Lecture Room, downstairs lobby, and outdoors on the flag plaza. All proceeds benefit Bellingham Public Library.
Library Basics Tech Coaching
Wednesdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Pre-registration required*
With the help of Volunteer Tech Helpers, the Library offers one-on-one coaching on basic tech skills. Library Basics Tech Coaching is offered on Wednesday afternoons. *Patrons must pre-register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.
Free Digital Resources with Goodwill Connect
Thursdays, April 6, 13, 20, 27, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Goodwill Connect provides assistance with digital resources in your community. Get help with applying for discounted internet service, qualifying for a free laptop, finding free computer classes and receiving basic tech support. Local Digital Navigators, Karen and Raquel, will help you find free or low-cost digital resources. Get connected. Find out if you qualify for a free laptop and internet service.
4H Tech Change Makers
Sunday, April 23, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
4-H’ers are now teaching digital skills workshops to help people access important resources and learn the most in-demand skills. Topics may include personal cyber security, setting up an email account, video conference basics, job searching and career resources, social media, and responsible internet behavior.
Just Sew Series: Put a Pocket On It!
Monday, April 10, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 19, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 30, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Join instructor Susan Witter for a new installment in the Just Sew series in SkillShare. In April attendees will be learning how to Put a Pocket On It. Do you have a garment that you wished had a pocket? Or do you just want to try out making pockets? Bring your clothes, fabric scraps for pockets, sewing box, or sewing machine if you have one, and a pair of good scissors to the Bellingham Central Library. Approximately half a yard of scrap material will be needed. The instructor will have a machine, plenty of thread, and remnants.
Drop-In Home Item Repair Workshop
Tuesdays, April 11, 18, 4:30 – 6:45 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Drop in and work with skilled volunteers from NW Free Repairs to learn how to repair your broken household items so they don’t end up in a landfill. Please note: broken items may not be dropped off.
Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, April 18, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Bellingham Central Library
Regular Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month in the Lecture Room at the Bellingham Public Central 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.
Street Law
Saturday, April 22, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Pre-registration required (starting April 10)*
Street Law is a free legal advice clinic where people can ask questions and get assistance in one-on-one consultations with volunteer lawyers. Appointments are limited to 15-20 minutes, and registration is required. *Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079, ext 16 or www.lawadvocates.org to pre-register.
Bellingham Reads Book Group
Tuesday, April 25, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m., In-Person
Lecture Room, Bellingham Central Library
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. The April title is Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi. It is available in print, ebook and audiobook. No registration required for in-person meeting.
Tuesday, April 25, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Online
Registration required for online meeting*
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. The April title is Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi. It is available in print, ebook and audiobook. *Contact Suzanne at scarlson-prandini@cob.org or 360-778-7236 to register and receive the Zoom link.
Map Your Neighborhood
Tuesday, April 25, 6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Map Your Neighborhood is a simple community-driven program that brings neighbors together to share information and develop their plan for emergencies and disasters. Learning to plan and work together as a neighborhood makes our community stronger and improves the quality of life for us all. Instructor Greg Hope is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Bellingham Fire Department Office of Emergency Management and can provide the materials and show you how to do it.
Grand Opening of the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesday, April 26, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Bellis Fair Mall, One Bellis Fair Pkwy
Bellingham Public Library will celebrate National Library Week with a ribbon cutting and public grand opening of its Bellis Fair Branch on Wed., April 26 at 2 p.m. The branch will be located inside the Bellis Fair Mall, located in Suite 616.
Energy Upgrades for Your Home
Thursday, April 27, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Bellingham Central Library
Puget Sound Energy Outreach Manager, Hunter Hassig, will be leading a class on energy efficiency, renewable energy and other improvements for your home.
This class will be geared towards homeowners (although renters are welcome) looking to find ways to reduce their energy consumption through energy efficient upgrades. It will also cover other energy related home projects like producing your own power, offsetting your electric usage with renewable energy or making the switch to an electric vehicle.
Energy saving tips will be shared along with programs, services and incentives available to help you on your next energy related home improvement project.
Children’s Programs
Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs
Los sábados, 1, 15, 22, 29 de abril / Saturdays, April 1, 15, 22, 29
10:05 – 10:50 a.m. & 11:05 – 11:50 a.m.
La sala de Dodson, Biblioteca central de Bellingham / Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
Un tiempo 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.
Game Day!
Tuesday, April 4, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Lecture Room, Bellingham Central Library
Children ages 5 – 12 are invited to play a variety of board games at the Central Library. Mario Kart will also be available to play on the Nintendo Switch.
Builders Club
Thursday, April 6
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Bellingham Central Library
Unleash the builder in children ages 4 – 12 at the Bellingham Central Library. All supplies are provided, including Legos, straw connectors, and more. Duplos and other blocks will also be available for younger children.
Building and Crafting Fun
Friday, April 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Bellingham Central Library
Bellingham Central Library will have a variety of crafting and loose parts building materials available to create with. Fun for children of all ages.
Little Storytime
Mondays, April 10, 17, 24
10:05 – 10:35 a.m., 10:35 – 11:05 a.m., and 11:05 – 11:35 a.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join Library staff for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun.
Wednesdays, April 12, 19, 26
10:05 – 10:35 a.m., 10:35 – 11:05 a.m., and 11:05 – 11:35 a.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join Library staff for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun.
Thursdays, April 13, 20, 27
10:05 – 10:35 a.m., 10:35 – 11:05 a.m., and 11:05 – 11:35 a.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join Library staff for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun.
Baby Time
Mondays, April 10, 17, 24
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
For babies ages birth – 12 months with an adult partner. Songs, rhymes, bounces, movement, and stories. **Pre-registration is required!** Call 360-778-7200 or email Bernice at bchang@cob.org for registration information.
Fridays, April 14, 21, 28
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
For babies ages birth – 12 months with an adult partner. Songs, rhymes, bounces, movement, and stories. **Pre-registration is required!** Call 360-778-7200 or email Bernice at bchang@cob.org for registration information.
Preschool Storytime
Wednesdays, April 12, 19, 26
12:05 – 12:35 p.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Join Library staff for fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.
Time for Tales
Thursdays, April 13, 20, 27
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
Enjoy fun stories and songs for children ages 4 – 8 with families welcome.
Stories and Play
Fridays, April 14, 21, 28
10:05 – 11:05 a.m. and 11:30 am – 12:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Bellingham Central Library
This is a storytime and facilitated play experience for young children ages 3 – 5 and the adults who take care of them.
Pajama Storytime
Tuesday, April 25
6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Dodson Room, Bellingham Central Library
Children ages 3 – 8 with siblings and family are invited to bring their favorite stuffy for a fun, cozy storytime with books, songs and felt activities at the Bellingham Central Library. Wear your jammies (pajamas) if you’d like.
Media Contact:
Annette Bagley, Head of Community Relations, Bellingham Public Library, ambagley@cob.org, 360-778-7206