August 2023 Bellingham Public Library Programs and Events

Bellingham Public Library presents the following programs for adults and children in August 2023. Locations are noted for each program, including the Central Library, Bellis Fair Mall, other offsite locations and online. For more information see BellinghamPublicLibrary.org. All programs are free of charge

Adult Programs

All Hands Whatcom: An Evening with Sam Quinones

The entire community is invited to hear the author speak in-person at All Hands Whatcom: An Evening with Sam Quinones, 6:00 pm, Tuesday, Aug. 1, at Bellingham High School. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more, register, sign up for email alerts, and submit questions for Quinones at ChuckanutHealthFoundation.org/allhands.

Household Emergency Preparedness

In this series offered by the Bellingham Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, a different topic will be shared and discussed each month, including: an overview of local hazards, the fundamentals of emergency preparedness, starting a 2-week kit, preparing in a year, creating a household plan, and more. Classes are free and no registration is required.

Library Basics Tech Coaching

With the help of Volunteer Tech Helpers, the Library offers one-on-one coaching on basic tech skills and accessing our digital services. *Patrons must pre-register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.

Medicaid Insurance Redetermination with Unity Care NW

Drop in and talk to staff from Unity Care NW, who will be at the library to share information on Medicaid (Apple Health) redetermination that has begun again this year and is required to maintain coverage, as well as information about Unity’s Outreach and Enrollment department. A representative from Community Health Plan of Washington will also be available to help individuals complete redetermination. Important information and assistance for anyone in the community who has Medicaid health insurance! 

Books and Brews Book Sale

The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library are teaming up with Wander Brewing for a pop-up book sale on Saturday, Aug. 5 from noon to 5:00 pm. There’ll be a variety of books from the most popular sale categories—Pacific Northwest, travel, cooking, children’s books, current fiction, history, biography and more. Most books will be priced at $2 and all the proceeds from the sale will go to the Friends to support library projects and literacy in Bellingham! Wander Brewing is located at 1807 Dean Avenue, just off of Ohio Street near Bellingham High School.

Opportunity Council: Community Resource Connections

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. 

Drop-In Home Item Repair Workshop

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. For more information about NW Free Repairs, please visit https://nwfreerepairs.wordpress.com/

Community Conversations: The Least of Us

Pre-registration required. Opioids are impacting communities across the nation, including Bellingham. “The Least of Us” by Sam Quinones provides some history as well as insights as to how communities might move forward. Join in for a community conversation facilitated by Dr. Shannon Boustead and Librarian Suzanne Carlson-Prandini. Register for August 14, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. or August 17, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Northwest Regional Council Outreach Specialists Onsite

Drop in and talk to NWRC Outreach Specialists about their Dementia Support Program, how to become an in-home caregiver for low income adults, 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.

Library Board Meeting

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 may view the meeting agenda and minutes here.

Street Law

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; a limited number of walk-in appointments may be available, but are not guaranteed. *Please contact the LAW Advocates at www.lawadvocates.org or 360-671-6079, ext 16 or to sign up.

Bellingham Reads Book Group

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In August we’re reading and discussing Lessons from the Edge by Maria L. Yovanovitch. All are welcome to participate. Throughout August the eBook and eAudiobook versions of the title are available with no waiting in the Libby app.

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In August we’re reading and discussing Lessons from the Edge by Maria L. Yovanovitch. All are welcome to participate. Throughout August the eBook and eAudiobook versions of the title are available with no waiting in the Libby app. *Contact Suzanne at 360-778-7236 or scarlson-prandini@cob.org to register and receive the Zoom link for the online meeting.

Map Your Neighborhood

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.

Voter Registration and Information with the League of Women Voters

Whatcom County League of Women Voters will provide information on voting and voter registration for the upcoming election in November. Drop by the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to get your questions answered and get registered to vote! Visit the League of Women Voters website or Vote 411 for more information on voting and elections. 

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Children’s Programs

Time for Tales

For children ages 4 – 8 with families welcome. Enjoy fun stories and songs.

Little Storytimes @ the Bellis Fair Branch

*If attending a storytime prior to 11am, please use the Mall Entrance at the Food Court or near Target. For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Preschool Storytime @ the Bellis Fair Branch

For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Ozobots: Learn to Code!

For ages 8 – 12. Learn to code with Ozobots. Ozobots are small robots that you can program using colors – we can make the robots spin, zig zag, speed up, slow down, play games and more. *Register online for August 2 or August 3 or call 360-778-7200.

Little Storytime

For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement.

Stories and Play

For children ages 3 – 5. A storytime and facilitated play experience for young children and their caregivers.

Baby Time

For babies ages 0 –12 months with an adult partner. Songs, rhymes, movement, and stories. *Call 360-778-7200 or email Bernice at bchang@cob.org for registration information.

Builders Club

Fun for children of all ages. We will have a variety of crafting and loose parts building materials for you to create with and use your imagination.

Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall*

The public is invited to enjoy this festive event and purchase a wide array of handmade crafts and baked goods created by children 13 and under. All items are priced $5 or less; cash only sales. Fun for all ages to browse. *Pre-registration required to be a seller. REGISTRATION AND WAIT LIST ARE FULL.

Build with Strawbees

For ages 6 – 12. We will supply the Strawbees – you can build a large cityscape, a rollercoaster track for a ball to run through, a large pyramid structure taller than you, and create moving mechanical arms and claws, and more!

Village Books and Bellingham Public Library invite you to join us in celebrating the release of the new middle grade graphic novel, Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space. Laini and Jim will tell us about their book, what its like to be a famous author, how the art in the book was created and more! For ages 8 – 12.

Financial Literacy with WECU for ages 5-9

Join WECU for a youth financial literacy program! We will start with a story and WECU will introduce children to financial basics – saving, borrowing, spending, and more!

Financial Literacy with WECU for ages 10 – 13

Join WECU for a youth financial literacy program that will cover financial basics – saving, borrowing, spending, and financial planning for the future.

Teen Comics!

For teens ages 12 – 16. Learn the art of comics. Workshop will include timed exercises, instructions on how to draw facial expressions, body movements, and more. *Contact the Help Desk at 360-778-7323 or register online here.

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Media Contact:

Annette Bagley, Head of Community Relations, Bellingham Public Library, ambagley@cob.org, 360-778-7206