August 2024 Bellingham Public Library Programs and Events

Little Storytime

Thursdays, August 1 and 8

10:05, 10:35, and 11:05 a.m.

Dodson Room, Central Library

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

Library Explorers

Thursdays, August 1 and 8

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 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.

Stories and Play

Fridays, August 2 and 9

10:05 – 11:05 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.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. Come enjoy stories, songs, play and activities!

Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs at the Bellis Fair Branch

Los sabados, el 3 y el 10 de agosto

Saturdays, August 3 and 10

11:05 – 11:45 a.m.

El centro de aprendizaje temprano, La sucursal del centro comercial Bellis Fair

Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch

Una hora de cuentos bilingües para niños y sus familias. / A bilingual storytime for kids and their families.

Library Vibes: Teen Chill

Monday, August 5

4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

Teens ages 13 to 18 are invited to drop in for reading, writing, drawing, crafting, and playing quiet games in a mellow space just for them. Snacks provided.

Nature Spies

Tuesday, August 6

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lee Memorial Park, Central Library

For ages 3 – 8. A special outdoor read aloud followed by nature inspired crafts and activities.

Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesday, August 7

10:05, 10:45, and 11:25 a.m.

Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch

For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun! Note: If entering the mall before 11 a.m., use the entrance next to Target or the Food Court entrance.

Preschool Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesday, August 7

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.

Drop In and Draw

Wednesdays, August 7 and 14

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 12 – 14. Come and draw with a variety of drawing materials! Snacks and supplies provided.

Ozobots: Learn to Code*

Thursday, August 8

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 8 – 12. 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! *Click HERE to register.

Sunday Crafternoon at the Central Library

Sunday, August 11

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 9 – 14. Do you like crafting? Join us for fun and creative crafting. Snacks and materials are provided.

Build with Strawbees at the Central Library*

Tuesday, August 13

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 6 – 12. We will supply the Strawbees – you can build a large cityscape, a rollercoaster track for a ball to run through, create moving mechanical arms and claws, and more. *Registration required. Click HERE to register for this session.

Financial Literacy with WECU

Tuesday, August 13

2:00 – 2:30 p.m., ages 5 – 8

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children ages 5 – 8. 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.

Tuesday, August 13

2:30 – 3:15 p.m., ages 9 – 13

Lecture Room, Central Library

For youth ages 9 – 13. Join WECU for a youth financial literacy program that will cover financial basics – saving, borrowing, spending, and financial planning for the future. 

Builders Club

Wednesday, August 14

10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children ages 4 – 12. All supplies are provided, including Legos, straw connectors, and more.

Children’s Craft Fair in the Bellis Fair Mall

Friday, August 16

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Inside the Bellis Fair Mall

Come to the Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall and enjoy 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! NOTE: Registration to sign up for a booth is full.

Getting Crafty at the Library

Tuesday, August 20

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 6 – 12. Join us for some crafting fun! Each month we will focus on a new craft or put out a bunch of supplies and have open crafting time. All supplies and snacks are provided.

Read, Write, and Draw: A Graphic Novel Book Group*

Wednesday, August 21

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Dodson Room, Central Library

For ages 10 – 14. Read a selected graphic novel, discuss the writing and explore the art. We will try out art techniques inspired by the book we read. All art supplies and snacks provided. *Click HERE to register. Book title will be emailed after registration.

Summer Night Stories

Wednesday, August 21

6:15 – 6:45 p.m.

Lee Memorial Park, Central Library

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

Postcard Project

Thursday, August 22

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 4 – 11. Join us for a special read-aloud, then make your own postcard! Bring the address of someone you love; we’ll end the program by mailing our creations.

Build with Strawbees at the Central Library*

Tuesday, August 27

10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

Library Basics Tech Coaching*

Thursdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesdays, August 7, 14, 21, 28

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

SkillShare Space, Central Library

The Library offers one-on-one coaching on basic tech skills and accessing our digital services. *Pre-registration requred. Patrons must register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.

Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections

Tuesdays, August 6 and 20

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, August 6

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.

WCC Open House: Pathways to Higher Education

Mondays, August 12 and 26

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

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.

Drop-In Home Item Repair

Tuesdays, August 13 and 20

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.

League of Women Voters Voting Info and Registration

Thursday, August 15

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Volunteers with the League of Women Voters in Whatcom County will be in the SkillShare Space, providing voter information and voter registration. Drop in for voting info.

Children’s Craft Fair in the Bellis Fair Mall

Friday, August 16

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Inside the Bellis Fair Mall

Shop the Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall and enjoy 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. NOTE: Registration to sign up for a booth is now full.

Street Law*

Saturday, August 17

10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

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

Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, August 20

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Lecture Room, 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. Click HERE for more information.

NAMI Whatcom Resources

Wednesday, August 21

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. We envision 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 find out what resources are available for anyone impacted by mental health conditions.  

Bellingham Reads Book Group

Tuesday, August 27

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. In-Person

Lecture Room, Central Library

6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Online*

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In August we’re reading and discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. No registration needed for in-person meeting. *Registration is required for online meeting. 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

Tuesday, August 27

6:00 – 6:45 p.m.

SkillShare Space, 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.

Northwest Regional Council Outreach Specialists Onsite

Thursday, August 29

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Drop in and find out how to become an in-home caregiver and other services NWRC provides or can connect you to. NWRC is a local agency that provides support for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.