December programs for Bellingham Public Library include the new Youth Winter Craft Fair at Bellis Fair Mall on Dec. 8, a variety of youth programs during the holiday season, and numerous programs for adults. Special displays will feature the Best of the Library 2024 Staff Picks for all ages.
All Library programs are free of charge. For more information about Library services visit BellinghamPublicLibrary.org.
Please note: All locations of the Bellingham Public Library will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25 for Christmas. The Library will also be closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 for New Year’s Eve and all day Wednesday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.
Library Programs for Adults
Experience Brain Fitness
Mondays, December 2, 9, 16
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Keeping your brain fit by learning new skills, exercising your memories and challenging your brain to adapt and change can help delay or prevent the onset of memory challenges. No matter what your age, you can change and strengthen your brain. Come get your brain loose and limber with fun brain training games and exercises led by Certified Brain Fitness Trainer Dawn Anderson. Adults of all ages welcome.
Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections
Tuesdays, December 3 & 17
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, December 3
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.
Library Basics Tech Coaching*
Wednesdays, December 4, 11, 18
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Pre-registration required. The Bellingham Public Library offers one-to-one coaching with basic tech skills such as accessing the Library’s digital services, including downloading or streaming eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eFilms and eMusic, as well as basic computer / smartphone / tablet / e-reader skills. *Patrons must register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.
Small Looms
Saturday, December 7
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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 allow the community to drop in for some hands-on experience.
Drop-In Home Item Repair
Tuesdays, December 10 & 17
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.
NWYS: Queer Youth Services
Wednesday, December 11
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Talk to Northwest Youth Services Staff about the services they provide to young people ages 13 – 24, including the new Queer Youth Services program. Northwest Youth Services’ mission is to affirm youth experience and autonomy as we work together to foster collective healing and justice in order to dismantle the systems of oppression that perpetuate youth homelessness. Visit the NWYS website for more information.
Street Law at the Library*
Saturday, December 14
10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Pre-registration required
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. *Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org to sign up.
Bellingham Reads Book Group
Tuesday, December 17, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. IN PERSON (no registration necessary)
Lecture Room, Central Library
Tuesday, December 17, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. ONLINE* (pre-registration required)
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s monthly book discussion group for adults that is open to all. The title for December is The Wager by David Grann. Read the book and join the discussion in person at the Central Library or online. *Register HERE for the ONLINE meeting and receive the Zoom link. See a complete list of 2025 Bellingham Reads titles HERE.
Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 17
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
Regular Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Click HERE for more information and meeting agendas and minutes.
NAMI Whatcom Peer Support Collaborative
Wednesday, December 18
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. Peer supporters offer a safe space to share mental health recovery experiences with someone trained to listen. The goal is to learn together, understand where you are and where you want to go and support you in strategizing how to move towards hope and possibility. Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to learn more about resources available for anyone impacted by mental health conditions.
Northwest Regional Council Outreach Specialists
Thursday, December 19
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop in and talk to NWRC Outreach Specialists about how to become an in-home caregiver 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 Programs for Children
Please note: regular storytimes are on a break and will resume in January.
Music Class with Music Together
Wednesday, December 4
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
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 in music activities ranging from lullabies to full-on jam sessions (with child-friendly instruments).
Youth Winter Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall
Sunday, December 8
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Inside the Bellis Fair Mall
All community members are invited to attend the Youth Winter Craft Fair to support young entrepreneurs. All items and baked goods will be handmade by youth ages 15 and under. Bring small bills – all sales are cash only. All items will be priced at $5 or less. The festive event is fun for the whole family to enjoy. *Pre-registration is required for youth selling at the craft fair. Check the Bellingham Public Library website for more information.
Stuffy Sleepover
Wednesday, December 11
6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 8 with siblings and family. Bring your favorite stuffy for a fun, cozy storytime with books, songs and felt activities. Wear your jammies (pajamas) if you’d like. After storytime, your stuffy is invited to spend the night at the library.
Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group
Thursday, December 12
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library
For 5th through 8th graders. Are you a middle schooler who would like to hang out and talk about books? If so, visit the Library on the second Thursday of the month for Middle Grade Book Group. The group picks different books, reads them, and then each month gets together to talk about that book. Snacks are provided. Please contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org or 360-778-7211 to sign up and receive the reading list.
Pinecone Party
Friday, December 13
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 3 – 8 with siblings and family welcome. A special read-aloud followed by pinecone-inspired crafts.
Getting Crafty at the Library
Thursday, December 19
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 6 – 12. Enjoy some crafting fun. Each month the Library will focus on a new craft or put out supplies and have open crafting time. All supplies and snacks are provided.
Winter Crafts
Monday, December 23
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children ages 4 – 12. Create a variety of fun winter crafts. All supplies provided.
Builders Club at the Central Library
Friday, December 27
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central 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.
Note of Thanks
Monday, December 30
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
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
Tuesday, December 31
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 9 – 13. Come make some amazing crafts with cool materials. You bring your creativity and imagination, and we will provide the supplies and snacks.
Building and Crafting Fun
Thursday, January 2
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
Fun for children of all ages. The Library will supply a variety of crafting and loose parts building materials for you to create with and use your imagination.
Pokémon Club
Friday, January 3
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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.
Media Contact: Annette Bagley, Bellingham Public Library, ambagley@cob.org, 360-778-7206
