January 2025 Bellingham Public Library Programs and Events

Library Programs for Adults

Songs from the Heart: Concert, Story and Interactive Demonstration with Flutist Peter Ali

Saturday, January 4

2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

Join us for a concert and interactive flute demonstration with local musician Peter Ali. He will provide music and stories of Native American, Mesoamerican, Middle Eastern, and Nordic style flutes. Following the performance, Ali will offer the audience a hands-on introduction to the basics of playing the Native American style cedar flute, a forgiving instrument that anyone can play (appropriate for ages 10+). The concert will celebrate Bellingham Public Library’s January theme, “Bring the Light,” with a participatory experience to inspire confidence, healing, and connection. 

Free and open to the public. Registration not required. Doors open at 1:00 p.m., program starts at 2:00 p.m.

Experience Brain Fitness

Mondays, January 6, 13, 27

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.

Home Emergency Preparedness

Tuesday, January 7

6:00 – 6:45 p.m.

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Offered by the Bellingham Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, this series 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, January 8, 15, 22, 29

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

SkillShare Space, Central Library

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.

*Pre-registration required. To register for a half hour session by contact the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.

Bellingham Vet Center Info

Thursday, January 9

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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.

Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections

Friday, January 10 & Tuesday, January 21

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.

Drop-In Home Item Repair

Tuesdays, January 14 & 21

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.

Northwest Regional Council Outreach Specialists

Thursday, January 16

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.

Spinning Fiber

Sunday, January 19

1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

SkillShare Space, Central Library

The SpinDrifters, Whatcom County’s spinning guild, will be in the SkillShare Space with their spinning wheels and drop spindles. Drop in anytime from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. to watch them demonstrate their skills. They love to show the public what they do and the different ways to spin different fibers. They will have spindles specifically for people to try out for themselves with donated fiber. The SpinDrifters are happy to help folks come over to the fiber side.

Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, January 21

3:30 – 5:00 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

Regular Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. See BellinghamPublicLibrary.org for more information and meeting agendas and minutes.

Friends of the Library January Book Sale

Thursday, January 23, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Friday, January 24, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, January 25, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

Browse a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. There will be items for all ages and all proceeds benefit Bellingham Public Library. Credit card and cash payments will be accepted. NOTE: Saturday is half price from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and $5/bag from 1:00 – 4:00p.m.

Street Law at the Library*

Saturday, January 25

10:30 a.m. – 2:00 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 required. Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org to sign up.

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.

Monday, January 27, 4:00 – 5:30 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.

Getting Crafty at the Library

Monday, January 6

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.

Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group

Thursday, January 9

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Lecture 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.

Sunday Crafternoon

Sunday, January 12

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For ages 9 – 14. Do you like crafting? How about crafts and snacks? Join us in the Lecture Room at the Central Library for a fun crafting activity. The program is free, and all materials are provided. No registration required.

Little Storytime

Mondays, January 13 & 27 (no Little Storytime on January 20)

Tuesdays, January 14, 21, 28

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

Dodson Room, Central Library

For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join us for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun.

Builders Club at the Central Library

Monday, January 13

3:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesdays, January 15, 22, 29

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

Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch

For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join us for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun.

Preschool Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesdays, January 15, 22, 29

12:05 – 12:35 p.m.

Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch

For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Join us for fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and a simple craft.

Preschool Storytime

Thursdays, January 16, 23, 30

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Dodson Room, Central Library

For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Join us for fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and a simple craft.

Library Explorers

Thursdays, January 16, 23, 30

2:00 – 3:00 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, January 17, 24, 31

10:05 and 11:30 a.m.

Lecture Room, Central Library

For children ages 3 – 5. This is a storytime and facilitated play experience for young children and the adults who take care of them. Come enjoy stories, songs, play and activities.

Builders Club at the Fairhaven Branch

Wednesday, January 22

3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

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. 

Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs

Los miércoles, el 22 de enero – el 26 de marzo
Wednesdays, January 22 – March 26
4:00 – 4:40 p.m.
Dodson Room, la biblioteca central
Dodson Room, Central Library

Los sábados, el 25 de enero – el 29 de marzo
Saturdays, January 25 – March 29
11:05 – 11:45 a.m.
El centro de aprendizaje temprano, La sucursal del centro comercial Bellis Fair

Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Mall Branch

Una hora 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.

Baby Time*

Mondays, January 27 – March 10 (no Baby Time on February 17)

3:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Fridays, January 31 – March 7

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Dodson Room, 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. Note: you are registering for Monday or Friday sessions for all 6 weeks.