Happy New Year! The Bellingham Public Library features special programs and events for children, teens and adults in January 2026. Highlights include the The Caldecott Club, a KPop Demon Hunters Party and the return of regular Storytimes for kids, as well as SkillShare programs for adults on worm composting, manual typewriters, and clothing mending. A Winter Reading Challenge for adults is also new in January 2026.
A full schedule of activities for all ages is listed below. All Bellingham Public Library activities are free of charge. Visit BellinghamPublicLibrary.org for more information about Library services and programs.
All Bellingham Public Library locations will be closed Thursday, Jan. 1 for New Years Day and Monday, Jan. 19 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
January Programs for Children and Teens
Note: Regular Storytimes return the week of January 12.
Building and Crafting Fun!
Friday, January 2, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
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.
Pokémon Club
Friday, January 2, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
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.
Builders Club
Tuesday, January 6, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children ages 4 – 12. Join us for new monthly building challenges. All supplies are provided, including Legos, straw connectors, and more. Duplos and other blocks will also be available for younger children.
The Caldecott Club: Mock Caldecott!
Thursday, January 8, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Monday, January 26, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children of all ages and their families. Join the Caldecott Club for an exciting exploration of the year’s most stunning picture books. Read as many as you can, vote for your favorites, and then join us for a red carpet event on Monday, January 26 where we will watch the Youth Media Award ceremony together and hope our favorites win. A collaboration with the Bellingham Family Partnership Program.
Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group*
Thursday, January 8, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For youth in 5th – 8th grade. Our book group meets on the second Thursday of each month. Snacks provided.
*Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org about registration information.
Little Storytime
Mondays, January 12 – March 23 (NOTE: No Little Storytime on Jan. 19 and Feb. 16)
Tuesdays, January 13 – March 24
10:05 – 10:35 am, 10:35 – 11:05 am, and 11:05 – 11:35 am
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.
Library Explorers
Mondays, January 12 – March 23, 3:30 – 4:15 pm (NOTE: No Library Explorers on Jan. 19 and Feb. 16)
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. NOTE: Welcome salmon eggs to the library with us at 4:00 p.m. in the Children’s Library on Monday, January 12! Children of all ages are welcome!
Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, January 14 – March 25
10:05 – 10:35 am, 10:45 – 11:15 am, and 11:25 – 11:55 am
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. Note: If entering the mall before 11 am, use the entrance next to Target or the Food Court entrance.
Preschool Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, January 14 – March 25, 12:05 – 12:35 pm
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.
Builders Club at the Fairhaven Branch
Wednesday, January 14, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
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.
Preschool Storytime
Thursdays, January 15 – March 26, 10:30 – 11:00 am
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.
Art Lab
Thursday, January 15, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For youth in 5th – 8th grade. Feeling creative? Come to Art Lab. Each month we will focus on a specific art medium and we’ll get creative together. All supplies provided.
Stories and Play
Fridays, January 16 – March 27 (NOTE: No Stories and Play on Jan. 30)
10:05 – 11:05 am and 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
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. Please choose the session that works best for your family.
Baby Time*
Wednesdays, January 21 – February 25, 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
Fridays, January 23 – February 27, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Dodson Room, Central Library
For babies ages birth – 12 months with a parent/caregiver.
Join Bernice and learn a variety of fun songs, rhymes, and lap plays. We will read stories and talk about the five early literacy practices: talking, singing, reading, writing, and playing with your baby and how to easily incorporate these into your daily routines. The last portion of class is dedicated to baby play time and time for parents/caregivers to connect. *Registration is required for this 6 week class. Please choose the day, time, and location that works best for your family.
Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs
Wednesdays, January 21 – March 25, 4:00 – 4:40 pm
Dodson Room, Central Library
Saturdays, January 24 – March 28, 11:05 – 11:45 am
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair 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.
KPop Demon Hunters Party
Thursday, January 22, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children ages 5 – 14. Calling all KPop Demon Hunter fans. Get ready for a “take down” where we will sing and dance and turn the Honmoon “Golden!” We will have KPop dance battles and karaoke, games, crafts, photo booth, and more. Dressing up is encouraged.
Pajama Storytime
Thursday, January 29, 5:15 – 5:45 pm
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 8 with siblings and family. Join us with your favorite stuffy for a fun, cozy storytime with books, songs and felt activities. Wear your jammies (pajamas) if you’d like.
January Programs for All Ages
Friends of the Bellingham Public Library January Book Sale
Thursday, January 29, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday, January 30, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday, January 31, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Half Price
Saturday, January 31, 1: 15 – 4:00 pm, $5 bag
Lecture Room, Central Library
Come down to the Lecture Room at the Central Library for the Friends of the Library January Book Sale and browse from a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. There will be items for all ages and all proceeds benefit your library. Credit card and cash payments will be accepted.
January Programs for Adults
Small Looms
Saturday, January 3, 12:00 – 3:00 pm
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 allowing the community to drop in for some firsthand experience.
Experience Brain Fitness
Mondays, January 5, 12, & 26, 1:00 – 2:00 pm (NOTE: No Experience Brain Fitness on Jan. 19)
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Experience Brain Fitness: 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, January 6 & 20, 10:15 am – 12:15 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop in to learn more about Opportunity Council services, get assistance completing Basic Food Benefit applications, and sign up for Bill Discount Rates through Puget Sound Energy and Cascade Natural Gas.
Library Basics Tech Coaching*
Wednesdays, January 7, 14, 21, & 28, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Patrons must pre-register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.
The Bellingham Public Library offers one-to-one assistance with basic technology skills for the following:
- Accessing BPL’s digital library including downloading or streaming eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eFilms, and eMusic
- Basic computer / smartphone / tablet / e-reader skills
- Setting up and using email
Bellingham Vet Center Information
Thursday, January 8, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
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.
Ragfinery Mending Workshop
Friday, January 9, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Have clothing or gear that could use a little loving (i.e. rips, tears, holes)? Stop by for a FREE mending lesson from talented Ragfinery volunteers. Learn how to repair your clothes in real time and walk away with a fixed garment and a new skill. This event is supported by the Whatcom County Waste Reduction Pilot Program.
Correspondence Club
Saturday, January 10, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Correspondence Club invites people of all ages and abilities to make creative mail – cards, postcards, letters, and envelopes – to connect with others near and far. Participants have access to a wide variety of supplies, including glue sticks, a diverse paper collection, scissors, envelope templates, tape, etc. Guidance is offered upon request by an experienced teacher and correspondent. At its best, mail art encourages generosity, reciprocity, delight, and gratitude.
Affordable Homeownership: Drop-In with Kulshan Community Land Trust
Saturday, January 10, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Wednesday, January 21, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Kulshan Community Land Trust (Kulshan CLT) staff will answer your questions and offer information about our shared equity homeownership program, including: how shared equity homeownership works, who is eligible for their affordable homeownership program, how to apply, and what Kulshan CLT is doing to expand affordable homeownership opportunities for Whatcom County.
Resource Navigation with Community Health Plan of WA
Monday, January 12, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Facing any barriers? Receive help navigating resources available in the community, insurance benefits, and more from Adrian, Whatcom County Community Health Worker with Community Health Plan of Washington. Those without Community Health Plan of Washington insurance can also receive assistance navigating resources but will not have access to the benefits specifically tied to this insurance.
Drop-In Home Item Repair
Tuesday, January 13, 3:30 – 5:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Bring your broken household items to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library and work with skilled volunteers from Northwest 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.
Worm Composting for Beginners
Thursday, January 15, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Are you curious about worm composting (vermicompost) and how it can benefit your garden while reducing waste? Drop in to hear from Hunter Wolf Lydon as he presents information about worm composting operations, why you’d want to start, and which worms are best suited for the job. Hunter will provide best practices on how to set your composting worms up for success and keep them alive, healthy, and thriving throughout the year. A seasoned worm farmer, Hunter has cultivated composting worms for over ten years with success and has seen and heard from friends about the benefits worm castings can have on a garden.
Spinning Fiber
Saturday, January 17, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
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 pm to watch them demonstrate their skills. They love to show the public what they do and the multiple 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.
Bellingham Public Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 20, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
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, 210 Central Avenue. Meetings begin at 3:30 pm. The public is welcome to attend and is encouraged to check the library’s website for the meeting agenda and packet.
Understanding Normal Aging vs. Early Signs of Dementia
Tuesday, January 20, 4:45 – 5:45 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
As we age, changes in memory and thinking are natural – but how do we distinguish between typical aging and the early signs of dementia? This presentation will explore the differences, highlight key warning signs, and offer guidance on when to seek further evaluation. Join us for an informative session aimed at promoting awareness, early detection, and support for brain health.
Typewriters 101: An Introduction to Operation and Maintenance
Thursday, January 22, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop in for a hands-on exploration of one of the most revolutionary machines in the literary world: typewriters. With a rich history that echoes through our modern era, typewriters have been employed for letter writing, remote journalism, storytelling and poetry, and even as a liberation device that enabled women to enter the office workforce in droves. Despite the ubiquity of computers and their endless ability to edit, decades later typewriters persist as writing instruments that inspire authors with a slower, more intentional writing style. The sound alone of a typewriter in use is hypnotic: from type bars hitting the cylinder to the ding that warns the end of the line is mere characters away, typewriters draw you in. The typewriters on display will have excerpts from the authors who used and popularized particular models, paper to test out and free write, and a poem writing station for a fun “take a poem/leave a poem” project.
Street Law at the Library*
Saturday, January 24, 10:30 am – 2:00 pm
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.
NW Regional Council Outreach Specialist Onsite
Tuesday, January 27, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop in and talk to NWRC Outreach Specialist about the WA Cares Fund and information about how to connect with other resources at NWRC. Northwest Regional Council is a local agency that provides support for older adults and people with disabilities in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.
Bellingham Reads Book Group
Tuesday, January 27, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, In-Person
Lecture Room, Central Library
Tuesday, January 27, 6:30 – 7:30 pm, Online*
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In January we’ll be reading and discussing Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Meet in-person 12:00 – 1:00 pm OR register for the meeting at 6:30 pm either online or by contacting Suzanne at scarlson-prandini@cob.org or 360-778-7236.
Top Ten Book Lists: Cozy Romances
Tuesday, January 27, 5:00 – 5:45 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Join us in the SkillShare space at the Central Library as Adult Services Librarian Katie Bray provides a monthly installment of her top ten book lists across a variety of genres. Whether you’re looking for your next great read, a new selection for your book club, or just want to know the latest and greatest, Katie will offer a hand-picked list of thought-provoking and entertaining titles for you to consider.