Bellingham Public Library features programs and events at multiple library branches and parks in July 2025, including fun summertime programs for children and the Children’s Craft Fair at Lee Memorial Park on Friday, July 25. The Library will also celebrate Disability Pride Month with special displays, booklists, and staff recommendations throughout July.
A full schedule of activities for adults and children is listed below. All Bellingham Public Library activities are free of charge. Visit BellinghamPublicLibrary.org for more information about Library services and programs.
Note: All locations of the Bellingham Public Library will be closed on Friday, July 4, for Independence Day.
July Library Programs for Children and Teens
Middle School Dungeons and Dragons Summer Meet Up
Thursdays, July 3 – August 14, 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For youth in grades 6 – 9. Join Austin from the Shuksan Middle School D&D group to learn about and play Dungeons and Dragons! All supplies provided. Questions? Contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org.
Baby Time*
Mondays, July 7 – August 11, 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. 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. Mondays, July 7 – August 11. Click HERE to register.
Little Storytime
10:05, 10:35, & 11:05 am
Dodson Room, Central Library
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Enjoy simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun.
Clay Day!
Tuesday, July 8, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 11 – 14. Make and take fabulous creations using all types of clay.
Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, July 9, 16, 23, 30
10:05, 10:45, & 11:25 am
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Enjoy 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, July 9, 16, 23, & 30, 12:05 – 12:35 pm
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Enjoy fun and engaging stories, songs, fingerplays, and a simple craft.
Building and Crafting Fun
Wednesday, July 9, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
Fun for children of all ages. The Library will have a variety of crafting and loose parts building materials for you to create with and use your imagination.
Barkley Market Storytime
Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, & 31, 11:00 – 11:20 am
Barkley Village Green
Join Library staff for a 20 minute outdoor storytime at the Barkley Market on the Barkley Village Green, starting July 10, every Thursday in July and August. Read a fun story, sing silly songs and wiggle on the grass in the fresh air.
Library Explorers
Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, & 31, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
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.
Animals as Natural Therapy and Early Childhood Resource Fair
Thursday, July 10, 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Lee Memorial Park, Central Library
2:30 – 4:30 pm Resource Fair
3:00 – 4:00 pm Mobile Animals as Natural Therapy
The Bellingham Public Library, Peace Centers and Skookum Kids present an event for children ages birth – 6 and their caregivers. Visit with community resource providers to learn about childcare, early learning, early intervention and enrichment opportunities and visit with the Mobile Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT) team.
Mobile ANT provides a unique opportunity for a multitude of community members to experience the joy, comfort, and therapeutic benefits of human-animal interactions. The visiting animals include miniature equines, goats, rabbits, chickens, cats and dogs.
Information about sponsors:
- Mobile ANT strives to improve mental and behavioral health through animal-guided programs and mentorship with special attention to youth and veterans in Northwest Washington.
- Peace Centers is a non-profit organization serving families in Whatcom County for the last 10 years. Peace Centers recently received a Healthy Children’s Fund award to create a website connecting Whatcom County families with drop-in and emergency childcare with licensed providers at www.childcarespaces.com.
Let’s Read! A Middle School Book Group*
Thursday, July 10, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For 5th – 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 our Middle Grade Book Group. The group picks different books, reads them, and then each month gets together to talk about that book and have snacks. *Please contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org or 360-778-7211 to sign up and find out what the group is reading.
Stories and Play
10:05 – 11:05 am & 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. Enjoy stories, songs, play and activities.
Sunday Crafternoon at the Library
Sunday, July 13, 1:30 – 3:30 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 10 – 14. Do you like crafting? How about crafts and snacks? Visit the Lecture Room at the Central Library for a fun crafting activity. The program is free, and all materials are provided. No registration required.
Builders Club
Monday, July 14, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For children ages 4 – 12. Try monthly building challenges. All supplies are provided, including Legos, straw connectors, and more. Duplos and other blocks will also be available for younger children.
Pokémon Club
Wednesday, July 16, 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 at the Fairhaven Branch
Wednesday, July 23, 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.
Summer Night Stories
Thursday, July 24, 5:15 – 5:45 pm
Lee Memorial Park, Central Library
For children ages 3 – 8 and their families. Delight in an evening of stories, songs, and games. Bring a blanket to sit on if you’d like.
Middle Grade Book Group Meetup
Monday, July 28, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For youth entering grades 5th – 8th grade in the Fall. Join library staff and members of the Middle Grade Book Group for fun activities, snacks, and lots of talking about books. Registration is not required. All snacks and supplies provided. Questions? Email lsnorman@cob.org
Backyard Boogie: Taylor Swift and Friends
Wednesday, July 30, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Lee Memorial Park, Central Library
Backyard Boogie is a dance and craft party for school age kids up to 8th grade and their families. Crafts for kids in 4th through 8th grade (and younger with adult assistance), outdoor games, and groovy tunes.
Cuentos al parque / Stories at the Park
Thursday, July 31, 11:00 – 11:45 am
Cordata Park
Una hora de cuentos bilingües al aire libre para niños de todas las edades y sus cuidadores/familias. Acompáñenos para cuentos y canciones divertidos en español y inglés–¡y burbujas!
A bilingual outdoor storytime for kids of all ages and their caregivers/families. Join us for fun stories and songs in both Spanish and English—plus bubbles!
July Library Programs for All Ages
Children’s Craft Fair at Lee Memorial Park
Friday, July 25, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Lee Memorial Park, Central Library
All community members are invited to attend the Children’s Craft Fair to support young entrepreneurs and enjoy a wide array of handmade crafts and baked goods. All items are priced $5 or less; cash only sales. Fun for all ages to shop. Note: registration to sell items at the Craft Fair is full.
July Library Programs for Adults
Home Emergency Preparedness
Tuesday, July 1, 5:00 – 5:45 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
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 our local hazards, the fundamentals of emergency preparedness, starting your 2-week kit, preparing in a year, creating your household plan, and more. Classes are free and no registration is required.
Library Basics Tech Coaching
Wednesdays, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 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
Next Chapter: Your Online Education Journey
Thursday, July 3, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
GCU (Grand Canyon University) invites you to join local program counselors as they present higher education and scholarship opportunities. Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to ask questions about online schooling, financial aid, navigating degree program choices and how continuing education may be the next chapter in your story.
Appleseed Open Forum
Monday, July 7, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Appleseed Open Forum is your chance to talk about the topics you want to discuss. Each one-hour session is divided into two parts. The group will decide on a topic and discuss it for half an hour. For the second half hour, the group will choose a new topic or continue the first discussion. Everyone is welcome.
Examples of successful topics from previous meetings include:
- What is truth?
- What is art?
- What is the value of sports in society?
- Is there a God?
- What’s the best way to solve a problem?
And more. All that’s missing is you and your ideas. You are invited to share at Appleseed Open Forum.
Drop-In Home Item Repair
Tuesdays, July 8 & 15, 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 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.
Bellingham Vet Center Information
Thursday, July 10, 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 who 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.
Finding Passion, Purpose, and Connection through Nature, Storytelling & Community
Thursday, July 10, 4:30 – 5:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
This inspiring and interactive program is designed to help participants reconnect with their inner passions, find purpose through service, and explore the meaningful signs and synchronicities the universe offers—especially during life’s most challenging times.
Drawing from a three-year sailing journey across the Pacific Ocean, including a transformative 60-day stay in the Galápagos Islands, presenter Julianne Thomas will share powerful stories and nature-based insights that invite participants to see the world—and themselves—through a new, more connected lens. Through guided exercises, storytelling, and community-building activities, participants will gain clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of direction.
Correspondence Club
Saturday, July 12, 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, 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.
Finding Help with whatcomresources.org
Monday, July 14, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
In this hour-long hands-on presentation, Drew Whatley from Opportunity Council and the Whatcom Resource Information Collaborative will walk through how to utilize whatcomresources.org. Drew will provide some background on the ongoing community project, how to use advanced search features, and take suggestions and feedback on the tool. Useful for people trying to find services available to them as well as community advocates who help others navigate the social service landscape.
Bellingham Public Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, July 15, 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
Regular Library 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 pm. The public is welcome to attend and is encouraged to check the library’s website for the meeting agenda and packet.
NAMI Whatcom In Our Own Voices Presentation
Wednesday, July 16, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
NAMI In Our Own Voice is an interactive presentation that provides insight into what it’s like to live with mental illness. The presentation will be led by two adults living with mental health conditions and includes video and discussion. The audience is given a safe place to ask questions and gain understanding of an often misunderstood topic. Through dialogue, we help grow the movement to build better lives.
Street Law at the Library*
Saturday, July 19, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
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.
Spinning Fiber
Sunday, July 20, 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 – 3 pm 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.
Foster Parenting with Service Alternatives
Monday, July 21, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Every child deserves a safe, stable, and caring home. Foster parents provide a critical role in the lives of children in their community. Drop by the SkillShare Space at the Central Library and talk to a Foster Care Licensor with Service Alternatives to learn about how to become a foster parent, the licensing process, the ongoing support that Service Alternatives offers to foster parents and children alike, and other questions related to foster care.
Opportunity Council: Early Learning and Family Services Outreach
Monday, July 21, 1:15 – 3:15 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Visit the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to talk to members of the Opportunity Council’s Early Learning and Family Services team about preschool programs available throughout Whatcom County. Early Head Start supports infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, while Preschool and Head Start cater to children ages 3 to 5.
NW Regional Council Outreach Specialist Onsite
Thursday, July 24, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop in and talk to a 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.
Smart Trips Workshop: Bike Maintenance
Thursday, July 24, 4:00 – 5:45 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop by the SkillShare space to practice basic bike maintenance with Libby Chenault from Smart Trips. Stop in to learn how to lube a chain, pump a tire or fix a flat, then take your new skills home to keep your bike rolling smoothly. Learn which tools are essential, how often you should perform these simple tasks and when your bike needs a more serious repair. Note: You will not be able to bring your own bicycle into the Library for this event.
Narcan Training*
Tuesday, July 29, 11:00 – 11:45 am
SkillShare Space, Central Library
In this 45-minute Narcan training presented by Whatcom County EMS Training Specialist Steven Cohen, you will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose, administer Narcan, and care for the individual until emergency services arrive. *Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Click HERE to register.
