July 2026 Bellingham Public Library Programs

Children’s Craft Fair at the Central Library

Friday, July 31, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Lee Memorial Park, behind the Central Library

Enjoy a wide array of handmade crafts and baked goods created by children ages 13 and younger. All items are priced $5 or less; cash only sales. Fun for all ages to shop for unique treasures.

Chalk It Up!

Thursday, July 2, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Lee Memorial Park, behind the Central Library

Fun for all ages! Get creative with sidewalk chalk – draw, doodle, and design colorful masterpieces. Bring your imagination and let’s chalk it up.

Baby Time*

Mondays, July 6 – August 17, 10:30 – 11:30 am (no Baby Time on July 20)

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. Register online or call 360-778-7200.

Library Explorers

Mondays, July 6 – August 3, 11:00 – 11:45 am

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.

Little Storytime

Tuesdays, July 7 – August 4

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.

Note: There are multiple sessions of Little Storytime. Please choose the time that works best for your family. 

Create a Zine!

Tuesday, July 7, 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Friday, July 10, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For youth in 6^th – 8^th grade. Learn about self-publishing and DIY culture using zines as a medium. Zines can explore any topic and genre. Let’s get creative using fun materials such as rubber stamps, sparkly paint pens, washi tape, and more. All supplies and snacks are provided.

Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesdays, July 8 – August 5

10:05 – 10:35 am, 10:45 – 11:15 am, and 11:25 – 11:55 am

Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Mall

For children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join us for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and movement. Lots of fun. If entering the mall before 11 am, please use the entrance next to Target or the Food Court entrance.

Note: There are multiple sessions of Little Storytime. Please choose the time that works best for your family. 

Preschool Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesdays, July 8 – August 5, 12:05 – 12:35 pm

Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Mall

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

Barkley Market Storytime

Thursdays, July 9 – August 27, 11:00 – 11:20 am

Barkley Village Green

Join the library for a 20-minute outdoor storytime at the Barkley Market on the Barkley Village Green, Thursdays beginning July 9 at 11 am. We’ll read a fun story, sing silly songs and wiggle on the grass in the fresh air.

Cuentos al parque / Stories at the Park

Thursday, July 9, 3:00 – 3:45 pm

Cordata Park

Una hora de cuentos bilingües al aire libre para niños de todas las edades y sus cuidadores/familias. Acompáñenos a Cordata Park 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 at Cordata Park for fun stories and songs in both Spanish and English—plus bubbles!

Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group

Thursday, July 9, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For youth entering 5^th – 8^th grade in the fall. Join us for book discussion, activities, and snacks. Pre-registration is required. Contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org for registration information.

Stories and Play

Fridays, July 10 – August 7

10:05 – 11:05 am or 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!

NOTE: there are two sessions of Stories and Play. Please choose the time that works best for your family.

Builders Club

Tuesday, July 14, 10:30 am – 12:00 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.

Summer Night Stories

Tuesday, July 14, 5:15 – 5:45 pm

Lee Memorial Park, behind the 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. 

Backyard Boogie: Flashback!

Wednesday, July 15, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Lee Memorial Park, behind the Central Library

For school age kids up to 8^th grade and their families. Join us for a dance and craft party. Crafts for kids in 4^th – 8^th grade (and younger with adult assistance), outdoor games, and groovy tunes. Throw on your retro vibes and join us for fun.

Art Lab

Thursday, July 16, 2:00 – 3:30 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.

Pokémon Club

Thursday, July 23, 10:30 – 11:30 am

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. No trading cards please.

Math Fun!

Wednesday, July 29, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Thursday, July 30, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Lecture Room, Central Library

For youth in 4^th – 6^th grade. Explore Seattle Universal Math Museum’s (SUMM) math activity kits. Join us for fun and interactive math games and activities.

Builders Club at the Fairhaven Branch

Thursday, July 30, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

Fireplace Room, Fairhaven Branch 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.

Library Basics Tech Coaching*

Thursdays, 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 

Resource Navigation with Community Health Plan of WA

Monday, July 6, 3:00 – 5:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Receive help navigating resources available in the community, insurance benefits, and more. 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.

Whatcom Community College Open House Information Sessions

Wednesday, July 8, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

Friday, July 31, 3:30 – 5:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

This program provides community members with a welcoming opportunity to explore the educational options and support services available at Whatcom Community College. Drop by to find out about programs, resources, and pathways to college, and get personalized help to make informed decisions about your next educational steps. WCC staff will be able to assist with applications, accessing information, and connecting you with resources to support your learning journey.

Bellingham Vet Center Information

Thursday, July 9, 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 offer information about their services. The primary mission of the Vet Center is to provide mental health counseling to veterans who are eligible. 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, July 10, 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 & a new skill.

Please note that “mending” refers to patching, replacing buttons, darning knitwear, etc. Mending excludes more involved processes such as hemming and alterations.

Correspondence Club

Saturday, July 11, 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.

Drop-In Home Item Repair

Tuesdays, July 14 & 21, 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.

NAMI Whatcom Resources and Advocacy

Wednesday, July 15, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

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. They 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 the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to find out what resources are available for anyone impacted by mental health conditions.

Typewriters 101: An Introduction to Operation and Maintenance

Wednesday, July 15, 1:30 – 4:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Enjoy 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 warning the end of the line is mere characters away, typewriters draw you in. 

With six popular models of typewriters ready for exploration, this presentation is designed to engage library patrons of all ages. Local typewriter aficionado Jennifer Dunn will provide information and tutorials about the typewriters presented as well as tips to clean and repair that dusty typewriter in your attic. 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 clean/repair evaluation station for those who bring in their typewriters for an inspection and guidance.

Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections

Thursday, July 16, 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.

Bellingham Public Library Board Meeting

Tuesday, July 21, 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 p.m. The public is welcome to attend and is encouraged to check the library’s website for the meeting agenda and packet.

Affordable Homeownership: Drop-In with Kulshan Community Land Trust

Wednesday, July 22, 2:00 – 4:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Kulshan Community Land Trust (Kulshan CLT) staff will answer your questions and offer information about their 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.

Street Law at the Library*

Saturday, July 25, 10:30 am – 2:00 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 is required. Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org to sign up. 

NW Regional Council Outreach Specialist Onsite

Tuesday, July 28, 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, July 28, 12:00 – 1:00 pm In-Person

Lecture Room, Central Library

Tuesday, July 28, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Online*

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In July we’ll be reading and discussing The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. Meet in-person 12:00 – 1:00 pm OR *register for the online meeting at 6:30 pm online or by contacting Suzanne at scarlson-prandini@cob.org or 360-778-7236.