In June the Bellingham Public Library kicks off Summer Reading for all ages, as well as a variety of fun and informative summertime programs. Special highlights include Dog Days at the Fairhaven Library and Backyard Boogie: Books & Beats for kids, as well as The Joy of Typing Snail Mail and Library Card Night at the Bellingham Bells for all ages!
The Library will celebrate Pride throughout June with book displays and staff recommendations featuring LGBTQ+ stories and staff recommended materials at all locations.
All library programs are free of charge. Please read the following list carefully for appropriate ages, days and times. Follow the links or visit the Bellingham Public Library online events calendar to add any of the programs listed below to your personal calendar.
Please note: regular storytimes are on a break and will resume in July.
June 2026 Library Programs for All Ages
Summer Reading Begins!
June 1 – August 31, 2026
All Bellingham Public Library locations
Come to any BPL location and pick up a summer reading activity card for ages birth and older. Enjoy age appropriate reading challenges, have fun, and win prizes. For more information, visit the library’s Summer Reading webpage.
The Joy of Typing Snail Mail
Saturday, June 20, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
Discover the joy of hand-crafted communication and hands‑on creativity in this special event that brings together Library program favorites Correspondence Club and Typewriters 101. Create postcards, birthday greetings, and mail art with a manually typewritten address or salutation, then add the perfect finishing touch with a variety of provided art supplies. Whether you’re decorating an envelope, surprising a friend with a heartfelt note, or crafting a keepsake to mail to yourself, you’ll find plenty of inspiration. All ages and abilities are welcome to join and explore, create, and connect through the art of old-fashioned correspondence.
Library Card Night at the Bellingham Bells
5:30 pm gates open, 6:35 pm first pitch
Joe Martin Field, 1220 Civic Field Way
Celebrate Summer Reading with a Library party at the ballpark. Show your library card at the Bellingham Bells gate on June 25 for a free general admission ticket to the home game that night. One ticket per library card.
June 2026 Library Programs for Children and Teens
Builders Club
Tuesday, June 9, 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.
Cuentos al parque / Stories at the Park
Thursday, June 11, 3:00 – 3:45 pm
Cordata Park, 4510 Cordata Pkwy
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, June 11, 4:00 – 5:30 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
For youth entering 5th – 8th grade in the fall. Join us for book discussion, activities, and snacks. *Pre-registration is required. Email Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org for registration information.
Dog Days at the Fairhaven Branch*
Tuesday, June 16, 11:00 am – 1:15 pm
Tuesday, June 23, 11:00 am – 1:15 pm
Fireplace Room, Fairhaven Library
For children ages 6 – 12. Each child will have 30 minutes to read aloud to a dog.
*Registration is required – space is limited. Register your child for a 30 minute timeslot and your scheduled time will be emailed to you. Each dog has passed behavioral training and will be with their owner, a Humane Society volunteer.
Summer Crafts at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesday, June 17, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
For children ages 2 and up. Create a variety of fun summer crafts. All supplies provided.
Art Lab
Thursday, June 18, 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.
Backyard Boogie: Books & Beats
Wednesday, June 24, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Lee Memorial Park, 210 Central Ave
For school age kids up to 8th grade and their families. Join us for a dance and craft party. Crafts for kids in 4th through 8th grade (and younger with adult assistance), outdoor games, and groovy tunes. Come dressed as your favorite book character!
Builders Club at the Fairhaven Branch
Thursday, June 25, 2:00 – 4:00 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.
Pokémon Club
Friday, June 26, 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. Bring friends or make new ones. Enjoy crafts, games, and other activities.
Summer Night Stories
Tuesday, June 30, 5:15 – 5:45 pm
Lee Memorial Park, 210 Central Ave
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.
June 2026 Library Programs for Adults
Library Basics Tech Coaching*
Thursdays, June 4, 11, 18, & 25
2:00 – 4:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library (Note: June 18 & 25 sessions will be in Study Room 1)
*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
Drop-In Home Item Repair
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.
Bellingham Vet Center Information
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.
Correspondence Club
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.
Bellingham Public Library Board Meeting
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Lecture Room, Central Library
Regular meetings of the Bellingham Public Library Board of Trustees are held on the third Tuesday of each month. 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 Resources and Advocacy
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.
Affordable Homeownership: Drop-In with Kulshan Community Land Trust
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.
Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections
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.
Typewriters 101: An Introduction to Operation and Maintenance
1:30 – 4:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Join a hands-on exploration of one of the most revolutionary machines in the literary world: typewriters. With a rich history that echoes through the 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.
Spinning Fiber
1:00 – 3:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
The SpinDrifters, Whatcom County’s spinning guild, will be at the Central Library 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.
NW Regional Council Outreach Specialist Onsite
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
12:00 – 1:00 pm In-Person
Lecture Room, Central Library
6:30 – 7:30 pm Online*
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In June we’ll be exploring early American history with an America 250 themed discussion. Participants choose a title and then share it at June’s discussion. Talking about different titles will generate a rich reading list and delve into the complexity of American history. Not sure what to read? Here are some suggestions:
• The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer
• Native Nations: A Millennium in North America by Kathleen Duval
• The Traitor’s Wife: The Woman Behind Benedict Arnold and the Plan to Betray
America by Allison Pataki
• Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend
and Elizabeth by Claire Bellerjeau
Pick one, more, or a different title that focuses on early American history and then join the conversation. 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.
Smart Trips Workshop: Bike Maintenance
4:00 – 5:45 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop by the Central Library SkillShare space to practice basic bike maintenance with Libby Chenault from Smart Trips. 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. Find out 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.
Street Law at the Library*
10:30 am – 2:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Pre-registration required. Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org to sign up.
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.
Whatcom Community College Open House Information Session
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.
View this list of library programs at BellinghamPublicLibrary.org.
