March 2024 Bellingham Public Library Programs and Events

Bellingham Public Library presents a full line-up of programs and events for adults and children in March 2024. The Library’s special themes for the month are Women’s History, Salmon, and Whatcom READS. Special highlights include Whatcom READS: An Evening with Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe at Mount Baker Theatre on March 15, and a Community Salmon Release Party at the Central Library and Whatcom Creek on March 30. Throughout the month, the community is invited to watch tiny salmon alevin transform into fry in a special tank at the Central Library Children’s Department, or watch the salmon live stream here.

A variety of programs are featured for adults and children, with locations noted, including the Central Library, the Bellis Fair Branch, the Fairhaven Library Branch and online. For more information see BellinghamPublicLibrary.org. All programs are free of charge.

Adult Programs

Little Looms

Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to observe members of the Whatcom Weavers Guild working with small looms, ask questions about weaving, and give it a try if space and time allow. Please note: this is not an instructional, step-by-step class on weaving so registration is not required, and space is limited. Adults and accompanied youth are welcome to pop by for a few minutes or an hour to see this skill demonstrated in person.

Voting Info and Registration

Volunteers with the League of Women Voters in Whatcom County will be in the SkillShare Space, providing voter information and voter registration. Drop in for voting info.

Opportunity Council: Community Resource Connections

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. 

Household Emergency Preparedness

An overview of local hazards, fundamentals of emergency preparedness, starting a 2-week kit, preparing in a year, creating your household plan, and more.

Library Basics Tech Coaching*

The Library offers one-on-one coaching on basic tech skills and accessing the Library’s digital services. *Patrons must register for a half hour session by contacting the Help Desk at 360-778-7323. 

Smart Trips Workshop: Web Tools for Transit

Please join Smart Trips’ Education Coordinator Libby Chenault for a monthly program on topics of active transportation, In March, the program will feature “Web Tools for Transit” and will include a presentation, time for questions, and an opportunity for participants to practice setting up their own routes and trips. No registration required. 

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. 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.

Drop-In Home Item Repair Workshop

Drop in and work with skilled volunteers to learn how to repair your broken household items.

Cascade STEAM Digital Navigators

Drop in any time during Cascade STEAM Digital Navigators for assistance with internet connectivity, computing devices, and other technology needs and questions.

Narcan Training for the Public*

Pre-registration required. Space is limited.* In this 45-minute Narcan training, you will learn how to recognize an opioid overdose, administer Narcan, and care for the individual until emergency services arrive. Individuals who complete the training program will receive a free Narcan Kit. *Click HERE to register.

Whatcom READS: An Evening with Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe*

Join in conversation with the author of the 2024 Whatcom READS selection Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe. Winner of a 2023 Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association award, Red Paint traces LaPointe’s personal story of trauma, healing and the search for home. *Tickets required. Click HERE for free tickets.

Spin Your Own Yarn

At this drop-in program, spinners from the Spindrifters Guild will provide basic spinning tools and easy fiber to those who want to try making their own yarn. Spinners will also bring their own personal wheels to demonstrate modern spinning methods to viewers.

Library Board Meeting

Library Board of Trustee meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday.

NAMI Whatcom Resources

Drop in and talk to a National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Whatcom volunteer about resources that are available to anyone impacted by mental health conditions in Whatcom County.

Street Law*

Ask questions and get assistance in one-on-one consultations with volunteer lawyers. Appointments are limited to 15 minutes, and registration is required. *Pre-registration required. Please contact LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org  to sign up.

Bellingham Reads Book Group*

Tuesday, March 26, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. ONLINE*

Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. The title for March is A Fever in the Heartland by Timothy Egan. *Contact Suzanne at scarlson-randini@cob.org or 360-778-7236 to register and receive the Zoom link for the online meeting.

Map Your Neighborhood

A simple community-driven program that brings neighbors together to share info and develop a plan for emergencies and disasters. Instructor Greg Hope is the Education and Outreach Coordinator for the Bellingham Fire Department Office of Emergency Management.

NW Regional Council Outreach Specialists Onsite CANCELLED

Drop in and talk to NWRC Outreach Specialists about how to become an in-home caregiver for low-income adults and other services they provide.  

Salmon Habitat Restoration in Bellingham

Join Sara Brooke Benjamin, Environmental Coordinator with the City of Bellingham, as she shares how the City is improving the outcomes for salmon in our local waterways. Sara Brooke will review the City’s efforts to restore salmon habitat and passage by reviewing recently completed projects, including the Little Squalicum Estuary, as well as preview future projects focused on fish passage. Join us to learn about these efforts and how to get involved in environmental stewardship in Bellingham.

Community Salmon Release Party!

The community is invited to celebrate the lives of the chum salmon we’ve watched hatch and grow in the Children’s Library. The salmon release party will start at the Central Library where local Indigenous partners will share blessings, story and song. Together we will then walk to Maritime Heritage Park to release the salmon into Whatcom Creek. 

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Children’s Programs

Stories and Play

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.

Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs 

Los sábados, el 2 y el 9 de marzo / Saturdays, March 2, 9
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.

Sunday Crafternoon at the Library for ages 9 – 14*

For ages 9 – 14. Do you like crafting? How about crafts and snacks? Enjoy a different craft on the first Sunday of each month in the Lecture Room at the Central Library. The program is free, and all materials are provided. *Pre-registration for each session is required. Click HERE to register.

Little Storytime

Mondays, March 4, 11, 18, 25
Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28
10:05 – 10:35, 10:35 – 11:05, and 11:05 – 11:35 a.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library

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

Little Storytime @ Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27
10:05 – 10:35 a.m., 10:45 – 11:15 a.m., and 11:25 – 11:55 a.m.
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 arriving before 11 a.m., enter through the entrance next to Target or the Food Court.

Preschool Storytime

Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library

For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Enjoy fun and engaging stories, songs, and fingerplays. 

Preschool Storytime @ Bellis Fair Branch

Wednesdays, March 6, 13, 20, 27
12:05 – 12:35 p.m.
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch

For children ages 3 – 5 with an adult partner. Enjoy fun and engaging stories, songs, and fingerplays.

Time for Tales

Thursdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library

For children ages 5 – 9 with families welcome. Enjoy fun stories, songs and a craft. 

Builders Club

Wednesday, March 13
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Fireplace Room, Fairhaven Branch Library

Tuesday, March 26
3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central 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.  

Pajama Storytime

Wednesday, March 13
6:15 – 6:45 p.m.
Dodson Room, Central Library

For children ages 3 – 8 with siblings and family. Bring your favorite stuffy for a fun, cozy storytime with books, songs and felt activities. Wear your jammies (pajamas) if you’d like.

Financial Literacy with WECU

Join WECU at the Library for a youth financial literacy program that will cover financial basics – saving, borrowing, spending, and financial planning for the future.

Baby Time*

Salmon Fun!

Come join us for an evening of stories, songs, activities, and facts all about salmon as we prepare and learn about our salmon release on March 30.

Getting Crafty @ the Library*

For ages 6 – 12. Visit Bellingham Public Library for some crafting fun. Each month the Library will focus on a new craft or put out a bunch of supplies and have open crafting time. All supplies and snacks are provided. *Pre-registration is required – space is limited. Click HERE to register.

Community Salmon Release Party!

The community is invited to celebrate the lives of the chum salmon we’ve watched hatch and grow in the Children’s Library. The salmon release party will start at the Central Library where local Indigenous partners will share blessings, story and song. Together we will then walk to Maritime Heritage Park to release the salmon into Whatcom Creek. 

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Media Contact:

Annette Bagley, Head of Community Relations, Bellingham Public Library, ambagley@cob.org, 360-778-7206