Bellingham Public Library features special programs and events for children, teens and adults at multiple library branches in October 2025. The Library continues to honor national Hispanic Heritage Month through October 15 with displays of materials, book lists, and staff recommendations.
A full schedule of activities 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 Wednesday, October 8, for an All Staff Learning Day.
October Programs for Children and Teens
Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, October 1, 15, 22, & 29 (no Storytime on Oct. 8)
10:05, 10:45, & 11:25 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, October 1, 15, 22, & 29 (no Storytime on Oct. 8)
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.
Baby Time*
Wednesdays, October 1 – November 5 (no Baby Time on Oct. 8)
2:30 – 3:30 pm
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
10:30 – 11:30 am
Dodson Room, Central Library
For babies ages birth – 12 months with an adult partner. Songs, rhymes, bounces, movement, and stories. *Pre-registration is required. Call 360-778-7266 or email Bernice at bchang@cob.org for registration information. Note: These sessions are currently full.
Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs
Los miércoles, el 1 de octubre – el 19 de noviembre/Wednesdays, October 1 – November 19
4:00 – 4:40 pm Tenga en cuenta: No hay Cuentos y cantos el 8 de noviembre/Note: No Cuentos y cantos on November 8.
Dodson Room, la biblioteca central/Dodson Room, Central Library
Los sábados, el 4 de octubre – el 22 de noviembre/ Saturdays, October 4 – November 22
11:05 – 11:45 am
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.
Preschool Storytime
Thursdays, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
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.
Stories and Play
Fridays, October 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
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. Come enjoy stories, songs, play and activities.
Little Storytime
Mondays, October 6, 13, 20, & 27
Tuesdays, October 7, 14, 21, & 28
10:05 am, 10:35 am, & 11:05 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. Please choose the date and time that works best for your family.
Library Explorers
Mondays, October 6, 13, 20, & 27
3:30 – 4:15 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.
Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group*
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.
Sunday Crafternoon at the Library
1:30 – 3:30 pm
Conference Room, Central Library
For ages 10 – 14. Do you like crafting? Join us for fun and creative crafting. The program is free, and all snacks and materials are provided. No registration required.
Builders Club
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.
Builders Club at the Fairhaven Branch
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.
Spooky Crafts!
2:00 – 4:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
For ages 11 – 14. It’s the most wonderful time of year! Get into the spirit of spooky season with some fantastic spooky crafts. We will paint, sculpt, and glue up some creepy fun. All supplies will be provided.
Pokémon Club
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.
Financial Literacy with WECU
2:00 – 2:30 pm
Early Learning Center, Bellis Fair Branch
For children ages 4 – 8. Join WECU for a youth financial literacy program. We will start with a story and WECU will introduce children to financial basics – saving, borrowing, spending, and more.
Pajama Storytime
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.
October Programs for Adults
Library Basics Tech Coaching*
Wednesdays, October 1, 15, 22, & 29
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
Genealogy Jump Start*
11:00 am – 3:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Pre-registration recommended. See below for more info on how to register.
Whatcom Genealogy Society will be celebrating Family History Month in October 2025 by hosting Genealogy Jump Start on October 4 in the SkillShare Space at the Central Library. Let researchers from the Whatcom Genealogical Society provide one-on-one help with starting your family tree, transitioning from a paper family tree to one on your computer, or help you with a “brick wall” in your research.
You will be asked to bring any information on family names, birth dates, and places where your ancestors lived to help us get started. If you have that information on a computer or want to transition to a tree on your computer, please bring your laptop.
We are offering one hour scheduled sessions and walk-ins throughout the day:
11:00 AM – 12:00 pm
12:00 PM – 1:00 pm
1:00 PM – 2:00 pm
2:00 PM – 3:00 pm
*To register or to schedule a research time, please email Susan Gonzalez at govigs@hotmail.com with your name and email address to be added to the schedule.
Experience Brain Fitness
Mondays, October 6, 13, 20, 27
1:00 – 2:00 pm
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
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.
Home Emergency Preparedness: Drop, Cover, and Hold On
5:00 – 5:45 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
In this series offered by the Bellingham Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, we will share and discuss a different topic each month. This month will focus on Drop, Cover, and Hold On. Instinct compels us to flee or freeze during an earthquake instead of taking protective action immediately. We discuss and practice the appropriate steps for safety during an earthquake. Classes are free and no registration is required.
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 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.
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, 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
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.
NAMI Whatcom Peer Support Collaborative
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. We 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.
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.
Voter Registration with the League of Women Voters
12:00 – 2:00 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
The League of Women Voters (LWV) will be tabling to register voters, update addresses, and answer questions about the local election on Tuesday, November 4. The LWV are non-partisan. Did you know you can also register online, update your information, and track your ballot at VoteWA.gov website?
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.
Spinning Fiber
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.
Bellingham Public Library Board Meeting
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.
Appleseed Open Forum
12:30 – 1:30 pm
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Appleseed Open Forum is your chance to talk about the topics you want to discuss, with a group of like-minded people. 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, we will choose a new topic, or continue the first discussion. Everyone is welcome.
Bellingham Reads Book Group
Tuesday, October 28, 12:00 – 1:00 pm In-Person
Lecture Room, Central Library
Tuesday, October 28, 6:30 – 7:30 pm Online*
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s book discussion group for adults. In October we’ll be selecting our 2026 titles. Meet in-person 12:00 – 1:00 pm or *register for the online meeting at 6:30 pm. Register online or contact Suzanne at 360-778-7236 or scarlson-prandini@cob.org.
Top Ten Book Lists: Horror Go-To’s
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.
Monthly themes:
October 28: Horror Go-To’s
Understanding Normal Aging vs. Early Signs of Dementia
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.
Narcan/Naloxone Training*
11:00 – 11:45 am
SkillShare Space, Central Library
*Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please register online. 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/Naloxone, and care for the individual until emergency services arrive.
Media Contact: Annette Bagley, Bellingham Public Library, Head of Community Relations, ambagley@cob.org
