Programs for Middle and High School Grades

Small Looms

Saturday, May 2, 12:00 – 3:00 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Hands-on weaving with fiber arts projects for library patrons of all ages. Members of the Whatcom Weavers Guild will bring projects to demonstrate as well as allowing the community to drop in for some firsthand experience.

Correspondence Club

Saturday, May 9, 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. 

Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group*

Thursday, May 14, 4:00 – 5:00 pm

Conference 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.

Typewriters 101: An Introduction to Operation and Maintenance

Thursday, May 21, 1:30 – 4:30 pm

SkillShare Space, Central Library

Join us for 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.

Smart Trips Workshop: Bike Maintenance

Thursday, May 28, 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. 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.