Bring the Light is the January 2025 theme at Bellingham Public Library. Special programs for adults include “Songs from the Heart: Concert, Story and Interactive Demonstration with Flutist Peter Ali” on Sat., Jan. 4. Children’s programs include activities for winter break, and a new season of Storytimes beginning Jan. 13.
All Library programs are free of charge. For more information about Library services visit BellinghamPublicLibrary.org.
Please note: All locations of the Bellingham Public Library will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day and Monday, Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Library Programs for Adults
Small Looms
Saturday, January 4
12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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 allow the community to drop in for some hands-on experience.
Songs from the Heart: Concert, Story and Interactive Demonstration with Flutist Peter Ali
Saturday, January 4
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
Join us for a concert and interactive flute demonstration with local musician Peter Ali. He will provide music and stories of Native American, Mesoamerican, Middle Eastern, and Nordic style flutes. Following the performance, Ali will offer the audience a hands-on introduction to the basics of playing the Native American style cedar flute, a forgiving instrument that anyone can play (appropriate for ages 10+). The concert will celebrate Bellingham Public Library’s January theme, “Bring the Light,” with a participatory experience to inspire confidence, healing, and connection.
Free and open to the public. Registration not required. Doors open at 1:00 p.m., program starts at 2:00 p.m.
Experience Brain Fitness
Mondays, January 6, 13, 27
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
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.
Home Emergency Preparedness
Tuesday, January 7
6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Offered by the Bellingham Fire Department’s Office of Emergency Management, this series will share and discuss a different topic each month, including: an overview of our local hazards, the fundamentals of emergency preparedness, starting your 2-week kit, preparing in a year, creating your household plan, and more.
Library Basics Tech Coaching*
Wednesdays, January 8, 15, 22, 29
2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
The Bellingham Public Library offers one-to-one coaching with basic tech skills such as accessing the Library’s digital services, including downloading or streaming eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eFilms and eMusic, as well as basic computer / smartphone / tablet / e-reader skills.
*Pre-registration required. To register for a half hour session by contact the Help Desk at 360-778-7323.
Bellingham Vet Center Info
Thursday, January 9
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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. 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.
Opportunity Council Community Resource Connections
Friday, January 10 & Tuesday, January 21
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
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.
Drop-In Home Item Repair
Tuesdays, January 14 & 21
4:30 – 6:45 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Bring your broken household items to SkillShare 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
Wednesday, January 15
10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
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. Peer supporters offer a safe space to share mental health recovery experiences with someone trained to listen. The goal is to learn together, understand where you are and where you want to go and support you in strategizing how to move towards hope and possibility. Drop in to the SkillShare Space at the Central Library to learn more about resources available for anyone impacted by mental health conditions.
Northwest Regional Council Outreach Specialists
Thursday, January 16
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
SkillShare Space, Central Library
Drop in and talk to NWRC Outreach Specialists about how to become an in-home caregiver and other services NWRC provides or can connect you to. Northwest Regional Council is a local agency that provides support for older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties.
Spinning Fiber
Sunday, January 19
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 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. The SpinDrifters are happy to help folks come over to the fiber side.
Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, January 21
3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
Regular Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month. See BellinghamPublicLibrary.org for more information and meeting agendas and minutes.
Friends of the Library January Book Sale
Thursday, January 23, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 24, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 25, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
Browse a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. There will be items for all ages and all proceeds benefit Bellingham Public Library. Credit card and cash payments will be accepted. NOTE: Saturday is half price from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., and $5/bag from 1:00 – 4:00p.m.
Street Law at the Library*
Saturday, January 25
10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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 required. Please contact the LAW Advocates at 360-671-6079 or info@lawadvocates.org to sign up.
Bellingham Reads Book Group
Tuesday, January 28, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. IN PERSON (no registration necessary)
Lecture Room, Central Library
Tuesday, January 28, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. ONLINE* (pre-registration required)
Bellingham Reads is the Library’s monthly book discussion group for adults that is open to all. The title for January is Master Slave Husband Wife by Ilyon Woo. Read the book and join the discussion in person at the Central Library or online. *Register HERE for the ONLINE meeting and receive the Zoom link. See a complete list of 2025 Bellingham Reads titles HERE.
Library Programs for Children
Craft projects at Bellingham Public Library.
Building and Crafting Fun
Thursday, January 2
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
Fun for children of all ages. The Library will supply a variety of crafting and loose parts building materials for you to create with and use your imagination.
Pokémon Club
Friday, January 3, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday, January 27, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
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.
Getting Crafty at the Library
Monday, January 6
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 6 – 12. Enjoy some crafting fun. Each month the Library will focus on a new craft or put out supplies and have open crafting time. All supplies and snacks are provided.
Let’s Read! A Middle Grade Book Group
Thursday, January 9
4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For 5th through 8th graders. Are you a middle schooler who would like to hang out and talk about books? If so, visit the Library on the second Thursday of the month for Middle Grade Book Group. The group picks different books, reads them, and then each month gets together to talk about that book. Snacks are provided. Please contact Lesley at lsnorman@cob.org or 360-778-7211 to sign up and receive the reading list.
Sunday Crafternoon
Sunday, January 12
1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Lecture Room, Central Library
For ages 9 – 14. Do you like crafting? How about crafts and snacks? Join us in the Lecture Room at the Central Library for a fun crafting activity. The program is free, and all materials are provided. No registration required.
Little Storytime
Mondays, January 13 & 27 (no Little Storytime on January 20)
Tuesdays, January 14, 21, 28
10:05, 10:35, & 11:05 a.m.
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.
Builders Club at the Central Library
Monday, January 13
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.
Little Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, January 15, 22, 29
10:05, 10:45, and 11:25 a.m.
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.
Preschool Storytime at the Bellis Fair Branch
Wednesdays, January 15, 22, 29
12:05 – 12:35 p.m.
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.
Preschool Storytime
Thursdays, January 16, 23, 30
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
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.
Library Explorers
Thursdays, January 16, 23, 30
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
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.
Stories and Play
Fridays, January 17, 24, 31
10:05 and 11:30 a.m.
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.
Builders Club at the Fairhaven Branch
Wednesday, January 22
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
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.
Cuentos y cantos / Stories and Songs
Los miércoles, el 22 de enero – el 26 de marzo
Wednesdays, January 22 – March 26
4:00 – 4:40 p.m.
Dodson Room, la biblioteca central
Dodson Room, Central Library
Los sábados, el 25 de enero – el 29 de marzo
Saturdays, January 25 – March 29
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.
Baby Time*
Mondays, January 27 – March 10 (no Baby Time on February 17)
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Fridays, January 31 – March 7
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
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 360-778-7200 or email Bernice at bchang@cob.org for registration information. Note: you are registering for Monday or Friday sessions for all 6 weeks.
Pajama Storytime
Wednesday, January 29
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.