Bellingham Public Library - Bellingham, WA

Got Character? Get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween!

Enjoy festive trick-or-treating at all Bellingham Public Library locations from 4 – 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 31. Don't miss the ghoulish good times in Downtown Bellingham, Fairhaven, Barkley Village and Bellis Fair Mall where local businesses will be handing out treats too. As your excited little ones gather their goodies, please keep these spooky safety tips in mind: As the sun sets on Halloween night, be sure to keep your little ones safe. Dress your ghosts and ghouls in reflective costumes, hold hands with little monsters while crossing streets, and use protected crossings whenever possible (even if you’re flying on a broomstick). If you’re driving, watch out for spooky surprises and drive slowly. Make this Halloween a safe and fun delight for everyone!

Don't be afraid of the dark!

The Devil Takes You Home by Gabino Iglesias

“The author calls it ‘Barrio Noir’, I’m going to say it’s solidly in the Horror genre. Mario takes a job as a hitman to pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment and enters into a dark, violent world of heartbreak. Not a title for the squeamish, I appreciated the lyrical quality of Iglesias’ writing. He’s not trying to sell you on the thrill of the action, but on his protagonist’s despair. I’m on the wait list for his next book already.” - Public Services Librarian Liz

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

“I found this title on the BPL Staff Picks for Horror Fiction, and it is a riot! I’m pretty sure the Duffer Bros. were reading it when they created Stranger Things. I actually reread this book when I was done with it, because some of the foreshadowing is so good. This cinematic book rewinds you back to the 80’s when hair was big, phones had a dial tone, and demonic possession was a serious threat.” – BPL Events Coordinator, Miranda

Goth: A History by Laurence Tolhurst

“Lol Tolhurst maps the evolution of Gothic music and explores the art and literature that inspired the genre. As an original member of The Cure, he gives a strong argument as to ‘Why Goth Matters’. Recommended for fans of The Cure, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Bauhaus, and Joy Division.” Recommended for ages 16-65 – Public Services Clerk, James

The Bellingham Public Library Board of Trustees seeks candidates to fill a vacancy on the board. Pending City Council approval, the successful candidate will serve a full term beginning February 10, 2025. A first review of applications will begin Friday, November 15, 2024 for applications received by 4 p.m. on Thursday, November 14.

View full details here:

Library seeks candidates for Board of Trustees position The Bellingham Public Library Board of Trustees seeks candidates to fill a vacancy on the board of trustees.

It's National Friends of Libraries Week! We are SO thankful and appreciative of our Friends of the Bellingham Public Library!

Did you know the Friends annually fund numerous Library programs? These include: Whatcom Reads, Books for Babies, Summer Reading, Youth Programming, Teen Programming, Adult Programming, Special Events, Book Club Kits, and more!

THANK YOU FRIENDS OF THE BELLINGHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY!!!

Let's talk Bellingham!

Here are two great opportunities for you to engage with others in-person on important topics while learning to embrace differences at Bellingham Public Library.

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2:30 – 4 p.m., share your hopes and concerns for the upcoming election process and explore ways of making your voice heard at The Art of Community: Voter Engagement, presented in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Bellingham and Whatcom County.

Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2:30 – 4 p.m., make new connections and meet others doing inspirational work at the Learning Together Forum: Sustainable Cities and Communities, hosted in partnership with Western Washington University’s Sustainability Engagement Institute and the Center for Community Learning.

Both events are free and take place at the Bellingham Central Library Lecture Room, 210 Central Ave. Everyone is welcome!

Spooky season is upon us and the Bellingham Public Library staff are serving up a bubbling cauldron full of horror story recommendations for all ages!

Eerily relevant today (as we honor emergency preparedness on The Great Shakeout Day), Community Relations Specialist Jenni recommends: "Ghosts of the Tsunami: Death and Life in Japan’s Disaster Zone" by Richard Lloyd Parry (adult nonfiction)

“This is the true story of those left behind after the March 11, 2011 9.0 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan and the resulting tsunami that killed almost 18,000 people in one day. The scale of devastation and the long search for the remains of loved ones revealed in this book are heartrending."

Remember - and prepare!

This is a TEST! Thank you Bellingham Fire Emergency Management for helping us to prepare!

This Thursday, October 17th at 10:17am, you may hear sirens near the waterfront as part of the Great Washington Shake Out Exercise. Do not worry, the Shake Out Drill is a yearly exercise that allows us to practice our earthquake and tsunami preparedness. Each year, schools, businesses, and households are encouraged to take less than a minute to practice Drop-Cover-Hold On during this time. For more information on emergency preparedness and the Great WA Shake Out, visit our information booth this Thursday, October 17th from 9:00am-12:00pm, in Squalicum Harbor on the path toward the Fisherman’s Pavilion. You can also check out mil.wa.gov/tsunami for additional online resources.

Join us in celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day as one people. We come together in healing and unity, centering young Indigenous people who are committed to addressing today’s most pressing issues.

We will enjoy a delicious salmon dinner to begin our time together. Blackhawk Singers will provide powerful song and dance. And we are honored to have Ta’Kaiya Blaney, award-winning actress, singer, speaker, and environmental activist from Tla A’min Nation in B.C. -- as our keynote speaker. Lummi Nation School youth leaders will also share in a panel discussion.

October 14, 2024
5:00pm - 8:00pm
Lummi Nation School
2334 Lummi View Dr.
Bellingham, WA 98226

This event is sponsored by the Community Consortium for Cultural Recognition. Many thanks to the partner organizations who contributed to this celebration including:

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Alaska Gold Seafood
Bellingham Public Library
Bellingham Public Schools
Bellingham SeaFeast
Bellingham Technical College
Children of the Setting Sun Productions
City of Bellingham, Washington - Government
Northwest Indian College
PeaceHealth
Western Washington University
Whatcom Community College
Whatcom County Health and Community Services

All are welcome to join us for this celebration! Lummi Nation School is fully accessible. For additional accommodations, including interpretation and translation services, contact Chris Roselli ([email protected]) in advance of the event.

For more information, please visit www.wwu.edu/ipd

Today is World Mental Health Day. Take some time to curl up with a good book!

Are you a book re-reader? What book have you re-read the most?

What is the book that changed your life? Tell us in your Whatcom WRITES submission. Deadline is Sunday, Oct. 13. Guidelines: whatcomreads.org/whatcom-writes

Join the after-hours fun at the Fairhaven Library - brought to you by Bellingham Parks & Recreation and Bellingham Scottish Country Dancers!

All locations of Bellingham Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 9 for All Staff Learning Day. The Library will reopen with regular hours on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Looking forward to learning tips from Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center about "Conversing Through Controversy" on Tues., Oct. 8, 2:30 - 4 pm at Bellingham Central Library. Everyone welcome!

October is Conflict Resolution Month!

Please enjoy our daily conflict resolution tips, check out our presentation on "Conversing through Controversy," a collaboration with the Bellingham Public Library’s Art of Community series, on October 8th from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, and stay tuned for more conflict resolution resources and tips throughout the month!

It’s election season. The Library has book recommendations to answer questions for every age, about U.S. voting and democracy.

For children: “Finish the Fight!” by Veronica Chambers. “A beautifully illustrated and comprehensive overview of the long road to women's suffrage, including a lot of really awesome women you probably haven't heard of yet. Each story showcases someone who fought long and hard so that women in the United States could have the right to vote and details the deeply important reasons that women wanted to be able to participate in elections and have a say over who represents them.” - Lorena, Public Services Clerk.

For Teens: “You Call THIS Democracy?” by Elizabeth Rusch. “A comprehensive and comprehendible deep dive into the current state of American democracy, what's wrong with it, why those things are wrong, how we got here, and steps for how these problems can be fixed. This is the first book on politics and voting that I've read recently that made me feel hopeful.” - Lorena, Public Services Clerk.

For adults: "Become America" by Eric Liu, "Voting Rights in America" by Richard A. Glenn and Kyle Kreider, and many more choices here: https://bellingham.bibliocommons.com/list/share/110058314_bpladultlibrarians/2605361949_elect_to_know

Music & Books: What Could Be Better? - WhatcomTalk Bellingham Symphony Orchestra has teamed up with our local libraries and Village Books to launch a book club that pairs titles for adults and children with upcoming concerts.

Hooray - it's that time of year again! The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library fall book sale will be held in the Lecture Room at the Central Library September 26 - 28. There will be thousands of donated books, DVDs, and other materials available for purchase and all proceeds benefit your library. Cash and cards will be accepted. See you there!

Thursday, Sept. 26 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Friday, Sept. 27 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday, Sept. 28 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, Half price
Saturday, Sept. 28 1:15 - 4:00 pm, $5 bag

Weekly news from City of Bellingham, Washington - Government

Inside Bellingham: September 20, 2024 Bloedel beach closure, drinking water ok, downtown survey, City funds new shelter, and more: A news roundup from the City of Bellingham

Are you eager for community conversation? In honor of Banned Books Week, Bellingham Public Library invites the community to a conversation on the topic of freedom of thought and democracy. Join your neighbors to engage and learn from one another at the Library. Snacks and beverages will be provided.

The Art of Community: Freedom of Thought and Democracy
Tuesday, September 24, 2:30 – 4:00pm
Central Library Lecture Room, Free
America is founded on the idea that a functional democracy requires informed citizens. Who decides what “informed” means? Should there be limits and, if so, under what circumstances? What should we do when there are differences in beliefs or values? This is part 1 of a 3-part series in partnership with the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center and the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County.

https://bellinghampubliclibrary.libcal.com/event/12936432

Volunteering, helping a friend or neighbor, and teaching someone a new skill fosters a feeling of connection and recovery. You can make a difference in someone’s life. samhsa.gov/find-support/helping-someone

Ofrecerse como voluntario, ayudar a un amigo o vecino y enseñarle a alguien una nueva destreza fomenta un sentimiento de conexión y recuperación. Ud. puede tener un impacto positivo en la vida de alguien https://www.samhsa.gov/encuentra-apoyo/ayudar-otros

It's the start of Hispanic Heritage Month! To kick things off, we have some adult nonfiction recommendations for your enjoyment.

¡Es el comienzo del Mes de la Herencia Hispana! Para empezar, tenemos algunas recomendaciones literatura que no es de ficción para adultos. iQué disfrute!

Miranda, Events Coordinator offers "I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times" by Mónica Guzmán. "Mónica Guzmán is a Mexican immigrant, dual US/México citizen, and local thought leader. Her primary advice? Get curious!"

Miranda, Coordinadora de eventos, ofrece "Nunca lo pensé de esa manera: Cómo tener conversaciones curiosas sin miedo en tiempos peligrosamente divididos" de Mónica Guzmán. "Mónica Guzmán es una inmigrante mexicana, con doble nacionalidad estadounidense y mexicana, y líder de opinión local. ¿Su principal consejo? ¡Volverse curioso!"

Karen, Public Services Clerk recommends "Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs" by Camilla Townsend. “Fifth Sun is a history of 16th century Mexico based primarily on the Nahuatl Annals - the only surviving account in Nahuatl, the Aztec language, of the years surrounding the Spanish conquest.”

Karen, Empleada de servicios públicos recomienda "Quinto sol: Una nueva historia de los aztecas" de Camilla Townsend. "Quinto Sol es una historia del México del siglo XVI basada principalmente en los Anales Náhuatl, el único relato sobreviviente en náhuatl, el idioma azteca, de los años que rodearon la conquista española."

Rosalie, Public Services Clerk offers "Cenzontle" by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo. “A lyrical, kaleidoscopic selection of poems. The kind of poetry that gives you something new to notice with every reading.” Available as an eBook only.

Rosalie, Empleada de servicios públicos ofrece "Cenzontle" de Marcelo Hernández Castillo. "Una selección lírica y caleidoscópica de poemas. El tipo de poesía que te da algo nuevo para notar con cada lectura". Disponible solo como libro electrónico.

Whatcom Water Week is September 14 - 22. There are fun activities planned all over the County! A couple of cool activities are the StoryWalks® at Cordata Park and Taylor Dock installed for the week by City of Bellingham Public Works in partnership with the Library. Read the books together and learn about local waterways while taking a walk!

StoryWalks® are an opportunity for families to engage with children's authors' work. To create a StoryWalk®, books are dismantled and attached to a panel set into metal frames as if you opened the book itself, so there are two pages per panel. Each panel is placed along the walk at a child's eye level so families can read (and count!) the next page just a few feet away from the last page.

StoryWalk® at Cordata Park, 9/14-9/22 open every day 6:00am - 10:00pm
Location: 4510 Cordata Pkwy, Bellingham
Enjoy a splash of fun and learning at a StoryWalk®. Stroll through Cordata Park and read "Water is Water" by Miranda Paul. It's a fun way to learn about the incredible journey of water and its importance to our community!

StoryWalk® at Taylor Dock, 9/14-9/22
Location: Bayview Drive, Bellingham
Dive into the wonders of the Salish Sea with a StoryWalk®. Walk along Taylor Dock and read 1, 2, 3 Salish Sea by Nikki McClure. Learn about the amazing animals that live in our ocean and why we need to protect them!

Check out https://www.whatcomwin.org/water-week for more awesome Whatcom Water Week activities! 🌊💦🐟

Happening this Thursday! Please join us for this all-community event at Bellingham High School Performing Arts Center, located at 2020 Cornwall Ave, to learn the basics of addiction science and hear from community members in recovery about their lived experiences. All are welcome. This event is free, and no registration is required. Doors open at 6:30pm. Program starts at 7:00pm.

“Understanding addiction and reducing stigma are critical to community conversations about a response to the fentanyl crisis and the personal and community challenges that addiction brings,” said City of Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund. “This event is an excellent opportunity for all of us to grow our understanding of addiction as a treatable disease and expand our compassion for neighbors, friends, family and community members who are working through it.”

Not able to make it? The event will stream live on https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gFGdZTWKERk and will be available as a recording after the event. We do hope you'll join us in person!

This program is made possible by The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library and is presented as a partnership between the Bellingham Public Library, City of Bellingham Mayor’s Office, and Whatcom County Health and Community Services, in collaboration with Compass Health, PeaceHealth, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Public Schools.

It's week 2 of National Recovery Month, and we're focusing on the importance of HOME in the recovery process.

A safe and supportive home helps people recover and thrive. Learn how you can find support during your recovery: samhsa.gov/find-support/health-care-or-support

Es la semana 2 del Mes Nacional de la Recuperación, y nos estamos enfocando en la importancia del HOGAR en el proceso de recuperación.

Un hogar seguro y que brinda apoyo, ayuda a las personas a recuperarse y a prosperar. Infórmese sobre cómo encontrar ayuda durante su recuperación en https://www.samhsa.gov/encuentra-apoyo/cuidado-salud-apoyo

💜☔️🏠

Looking for something fun and awesome to do this afternoon? Come on down to the Blue Room for the Bliss and Boogie fundraiser for NAMI Whatcom and MAD Hope! Sunday, September 8 from 1:00 - 5:00pm! There’s great music, fantastic vendors and lots of mental health resources for all ages ❤️