Bellingham Children's Library - Bellingham, WA

08/31/2026

Happy first day of school! Don't forget today is the LAST day to turn in your Summer Reading card for prizes!

Barkley & Fairhaven Branches are open until 2 p.m.
Central is open until 6 p.m.

08/28/2026

Water Week is almost here! We'll be co-hosting a Water Week StoryWalk® at Boulevard Park for kids ages 3 - 8 on Thursday, September 17 from 10:30 - 11:30am. Join us!

Join us Sept. 12-20 as we participate in a week of free, family-friendly events celebrating our precious local water resources! Whether you want to read stories along our waterfront, spot birds at the Little Squalicum Estuary, learn about the Lightcatcher Building’s green roof, or peek behind the scenes at our water treatment plants, there is something for everyone. Find the details and get more City news in this week’s Inside Bellingham: https://cob.org/news/2026/inside-bellingham-august-27-2026

08/25/2026

Thank you, Dolly, for all that you've done to encourage literacy and the joy of reading in communities all across the nation. You made a real difference in the lives of so many.

The Library is devastated to learn of the passing of Dolly Parton, not only a talented musician, but also a true titan of children's literacy. Her Imagination Library has received multiple Library of Congress Literacy Awards and, in 2018, Dolly visited us to donate the program’s 100 millionth book to our collection. She even hosted story time. 🦋❤️

Watch the video of her story time reading at the Library. ⬇️ https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2020/12/dolly-parton-the-library-that-dolly-built/

Image: Dolly Parton reads to children in the Library’s Great Hall in 2018. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress.

08/24/2026

ONE MORE WEEK to turn in your summer reading card! August 31 is the last day to turn in cards for prizes:
-early learners (birth - 4) receive a free book, yard or window sign, and a finger puppet
-kids (grades K - 6) receive a free book, yard or window sign, and a mystery coupon to a local business for a free treat or experience
-teens (grades 7 - 12) receive a free book, yard or window sign, and a mystery coupon to a local business for a free treat or experience
-adults (ages 18+) receive $4 book bucks and entered for prize drawings!

Feel free to email Bernice at [email protected] photos of your Summer Reading SUPERSTAR!

08/22/2026

08/21/2026

Kids are doing their finishing touches on their products to sell at the children's craft fair inside the Bellis Fair Mall tonight from 5- 7 p.m. Be sure to bring your cash and support these kids who have been planning, creating, and making things for our community to enjoy. The craft fair is more than just making money to these kids, it's also the fun experience and shared learning about being an entrepreneur!

See you there!

08/20/2026

Missed the last craft fair or feeling like you should’ve brought more money to the last one? You’re in luck! There is one last children’s craft fair inside the Bellis Fair Mall tomorrow, Friday, August 21 from 5 – 7 p.m. Please come support all of the amazing young entrepreneurs – they’ve all been working so hard!

There are 50 children ages 13 and under registered for a booth, who have created a wide variety of items and baked goods being sold for $5 and under. Fun creations and delicious yummy treats including: squishies, candles, jewelry, scrunchies, crochet animals, potato stuffies, bird feeders, lots of baked goods, and much, muc

Remember to bring small bills as it is a cash only craft fair. We’d love to see you – bring family and friends!

08/20/2026

Summer Reading continues through the end of August and it's not too late to participate in the fun! Children in K - 12th grade will receive a "mystery coupon" from a local business when they turn in their first activity card at any Bellingham Public Library location. It's the Sweet Things and Next Chapter Cafe in Fairhaven (on the top floor of Village Books) are just two of our fabulous Prize Partners this year and we're so grateful for their support of Summer Reading!

Jennifer Worthley, owner of It's the Sweet Things and co-owner of Next Chapter Cafe says, “I was such a bookworm as a kid, and I believe that it is so important, now more than ever with the prominence of screens in our society at such a young age, that our future generations continue to read and have an imagination. I believe your summer reading goal program supports that very thing and I will always want to continue to do anything we can to make it fun for the kids.”

Thank you, It's the Sweet Things and Next Chapter Cafe!

08/17/2026

We're SO excited for our 2nd Children's Craft Fair! We're taking over the Bellis Fair Mall THIS Friday, August 21, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. There will be 50 booths with amazing items for sale, $5 or less!

08/13/2026

“The Bellingham Public Library’s Summer Reading Program sparks curiosity and keeps young minds engaged in learning all summer long. In being part of this program as a community partner we share this step towards our mission by helping celebrate the joy of discovery and encouraging kids and families to stay curious, creative, and connected to their community.” – Abby Whatley, Director of Programs, Spark Museum of Electrical Invention.

Big thanks to the Spark Museum of Electrical Invention for their support of Summer Reading at the Bellingham Public Library and for their ongoing participation in the Free Museum Pass Program! Find out more information about the museum passes at BellinghamPublicLibrary.org