The Friends of the Bellingham Library to Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week

The Bellingham Public Library will be spending the week of October 15-21, 2023, celebrating its Friends of the Library group as part of the 18th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.

The Library and Friends of the Library will celebrate the year-round dedication of the organization to raising funds for library programs and services. We will promote membership at the following events: 

• Our Friends and Family Fun Night on Monday October 16th, from 6-8 p.m., with Magic by Scott Martell. 

• With a special story about Friends on the StoryWalk at the Bellingham Town Common 

• With a Fall Wreath Making Workshop with Ana Mendes on Thursday, October 19th 

The Friends of the Bellingham Library is a non-profit organization, incorporated in 1987, run by volunteers dedicated to supporting and promoting the library through fundraising and public relations efforts. Donations to the Friends of the Library are tax-deductible. Today, the Friends consist of over 100 community members and we’d love to add YOUR name to the list of library supporters!

Friends advocate for Library funding at the state level and participate in and promote annual town events! 

The Friends major source of fundraising is derived from on-going used book sales in the Library Book Nook, raffles and semi-annual major book sales.

All funds raised support the Children’s Summer Reading Program, adult programming, and the purchase of discounted passes for Friends and patrons to local area museums, parks and recreation areas. Funds also support the children’s “Reading Dog Program,” which helps improve children’s reading skills. 

Bernadette Rivard, the Library Director, states, “Without the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Library, the Bellingham Library services would be reduced. We rely on the Friends to fund programs and services that are outside of the municipal library budget and thank all Friends members, as well as those who contribute to our fundraisers, for their support. Specifically, I’d like to thank the Bellingham Business Association and their _members for their continued support of our museum and attraction passes. Without their sponsorships, the number of offerings would be greatly reduced.

The focus of this week’s celebration is: Friendraising! All are invited to Friends & Family Fun Night on October 16th, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bellingham Library. The program will feature Bellingham magician “Magic by Scott Martell,” children’s crafts and a scavenger hunt. In addition, there will be door prizes, refreshments and a welcome presentation.

Join the Friends! Invite a Friend! Celebrate with us! 

Please visit www.bellfol.org to learn more about the week’s activities and to find out how to become a member of the Friends.