Bellingham Public Library News & Events for December
For updates to library programs and services, please see the library website, www.bellinghamlibrary.org. Click on the red alert banner on the top of the page for details.
Additional details about library programs are available on the library calendar at https://bit.ly/3xMECCt
December/January Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The library is closed on Monday, December 25th for the Christmas Holiday and on Monday, January 1st for the New Year’s Holiday.
Highlighted Programs
First Saturday Family Fun! Grinch Story Stroll
Saturday, December 2nd at 11 a.m. at the Town Common
A special guest is joining us for this month’s First Saturday Family Fun – The Grinch! Stroll around the Town Common with us while we read our December Story Walk - How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. No registration, just join us!
Polar Express Extravananza
Friday, December 8th at 6 p.m.
The Polar Express Extravaganza is back with the famous story, seasonal crafts, and visits from Santa and the Grinch! Come see the library lit up at night. For families. Please sign up to attend – you can come and go as desired between the 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. event time.
Gingerbread Mania
Thursday, December 14th from 6-7 p.m. for families
Friday, December 15th from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for toddlers and preschoolers
Come and decorate gingerbread people using gingerbread, frosting and an assortment of candies. Please register.
Drop in Sewing/Craft Nights
Thursdays, December 14th and 28th from 5:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Join members of your community for a night of sewing, quilting, knitting and crocheting. Feel free to bring other craft projects you are working on! Light refreshments will be served.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, December 22nd from 9 am to 2 pm. Register at redcrossblood.org
Dungeons & Dragons: A Winter Fairytale
Tuesday, December 26th from 1-4 p.m. for grades 8-12
Wednesday, December 27th from 1-4 p.m. for grades 4-7
A fairytale inspired game in a winter-themed setting. Players will be a group of friends lost in the woods of Lonelywood, Icewind Dale that catch themselves unable to find their way out. This session will be using D&D 5th Edition and the module Icewind Dale: Rime of the Frostmaiden. The session is 3 hours with a break in the middle. Please register. Emails will be sent out before the program to discuss characters and gameplay. Materials will be provided but feel free to bring your own. New players welcome.
New Year’s Eve Party
Friday, December 29th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join us for a New Year’s Eve party! There will be music, crafts, a photobooth and celebrating as we count down to the end of 2023 and welcome 2024. For families. Please register so we can plan for the craft supplies needed.
After School Programs
Registration is mandatory for children in grades 4-6 to attend the ASK program.
• ASK Program hours 2:30-4:45 p.m., no ASK program on 12/22 Early Release Day
• The Teen Room is open for grades 7-12 from 2-4:45 p.m.
• Check the library website for details on the programs. https://bit.ly/3QzITpI
Ongoing Children’s December Programs
Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. Drop in! No session school vacation week.
Read to Freedom the Reading Dog – Mondays from 6-7 p.m. Sign up for a 15-minute time slot!
Sensory Story Time – Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. Please register for each session. No session school vacation week.
Chess Club Returns in January! Session starts January 4th and ends March 28th
4th-9th graders are invited to join Bellingham resident and nationally ranked chess player Meghana for a return of our Beginner’s Chess Club. The group will meet on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room at the library. Attendees are welcome to stay from 5:30-6 p.m. for practice play. There will be no meeting during February school vacation week. As the lessons in each session build on the content from the previous session, attendees should plan on attending all sessions. A free chess set will be awarded to all attendees with perfect attendance. Limited to 9 participants so please register early. Please note: registrant email addresses will be shared with Meghana so she can communicate directly with participants as a group about the program.
Adult/Child Book Club –For kids in grades 6-9 and the adult in their life who loves to read. Meets monthly, contact Diane Nelson, [email protected] if you are interested in joining! Check the library calendar for details on the December meeting date and time.
Adult Programs
Book Discussion Group – Generally meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Attend in person or on Zoom. Contact Cecily Christensen, [email protected] for more information.
Our upcoming titles are:
January: The Keeper of Stories by Sally Page
February: The Night Ship by Jess Kid
March: The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George
Yoga for the Seasons
Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., registration required. Check the library calendar for details
Virtual 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group – Wednesdays on Zoom
If you are unemployed and actively looking, underemployed, seeking a new career direction, re-entering the job market after a long employment gap, or recently retired and looking for your “Encore Career”, this networking group program is perfect for you!
Check the library calendar for each week’s topic and more information.
Bellingham Skein Artists – Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting, or any of the other fiber arts? All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Please bring your own materials. No registration required.
Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, December 12th at 6:30 p.m.
Local area writers Amy Bartelloni and Marjorie Turner Hollman welcome the public to an evening of reading and listening. Hear what local writers are working on, and share what you are working on. Works of fiction or non-fiction, all are welcome. Reading limit is 9 minutes per reader, with a brief opportunity for positive, personal comments only. To participate contact Marjorie Turner Hollman at [email protected].
Friends of the Library virtual meeting – Tuesday, December 12th at 7 p.m. Email [email protected] for the Zoom link.
Library Board of Trustees Meeting – Thursday, December 14th at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room.
