News from Bellingham Public Library

Summer Hours  

Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Friday & Saturday 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The library will be closed on Monday, June 19th for the Juneteenth Holiday. The library will be closed on Saturdays starting June 24th, resuming Saturday hours on September 9th.  

Special Programs 

Bellingham is Open for Business Programs 

The library has updated our website, https://www.bellinghamma.org/library/pages/business-resources, with information for local businesses and entrepreneurs, including a full schedule of workshops through June. These programs are made possible by a federal Institute of Museum and Library Services grant the library was awarded, through the Library Services and Technology Act. The grant is administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. 

• Diverse & Small Business Certification with the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office – Monday, June 12th at 6:30 p.m.

• Using Video for Advertising – Thursday, June 15th at 6 p.m.

In this session, we’ll debunk the myths about video, demonstrate some of the tools that can help you create great video content in your own office and give some basic advice on video editing. Bring your device and we’ll give it a try. Any device with a camera and microphone will work!  This will be a hybrid program, with a limit of 12 people in person. Registration is necessary. When 12 in-person seats are full, everyone else will be virtual through Zoom. 

Virtual 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group – June Topics: 

• Thinking Outside the Box, Wednesday, June 7th, from 9:30 am to 11:30 am or Wednesday, June 14th from 6-8 pm 

• Networking 2.0 - Give to Get! – Wednesday, June 21st from 9:30 am to 11:30 am or Wednesday, June 28th from 6-8 pm.  

These two workshops conclude this 6-month program. 

The Massachusetts Library Collaborative 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group meets on the above days/times, via Zoom. To register for each workshop, go to the library calendar, select the workshop date and click on the link to register directly via Zoom.  This group is sponsored by more than 60 Massachusetts public libraries. 

June Children’s Program Schedule 

Sensory Story Time with Miss Melissa – Mondays at 10:30 a.m., through June 12th  

Join us for stories, songs, crafts and open play!  Similar to a traditional story time, with movement breaks and supports built in.  For children ages 2-5 of all abilities. Space is limited and registration is required for each session, so please register early!  

Picnic Stories on the Town Common – Tuesdays at noon.  

Join us on the town common, at the gazebo, for a story and some outdoor fun! No class on June 27th. 

Rhyme Time with Miss Laura –  Thursdays at 11 a.m. through June 22nd.  Join us for some rhyme fun!  We’ll read, sing, dance, do fingerplays, all as we build pre-reading skills.  There will be a themed activity after circle time to extend the learning!  Intended for ages 3-5 but bigs and littles are always welcome.  Drop in, no registration!  NO class on June 15th, 

Ring a Ding – Fridays at 10 a.m. through June 23rd.  For ages 0-5. Songs, a story, music, instruments, and beach balls = a lot of noisy fun! Join us! No registration required.   

Baby Time – Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. through June 21st 

For children under 2, older siblings welcome.  Songs, stories, and play/discussion time for you and your baby/toddler. Drop in!   

The above programs will continue in late June through mid-August, check the library calendar for their new days and times. 

1st Saturday Family Fun – Saturday, June 3rd from 10 a.m. to 12 noon 

Check the library calendar for details on this program. 

Teddy Bear Picnic on the Town Common with a Concert by Elijah T. Grasshopper – Thursday, June 15th at noon 

Join us on the town common, at the gazebo, for a Teddy Bear picnic and concert with Elijah T Grasshopper. You can also register for our summer reading program “Find Your Voice” which includes some literacy activities fun for pre-readers! This is a library sponsored program and is brought to you by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Drop in! 

Adult/Child Book Club – Thursday, June 15th at 6:30 p.m.  Email Diane Nelson, [email protected] for details. 

Starlight Story Time – Thursday, June 29th at 6:30 p.m. 

Drop in the library after dinner for a story to help everyone unwind from the busy day. Come in your PJs if you want and feel free to bring a blanket and a stuffed friend. After School Programs – end on Thursday June 15th 

Please note:  Our Fun Friday program ended in March. There are no library afterschool programs on Fridays for the remainder of the school year. A reminder to parents, the library closes at 3 p.m. on Fridays. 

Our Monday through Thursday After School Programs are continuing! We have two programs for kids in grades 4 and up. 

• After School Kids (ASK) – for grades 4-6. When school is in session, ASK meets Monday-Thursday from 2:30 p.m.-4:45 p.m. Stop by the Community Room after school to make crafts, use a Chromebook, play on the Wii, play board games and hang out with friends! Registration is required for this program. Questions? Contact Diane Nelson, [email protected]. Parents/caregivers of all registrants are signed up for our Constant Contact Newsletter. 

• Teen Room Activities – for grades 7-12. When school is in session, Teen Room Activities are available Monday-Thursday from 2 p.m.-4:45 p.m. There is no registration needed to attend this program. Questions? Contact Amanda Maclure, [email protected]. 

Summer Reading 

Registration begins on June 1st for the Summer Reading Program with the theme “Find Your Voice” and will run through August 18th. 

• This is an 8-week program featuring Read and Bead, concerts, storytelling, a ukulele class, bubble parties, weekly prizes to win, and a weekly passport stamp along with lots of reading fun as we explore the many continents and cultures that make up our world! 

• The program will run from June 26th through August 18th. Stop by the Children’s Room for information and registration forms. 

• NEW THIS SUMMER! STALLBROOK AND DIPIETRO STUDENTS - You can turn in your summer reading Time Tracking Sheet to \your school in September as proof of your summer reading time! 

Special June/Summer Programs for Children 

School Skills – Mondays at 10 a.m. starting on June 26th” 

For ages 2-5.  Join Miss Melissa this summer for some school skills fun! One registration is required and will cover your attendance to all 8-weeks/sessions of the program. 

Mr. Vinny Bubble Show – Summer Reading Kickoff – Monday, June 26th at 6 p.m.

Using giant homemade bubble wands, a sound system full of music, and a lot of funny family entertainment experience, Mr. Vinny get kids and adults involved in bubble chasing games. Truly best for all ages. 

Krafty Kids with Miss Diane – Wednesdays at noon 

Each week there will be a new craft with Miss Diane.  Please register so we can make sure we have enough supplies on hand for all! 

Learn about COKO, an orphanage in Tanzania, Africa – Thursday, June 29th at 11 a.m. 

Bellingham resident Jay Rowe, founder of COKO (Children of Kilimanjaro Orphanage) will be sharing information about the work his nonprofit orphanage, COKO, is doing in Tanzania. If all goes well, we hope to live stream a meeting between the children of Bellingham and the residents of the orphanage. Please register. 

Other Adult Programs 

Additional details of these programs are available on the library calendar (https://bit.ly/3xMECCt) 

• Book Club generally meets on the first Monday of the month.  Email Reference Librarian Cecily Christensen at [email protected] for details. 

• Friends of the Library generally meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.  Email [email protected] for details. 

• The Library Board of Trustees generally meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m.  Email [email protected] for details. 

• Adult Writing Group meets at the library on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Email [email protected] for details.