Bellingham Public Library News & Events for June
For updates about library programs and services, please see the library website, www.bellinghamlibrary.org.
Additional details about library programs are available on the library calendar at https://bit.ly/3xMECCt
June Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday & Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday hours end on June 15th and will resume after Labor Day
Closed Wednesday, June 19th for the Juneteenth Holiday
Summer Reading 2024
Summer Reading Kick-Off – Elijah T. Grasshopper & Friends on the Bellingham Town Common – Friday, June 21st at 6 p.m.
Join us at the Town Common for a dance party with Elijah T. Grasshopper and Friends to kick off our Summer Reading 2024 Program. For families, no registration needed. This concert is hosted by the Bellingham Public Library and is supported in part by a grant from the Bellingham Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Upcoming in July & August. Check the library calendar for details!
The Write Stuff – Writing group for kids, Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
Bubble Guy – Thursday, July 11th
Camp Millionaire returns the week of July 15th
Ordinary Olympics July 24th
Clothing Swap the week of July 29th
Magic Show, Saturday, August 3rd at 11 a.m.
Steve Blunt & Friends Family Concert, Saturday, August 10th at 12 noon, on the ball field near the library as part of Bellingham Days
We thank the Friends of the Library for their sponsorship of our Summer Reading Program.
In addition to these great programs, the library will be offering the following incentives to encourage children to read over the summer:
Summer Reading 2024 theme, “Read, Renew, Repeat” is all about conservation and sustainability! There will be two options on how to track your reading this summer. School aged children will record every 30 minutes that they read on a tracking sheet and reach a prize after every 2 hours of reading. Our pre-readers will keep track of the number of books they read and reach a prize after every 10 books. Some of the prizes you’ll be able to earn this summer are sunglasses, bubble wands, mini beach balls, stickers, temporary tattoos, and more! We’ll also have different activities and challenges here at the library that’ll earn you tickets to enter our weekly raffle drawings. Let’s all Read, Renew and Repeat!
We are also working with the Bellingham Public Schools to share their information about the school’s summer reading/math programs for BHS students!
Highlighted Programs
First Saturday Family Fun – Saturday, June 1st at 11 a.m. Join us for some summer themed crafts. For families, no registration, drop in!
Concert on the Bellingham Common with Too Human – Friday, June 14th at 6 p.m.
Enjoy a fun hour of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook and jazzy, bluesy originals by Too Human, played and sung with heart and humor! The concert will be held at the Bellingham Town Common. However, in the case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved to the library. If the weather is iffy, check the library website or Facebook page for updates! This program is supported in part by a grant from the Bellingham Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. It is also supported in part by the Friends of the Bellingham Library.
Author Visit with Mr. Steve, The B Hive – Saturday, June 15th at 10:30 a.m.
Join Bellingham’s former Youth Services Librarian “Mr. Steve” Fowler for a reading of his first book in the Alphabittles series, The B Hive. There will also be a craft and the opportunity for you to purchase the book for your family! Please register!
Virtual Author Talks
The library hosts up to three virtual author talks each month! Register to attend the live talk, but if you miss it, you can still view the talk in the archive on our website. Go to: https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma to see the list of upcoming and archived talks, and to register to attend. The June events include:
• Human History of the Red Planet with Smithsonian Curator Matt Shindell – Monday, June 3rd at 2 p.m.
• Psychological Thrillers and the Queen of Twists – Author Talk with Freida McFadden – Thursday, June 13th at 8 p.m..
• Unpacking a History of Systemic Racism in the American Education System with Tiffany Jewel – Thursday, June 20th at 2 p.m.
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. The program ends for the summer on Monday, June 17th, which is an early release day, ASK hours until 1:45 p.m.
• The Teen Room is open for grades 7-12 from 2-4:45 p.m. The program ends for the summer on Thursday, June 13th
• Check the library website for details on the programs. https://bit.ly/3QzITpI
Ongoing Children’s Programs
Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. through June 14th. Drop in!
Read to Freedom the Reading Dog – Mondays from 5:30-7. Check calendar for details and to sign up for a 15-minute time slot!
Sensory Story Time – Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. through June 11th. Please register for each session you wish to attend.
Show & Tell Story Time – Wednesdays & Fridays at 10:15 a.m. through June 14th. Please register for each week you plan to attend!
Adult/Child Book Club – For kids in grades 4-6 or 6-9 and an adult in their life who loves to read. Meets monthly. If you are interested in joining, those in Grades 4-6 should contact Amanda Maclure, [email protected]; grades 6-9 contact Diane Nelson, [email protected] . Check the library calendar for details on the June meeting dates and times.
Picnic Stories on the Bellingham Common – Starting on Wednesday, June 26th at 12 noon, weather permitting.
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:
June: The Maid by Nita Prose
July: The Blue Between Sky and Water by Susan Abulhawa
August: Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Library Board of Trustees Meeting – Thursday, June 13th at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at the library.
Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, June 11th at 6:30 p.m., Writers, readers, listeners – come join us! 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 Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, June 11th at 7 pm.
Email [email protected] for the Zoom link
Virtual Ask-A-Lawyer Program with Attorney Brian T. Salisbury – Monday, June 17th starting at 5 p.m.
Local attorney Brian T. Salisbury of the law firm Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, PC will meet with you individually through Zoom to discuss any legal questions you may have. Appointments are 20 minutes long and are free. Appointments are between 5 and 7:30 pm. Register for an appointment and you will receive the Zoom link close to the appointment date. You will be asked to choose an appointment time when you register. Note: Your registration with your email address will go to Attorney Salisbury so he can send you the Zoom link. Please note: The Bellingham Library Ask-A-Lawyer Program is a limited pro bono legal service provided by Attorney Brian T. Salisbury and is strictly limited to 20-minute consultations regarding legal questions that you may have. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Attorney Salisbury will not provide legal representation in any legal matter discussed.
Yoga for the Seasons
Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Check the library calendar for details. No session on June 4th.
Bellingham Skein Artists – Adult Knitting Group – Wednesdays at 6 p.m., Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting, or any of the other fiber arts? Join us on Wednesdays! All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Please bring your own materials. No registration required.
