Bellingham Public Library News & Events for October
For updates about library programs and services, please visit www.bellinghamlibrary.org.
Closed Monday, October 14th for the Columbus Day Holiday
Highlighted Programs
Community Costume Swap – Thursday, October 3rd from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday, October 4th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come “shop” our costume donations completely free! While supplies last. Please only take what you need.
Alphabits is BACK! - Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:15 a.m.
Alphabits is an alphabet-themed story time program for ages 2-5 and runs for 26 weeks from Fall to Spring. We concentrate on a different letter each week through stories, songs, and a craft!
Children are encouraged to bring an item each week that starts with the letter of the week - feel free to bring something that starts with the letter “A” for our first week! Please note: Two different sessions: Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:15.
Registration is required for this program to help us prepare materials.
Chat & Crafts for Adults - NEW!
Work with other participants on craft projects. All materials provided. This program is made possible by support from the Friends of the Bellingham Library, and special thanks to those who generously purchased supplies for this program from our Amazon Wishlist!
Registration is required, and space is limited.
• Paint a Mini-Pumpkin – Monday, October 21st at 6:30 p.m.
• Make a Fall Wooden Bead Wreath – Monday, October 28th at 6:30 p.m.
Fall Family Fun with the Friends of the Library – Friday, October 25, from 3:30-5 p.m. Celebrate National Friends of Libraries Week with a fall family event at the library. Paint pumpkins, make dirt cups (pudding, Oreos and gummy worms), watch a Halloween movie and other activities. Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Drop in!
Halloween Trunk or Treat Stroll – Saturday, October 26th at 5:30 p.m. We’ll be at the Town Common with other town organizations and businesses celebrating Halloween at the annual Trunk or Treat Stroll! Please note, the library is the location for the event if there is inclement weather.
Halloween Costume Parade – Thursday, October 31st at 9:30 am - Come to the library dressed in your costume and join us for a Halloween story and craft! The fun ends with a parade!
Coming in November! Local authors that wish to participate please register now!
Bellingham Local Author Expo – Saturday, November 16th from 9:30-1:30 pm
The Bellingham Library is excited to announce our first Bellingham Local Author Expo. The focus of this Expo is to highlight the works of authors from Bellingham and our neighboring towns, as well as the work of the members of the Bellingham Writers Group.
During the Expo, each Author will have a 6-foot table to display their books and other materials.
• Who is eligible to apply: Local authors (authors from Bellingham and contiguous towns, as well as members of our Bellingham Writers Group).
• Keynote Speaker: Ted Reinstein, of WCVB’s Chronicle will speak about his new book, Travels through the Heart & Soul of New England: Stories of Struggle, Resilience, and Triumph
• Author Panels: Ted Reinstein will lead author panel discussions on topics to be identified by the interest of the authors in their applications.
• Authors will get: Free space for a 6-foot table to sign and sell books, etc. and an opportunity to participate in panel discussions
• Library requests: 10% of the proceeds from any merchandise sales you make that day donated to the Friends of the Library.
• Apply at this link: https://tinyurl.com/mv4buap2
• See library calendar for planned schedule
Red Cross Blood Drive – Saturday, October 5th, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register at redcrossblood.org
Ongoing Children’s Programs
The Baby Bunch – Mondays at 9:30 a.m.
Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 a.m., no class 10/31. For infants 0-18 months and caregivers.
Read to Freedom the Reading Dog – Mondays from 5:30-7. Check calendar for details and sign up for a 15-minute time slot!
Sensory Story Time – Tuesdays at 10:15 am
Join us for a story, sensory activities, and open play! For children ages 2-5 of all abilities (younger siblings always welcome). Please register for each session you’d like to attend.
Fact Finders – Tuesdays at 11:30, 6-week program for homeschool families where we will practice researching a topic and presenting information! Please register to help us plan materials!
Picnic Stories – Wednesdays at noon on the Town Common (weather permitting!).
First Saturday Family Fun – Saturday, October 5th at 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
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, those in Grades 4-6 should contact Amanda Maclure, [email protected]; grades 6-9 should contact Diane Nelson, [email protected] . Check the library calendar for details.
After School Programs
Registration is mandatory for children in grades 4-6 to attend the ASK program. Registration for new participants takes place each day after school between 2:30 and 4:45 p.m. Hours vary for both programs on early release days.
• ASK Program hours 2:30-4:45 p.m., https://www.bellinghamma.org/288/Elementary-Middle-School
• The Teen Room is open for grades 7-12 from 2-4:45 p.m., https://www.bellinghamma.org/354/Programs
Adult Programs
Book Discussion Group – Generally meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:30 pm. In-person or on Zoom. Contact Cecily Christensen,[email protected] .
Upcoming titles are:
October: Chances Are by Richard Russo
November: The Measure by Nikki Erlick
December: Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Yoga for the Seasons – Come Back to Center – Yoga & Meditation for Early Fall
Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Check the library calendar to register.
Bellingham Skein Artists – Adult Knitting Group -Wednesdays at 6 p.m. All levels.
Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, October 8th at 6:30 p.m.
Local area writers Amy Bartelloni and Marjorie Turner Hollman welcome the public to an evening of reading and listening. To participate contact Marjorie Turner Hollman at [email protected].
Library Board of Trustees Meeting – Thursday, October 10th at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room
Friends of the Library Monthly Meeting – Tuesday, October 8th at 7 p.m.
Email [email protected] for the Zoom link
Virtual Ask-A-Lawyer Program with Attorney Brian T. Salisbury – Monday, October 21st 5-7:30 p.m. with 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. 20-minute-long appointments are free. Note: Your registration with your email address will go to Attorney Salisbury so he can send you the Zoom link. Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Attorney Salisbury will not provide legal representation in any legal matter discussed.
Virtual Author Talks – to register, go to: https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma
Wednesday, October 2nd at 2 p.m. – A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats with Scientists from the Smithsonian.
Wednesday, October 9th at 7 pm – Liberating Latin American Genre Fiction: In Conversation with Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Tuesday, October 22nd at 2 pm – Examining the Truths and Fictions We Tell Ourselves with Lori Gottlieb
