Bellingham Public Library News & Events for December
For updates, visit www.bellinghamlibrary.org. Find the library calendar at https://bit.ly/4eJRLSh
Holiday Closings for the Christmas & New Years Holidays
Closing at 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, December 24th (Christmas Eve) and 31st (New Years Eve)
Closed Wednesdays, December 25th (Christmas) and January 1st (New Years Day)
Highlighted Programs
Friends of the Library Holiday Open House/Holiday Craft Workshop – Tuesday, December 3rd from 6-7:45. Learn more about the Friends of the Library and the opportunity to join or renew your membership! Light refreshments will be served, and attendees will have the opportunity to create holiday ornaments, one for yourself, and others for the Friends to sell at their Annual Holiday Boutique. Drop in between 6 and 7:30! Registration is preferred but not necessary.
Express Extravaganza – Saturday, December 7th from 5-6:30 p.m. The Polar Express Extravaganza is back with the famous story, seasonal crafts, and visits from both Santa and the Grinch! For families. No registration required.
Chat & Craft for Adults – Monday, December 9th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Come and make a holiday ornament! All materials will be supplied by the Friends of the Library and generous library patrons. Registration is necessary. Space and supplies are limited.
Gingerbread Mania – Thursday, December 19th from 10-11:30 am and 3-4:30 p.m.
Come decorate gingerbread people! We’ll be using gingerbread, frosting, and an assortment of candies! For families - registration required.
New Year’s Eve Party – Friday, December 27th from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Join us for a New Year’s Eve party with music, crafts, a photo station, and celebrating as we send off 2024 and welcome 2025! For families - please register to help us plan.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
The Baby Bunch – Mondays at 9:30 a.m., no program on December 23rd or 30th. For infants 0-18 months and their caregivers.
Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. through December 16th.
Read to Freedom the Reading Dog – Mondays from 5:30-7 p.m. No program on December 23rd. Check the calendar for details and to sign up for a 15-minute time slot!
Sensory Story Time – Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m., through December 17th. For children ages 2-5 of all abilities (younger siblings always welcome). Please register for each session.
First Saturday Family Fun – Saturday, December 7th at 11 a.m. Theme: winter animals! Drop in until 12 p.m.
Adult/Child Book Club –For kids in grades 1-3, 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 1-3 should contact Melissa Denham, [email protected], grades 4-6 should contact Amanda Maclure, [email protected], and grades 6-9 should contact Diane Nelson, [email protected] . Check the library calendar for details on December meeting dates and times.
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 on early release days, so please check the library calendar. No afterschool programs on Friday, December 20th.
• 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 p.m. In person or on Zoom. Contact Cecily Christensen, [email protected].
Our upcoming titles are:
December: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
January: The Rescue by T. Jefferson Parker
February: Absolution by Alice McDermott
Yoga for the Seasons – Yoga & Meditation for Winter, Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Check the library calendar for details.
Knitting & Needle Night – Wednesdays at 6 p.m. All skill levels welcome. Please bring your own materials. No registration.
Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, December 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Local area writers Amy Bartelloni and Marjorie Turner Hollman welcome you to hear what local writers are working on and share what you are working on. Works of fiction or non-fiction 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, December 3rd, at 6 p.m. at the library as part of the Open House.
Library Board of Trustees Meeting – no meeting scheduled in December at press time. Next scheduled meeting is January 9th at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at the library
Virtual Ask-A-Lawyer Program with Attorney Brian T. Salisbury – Monday, December 16th starting at 5 pm.
Free 20-minute appointments 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Local attorney Brian T. Salisbury of the law firm Doherty, Dugan, Cannon, Raymond & Weil, PC will meet with you through Zoom to discuss any legal questions you may have. Register to receive the Zoom link close to the appointment date. Please note: Unless otherwise agreed in writing, Attorney Salisbury will not provide legal representation in any legal matter discussed.
Virtual Author Talks – to register for these talks, go to: https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma
Wednesday, December 4th at 2 p.m. – Smithsonian Gem Collection with Dr. Jeffrey Post
Wednesday, December 11th at 2 p.m. – Virtual Conversation with Author Laura Dave
Red Cross Blood Drive – Friday, December 20th from 9 am to 2 pm. Register at redcrossblood.org
