Bellingham Public Library News & Events for January
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 athttps://bit.ly/4eJRLSh
January Hours
Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 9:30 a.m. -3 p.m, Sundays – Closed
Holiday Closings
Closed Wednesday, January 1st (New Years Day)
Closed Monday, January 20th (Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday)
Highlighted Programs
New Year, New Program! – English Conversation Group
Practice speaking English with other adult English language learners in a relaxed, comfortable place, and meet new friends as we learn by talking together. Conversations will be facilitated by a library staff member or volunteer. If you can speak English but want to improve your English conversation skills, this is the group for you! This is not an English class, but a place to practice speaking to become more fluent in the English language. Drop-in classes offered weekly on the following dates/times. Attend as often as you wish!
Monday, January 6th from 1-2 p.m.
Tuesday, January 14th at from 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 15th from 11 a.m. to 12 noon
Thursday, January 23rd from 5-6 p.m.
Chat & Craft for Adults – Date and craft project not determined at press time, see library calendar for details.
Ongoing Children’s Programs
The Baby Bunch – Mondays at 9:30 a.m.: A space for infants 0-18 months and their caregivers to come play and socialize.
Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 a.m.
Read to Freedom the Reading Dog – Mondays from 5:30-7 p.m. Check the calendar for details and to sign up for a 15-minute time slot!
Sensory Story Time – Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m.
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.
First Saturday Family Fun – Saturday, January 4th at 11 a.m.
Join us every first Saturday of the month for a family craft - this month’s theme will be snow!
Drop in from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. - No registration needed.
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 the January 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 for both programs on early release days, so please check the library calendar for schedule changes.
• ASK Program hours 2:30-4:45 p.m.
• The Teen Room is open for grades 7-12 from 2-4:45 p.m.
• Check the library website for details on the programs.
For Teen Room: https://www.bellinghamma.org/354/Programs
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 Rescue by T. Jefferson Parker
February: Absolution by Alice McDermott
March: Still Life by Louise Penny
Yoga for the Seasons – Yoga & Meditation for Winter
Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m. Check the library calendar for details and to register.
Needlecraft Night –Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting, or any of the other fiber or needle arts – needlepoint, macrame, embroidery? Come and join us on Wednesdays. All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Please bring your own materials. No registration, drop in!
Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, January 14th 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 [email protected].
Friends of the Library Annual Meeting – Tuesday, January 14th at 7 p.m.
Library Board of Trustees Meeting – Thursday, January 9th at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at the library
Virtual Ask-A-Lawyer Program with Attorney Brian T. Salisbury – Monday, January 27th 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 p.m. 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.
Virtual Author Talks – to register for these talks, go to: https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma, recordings of these talks are also available on the library website in the days following the event.
Wednesday, January 15th at 7 p.m.– Virtual Conversation with Author TJ Klune
Thursday, January 23rd at 2 p.m. – Virtual Talk with Bestselling Author Amanda Montell
Tuesday, January 28th at 1 p.m. – Virtual Talk, Working with a Literary Agent
