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Bellingham Public Library News & Events for February

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/4eJRLSh
Holiday Closing
Closed Monday, February 17th (Presidents Day Holiday)
Highlighted Programs
Fancy Nancy Valentine Dance-y – Friday, February 7th, 6-7 p.m.
Come celebrate Valentine’s Day with us Fancy Nancy Style - Music, dancing, crafts, and a fancy fashion show to end the night!  For families - Registration preferred
Chat & Craft for Adults – Monday, February 10th at 6:30 p.m.
Make a heart shaped coaster.  Registration required.
Annual Art & Photography Show – Saturday February 15th from 6-8 p.m.
Important Dates
February 1st - Library begins accepting entries
February 12th at 8 p.m. - Submission deadline
February 15th - Opening reception, 6-8 p.m.
The opening reception will include an acoustic concert with singer, songwriter Ric Allendorf in the main library.  The Art & Photography Reception will be in the Community Room. Attendees will vote for their favorite to win the People’s Choice Award and have an opportunity to purchase artwork entries offered for sale.  A link to the Guidelines and Entry forms are on the library calendar.
English Conversation Groups
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, February 3rd from 1-2 p.m.
Tuesday, February 11th at from 6-7 p.m.
Wednesday, February 19th from 11 am to 12 noon
Thursday, February 27th from 5-6 p.m.
New!  Bellingham Genealogy Club - Monday, February 24th 6-7:30 p.m.
Bring your laptop or use one of our Chromebooks on the fourth Monday of the month to work on your family history in the company of other family historians!  Run by librarian Catherine Perreault, a former genealogical researcher at the New England Historic Genealogical Society, this club is a chance to learn and be social with other genealogy enthusiasts and learn about free resources provided by the Bellingham Public Library.
Registration preferred but not necessary.
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. No registration required!
Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 am, no session on February 20th
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., no session on February 18th: 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, February 1st at 11 a.m.: Join us every first Saturday of the month for a family craft - this month’s theme will collage art!
Drop in from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. - No registration needed.
Adult/Child Book Clubs –For kids in grades 1-3,  4-6 or 6-9 and an adult in their life who loves to read.  Meets monthly.  To join, 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. 
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. 
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:
February: Absolution by Alice McDermott
March: Still Life by Louise Penny
April: Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane 
Yoga for the Seasons – Yoga & Meditation for Winter
Tuesdays at 8:30 am.  Check the library calendar for details and to register. 
Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, February 11th at 6:30 p.m.
Writers, readers, listeners – come join us!  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, all are welcome.  Reading limit is 9 minutes per reader, with a brief opportunity for positive, personal comments only. Contact Marjorie Turner Hollman at [email protected].
Friends of the Library Annual Meeting – Tuesday, February 11th at 7 p.m. 
Library Board of Trustees Meeting –Thursday, February 13th at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at the library
Virtual Ask-A-Lawyer Program with Attorney Brian T. Salisbury – Monday, February 24th, 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, recordings of these talks are also available on the library website in the days following the event.
Tuesday, February 4th at 2 p.m., Online Author Event: Smithsonian Curator Sabrina Sholts
Tuesday, February 11th at 7 p.m., In Conversation with Bestselling Author Waubgeshig Rice
Tuesday, February 18th at 2 p.m., Online Author Talk with Lee Hawkins
Red Cross Blood Drive – Saturday, February 22nd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Register at redcrossblood.org.
New Online Resource!
The library is now subscribing to Fiero Code, a learn-to-code platform that uses gamification to teach coding skills to people of all ages.  The curriculum covers a range of coding languages from HMTL to Python and more!  It also includes projects for Raspberry Pi and Makey Makey devices, as well as codable robots like Ozobot and Sphero. Patrons with a Bellingham Library card can access Fiero Code at:  https://app.fierocode.com/sign-in?club=1450.
Friends of the Library Book Sale!
 Week of February 17th, check the library calendar for details.

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