Bellingham Public Library News & Events for April

For updates about library programs and services, please visit www.bellinghamlibrary.org.  

Additional details on library calendar at https://bit.ly/4eJRLSh

Holiday Closing

Closed Monday, April 21st (Patriots’ Day Holiday)

Highlighted Programs

Virtual Author Talk With Jodi Picoult – Wednesday, April 2nd from 7-8 p.m.

Step into Spring with us as we chat with the highly acclaimed bestselling author Jodi Picoult about her newest novel, By Any Other Name.  Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-nine novels. This event is held in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium and is funded by the Friends of the Bellingham Library.

For more information and to register for the Zoom link,https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma/70728

3rd Annual Bellingham Business Expo – Saturday, April 5th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This “Showcase Bellingham Business Day” will feature giveaways, pamphlets, and more.   Door Prize - $100 Visa Gift Card to one lucky attendee, courtesy of the Friends of the Library.  The event will also include the following presentations:

• 10:30 a.m. – NCK Bellingham Karate Demo

• 11:00 a.m. – Blackstone Valley Amateur Radio Club Presentation

• 11:45 a.m. – Bellingham Garden Club – Propagating Plants from Seeds Presentation

Recognizing Linda Lord’s Dedication to the Bellingham Public Library 

Thursday,  April 10th from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Please join us for the unveiling of Linda Lord’s name on the Memorial Plaque, which honors long-serving Library Trustees for their dedicated service. Linda served on the Library Board of Trustees for over a decade before continuing her support as the Treasurer of the Friends of the Library.  Registration preferred, not necessary.

PETTY – Celebrating the Music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Saturday, April 12th from 1-2 p.m.

Presented for the third consecutive year by Blackstone Valley Music, a nonprofit music school located in Uxbridge. The group features Douglas High School assistant music director Sam Masoud on keyboard/harmonica/vocals, BVT senior Jaden Roddick on bass, BVM executive director Mark Mandeville on rhythm guitar/vocals, Sutton High School junior Charlie Randall on drums, and Grafton Music School music director James Briand on lead guitar/vocals.  For more information, please visit www.blackstonevalleymusic.com or call (508) 278-7211.  This program is made possible by funding from the Friends of the Bellingham Library.

Let’s Talk About Fossils! – Tuesday, April 22nd at 10:30 a.m. For ages 8 through adult.  Steve Emma will bring specimens and will have a PowerPoint presentation.  There will be fossils to give away too! He will talk about the Carboniferous period in geological history as well as how he got to love fossils! Bring a fossil for Steve to try to identify. Steve is a graduate of URI with a BS in Natural Resources (botany, horticulture.) who has taught sciences at middle school, high school, and college levels. Steve is past president of the RI Mineral Hunters Club. He authored the book Carboniferous Plant Fossils of North Attleboro, Massachusetts: An Amateur’s Guide and co-authored two published science articles on plant fossils. This school vacation week program is made possible by funding from the Friends of the Bellingham Library.

Ongoing Children’s Programs

The Baby Bunch – Mondays at 9:30 a.m., for infants 0-18 months and their caregivers.

Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 a.m., no sessions April 21st and 24th

Read to Freedom the Reading Dog – Mondays from 5:30-7 p.m. Check the calendar for details and sign up for a 15-minute time slot!

Sensory Story Time – Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m., no session on April 22nd.

For children ages 2-5 of all abilities (younger siblings always welcome).  Please register for each session you’ll attend.

Bi-Weekly Lego Builders – April 7th at 4:30 p.m. (only one session this month!)

An open hour to use your imagination with Legos! We will save and display your creations for two weeks.

Adult/Child Book Clubs –For kids in grades 1-3,  4-6 or 7-10 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 7-10 should contact Diane Nelson,[email protected] .  

After School Programs 

Registration 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.

• 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 ASK:  https://www.bellinghamma.org/288/Elementary-Middle-School

For Teen Room:  https://www.bellinghamma.org/354/Programs

Adult Programs

Yoga for the Seasons – Spring Thaw

Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m.  Check the library calendar for details and to register. 

A Novel Idea:  A New Book Club for Adults – Tuesday, April 1st from 6:30-8 p.m., Book discussion with light refreshments. This month, we are discussing Nigerians In Space, by Deji Bryce Olukotun. If interested, please contact Diane Nelson at [email protected].

English Conversation Groups

Practice speaking English with other adult English language learners in a relaxed, comfortable place. Drop-in sessions offered on the following dates/times.  Attend as often as you wish!

Monday, April 7th from 1-1:45 p.m.

Tuesday, April 8th from 6-6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, April 16th from 11-11:45 a.m.

Thursday, April 24th  from 5-5:45 p.m.

Needlecraft Night – Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m.

All skill levels are welcome. Please bring your own materials. No registration.

Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, April 8th at 6:30 p.m. An evening of reading and listening facilitated by local area writers Amy Bartelloni and Marjorie Turner Hollman. 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, April 8th at 7 p.m.  [email protected] for Zoom link.

Library Board of Trustees Meeting –Thursday, April 10th at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room at the library.

Virtual Ask-A-Lawyer Program with Attorney Brian T. Salisbury – Monday, April 28th, 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.

Bellingham Genealogy Club – Monday, April 28th at 6 p.m.

Bring your laptop or use one of our Chromebooks! 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.  Registration preferred but not necessary.

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, April 2nd at 7 p.m., Virtual Author Talk with Jodi Picoult

Tuesday April 8th at 2 p.m., Virtual Talk with Smithsonian Horticulturist Matthew Fleming

Thursday, April 24th at 7 pm , Virtual Conversation with Bestselling Author Gregg Hurwitz

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.  Patrons with a Bellingham Library card can access Fiero Code at:  https://app.fierocode.com/sign-in?club=1450.