I don’t check out a whole lot of “real” books from the Bellingham Public Library (BPL), but that’s because I do most of my reading on my Kindle, where BPL and Washington Anytime Library allow me to download as many as five books and audiobooks at a time for free.
When I do step foot in the central library, located at 210 Central Ave., it’s typically to pick up music CDs or Netflix series I’ve reserved — the latest was the final season of “Better Call Saul.” (I haven’t yet found out how it all ends for the troubled protagonist, so don’t tell me.)
To find out what else local libraries have to offer to the masses — especially during the summer, when kids have more time off and adults want to find ways to keep them busy — I reached out to Bethany Hoglund, BPL’s deputy director.
In the past, I had noticed that BPL offers free passes to Whatcom Museum, SPARK Museum and Mindport Exhibits, but hadn’t inquired how that collaboration came about. Hoglund explained that, years ago, they heard from families that the entrance fee to Whatcom Museum was a barrier, but it was a place they really wanted to experience with their kids. They reached out to the museum, and the staff was on board with setting a number of passes aside for people on a regular basis.
“From the beginning, the program has been a smashing success, with nearly 100 percent of the passes reserved year after year,” Hoglund said. “It truly is a wonderful community offering.”
Hoglund also detailed other services the Bellingham Public Library offers that people may not be aware of. These include unique collections available for checkout such as mobile hot spots and book club kits, preschool theme kits, early learning kits, community voices kits and “since time immemorial” kits, which feature books and resources for children ages 2–8 to expand understanding, respect and connection with local Indigenous tribes.
“Additionally, access to eBooks, eAudiobooks and streaming movies and music is available 24/7 for all your information and story needs,” Hoglund said.
In-person engagement opportunities and spaces in the BPL building, Hoglund said, include playing giant checkers at the central library in Lee Memorial Park, library basics technology coaching sessions, story times, children’s craft fairs, parties in the park and more. All of BPL’s four branches also have early learning sessions with toys and other activities for children, ages birth to 5, and their caregivers to read, play and learn together.
“We know that children learn best through play and we are happy to offer free, indoor spaces for families year-round,” Hoglund said.
With Summer Reading activity cards designed for everyone from adults to teens, kids and early learners, and translations available in Spanish, Vietnamese and Russian, Hoglund said they hope to provide community members with plenty of inspiration.
But that’s not all. In addition to providing museum passes, meeting rooms, tech help, internet access, tax filing assistance, skill-share gatherings and the myriad events that take place both year-round and through the summer, the library can also help card-holders enjoy the great outdoors.
One example of this is via the Check Out Washington Backpack. Contained within the backpack are a Discover Pass, binoculars and various guides for the observation and identification of birds, trees, flowers and other wildlife. They’re popular, so you may want to put one on hold as soon as possible.
Whatcom County Library System is also partnering with the Whatcom Million Trees Project to achieve a shared goal of planting 200 trees in Whatcom County this summer. Youth and adults can pick up cards and earn “leaves” by participating in auxiliary activities such as walking in a forest, writing a tree story, drawing a tree or completing a special activity. Interested parties can find out more at Summer Reading kickoff events taking place Monday, June 26, through Saturday, July 1, at WCLS locations and bookmobile stops, or drop by any Whatcom County library and inquire within.
When asked what other services she could think of that might help Bellingham residents get more out of their summer, Hoglund had some great ideas.
“I encourage everyone to think of the library wherever you go, or as you plan your time this summer,” she said. “Do you need an audiobook for a road or day trip? We have those for all ages. Do you need to Zoom into a work meeting from a campsite with limited cell service? Check out a mobile hot spot. Been meaning to plan a playdate with another parent and their kids? Organize a picnic lunch on the lawn behind the central library and then play in the Early Learning Center.”
“We can be a destination as well as a wonderful resource for your adventures this summer,” Hoglund surmised.
For more details about summer reading programs and other offerings, go to bellinghampubliclibrary.org or wcls.org.
