Community partners throughout Bellingham and Whatcom County – including the library – are unified in preparing for and addressing coronavirus (COVID-19). When it comes to protecting the public’s health, we are all in this together. The Whatcom County Health Department is the lead response agency for all of Whatcom County, including Bellingham. Although this is … Read more
Public libraries in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County are saying farewell to overdue fines. On January 2, Bellingham Public Library (BPL) and Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) joined libraries across the country that have eliminated the practice of charging people for returning library materials after the due date. This change is designed to help make … Read more
Read The Bellingham Herald online, in full-page format, the same day it is published, free-of-charge with your library card. We are pleased to provide free, timely, full-image online access to several Washington newspapers – including The Bellingham Herald – thanks to the Washington State Library. The Washington State Library has a trial underway for public … Read more
Public libraries in Bellingham and throughout Whatcom County are saying farewell to overdue fines. On January 2, Bellingham Public Library (BPL) and Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) will join libraries across the country that have eliminated the practice of charging people for returning library materials after the due date. This change is designed to help … Read more
In response to business practices that create access barriers for library patrons, the Washington Digital Library Consortium — of which Bellingham Public Library is a member — has chosen to boycott purchases of Macmillan Publishers’ eBooks and eAudiobooks now through the end of 2020. Troubling limits imposed by publishers on public library purchases of digital … Read more
People say they want to be connected, safe, valued, respected, and accepted by others, with opportunities to be engaged and ever-learning together. But they are concerned that our community could be more inclusive, safe, and sustainable, with resources and opportunities more equitable and prevalent for all. That’s a sample of the perspectives people shared during … Read more
Design work is now underway for an interior remodel of the main floor of the Central Library, featuring updates that will improve public spaces and incorporate operational efficiencies. Public information sessions about the project are scheduled for: Saturday, October 26: 10 – 11:00 a.m. Monday, October 28: 6 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 8: 11 … Read more
Many parents received an email from us today (Saturday, August 24, 2019) stating that their child’s library account is expiring. Please disregard this notification. This was an auto-generated email regarding your child’s school-connected account, not their regular library account. School-connected accounts will be updated automatically when the school year begins. Our apologies for any confusion! … Read more
UPDATE: After this column was published locally, the American Library Association initiated a public information campaign and petition. Visit www.ebooksforall.org for more information and to sign the petition. By Rebecca Judd, director, Bellingham Public Library and Christine Perkins, executive director, Whatcom County Library System Troubling limits imposed by publishers on public library purchases of electronic … Read more
Here comes summer! Summer reading at your library is a summer tradition, and it’s fun! Summer is a time to emphasize the fun side of reading. This is especially true for kids and teens, who get to read whatever they want. Personal choice is a great way to encourage excitement around reading. Reading every day … Read more