About the Friends
The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library (FOBPL), an organization that is separate from the library itself, is an all-volunteer nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is supporting and advocating for the library by:
- Encouraging community support of the library;
- Raising money for library needs, as designated by the staff and board;
- Sponsoring educational and enrichment programs for all ages;
- Encouraging literacy by making available free reading material at the library and offering reasonably priced books through regular sales.
Membership
Becoming a Friend is a great way to show your support for the Bellingham Public Library, help fund library programs, and encourage reading in our community. Everyone is welcome and you do not need to volunteer to be a Friend!
To join the Friends of the Library, click Join Now, fill out the online form, and pay for your dues online. Alternatively, you can print a blank copy of the form to fill out and send with a check payable to “Friends of the Bellingham Public Library.” Our mailing address is listed below.
In addition to occasional free “Member Only” events, the following additional membership benefits are available:
Membership Levels
Junior ($5/year – Age 18 and under)
Senior ($5/year– Age 55 and over)
Good Friend ($10/year) member benefit: $1 coupon to use at a book sale.
Family Friend ($20/year for up to two adults and dependent children) member benefit: $2 coupon to use at a book sale.
Devoted Friend ($50/year) member benefit: $3 coupon to use at a book sale, one “I love my library” bumper sticker and one free book bag.
Best Friend ($100/year and up) member benefit: $4 coupon to use at a book sale, one “I love my library” bumper sticker, one free book bag, and public acknowledgement of your membership.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Friends are actively recruiting volunteers. Jobs can be as simple as helping 2-3 hours at a book sale or more specialized ongoing tasks to prepare for those sales. If you are interested in knowing more about these opportunities, please contact the Friends at friendslibrary3@gmail.com
Book Sales
Attend the Friends used book sales and support your local library! The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library holds several used book sales each year, with thousands of good quality used books and other items, most priced $1. Items are restocked continuously during each sale. All proceeds benefit the Bellingham Public Library.
2021 Sales
All sales are cancelled until after the Covid-19 pandemic is over.
Nearly New and Special Books
Other great deals on books for purchase are found in the Nearly New Books area on the main floor of the Central Library near the building entrance. Special books of local, historical or aesthetic interest also are offered for sale in display cases at the Central Library. Proceeds from these book sales all benefit the Friends, which in turn benefits the library.
Donations
Books & Other Materials
We are currently unable to accept donations of materials.
Please review the guidelines for donations of books and other materials. Items are accepted any time throughout the year. You may bring up to two boxes of books to the Central Library and place them on the designated cart by the Security and Information desk on the main floor. At the Fairhaven and Barkley branches, please leave donated books at the public services desk, with a limit of one box per person, per day.
Magazines
The Friends accept magazines less than two years old and in good condition for free “recycling” to the public. At the Central Library, please leave magazine donations on the book donation cart near the security desk. At the Fairhaven Branch, leave magazine donations on the bookshelves located inside the front entrance. The Barkley Branch does not have a designated area for magazine drop-offs.
Cash Donations
We welcome financial gifts. Financial donations fund library services and materials and are another great way to support the library. To make a cash donation, click Donate, fill out the online form, and submit your donation online. Alternatively, you can print a blank copy of the form to fill out and mail to us along with a check payable to “Friends of the Bellingham Public Library.” Our mailing address is listed below.
Donations via Amazon Purchases
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. Why not make that the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library? To do that, shop on AmazonSmile and choose the Friends there. AmazonSmile has the exact same products, prices and features as Amazon.
Memorial Gifts
Monetary memorial gifts may be made to “Friends of the Bellingham Public Library” to honor the memories of individuals by providing additional materials and/or services to the library. These gifts are combined with proceeds from our sale of books and all monies are used to fulfill funding requests from the library.
Your memorial donation will fund additional materials and services sought by the library. Letters of acknowledgment and appreciation are sent by the Friends to the family and donor.
To participate in the Memorial Gift program, click Memorial Gift, fill out the online form, and submit your donation online. Alternatively, you can print a blank copy of the form to fill out and mail to us along with a check payable to “Friends of the Bellingham Public Library.” Our mailing address is listed below.
Board Meetings
Officers meet regularly on the 3rd Wednesday of every other month (except during the summer) at the Central Library. Please call (360) 778-7250 or email friendslibrary3@gmail.com for information and updates.
Annual Meetings
The Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library is typically scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday in April at the Central Library.
Friends Newsletter
The Friends newsletter is published annually:
Contact the Friends
Friends of the Bellingham Public LibraryTelephone: 360-778-7250 Phone unavailable during pandemic
Email: friendslibrary3@gmail.com
Mail: 210 Central Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225