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
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
Due to the pandemic, the Friends are not currently recruiting volunteers. We will update this website when we do begin accepting new volunteers.
Briefly, volunteer jobs range from helping 2-3 hours at a book sale to more specialized ongoing tasks preparing for those sales.
Book Sales
Due to the Pandemic, the Friends do not have any book sales scheduled at this time. Please check this website for updated Book Sale information.
Nearly New and Special Books Available
Great deals on fiction and non-fiction books for purchase can be found in the Nearly New Books area on the main floor of the Central Library near the main entrance. Special books of local, historical or aesthetic interest also are offered for sale with our Nearly New display. Free Books and Magazines are available on the Central Library’s ground floor.
Proceeds from all these book sales benefit the Friends, which in turn benefits the Library.
Donations
Books & Other Materials
Due to the abundance of recent book donations and the pandemic limits on our book sale schedule, the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library are currently requesting Library patrons to limit their donations to Nearly New (2010 or newer), children’s books and Pacific Northwest books. Please recycle books that are old, torn, musty or have water damage.
Donations should be maximum of 2 boxes per person per day at the Central Library. The drop off room is on the main floor of the Library. Branch libraries allow 1 box per person per day.
These changes will not be permanent. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we evolve through this process.
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 Library
Telephone: 360-778-7250
Email: friendslibrary3@gmail.com
Mail: 210 Central Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225