Book Buzz: Tell It to Me Singing

Tell it to me singing by Tita Ramirez

Tell It to Me Singing by Tita Ramirez Life is not turning out the way Mónica Campo intended. Pregnant with her first child and newly engaged to a nice guy, Mónica can’t stop thinking about her ex-boyfriend Manny, despite all the ways their relationship went wrong. But things get even more complicated when Mónica’s mother develops … Read more

Freedge at North Fork Library will address climate change, food insecurity

Freedge Community Fridge logo

An innovative Whatcom County partnership to address climate change and reduce food waste has been awarded a $27,500 Small Communities, Big Challenges Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. Whatcom County Health and Community Services, Sustainable Connections, Washington State University Extension SNAP-Ed and Whatcom County Library System will use the grant and local funding to build … Read more

WCLS hosts free, fun summer events, including Whatcom Grooves

Whatcom Grooves: Celebrate Summer, Music and Libraries

Whatcom County Library System’s summer calendar is loaded with free events for families, teens, kids and kids at heart. Headline events include the library system’s popular Summer Reading program and Whatcom Grooves, a series of free summer concerts.   Whatcom Grooves premiered in summer 2023 with three jazz concerts. This year, it’s back. And it’s bigger. Between June 22 … Read more

Summer Reading begins June 1

Summer Reading 2024 Tree logo

Whatcom County Library System’s annual Summer Reading program for kids, teens and adults begins June 1. The county library system is partnering with Whatcom County Library Foundation and Whatcom Million Trees Project to encourage readers to achieve a shared goal of planting 250 trees in Whatcom County. Starting June 1, readers can pick up a Summer Reading card at … Read more

Book Buzz: Thunder Song

Thunder Song by Sasha LaPointe

Thunder Song: Essays by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe’s debut memoir, Red Paint, was all about healing. Her new book, Thunder Song, is all about embracing contradiction—about both charting a new path and staying rooted. These carefully crafted, multi-layered essays explore themes that are dear to LaPointe’s heart: her queer and indigenous identity, activism, and family history. … Read more

Thank you, Joyce!

Blaine manager Jonathan Jakobitz and WCLS executive director Christine Perkins pose with Joyce Vanderpol

WCLS recently honored long-time Blaine resident and library advocate Joyce Vanderpol, whose generous gift funded a meeting pod and other improvements at the Blaine Library.   Vanderpol asked library staff what immediate changes could enhance the library experience in Blaine. “Joyce shared our vision for what a small meeting room space could mean for our patrons … Read more

WCLS offers sensory kits

Whatcom County Library System logo

April is Autism Acceptance Month, and the Whatcom County Library System is taking part by rolling out sensory kits at all county library locations. The kits include essential items to support the sensory needs of autistic children and adults during library visits. Items in the sensory kits are recommended by the University of Washington iSchool Autism-Ready … Read more

Whatcom READS announces 2025 book selection

Whatcom READS 2025 Selection: No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. Read the book. Join the conversation.

No Two Persons by Port Townsend, Wash.-based author Erica Bauermeister is the Whatcom READS 2025 book selection. Sasha taqʷšəblu Lapointe, author of the 2024 featured title, Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk, made the announcement at the close of the March 15 Whatcom READS author event at the Mount Baker Theatre. Liane Moriarty, … Read more

WCLS partners with state, county health departments to respond to opioid crisis

Whatcom County Library System logo

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is partnering with the Washington State Department of Health to provide free naloxone kits to community members in need. The kits are available at WCLS’s 10 branch locations and the bookmobile. Supplies are limited but will be refilled periodically as long as WCLS can obtain additional doses.  “We are thrilled … Read more