News – Whatcom County Library System

Spanish-language phone line connects patrons with library and community resources

February 13, 2025 by Mary Vermillion

A new Spanish-language phone line further expands Whatcom County Library System’s outreach to the local Hispanic community. When patrons call the phone line, Spanish-speaking library staff members answer. They can assist with library-related questions and refer callers to other community resources. The Spanish-language phone line number is (360) 305-3638. WCLS Hispanic Cultural Liaisons Diana Antaño … Read more

WCLS hosts 11 budget listening sessions at locations across the county and online

February 10, 2025January 30, 2025 by Mary Vermillion

Whatcom County Library System staff are hosting 11 public listening sessions in February and March at county library branches and online to review the library system’s budget. The meetings are open to all community members. Following multiple years of significant and sustained inflation coupled with increasing demand for library services, WCLS began accessing reserve funds … Read more

Apply to serve on Board of Trustees

January 9, 2025 by Mary Vermillion

Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) seeks a Whatcom County resident who loves libraries to fill a partial term on the WCLS Board of Trustees. This term will expire Jan. 31, 2028. The application deadline is Friday, Feb. 7, 2025. Library trustees’ responsibilities include: Candidates should live in Whatcom County, outside the city limits of Bellingham. Those with … Read more

Whatcom READS announces community and author events celebrating 2025 book selection

December 12, 2024 by Mary Vermillion

Library staff and booksellers who organize and present Whatcom READS have announced the literary program’s 2025 schedule of community and author events, celebrating No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister. The book presents a wide range of discussion and event opportunities leading up to the March 12-15, 2025, in-person author events.   Visit whatcomreads.org to learn more … Read more

Freedge opens at North Fork Community Library

November 13, 2024 by Mary Vermillion

Sustainable Connections and Whatcom County Library System are thrilled to announce the opening of the Freedge at the North Fork Library in Kendall. This innovative initiative aims to combat food insecurity and reduce food waste in Whatcom County, providing residents with access to free, nutritious food. The Freedge, a community refrigerator filled with surplus food … Read more

WCLS presents Golden Apple Educator Awards

October 17, 2024October 14, 2024 by Mary Vermillion

Three Whatcom County educators who successfully advocate for reading and public libraries to further student success will be honored with Whatcom County Library System’s Golden Apple Educator Award at a 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 ceremony at the Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale. The celebration is part of the library system’s noon-5 p.m. Open Book: A Festival for … Read more

Open Book: A Festival for Readers returns Nov. 3

October 3, 2024September 13, 2024 by Neil McKay

Readers and writers, rejoice! Open Book: A Festival for Readers returns noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 at the Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale. Generously sponsored by Whatcom County Library Foundation and enthusiastically presented by Whatcom County Library System and Village Books and Paper Dreams, Open Book celebrates readers, writers and bookish enthusiasm with weird and wonderful hands-on book-related experiences at … Read more

Bookworms cultivate creative fundraising project for Blaine Library

August 29, 2024August 14, 2024 by Neil McKay

A Blaine nonprofit organization is transforming retired Whatcom County Library System totes into Bookworm Bins as a fundraiser for the Blaine Library. The partnership between Blaine CORE and the Friends of Blaine Library keeps plastic out of the landfill, creates healthy gardens, connects community members with nature and raises funds to support library programs. The … Read more

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

August 29, 2024June 28, 2024 by Neil McKay

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

August 29, 2024June 17, 2024 by Neil McKay

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