Open Book 2024 Schedule

Plan your day of bookish enthusiasm at Open Book. Noon to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 3 at the Ferndale Events Center

Download Open Book Schedule (PDF)

FEATURED EVENTS

MAINSTAGE | COMMUNITY ROOM | MAKERSPACE

MAINSTAGE

12:30-12:45 p.m. – Welcome

Settle in for a viewing of our brand new short WCLS promotional video and a welcome from WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins.

12:45-1:15 p.m. – Brian Flowers Storytelling

Storytelling is an essential part of our humanity. Join Storyteller Brian Flowers as he joyfully celebrates this birthright with two stories about the importance of stories.

1:15-1:45 p.m. – Local Author Lightning Book Talks

It’s speed dating with authors! All of the local authors who are tabling at Open Book will have a chance to give their 3-minute elevator pitch as to why you should stop by and see them at their booth. 

1:45-2:00 p.m. – Robert Lashley

Poet and author Robert Lashley was a 2016 Jack Straw Fellow, Artist Trust Fellow, and Finalist for a Stranger Genius Award. In 2024, his first novel, I Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer, was a finalist for a Washington State Book Award.

2:00-2:30 p.m. – Golden Apple Award Presentation

WCLS Youth Services staff will present the Golden Apple Educator Awards to three Whatcom County educators who consistently partner with the library system to make a difference in the lives of young people. The honorees are Multilingual English Learner Specialist Jennifer Bailey, Nooksack Valley High School; Librarian Nicolle Klander, Everson Elementary School; and Reading and Math Intervention Specialist Tom Maxim, Blaine Primary and Elementary School.  

2:30-3:15 p.m. – Janie Chang

Janie Chang is a Canadian bestselling author of historical fiction. Inspired by family stories and tales of ancestors who encountered dragons, ghosts and immortals, her novels include: THE PORCELAIN MOON, THE LIBRARY OF LEGENDS, DRAGON SPRINGS ROAD, THREE SOULS and THE PHOENIX CROWN (co-authored with Kate Quinn). The Toronto Star calls her “One of the most original voices in Canadian historical fiction.”

3:45-4:15 p.m. – Local Author Lightning Book Talks

It’s speed dating with authors! All of the local authors who are tabling at Open Book will have a chance to give their 3-minute elevator pitch as to why you should stop by and see them at their booth.

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COMMUNITY ROOM

12:45-1:30 p.m. – Your Right to Read: How Libraries Protect Intellectual Freedom

Every day, WCLS upholds your Right to Read by protecting patron privacy and resisting censorship. In this session presented by WCLS staff, you’ll learn how you can support library values in your community. 

1:45-3:00 p.m. – Children of the Setting Sun Presents….

Join us for a screening of one of the outstanding films produced by Children of the Setting Sun Productions. CSSP creates and shares Indigenous stories of gratitude, generosity, and respect. We empower the minds and hearts of future generations.

3:15-3:45 p.m. – Judge a Book by its Cover

Ever wonder how our library staff find & suggest books you enjoy? Learn how to read a book in one minute with us! 

3:45-4:30 p.m. – Your Right to Read: How Libraries Protect Intellectual Freedom

Every day, WCLS upholds your Right to Read by protecting patron privacy and resisting censorship. In this session presented by WCLS staff, you’ll learn how you can support library values in your community. 

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MAKERSPACE (aka The Noisy Room!)

12:00-5:00 p.m.

Join us for ongoing activities all day where you can make and learn!

Washington Center for the Book will be back to make a zine with us and they will want YOUR help with that.

Buttonmaking – Design and make your own button that you can wear proudly in support of library love.

Puget Sound Book Artitsts – Make a book with Puget Sound Book artist Fran McReynolds.

Make.Shift Art Space – Try your hand at screen printing with the folks from Make.Shift.

We’ve affectionately nicknamed this the ‘Noisy Room’ because it’s sure to be a hive of activity and buzz!

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