Whatcom County Library System 75 years of sharing stories banner

2019 is the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Whatcom County Library System.

We are celebrating with events and stories and new initiatives.


NOVEMBER 7 CELEBRATIONS


Happy 75th WCLS. Library Staff and patrons celebrate the past and embrace the next chapter
Tuesday, November 7, 1944: the citizens of Whatcom County said yes to the power of stories by voting to form what is today the Whatcom County Library System.

Thursday, November 7, 2019: drop in to any (or ALL) of our library branches for cupcakes (while they last!), 1940s-themed activities, and historical displays to celebrate 75 years of sharing stories.

Find out more about our celebrations and other events on our Calendar of Events or in your local library.

75 LIBRARY CHAMPIONS


We’ve selected 75 Library Champions who have made significant contributions to the library system. These organizations and individuals will be honored at a Nov. 9 event and will be recognized in publications and on our website and social media. Meet our inaugural Champions below:


2019 READ AND SHARE


Join Read & Share – the new WCLS countywide book group.  Check out a copy of My Old Man and the Mountain by local mountaineer Leif Whittaker, who will visit WCLS libraries in 2019 to share his story.

Find more information on our Read & Share page.

52 BOOKS THAT SUIT YOU


Books that SUIT you banner
Find your next great read in our deck of 52 Reading Recommendation Cards!

For the Whatcom County Library System 75th Anniversary year, we will be announcing a reading recommendation each week.  Our recommendations will be from many genres, both adult and youth, and categorized by suit.

Plan your 2019 reading with our 75th Anniversary Reading Recommendation Deck!


22 HISTORY HARVESTS


In cooperation with the Washington State Library’s Washington Rural Heritage archive, we gathered stories of WCLS history from the staff, friends and patrons who have seen us grow through the dreams and hard work of Linda Hellyer and many others to become a strong and unified library system.

Read a brief article about our history in the Fall 2019 Explorations available here or in your local library.

1 NEW BOOKMOBILE


On June 18, 2019, we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony and launched our new bookmobile.

Built by  local manufacturer, TriVan Truck Body,  our new mobile library holds 4000 books and other items, and provides weekly service to our patrons in Birch Bay, Glenhaven, Wickersham and Lake Samish.

More information can be found on our Mobile Services page.