WCLF Impact Report

Books for 1,800 Newborn Babies

Having books in the home is a powerful predictor of later success
in school and in life. Your support allows our Books for Babies program to offer every newborn in Whatcom County a bag full of
library goodness.

Every month approximately 125 bags are distributed through
the hospital and birthing centers. Each bag includes a board
book and a library card application, connecting local babies
and their families to libraries, possibilities and community.

Eight Whatcom Grooves Concerts

“Thank you so much for choosing to sponsor the Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series again this year, & particularly for our Whatcom Grooves concert at Glenhaven. Over the 3 years that you’ve helped to support this event our outreach through attendance has more than doubled.

We see an increase in awareness that the South Whatcom Library is this community’s library & that they are encouraged & welcome to participate in everything their library has to offer – programming, resources, events & more!

The concert has also brought the Sudden Valley & Glenhaven communities together in a way that has supported new friendships, new collaboration & new appreciation for all that we share together…especially our library. Thank you so much for helping all of this to happen.”

— The Friends of the South Whatcom Library

First 500 Picture Book Program

Your gifts supported this important new weekly picture
book subscription.

Children with many books in their homes are better prepared for kindergarten, maintain higher-level reading skills and continue with their education three years longer than children without lots of books at home.

The First 500 weekly picture book subscription is a fast, easy, cost-free way for families across Whatcom County to fill their homes with lots (and lots!) of books.

“My child is so excited to get their special bag of books each week, and we are doing more reading.”

This program is in a pilot phase for families able to pick up at
the Blaine, Deming and South Whatcom Libraries.

1,700 “Forever Books” for Kids

The WCLS Summer Reading Program encourages reading at all levels and is promoted at all our libraries.

Children across Whatcom County who participate in the Summer Reading Program get to choose a book of their very own to keep and love.

Your gifts helped provide 1,700 “forever books” last year.

One young reader, who picked her first Dragon Girls book a few summers ago, proudly shared that she’s now on Book That spark of joy and confidence has grown into a true love of reading — all because she got to choose a story that spoke to her.

Thank you for making sure that every child in Whatcom County experiences the joy of reading through forever books
— during the summer and beyond!

Pride in the Park Celebration

Pride in the Park in Ferndale on July 19 was a wonderful
success.

Over 300 people came to sing, craft, read, dance,
explore, snack, visit, learn, engage with their neighbors
and celebrate their library belonging.

Special thanks to WCLF board members Debbie Alleman and
Pam Glaze for handing out refreshments!

Two Special Author Visits

Whatcom READS: Thanks to you, WCLF sponsored Whatcom READS in March, featuring No Two Persons by visiting author Erica Bauermeister. Crowds of happy readers gathered for five events at venues throughout Whatcom County. Whatcom READS is a countywide program that encourages everyone to read and discuss the same book. Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora is Whatcom READS’ 2026 book selection. Learn more at whatcomreads.org.

Dan Gemeinhart School Visits: Your generosity helped sponsor three school visits and an educators’ brunch with bestselling author, Dan Gemeinhart. Dan interacted with kids at Blaine Middle School, Vista Middle School and the Juvenile Detention Center.

One educator who attended the Educators’ Brunch shared, “It was a joy to gather with other educators and connect over our shared love of getting books in kids’ hands (and hearts!), and such an inspiration to hear from Dan.”

Juvenile Detention Center Book Club

Thanks to you, the Books Unbound program offers a monthly book group at Juvenile Detention, where hope sometimes feels out of reach. It introduces young people to variety of stories, from issue-oriented contemporary novels to retellings of Greek myths.

Book Club “is fun and (I) get to read with others…
I like the library. I go to the library all the time.”

Each participant gets a copy of the monthly book to keep and builds a relationship with their library that often continues after their release. You give them dignity, hope, and the chance to imagine a world of possibility.

1,500 People Play the Library Game

This card-collecting game for patrons of all ages encourages
them to engage with libraries, try the wide range of services offered and participate in some wonderful programs. Bernice Vossbeck Elementary School teacher Dan Oliva shared, “The Library Game was a great excuse to explore new parts of Whatcom County this summer. Visited all 11 branches to get my stamps and cards. Had a lot of fun, embraced my nerdiness and met a lot of amazing librarians doing meaningful work in challenging times.”

Dan then listed highlights of his library tour: Most international (4 border crossings!), Point Roberts branch. Most Remote (5-min. ferry ride required), Lummi Island branch. Best “curl up with a good book” Vibe, North Fork branch. Best Cat-Centered, Deming branch. Unbiased Favorite, Lynden branch (of course!).

The WCLF card launched in September and features a “feisty little stink bug”. Watch the “How We Came to Be” video on the WCLS YouTube page for the full story about the stink bug!