News

Open Book: A Festival for Readers returns Nov. 3

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Open Book logo with skater cartoon: "It's back" flag.

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

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Cartoon of worms in worm bin

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

Thank you, Joyce!

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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

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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

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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

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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

WCLS asks: Can you spot a scam?

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Cartoon detective with magnifying glass

By WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins I was talking to a library patron recently and asked how her week was going. “Terrible,” she reported, and went on to explain that her computer had been “hacked” while shopping online and she had been on the phone with someone who insisted she send him thousands of dollars. … Read more

Whatcom County Council allocates $315,000 in ARPA funding to support Birch Bay Vogt Library Express

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Following successful outreach by Friends of the Birch Bay Library volunteers, the Whatcom County Council has allocated $315,000 to support construction of the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express. The funding was included in County Executive Satpal Sidhu’s recommendations for the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) expenditures and agreed to by the council. The ARPA … Read more

Birch Bay Library project moves forward as a library express following approval of state grant scope change 

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Thanks to successful advocacy efforts by Birch Bay residents and Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) staff, the Washington State Legislature has approved the reallocation of a $2 million state grant to largely fund the renovation of the Vogt home at 7948 Birch Bay Drive as the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express. The state’s decision follows … Read more