OPEN BOOK EXPERIENCES

Thor Hanson will present “The Biology of Climate Change” and will answer your questions.

Rena Priest opens our event with a welcome and a poetry reading.

Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True will read selected poetry.

Phoebe Wahl presents her new Young Adult novel, Phoebe’s Diary, followed by book signing

Hungry? Swing by the Friends of the Birch Bay Library “kitchen” for cozy tomato soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, cookies, and cider and coffee. Take-and-make cookie sets are also available. Proceeds support construction of the Birch Bay Library Express

Village Books and Paper Dreams
Whatcom County’s favorite indie is here with books and fun book swag for purchase.
Comics Place
Serving comic book fans since 1982, Comics Place offers comics, graphic novels, games and nerd ephemera.

It’s gift giving season! Shop a selection of area crafters’ book-inspired creations.

Try your hand at letterpress printing courtesy of Bison Bookbinding — for paper people, by paper people.

Learn about the many different WCLS book clubs, get ideas for your own group.
PRIZE: Register to win a virtual book club discussion with author Ross Gay.

Stop by to see how WCLS repairs its books and get tips on how to mend your own favorites.

Be astounded as you explore Whatcom County Library System’s digital resources via 3D holographic imagery.

Youth ages birth to five may sign up to recieve free books by mail. The United Way of Whatcom County is the local partner making this program possible for Whatcom County.

Stroll and read … the poetry wall showcases talented local teen poets featured in A Forest of Words, WCLS’s annual youth poetry anthology.

Support local libraries by joining a Friends of the Library group. Friendly volunteers will help you get started.
PRIZE: Enter to win a Library Sasquatch Bookbag.

WCLS Youth Services staff will present the Golden Apple Educator Awards to three Ferndale educators who consistently partner with the library system to make a difference in the lives of young people, Sharon Lawler, Eagleridge Elementary, Tim Keigley, Horizon Middle School and Amy Nylen, Vista Middle School.

Travel the world with WCLS items at the Interlibrary Loan booth. Navigate maps and charts, showcasing the global pathways our items take to reach YOU through literary sharing.

Stop by the KAFE 104.1 FM booth to learn about the Village Books’ KAFE Kids Book Club and score some swag.

Grab a seat and some popcorn at our mini movie theater. Relax with a favorite film from Kanopy’s collection. Learn how to access Kanopy movies at home with your library card.

Pose for a photo at the magical backdrop created for Open Book by Bellingham-based and internationally known illustrator and author Keith Negley.

Friends, Whatcoms, countrymen, lend me your ears. Listen to some of your favorite stories, read to you by world-class narrators. Explore the wonderful world of free audiobooks at the library with Libby.

You can borrow more than books from the library. Explore the “Library of Things” collection, including puzzles, games, dolls, Washington state park passes and Wi-Fi hotspots.

Join us for a group poetry reading by Rena Priest, Tennison Black, Sati Mookherjee, Hannah Yerington, and Chris Gusta.

Relax in our reading lounge and discover treasures and unusual material from WCLS and Western Washington University. Unwind and soak up rare reads in style! Thank you to Wilson Furniture.

Put on the white gloves of an archivist and learn from Western Librarian Sylvia Tag as she guides you through antique pop-up books and rare material that represent WWU’s Special Collections.

See and hear local history at the Welcome to Whatcom table. Digital and hardbound resources will be on display, including photo collections, elder interviews, and local history books and journals. Meet local history authors Michael Impero, Candace Wellman and Margaret Hellyer

Explore the non-profit organization’s community of book arts — bookbinders, paper markers, printers, book artists and archivists.

At the Silent Disco, music from the library’s streaming service (Freegal) will be sent wirelessly to headphones. Adjust volume and style of music as you sway to the secret sounds of our Silent Disco.

Watch artist (and Librarian!) Brooke Pederson create her stunning paper cut story snowflakes.

A good read deserves good tea. Taste Puerh Tea, produced in Yunnan Province, China, using microbial fermentation. Featured in The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See. Presented by Charles and Laurie Dawson of Whatcom Tea.

Whatcom County teens in grades 6-12 read their original poetry at this special open mic program. Teens can sign up to get on the schedule here.

Learn everything you need to know about the annual Washington State Zine Contest and help to create a collaborative zine about the magic of books.

Making reading accessible! The Washington Talking Book and Braille Library will demonstrate their resources. Interact with braille and talking books.

WCLS has a podcast! Stop by and get your podcast questions answered. Listen to excerpts from our podcast and maybe even get your voice on the air.

With your financial support, the Foundation powers special library programs, projects and services. Learn how to get involved.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Purchase a broadside featuring an Arianne True poem (signed by the poet) for $5 to support the foundation’s work. (While supplies last.)

Talk with volunteers to discover how the Literacy Council empowers adults to achieve their goals and how you can help.
PRIZE: Enter to win a book chat and customized book list from Nancy Pearl.

Engage with northwest Washington’s premier annual literary event, celebrating reading, readers and strong communities through the shared experience of one book.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Enter to win a copy of the 2024 featured title, Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe.

Everyone loves the bookmobile! Here’s your chance to step aboard and meet the staff who drive the library on wheels.

View this very special traveling art exhibit of selections from WCLS’s annual teen art book, Whatcomics.