Summer at the Library – Whatcom County Library System

Local, free of charge and endlessly entertaining, your Whatcom County libraries are wide open for summer adventures. Skip the luggage and expensive travel, all you need is a library card and your curiosity. How will you Summer at the Library? That’s up to you. Just like any favorite vacation, you decide what you will do and where you will go. We’ve started a short list on this page, but the destinations are endless. Plan your library adventure at our calendar of events or browse Explorations, our events magazine.

HAVING FUN ~ Visit the library for sunny (or stormy) day entertainment

join our Summer Reading program for all ages
attend a book club discussion
enjoy a Storytime
shop book sales and kids craft fairs
borrow a ukulele for campfire sing-a-longs
check out board games for rainy days
take a nature walk
sign up for camps or Shakespeare in the Park

ADULTS: JOIN SUMMER READING FOR TWO CHANCES TO WIN!

Starting June 22 and Aug. 1, adults who participate in our Summer Reading challenge can enter to win a Summer at the Library tote bag — with special prizes inside.

Early Bird Round: Between June 22 and July 3, pick up a Summer Reading card to receive an entry form. Prize: Tote bag with a copy of Whistler by Ann Patchett and two tickets to our sold-out Ann Patchett author event on July 11 at Ferndale High School Performing Arts Center. One tote bag with book and tickets awarded per branch.

Round Two: Between July 5 and Aug. 1, show us your completed Summer Read card to receive an entry form for Round Two prizes. Fifteen winners per branch will win a tote bag. In addition, one lucky winner per location will win a "golden tote bag" with copies of The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera and Tilt by Emma Pattee, along with other surprises. Higuera and Pattee are our featured authors at Open Book: A Festival for Readers, Sunday, Nov. 8 at the Ferndale Events Center.

Stop by your favorite WCLS branch to join Summer Reading for your chance to win.

EARLY BIRD RULES (6/22-7/3)

People who are 18 and older and participate in the 2026 Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) Summer Reading program are eligible to enter. Complete the entry form available at all full-service WCLS branches June 22-July 3. No entries will be accepted after July 3. One entry per person. Full-service branches are Blaine, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Island, Lynden, North Fork, Point Roberts, South Whatcom, Sumas and the bookmobile. WCLS employees are not eligible to enter this prize drawing. Winners will be notified by phone and/or email beginning July 6. Failure to provide legible and accurate contact information may disqualify an entry. If so, a substitute entry will be selected. One (1) tote bag per branch will be awarded in this drawing. There are no prize substitutions. Tote bags and contents are funded by Summer at the Library sponsors. To request a list of winners, email communityrelations@wcls.org.

ROUND TWO RULES (7/5 - 8/1)

People 18 and older who complete the 2026 Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) Summer Reading program are eligible to enter. Entry forms are available at all full-service WCLS branches, July 5-Aug. 1, 2026. No entries will be accepted after Aug. 1. One entry per person. Full-service branches are Blaine, Deming, Everson, Ferndale, Island, Lynden, North Fork, Point Roberts, South Whatcom, Sumas and the bookmobile. WCLS employees are not eligible to enter this prize drawing. Winners will be notified by phone and/or email beginning Aug. 2. Failure to provide legible and accurate contact information may disqualify an entry. If so, a substitute entry will be selected. A total of 16 tote bags per branch will be awarded. One of the 16 awarded at each branch will include additional prizes. There are no prize substitutions. Tote bags and contents are funded by Summer at the Library sponsors. To request a list of winners, email communityrelations@wcls.org.

Summer Reading banner with cartoon books

MEETING NEIGHBORS ~ Gather with friends, family and neighbors at free library events

enjoy summer concerts with local bands
bring the whole family for movie nights
attend author events
get creative at hands-on arts-and-crafts classes
wiggle and jump at dance parties for young people

DISCOVERING WHATCOM COUNTY ~ Explore your own backyard with help from the library

borrow local history books, trail guides
check out a Discover Pass for state parks.
visit each of our branches and bookmobile stops
play The Library Game and
become a Library Legend.

MANY THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Whatcom County Library Foundation

Peoples Bank

Whatcom Together

woman holding book by Sue Aiken — Claire is enjoying book club discussions and meeting authors.

Man holding library game cards — Dan is playing the Library Game and visiting all the WCLS branches.

woman on hiking trail with Discover WA backpack and binoculars — Tammy is exploring local trails and state parks