For updates about library programs and services, please see the library website,www.bellinghamlibrary.org.  

Additional details about library programs are available on the library calendar at https://bit.ly/4eJRLSh

 Holiday Closing

Closed Monday, May 26th (Memorial Day Holiday)

Highlighted Programs

Spring Sugar Cookie Decorating – Wednesday, May 14th from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Getting out of school early?! Come decorate some Spring sugar cookies with us!  Registration required.

Red Cross Blood Drive – Saturday, May 17th from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm.  Register at redcrossblood.org

 Great - Great Grandfather, Tell Me a Story! – Monday, May 19th at 6:30 p.m.

Author Janis Robinson Daly will share how a unique discovery made during genealogy research inspired her to write a historical novel, The Unlocked Path, #1 New Release of US Historical Fiction on Amazon in August 2022, with a sequel, The Path Beneath Her Feet, capturing the same honor in September 2024. Please register. This program is made possible by funding from the Friends of the Bellingham Library.

KMA Student Art Show – Thursday, May 22nd from 6-7:45 p.m. Join us for the Annual KMA Student Art Show.  This is a joint program between the Bellingham Public Library and Keough Memorial Academy.  Refreshments courtesy of the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library.

Popular Music & Veterans – Bellingham Town Common, Saturday, May 24th from 4-5 p.m.

In “Popular Music and Veterans,” Jon and Li Waterman explore some experiences and sacrifices of veterans throughout American history, including World War I, World War II, the Civil War and other conflicts alongside the history of popular music in America. This program is performed by Jon and Li Waterman as a duo.   In case of rain, the concert will be held at the Bellingham Library.  This program is supported by a grant from the Bellingham Cultural Council, a local agency, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Ongoing Children’s Programs

The Baby Bunch – Mondays at 9:30 a.m., for infants 0-18 months and their caregivers.

Ring a Ding – Mondays & Thursdays at 10:15 a.m.

Read to Freedom the Reading Dog – Mondays from 5:30-7 p.m. Check the calendar for details and to sign up for a 15-minute time slot!

Sensory Story Time – Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. For children ages 2-5 of all abilities (younger siblings always welcome).  Please register for each session. 

Lego Builders – May 12th  at 4:30 p.m. (only one session this month!) An open hour to build with Legos - use a design or your imagination! We will save and display your creations for two weeks.  For Grades K to 3 – Drop in, no registration!

Adult/Child Book Clubs –For kids in grades 1-3,  4-6 or 7-10 and an adult in their life who loves to read.  Meets monthly.  Grades 1-3 should contact Melissa Denham, [email protected], grades 4-6 should contact Amanda Maclure, [email protected], and  grades 7-10 should contact Diane Nelson,[email protected] .  

After School Programs 

Registration is mandatory for children in grades 4-6 to attend the ASK program.  Registration takes place each day after school between 2:30 and 4:45 p.m.  Hours vary for both programs on early release days, so please check the library calendar for schedule changes.

• ASK Program hours 2:30-4:45 p.m.

• The Teen Room is open for grades 7-12 from 2-4:45 p.m.

For ASK:  https://www.bellinghamma.org/288/Elementary-Middle-School

For Teen Room:  https://www.bellinghamma.org/354/Programs

Adult Programs

Yoga for the Seasons – Spring into Yoga:  Renew & Energize

Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m.  Check the library calendar for details. 

Book Discussion Group – Generally meets the 1st Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Attend in person or on Zoom.  Contact Cecily Christensen, [email protected], for information. Upcoming titles and dates are:

May 5: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by Victoria Schwab

June 2: This Other Eden by Paul Harding

July 7: The Little Liar by Mitch Albom

A Novel Idea:  A New Book Club for Adults – Tuesday, May 6th from 6:30-8 p.m. Read a book every month and discuss it with others while enjoying light refreshments. This month’s title is Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir. Contact Diane Nelson at [email protected].

English Conversation Groups

Practice speaking English with other adult English language learners in a relaxed, comfortable place, and meet new friends as we learn by talking together.  Drop-in classes offered weekly on the following dates/times. 

Monday, May 5th from 1-1:45 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13th  from 6-6:45 p.m.

Wednesday, May 21st  from 11-11:45 a.m.

Thursday, May 22nd  from 5-5:45 p.m.

Needlecraft Night – Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. All skill levels are welcome, including beginners. Please bring your own materials. No registration.

Writing Group for Adults – Tuesday, May 13th at 6:30 p.m.

Writers, readers, listeners – come join us!  Group is led by local area writers Amy Bartelloni and Marjorie Turner Hollman.  Hear what local writers are working on and share what you are working on.  Reading limit is 9 minutes per reader, with a brief opportunity for positive, personal comments only. To participate contact Marjorie Turner Hollman [email protected].

Library Board of Trustees Meeting –Thursday, May 8th at 7 p.m., Conference Room 

Friends of the Library Meeting – Tuesday, May 13th at 7 p.m. [email protected] for Zoom link.

Bellingham Genealogy Club – no meeting this month, stay tuned for updates on the future of this club!

Virtual Author Talks – to register for these talks, go to:  https://libraryc.org/bellinghamma.  Recordings of these talks will be available on the library website in days following the event.

Wednesday, May 7th at 2 p.m. - How to Use Anxiety to Thrive with Dr. David H. Rosmarin

Wednesday, May 14th at 7 p.m. - On Writing a Brilliant, Dark, and Diabolical Thriller with Author Liann Zhang

Wednesday, May 21st at 2 p.m. - How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us with Author Rachelle Bergstein

New Online Resource!  

The library is now subscribing to Fiero Code, a learn-to-code platform that uses gamification to teach coding skills to people of all ages.  Patrons with a Bellingham Library card can access Fiero Code at:  https://app.fierocode.com/sign-in?club=1450.