Please visit: swlfriends.org
Our mission is to enhance library services through support and advocacy, raising awareness of the library’s value in our community.
LIBRARY PATRON APPRECIATION DAY IS TOMORROW, FRIDAY, JANUARY 10. We hope you will join us at the library! Scroll down to Events for more details.
NOTE TO OUR FRIENDS:
New Year’s greetings to all of you! Your Friends of South Whatcom Library board would like to wish all of you the best for the coming year.
The Friends of South Whatcom Library are currently accepting Membership sign-ups and renewals for the upcoming calendar year; Jan-Dec 2025.
We ask you to renew today, or sign up for the first time, for the Jan-Dec 2025 calendar year and continue being part of Friends of South Whatcom Library, supporting activities and events at your library. Your Friends membership also provides access to benefits such as discounts during FoSWL Member Shopping Day at Village Books and Paper Dreams, and staying in the know from our monthly newsletter concerning special events and library activities.
To renew your membership for the Jan-Dec 2025 calendar year, you can submit your membership form (see attached) and payment at the library desk, or online at: https://swlfriends.org/?page_id=719. Additional donations are always welcome. Thank you for being a member; you are making a difference in your community!
In 2024, the FoSWL supported the following activities: Children’s Creative Kits, Storytime Crafts, Children’s Coloring Bags, Patron Appreciation Day, Library Giving Day, Book Club tea and coffee, Kids’ Self Care Day, Elemental Documentary Screening refreshments, Library Staff Reading Challenge prizes, Find the Lobster popsicles, Summer Reading Kickoff, Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series Concert at Glenhaven, Junior Grooves, Ice Cream Social, Teen Knitting, Daffy Days, additional Wild Fermented Breads program, Coffee/Tea bar, and Dog Treats for our 4-legged friends. We hope you were able to enjoy some of these activities throughout the year.
If you have any questions about Friends of South Whatcom Library or the renewal process, please contact our Board of Directors Membership Chair, Ray Meador, at frndsofswlibrary@gmail.com
Thank you once again for your commitment to Friends of South Whatcom Library and South Whatcom Library.
UPCOMING SOUTH WHATCOM LIBRARY EVENTS
Patron Appreciation Day
Friday, January 10, 2025 from 1:00pm-4:00pm
Join us at the South Whatcom Library for our annual Patron Appreciation Day sweet potluck! Bring a baked treat to contribute or just enjoy the hot cider and goodies outside of the library; we would love to see you.
This Patron Appreciation Day is hosted by the Friends of the South Whatcom Library in recognition of our wonderful community of engaged readers.
——————————————
A Forest of Words 2025: Teen Poetry Publication
January 1 – March 15, 2025
| Teens in grades 6 -12 are invited to submit their original poetry to be considered for publication in A Forest of Words 2025, Whatcom County Library System’s teen poetry book. We encourage creativity and all styles of poetry that are one page or less. All submissions must be written exclusively by the poet; please do not include quotes, song lyrics, or AI-assisted writing.Poetry is accepted from January 1 through March 15 and can be submitted online at wcls.org/a-forest-of-words or dropped off at any public library. Poetry will be considered based on originality, creativity and craft. In addition to being published, accepted poets receive a copy of the book to keep and are invited to a poetry reading and celebration at the Ferndale Library in May. For more information about A Forest of Words and to see past editions, go to the “Get Published” section of our teen page at wcls.org/teen |
——————————————
South Whatcom Social Hour
Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 10:30am-12:00pm
Come to the library on the 3rd Thursday of each month to connect with others in the community. Join us for some informal conversations and enjoy some coffee or tea. Would you like to chat and do an activity at the same time? We will have a few games out for use during this drop-in social time.
——————————————
Friends of the South Whatcom Library Board Meeting
Monday, January 20, 2025 from 6:30pm-8:00pm
South Whatcom Library
The Friends plan activities that support the library, and South Whatcom has a fantastic group of Friends! Guests are always welcome.
The Board meets monthly on the third Monday in the South Whatcom Library meeting room (10 Barn View Court). Please note that the library is closed on Mondays and the meeting space only will be available. For more information please email frndsofswlibrary@gmail.com or visit swlfriends.org.
——————————————
South Whatcom Teen Corps: Let’s Make Valentines! (Teens, In-Person) Registration Required
Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 1:45-3:00pm
We need teens with a community spirit to help out with our Let’s Make Valentines program for kids. You’ll help pass out supplies and assist kids in all the making and the doing. Teens in grades 6-12 can register at https://wcls.libcal.com/event/13488114
——————————————
South Whatcom: Let’s Make Valentines! (Kids, In-Person)
Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 2:00-3:00pm
Come to the library to make Valentine cards for all the loved ones in your life. We’ll have all the supplies you need, you bring your creative spirit and open heart!
——————————————
Whatcom READS presents: Buoy Painting Workshop (Adults, In-Person) Registration Required
Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 11:00am-12:30pm
In the 2025 Whatcom READS selection No Two Persons, water is present throughout the novel in a variety of ways. Whatcom County Library System has teamed up with the folks at Bellingham SeaFeast for a program that celebrates our connection to the water. Each attendee of this workshop will be given a small buoy and as we decorate the buoys, we’ll engage in a fluid discussion of the book, No Two Persons.
The buoys will then be collected and incorporated in a large art installation that will be displayed at the 2025 SeaFeast celebration!
Registration is required as space is limited. Link: https://wcls.libcal.com/event/13514199
——————————————
RECURRING MONTHLY EVENTS:
Valley Book Club (Adults, In-Person)
The first Friday of the month from 2:00-3:00pm
Next meeting: Friday, February 7, 2025
Join us at the South Whatcom Library on the first Friday of each month to share your current read and hear about great new titles from others. This is a “choose your own” style book club where members will introduce others to their next favorite! Registration is required as space is limited: https://wcls.libcal.com/event/12472069
Looking for inspiration? Each month you can participate in our optional reading challenge; find and read a title related to the theme. February’s reading challenge is “Technology or AI”.
——————————————
Crafting Community (Adults, In-Person)
The first Wednesday of the month from 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Next meeting: Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025
Drop in to the South Whatcom Library with your favorite arts and crafts and spend some time creating alongside other crafters. Stitch, hook, paint, draw, all while connecting with others.
——————————————
WCLS “What We’re Reading” Book Club (Online, Registration Required):
The first Wednesday of the month from 7:00-8:00pm
Next meeting: Wednesday, February 5
If you love to talk about what you’re reading, here’s a club just for you! What We’re Reading Book Club is for folks who love to share books they’ve enjoyed and hear about great new titles from others. We meet online via Zoom on the first Wednesday of the month to share our titles and listen to others’ recommendations. Led by South Whatcom Library branch manager Liz Andre.
Registration is required to receive the link to the Zoom meeting. Participants will receive the list of titles shared via email. Please register at: https://wcls.libcal.com/event/13168049
This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
——————————————
LEGO Club (Kids, In-Person)
Tuesdays from 4:00pm – 5:30pm
Design, build, & share at this drop-in program for ages 4 and up. We provide the LEGO® bricks; you bring the creativity. What will you create?
——————————————
South Whatcom Playdate (Early Years, Families, In-Person)
Wednesdays from 10:30am – 11:00am
Come to the library and have fun during this informal playtime. While we take a break from Storytime, get together with other families and enjoy our toys, books, and occasional craft activities on Wednesday mornings.
——————————————
South Whatcom Storytime (Early Years, Families, In-Person)
Wednesdays from 10:30am-11:00am
For ages 2-6, 30 minutes. An open program that includes stories, rhymes, and songs with opportunities for movement and interactive participation. Storytime resumes on Wednesday, January 22nd.