News from the Library of Renewed Excitement April/May 2013 - Volume 14, Issue 1
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The Bellingham Public Library knows that you love your library.
Now we want to know why!
We will be gathering photos and comments in the library, online or on Facebook, all day on
Thursday, April 18.
Please stop by to make your love known.
And if you have any great photos of the library, please share them with us using Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook starting Thursday, April 11. Our Instagram/Twitter tag is #bplsnapshot.
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| Communities Matter, Libraries Matter |
Each year thousands of libra  ries celebrate National Library Week, an event sponsored by the American Library Association, during the third week in April. This national celebration was created to highlight the value of libraries and the important, interesting, and fun services they offer in their communities all year long.
This year the Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom County Library System are again participating April 14 through April 20. The theme for 2013 is "Communities Matter @ Your Library". Often called the heart of the community, local libraries are deeply committed to the places where patrons live, work and study.
"Service to the community has always been the focus of the library," said Regan Robinson, public services manager at WCLS. "Our mission is 'connecting information, ideas, and community.' While this has always been the case, our libraries have grown and evolved in how they provide for the needs of every member of their community."
The Bellingham Public Library and the Whatcom County Library System's combined twelve locations and county bookmobile serve the entire county with books in print, audio, and electronic formats, resources for job seekers, computers and free Wi-Fi access, classes and story times that promote early learning for children, language learning and citizenship resources, programs that emphasize reading and community building for all age groups, space for library events and community meetings, outreach services to the homebound and adult care facilities, and knowledgeable staff to help put it all together. Both systems envision engaged communities where curiosity is cultivated, literacy flourishes and democratic ideals thrive.
And those services change in response to the growing needs of our communities. Just this year your libraries have added a county-wide digital magazine service called Zinio, with one hundred popular titles that you can read on your computer or mobile device. But that's not all! Both library systems now offer a digital interactive language learning program called Mango Languages. Mango offers language learning courses in 42 languages and has a convenient mobile app so you can learn at home or on the go.
"Our communities show us every day how much they love their libraries," said Pamela Kiesner, Director of the Bellingham Public Library, "People check out, download, access our websites, come to story times and so much more!"
With all these available services it is easy to see why our libraries are so well used and so well loved.
See you at the library soon!
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| Mango Languages now available to library patrons |
We are happy to announce that Mango Languages, an online language learning program, is now available to Bellingham Public Library cardholders through the generosity of the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library.
Mango Languages includes 42 of the most popular and obscure foreign languages and 15 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses taught in patron's native language.
Designed with today's fast-paced and technology capabilities in mind, the Mango Languages offers a variety of formats and multiple learning levels, making it easy and convenient for users to learn. The program is web-based and accessible, remotely, so patrons can access it from anywhere using their library card number.
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| Spring Programming Highlights |
We have some great programs happening in April and May. Check them out and tell your friends!
Local Author Event: Allen Frost
Saturday, April 20
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Fireplace Room at the Fairhaven Library, 1117 12th Street
Come and listen to local author and librarian Allen Frost read a few stories from his newest book: Wonderful Stupid Man. Copies of the book will be available for purchase after the reading.
World Book Night 
Tuesday, April 23
All Ages
Book givers from the Bellingham Public Library will be giving away free books around town and in the library to spread the joy of reading. Please visit the World Book Night website for more information.
2nd Chapter Book Discussion Group
Wednesday, May 8
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Bellingham Public Library Lecture Room, 210 Central Avenue
We are creating another book discussion group and are looking for feedback from you. Want a day-time meeting? Want to meet somewhere outside of the library? Or read exclusively mysteries? The possibilities are endless!
Librarian Katie Bray will be leading this noon meeting so please bring your lunch and your ideas. For more information, contact Katie at 360-778-7230.
Humanities Washington Speaker Series:
Dr. Doyle and Mr. Holmes: The Cultural Staying Power of Sherlock Holmes
Friday, May 17
12:00 p.m.
Bellingham Public Library Lecture Room, 210 Central Avenue
Tom Keogh leads this community discussion of Sherlock Holmes, the story of his creation by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the latter's subsequent love-hate relationship with the character over decades. Why do we, as a culture, remain so attached to a character invented in 1886? For more information, contact Suzanne Carlson-Prandini at scarlson-prandini@cob.org and 360-778-7236.
For more Spring programming events, check out the Bellingham Public Library website:
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| Holiday Closures |
All locations of the Bellingham Public Library, including our BPL Connections, will be closed
Monday, May 27 in observance of Memorial Day. The Whatcom Community College Library Connection will also be closed Saturday, May 25.
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