Bellingham Dpw Water Sewer Div.

THE LIBRARY COLLECTION

The library collection has remained relatively stable in size. We continuously add fresh materials while "weeding" items that are outdated, damaged, or no longer in demand. Our monthly additions exceed 480 items to enhance the collection's quality and relevance.

This year, we expanded our innovative "Library of Things" - a collection of non-traditional borrowable items. Previously successful offerings included Wi-Fi hotspots, telescopes, binoculars, ukuleles, and board games. We constantly explore new ways to provide services and equipment that educate, entertain, inform, and help our patrons save money.

Our 2018 "Library of Things" expansion now includes Roku devices, Bluetooth speakers, virtual reality glasses, vinyl-to-MP3 converters, GoPro cameras, bicycle repair kits, sewing machines, and laminators. We've also added numerous STEM kits for home use, featuring microscopes, robotics, Snap Circuits, and more. For community gatherings, we now offer karaoke machines, bubble machines, and croquet sets!

PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

Special family events in 2018 included Dr. Seuss's Birthday Party, Giant Candyland, Superhero Celebrations, Bubblemania, Star Wars Party, Stuffed Animal Vet Visits and Sleepovers, Family Debate, Egg Drop Challenge, Halloween Party, Winter Extravaganza, New Year's Eve Party, Book Dominoes, and Winter Laser Adventure. These 68 programs attracted 2,415 participants.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Our elementary programs featured Snow Crafts, Magic School Bus, Solar Cars, Mother's and Father's Day Projects, Krafty Kids, Ravenous Readers, Crazy 8s Club, and Odd Bingo. The 95 elementary-focused programs drew 921 children.

FAMILY PROGRAMS

We maintained our regular preschool offerings including Ring a Tale, Alphabits, Book Babies Playgroup, Babygarten, Potpourri Stories, and Picnic Stories. Additional special programs for young children included Bubble Bash, STEM Storytime with the YMCA, and Holiday Sing-a-Long with the Bellingham Community Concert Chorus.

In late 2016, we launched ASK (After School Kids), targeting 4th-7th graders visiting the library after school. Operating Monday through Wednesday from 2:30-4:45 pm in the Children's Program Room, this highly successful program will expand to four days (Monday-Thursday) in 2019. Led by Library Assistant Diane Nelson, students receive dedicated staff attention that keeps them engaged. The space features 5 Chromebooks, a WiiU Gaming Station, DVD player, and ample games and craft supplies. Daily attendance averaged 16 children in 2018, up from 12 the previous year!

Our 2018 Summer Reading theme, "Libraries Rock!" launched with Jason Tardy's high-energy juggling performance at Bellingham High School Auditorium, drawing over 300 attendees! Additional summer programs included Play the Ukulele with Jules, Rocket Workshop with Ed the Wizard, Doc McStuffins Visit, Passion for Birds, Princess Sing-a-Long, Jungle Reptiles, and Malik the Magic Guy. More than 300 children participated by reading books, attending programs, and tracking their summer reading progress. We continue providing copies of required school summer reading books to support student assignments.

Through our Financial Literacy for Everyone Grant, we brought "Camp Millionaire" to Bellingham - an interactive financial education program for ages 10 and up. This program, "The Money Game," teaches children and adults how to make, manage, multiply and share money wisely, covering saving, budgeting, and investing topics.

Our Youth Services Department extends beyond the library walls. In 2018, our community outreach included participating as Secret Readers at both Stall Stream and South Schools, launching the Read-a-thon at Stall Stream, promoting the library's Cartwheel Book Awards at BMS, visiting both Stall Stream and South to promote Summer Reading, and hosting field trips for Stall Brook Preschool classes.

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