Whatcom County Library System’s summer calendar (June-August) is loaded with free events for families, teens, kids and kids at heart. Headline events include the library system’s popular Summer Reading program and Whatcom Grooves, a series of summer concerts. See the full list of Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) summer programs, register for events and confirm details at wcls.org/events. Registration is required for some programs.
Systemwide Events
Get READy with Whatcom County Library System's Summer Reading program
Whatcom County Library System’s annual Summer Reading program for kids, teens and adults begins June 1. The county library system is partnering with Whatcom County Library Foundation and Peoples Bank to present the popular summer tradition. Starting June 1, readers can pick up a Summer Reading card at WCLS branches and bookmobile stops, or download a card at the library system’s website, wcls.org/summer-reading.
Summer Reading 2025 features six reading categories, each with different activities, to help participants get READy to have their best summer. The categories are Get Set (series books); Get Inspired (cooking, crafting, DIY); Get Moving (travel, poetry, adventure); Get Lost (Sci-Fi, fantasy, romance); Get Real (nonfiction, memoir, historical); and Get Cracking (humor, mystery, suspense). Activities include the obvious: read a book in the category. But participants can also tell a joke, write a letter, play a game, and other unexpected tasks to complete the categories. When they reach four activities in a particular category, they will receive a completion sticker for their Summer Reading card. The challenge is to complete all six categories by summer's end.
Summer Reading kickoff parties are Monday, June 23-Saturday, June 28 at WCLS locations and bookmobile stops. See dates, times and locations at wcls.org/summer-reading or at the library system’s online events calendar, wcls.org/events. At the parties, library staff will host craft activities, share details about the library system's extensive summer programs and offer book recommendations. Kids and teens can also select a free Summer Reading book to keep. The giveaway books are funded by Whatcom County Library Foundation and Peoples Bank.
WCLS Summer Reading cards are available in English, Punjabi, Russian and Spanish. Summer Reading will culminate with a 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 Celebration Party at all 10 WCLS locations. WCLS’s Summer Reading program ends Aug. 31.
Visit this link for a full list of events and activities.
About the Whatcom County Library System
Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) connects people with information, ideas and community. WCLS circulates more than 2 million items annually through 10 branches, the bookmobile and a Library Express location on Northwest Drive. The Birch Bay Vogt Library Express will open in 2026. Residents have access to WCLS’s rich collection of books in print and digital formats, music and movies, online digital services, inspiring events for every age and public meeting spaces. Experience “The Power of Sharing” by visiting in person or online at WCLS.org.
