Kids who hit Summer Reading milestones at the Bellingham Public Library this summer may find a glow-in-the-dark perk waiting for them: a free coupon to play mini golf at Mammoth Mini Golf inside Bellis Fair Mall. The library announced the partnership with the local business as part of its Summer Reading Prize Program for participants ages 5 to 18.
The Bellingham Public Library Summer Reading Program runs from June 1 through August 31, 2026, and is open to readers of all ages at all BPL locations. Participants pick up Summer Reading Activity Cards at any branch and complete reading challenges at their own pace. The program includes separate tracks for early learners, kids, teens, and adults, so the whole family can participate.
Mammoth Mini Golf, located inside Bellis Fair Mall, features a glow-in-the-dark indoor course that's become a popular year-round destination for families in Whatcom County. Owners David and Chelsey Prince are Bellingham residents themselves and chose to partner with the library specifically because of their belief in the value of reading and literacy. "As parents ourselves, we feel that the skills of reading and writing are still very important to help with life lessons and developing imagination and improving communication," the Princes said in a statement shared by the library.
The Summer Reading Prize Partnership model connects local businesses with library participants as a way to motivate young readers while keeping the economic benefits within the community. Mammoth Mini Golf joins a group of local businesses providing prizes and coupons that children can earn by reaching reading milestones throughout the summer. The library hasn't specified exactly how many books must be read or what activity card milestones must be completed to receive the Mammoth Mini Golf coupon, so families should ask at any BPL branch for current details.
The Bellingham Public Library operates four locations across the city: the Main Library downtown, the Barkley branch, the Fairhaven branch, and the Birchwood branch. Activity cards for Summer Reading 2026 are available at all four locations, and participants can also download printable versions from the library's website. There is no registration fee and no minimum commitment required to participate.
For families who want to expand their summer reading options, the Whatcom County Library System is running its own parallel Summer Reading program at branch locations in Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine, and other communities across the county. Both programs run through late August and are free to participate in.
The timing aligns well with the summer school break, giving families a structured reason to visit the library regularly through August. Research consistently shows that summer reading programs help prevent the "summer slide," the tendency for children to lose reading proficiency during the break from school. Bellingham's program has participated in this effort for decades, with the prize partnerships adding a tangible reward element that keeps kids engaged through the longer stretches of summer.
To get started, stop by any Bellingham Public Library location and pick up a Summer Reading Activity Card. The program runs through August 31, and all prizes, including the Mammoth Mini Golf coupons, are available while supplies last.
