Families with school-age children still have time to participate in the Bellingham Public Library's Summer Reading program before it closes at the end of August. Children in kindergarten through 12th grade can turn in their first activity card at any Bellingham Public Library location and receive a "mystery coupon" from a participating local business, giving kids an extra reason to keep reading through the final days of summer break.
The program has drawn strong support from Whatcom County businesses this year, with prize partners stepping up to reward young readers with discounts and treats at neighborhood shops. Two standout sponsors this summer are It's the Sweet Things in Fairhaven and Next Chapter Cafe, which is located on the top floor of Village Books, also in Fairhaven.
Local Businesses Back the Program
Jennifer Worthley, owner of It's the Sweet Things and co-owner of Next Chapter Cafe, shared why she keeps signing on as a prize partner. "I was such a bookworm as a kid, and I believe that it is so important, now more than ever with the prominence of screens in our society at such a young age, that our future generations continue to read and have an imagination," Worthley said. "I believe your summer reading goal program supports that very thing and I will always want to continue to do anything we can to make it fun for the kids."
A newer addition to the prize partner roster this year is Chocolate Necessities, a downtown Bellingham chocolate shop located just a few blocks from the Central Library on Magnolia Street. The proximity makes it a natural fit. Rose Vogel of Chocolate Necessities described why the partnership matters to her: "Reading allows us to explore the unknown, discover new ideas, and learn about the world around us. It is a privilege worth supporting because it helps children grow, dream, and develop into thoughtful contributors to society."
Vogel added that watching children become excited about what they read is one of the more inspiring things she sees in her work. "Supporting this program means investing in their future and helping them become the best versions of themselves," she said.
How to Participate Before the Deadline
The Summer Reading program runs through August 31, 2026. If your child has not yet turned in an activity card, there is still time. Any of the three Bellingham Public Library locations can accept completed cards: the Central Library on Magnolia Street in downtown Bellingham, the Barkley Branch, or the Fairhaven Branch. Upon turning in the first activity card, children receive the mystery coupon redeemable at one of the prize partner businesses.
The program is open to children in kindergarten through 12th grade, covering a wide age range that includes both early readers working through picture books and high schoolers tackling novels. The activity card format is flexible enough to count a variety of reading activities, not just sitting down with a chapter book. Parents can pick up a card at any branch if they do not already have one.
For families with younger children just getting ready for the new school year, finishing out the Summer Reading program is a nice way to keep the reading habit going as fall approaches. Bellingham Public Schools and other Whatcom County districts return to class in early September, making the final days of August a good time to squeeze in a few more books before homework season begins.
Why Summer Reading Programs Matter
Research consistently shows that children who read over the summer arrive back at school with stronger skills than peers who do not. Summer learning loss, sometimes called the "summer slide," can erase months of academic progress, particularly in reading. Library-based summer reading programs counter that slide by keeping kids engaged with books in a low-pressure, reward-based format.
The Bellingham Public Library's program stands out for its community partnership model, which enlists local businesses as sponsors rather than relying entirely on library budgets. That approach connects families to neighborhood shops they might not have visited before and keeps the economic benefits within Whatcom County. Businesses like Chocolate Necessities, It's the Sweet Things, and Next Chapter Cafe gain new customers while supporting something most residents broadly agree on: kids should read more.
The deadline is August 31. Head to any Bellingham Public Library location, turn in a completed activity card, and pick up a mystery coupon before summer officially wraps up. More information is available at bellinghampubliclibrary.org.
