It maintains four libraries, one in the Civic Center of downtown Bellingham, one in Fairhaven, one in Barkley Village, and one in the Cordata neighborhood, inside Bellis Fair Mall.

Fairhaven Library received funds from the Carnegie Corporation for a permanent building, which was completed in 1905 and is used to this day.

[2] A branch was opened at Barkley Village on September 13, 2008, located underneath a condominium complex in space donated by the private developer.

[6] A fourth branch was opened on April 28, 2023, inside Bellis Fair Mall, as part of a two-year pilot project to establish library services on the north side of Bellingham.

[7] As of 2016[update], Bellingham Public Library circulates 1.5 million items each year and has over 46,000 registered cardholders.

[9] Bellingham Public Library maintains special collections in genealogy and local Northwest Washington history.