Library's short month is long on programming

February is a short month, but long on activities at the Bluffton Public Library. Here's a summary of events taking place for the remainder of the month.

Join us for a ​Free Repair Clinic​ on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. led by T​ransition Bluffton.​ Everyone is welcome. Bring in your small household appliances, electronics, clothes, bikes, etc., and skilled volunteers with Transition Bluffton will assist you with troubleshooting, fixing, or mending items, if able.

No registration is necessary, and the clinic will take place in the library's lower level meeting room. Participants may come any time during the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. window. Help reduce landfill waste by attending this Repair Clinic.

What is the Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program?  Niki Holland, Support Specialist for the ​Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP), leads this discussion on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 6-7 p.m.

Learn about this service (CHIP), what qualifies a client for it, what documents are needed, and what the program covers. Time for questions and to receive resources will follow the presentation, and anyone is welcome. Meet us in the lower level meeting room. Registration is suggested to help us prepare accordingly.

Children in grades K-5 are invited to ​"Read a Story & Do Origami!"​ featuring Mai Hirashita, Japanese Outreach Coordinator for Bowling Green State University. The program is on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m., and registration is requested because supplies are limited. Children will hear a traditional Japanese story and make an origami craft to take home as a memory.

The library is closed on Monday, Feb. 17. Due dates are adjusted accordingly. Have a safe and happy Presidents Day.

The library's ​Community Display ​Case will feature items from the ​Bluffton Senior Center. ​Come check out the display near the library's front desk. The library will also feature displays of library materials available for check out that celebrate ​Library Lovers Month ​and ​Random Acts of Kindness Week​ (Feb. 16-22).

The following regular library programs will continue this month:

The ​Winter Book Challenge ​continues through March. Pick up a Winter Reading Bookmark, or download and print it from our website. Then complete 5+ challenges during the months of January through March to receive a prize. You may also enter a drawing to win a larger prize.

Hot Tea Tuesdays​ continues on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Grab a cuppa on us.

Playgroup ​is every Friday at 10 a.m. Make a play-date and the library will provide the space and toys. No registration is necessary, but all children must be with a parent or child care provider who will remain with them throughout the hour.

Winter Storytime​ continues on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. or Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Storytime is for preschool children ages 3-5, and registration is required. Join us for a time of stories, games, crafts, and fun while developing early literacy skills. 

Please specify if your child has any food allergies when registering, as snacks are often provided. Please notice: There will be no Storytime on Monday, Feb. 17 due to the closing, and licensed therapy dogs of Pet Partners will join Storytime on Monday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m.

Chill Zone ​continues on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Chill Zone is a safe space for tweens and teens to hang out at the library. Anyone in grades 6-12 is welcome to join.

Activities include gaming, socializing, themed events, and crafting. Snacks are provided. No registration is necessary.

Babies Love Books Storytime​ is on Thursday, Feb. 13, at 10 a.m. Activities promote early literacy, language, and motor development. Registration is now requested, and all children must be accompanied by a parent or child care provider who will participate in the program with them.

Jammin’ @ the Library​ will take place on Mondays, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. Jammin' is a song-circle style jam session and anyone is welcome to join. Bring your acoustic instrument, voice, or listening ears.

Dulcimers @ the Library​ continues meeting at the library on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Patrons are welcome to listen as our local dulcimer group practices.

Homeschoolers Learning Libratory​ meets Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 1 p.m. Homeschooling families are invited to join us for a fun time of experiments, exploration and creative fun. Registration is required for each session.

Watercolor Workshop​ is on Monday, Feb. 24, at 6 p.m. Jeanne Beutler will teach on the lower level of the library. Walk away with your own watercolor piece of art, complete with mat. There is a $10 supply fee at the door (cash only please). Advance registration is required, is space is limited.

Ohio Northern University students and licensed medical staff of ​ONU’s Healthwise Program ​will visit the library for a ​free Mobile Health Clinic​ on Friday, Feb. 28, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Receive free screenings for blood pressure, osteoporosis, blood sugar, and cholesterol (please fast for 12 hours to participate in cholesterol or blood sugar screening). Participants may discuss their results or concerns, and even receive referrals to area doctors. No registration is necessary.