June 2015 is a SUPER month for Bluffton Public Library!  This month marks the start of Summer Read Program, which is titled “Every Hero Has a Story.”  BPL has designated themes for each week of this year’s program in order to support and advocate for its community.  June’s themes are as follows:
● June 7-13: “Community Heroes” Week
● June 14-20: “Be a Hero” Week
● June 21-27: “Be a Green Hero” Week

The Summer Read Kick-off Event is June 6th from 10am to 1pm in the parking lot across from the Bluffton Pirates Football Stadium.  Join us for a day of free games and interactive fun for the whole family!  Celebrate heroes in your community and learn how you can be a hero yourself!  Then, on Monday, June 8th Summer Read Registration begins, which opens up possibilities for a variety of prizes for all ages!

Also on Saturday, June 6th, the Friends of the Library 5k Run/Walk for Literacy will take place.  Registration begins at 8am on the lower level of the library and the race begins at 9am-- beginning and finishing at Bluffton High School.  Registration is $20 and you can register online prior to the race.  The Friends of the Library is a volunteer, non-profit organization that supports Bluffton Public Library in enhancing its community programs and services.

Starting June 8th, BPL will feature an interactive “Nominate a Local Hero” display.  Come in to the library to nominate someone in our community as your hero.  Your hero and your story about him or her may be featured on our website and social media!  All ages are encouraged to participate.

Storytime begins again for the summer and things get interesting with the incorporation of a Storytime Picnic (June 16th at 2:30pm) and Storytime at the Bluffton Farmer’s Market (June 27 at 9am)!  Please remember that registration is required for Storytime due to a limited amount of spaces available.

The Red Cross Pillow Case Project for 3rd-5th grade is June 10th at 10am.

On June 11th at 6pm BPL will have an “Ask a Veteran” Panel featuring the Bluffton American Legion and other local veterans.  To participate in this event, first submit your questions and register for the panel on our website or at the front desk before the panel.  Then, attend the panel to see if your question is answered by someone with firsthand experience!  This event is a part of BPL’s “Community Heroes” week.

Super Senses on June 12th & 26th at 10:00am.  Children (and adults) learn best and retain the most information when they engage their senses! Exposing children to sensory play helps them develop and refine the use of their senses. Sensory play can be divided into five classifications that correspond to the senses: touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. Toddlers ages 1-3 are invited to explore their senses through fun activities at Bluffton Public Library. All children must be accompanied by an adult who will also participate. Please register for this program online or at the library.

If you’re in 6th grade or up, stop in on Friday, June 12th at 12:30 for Post-it Hero Art and help us decorate the community room with giant sticky note masterpieces of beloved superheroes!

On June 15th at 6pm, BPL welcomes tween and teen girls and women for a lesson in self defense!  Gennifer Akroyd of Damsel in Defense presents “Be Your OWN Hero: Learning Self-Awareness and Self-Defense” as a part of “Be a Hero Week.”  Meet us on the lower level of the library.  Registration for this program is requested, and you may do so by calling or stopping by the library.

Summer Survival Kit at 10:30am on June 18th - make your own summer survival kit, filled with essentials for life’s little emergencies.  Perfect for your vehicle, camping, a day at the park, and more!  Due to space & supplies, registration is required and is limited to 10 teens or adults.

The Armstrong Air & Space Museum is back on June 18th at 10:30am with a program about Super Astronauts - space, heroes, and more!  This program is for kindergarten-5th grade students and requires registration.

Join Marc from Alter Ego Comics (of Lima) on June 19th from 12-1pm for free pizza & to find out his top ten superheroes of all time!  This event is open to 6th-12th grade students and registration is required (We don’t want to run out of pizza!)

Register today for BPL’s Tea Talk on Good Life Lab happening June 23rd at 2pm.  Sip, listen, and discuss and then join in doing a practical application activity that you can take home with you.  Only ten spots are open due to limited supplies, so register today!

Interested in some DIY?  We’re making recycled jewelry on June 23rd at 2pm - 1-5th grade students can drop by to create some wearable art and learn about being a “green hero”!

Ninja School is back in session on Wednesday, June 24th at 10am.  If you’re in 1st-5th grade, register soon so you too can train in the ways of a ninja, make ninjabread, master the laser maze & more.

“Bees 101” is a family event at the library with Honey Run Apiaries of Delphos.  Come learn and ask questions about these honey-producing, pollinating insects in our community on June 25th at 6:30pm.  This event is a part of BPL’s “Be a Green Hero” week. Please register for this program at the front desk.

Dress Like a Superhero Day - stop by all day on June 26th to show off your superhero costume. The Recycled Material Costume Contest (with surprise guest judges) starts at 2pm.

On Tuesdays in June from 1:30-3, join the Dulcimers at the Library in the Richland Room in the lower level of the library. This group is open to the public and welcomes beginners. 

The Adult Book Discussion is held on the first Wednesday of the month (May 6th) at 12pm.  The group will discuss Melanie Benjamin’s The Aviator’s Wife.  Next month’s book is Moloka'i by Alan Brennert.  Limited space and copies are available, so advance registration is requested.

YogaFit(c), a yoga-based exercise class, is offered at Bluffton Public Library on Wednesdays at 6:30pm by BFR Sports & Fitness.  Please contact BFR for more information and to register.

On Mondays, June 8th and 22nd from 6 to 7:30 pm join us for Jammin' at the Library-- an informal time for acoustic musicians to come together "Song Circle" style and share their love of music. This program takes place on the main floor of the library or on the library’s front porch (near the main entrance) if the weather permits; pack your lawn chairs in case!

Paws to Read with Teddy will be on Saturday, June 20th at 10am.  Stop by the library to read a book to a certified therapy dog.  They love hearing stories or just getting a friendly cuddle from children, teens, college students, or whoever.  This program supports literacy, the humane treatment of animals, and healthy stress relief practices.

The Gluten & Food Allergy Support Group continues to use the library as its meeting place.  In June, their meeting is on the 22nd at 6pm.  Come to any meeting to join this group.