Bluffton Public Library announces its May 2016 programs and services

Please notice: the library will close on Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. Due dates are adjusted accordingly. Have a safe and fun holiday!

Dulcimers @ the Library continues on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., and Jammin’ @ the Library continues in May on the 9th and 23rd at 6 p.m. Come to any meeting to join or listen.

Chill Zone continues May 3 and 10 at 3:30 p.m. This is a designated meeting time for community teens and tweens (6th through 12th grade) to have a safe space to talk, snack, play games, watch movies, and make crafts.

The Gardeners of the Bluffton/Pandora Area will utilize the library’s meeting space on May 3 at 6:30 p.m. on the lower level. Come to any meeting to join or listen.

This month’s Noon Book Discussion of Daniel J. Brown’s Boys in the Boat is on May 4. (Registration is required). Not registered yet, but want to be a part of our discussion of Amy Belding Brown’s Flight of the Sparrow in June?  Email asc@blufftonpubliclibrary or register at our front desk or by phone.

YogaFit(c) by BFR continues every Wednesday on the library’s lower level at 6:30pm.  To register and pay the membership fee, contact Bluffton Family Recreation.   

The library’s Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writer’s Group continues May 5 at 6 p.m. If you are working on writing in this genre, or are seriously interested in doing so, you are invited to join this group!  Registration is required and space is limited.  Email [email protected] for more information.

Playgroup, a program for infants, babies, and toddlers, will continue May 6 and 20 at 10 a.m.  Make a play date and the library will provide the space and toys!  (Registration is not required for this month’s Playgroup sessions.)

Paws 2 Read! continues in May on the 7th and 21st, both at 10 a.m. Teddy loves hearing stories or just getting a friendly cuddle. This program supports literacy, the humane treatment of animals, and healthy stress relief practices.

Pick up some books you don’t have to return at the Friends of the Library Book Sale. On the library’s lower level, the Friends organization will hold a sale of a variety of books and other materials to benefit library services, materials, and programs. Your purchase at this sale goes to enriching Bluffton and the surrounding community. The sale begins on May 11 and ends on the 14th.  Times are scheduled as follows: Wed. (5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.), Thurs. (9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.), Fri. (9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Sat. (9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Have a free cup of coffee and a cookie (or two) to enjoy while you browse!

On May 11 and 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. Larson BBQ will be on site at the lower level parking lot of the library during the Friends' Book Sale! Celebrate National Barbecue Month, grab a bite to eat, and then pop over to the library basement to check out the Friends' Book Sale and stock up on book and movie deals!

Mark your calendars for the first two sessions of The Golden Fleece Yarn Group May 12 and 26 at 6 p.m. at your library! What is this new group? It's a place where needle crafters of all techniques and levels can gather to learn new techniques, share wisdom, and be supportive of one another!  This group hopes to develop further to be able to promote community involvement and to do projects for charity. Everyone is welcome!  Email [email protected] or call the library at 419-358-5016 for more information.

Local musician Doug Adams will present “Peace, Love, and the Power of Song” on Monday, May 16 at 6 p.m. on BPL's main floor. Bring a friend and attend this FREE musical event!

Local artist & author, Janette Reineke, returns on Thursday May 19 at 6 p.m. for a session on Creating Pinchpots. This program is open to adults only (18+).  Learn more about pinchpots and make your own artwork piece. Registration is required by May 12, and a $10 supply fee will be due upon registration (cash only please, nonrefundable after May 13). An optional second session will be held on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m. where participants will paint their creations. A $5 supply fee will be collected at the session.

The Gluten Free and  Food Allergy Support Group will meet on the library’s lower level on May 23 at 6 p.m.  Come to any meeting to join or listen.

Join the library for a End-Of-School event on May 27th at 3 p.m. as we screen Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13). Permission forms are required for patrons under 18 (available at front desk and youth services desk) and children under the age of 8 will need to have a guardian (14+) with them. This event is open to families and no registration is required.      

Throughout the month of May, the library will display library materials and local resources for Mental Health Awareness Month in conjunction with The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, & Hardin County. In addition, the library wishes to thank The Campus Health Center of Bluffton University with assistance in choosing book titles for a book display and for their Ideas for Stress Relief display in our community display case in April. The library also encourages its community to take charge of their mental health and to live #stigmafree for those around them as outlined by The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). For more information on living #stigmafree, and to take the pledge, visit www.nami.org/stigmafree or visit the library.

The library also encourages its community to come view a Community Display of Arrowheads from local author Lloyd Harnishfeger.​