Bluffton Public Library invites you to participate in our summer program and reading challenge this year: “Our Library, Our Community: Healthy Together.” This year’s theme has an emphasis on supporting a healthy body, mind, and spirit through library programs, materials, and services for all ages (seniors, adults, teens and tweens, children, and toddlers!) Registration begins at the library on June 6 during our regular hours.

With all of the quality programs we are offering and great prizes and incentives for those who participate in our reading challenge, you won’t want to miss registering for this summer opportunity!

The following are programs for the month of the June. Stop by the library to check out our July programs! Registration for both June and July programs will start on June 6. Registration for individual programs may take place over the phone or in the library (no online registration unless otherwise specified).

To participate in the Summer Reading Challenge, please register in person at the library.

To start the Summer Program on June 4, meet us at the library for a Family Kickoff Town Scavenger Hunt between 9:30am and 12:30am to pick up your instructions! Everyone is encouraged to participate, but wear comfortable shoes for a fun walk around town (or carefully ride your bike!). Parents of little ones-- ask for a Wee Ones list! There will also be outdoor games: Play a game of hopscotch, color our sidewalks, blow some bubbles, or challenge each other to a game of Twister. Return your finished worksheet by June 9 to participate in our June 10 drawing for two Columbus Crew SC tickets (and receive your prize for completing the hunt!) Registration for all summer programs and the Reading Challenge will then begin at the library on June 6th!

Also happening on June 4, join us for the third annual Friends of the Library 5K Walk/Run for Literacy. There’s still time to sign up; however, T-shirts have already been ordered, so your $20 fee will not include a T-shirt. Register at the front desk or online at: https://register.chronotrack.com/reg/form?eventID=19003#.  All 5K proceeds go to library programs and services, and medals will be awarded the day of the event. Runners are to report to registration at 8am on the lower level of the library, and the race begins at 9am at Bluffton High School.

On the day of registration, June 6, at 6pm on the lower level of the library, we will have our first informational program: How to Age Well with Kent Wilson. Wilson is one of only 400 certified “Functional Aging Specialists” (FAS) in the United States and, as of this writing, is the only FAS in NW Ohio. He has been serving as a pastor and an advocate for health as an expression of faith for 25 years. Registration is suggested for this program, and all adults are welcomed to join to learn about “Practical Movement Strategies for the over-50 crowd,” whether it be for yourself or a loved one.

On June 7 at 10:30am, children grades 2-5 are welcome to attend Native American Games with Gary Wetherill. Come play and learn about games of Native American children on the lower level of the library. Registration is required for this event, as space is limited.

On June 9 at 10:30am, Kim Fritsch, certified REFIT instructor will be on the lower level of the library leading Dance Fitness for the whole family. Registration is required for this FREE family fitness program, and it is open to anyone 2nd grade and up. Due to the nature of this program, there is a limit of 30 participants, including any parents attending with their children.

Grades 6 and up are invited to a Teen Gaming (board games and card games) event on June 9 at 2pm. No registration is required and popcorn and beverages are provided. Come unplug & rock out some tabletop games. Feel free to bring your own games, cards, dice, and snacks!

On nearly every Friday of June and July, the library will offer free Sports Related Movie Showings on the lower level of the library. Everyone is welcome and all movies are rated PG. Join us on June 10, 17, and 24 at 1pm.

Parents and other adults raising children aged 0 to 8 years old are invited and encouraged to participate in a 9-week series the library is hosting called the ACT: Raising Safe Kids Workshop. Meetings will take place on the library’s lower level from 10-11:30am on June 11, 18, and 25, July 16, 23, and 30, and August 6, 13, and 20. This workshop was researched and created by American Psychological Association (APA) and is brought to our community by The ACT Great Lakes Regional Center headquartered in Lima’s Partnership for Violence Free Families (PVFF). This workshop is free and open to all adults in our community, but because of the nature of this program, we ask that children do not attend with you. Come learn about your child's behaviors and how to respond appropriately; to prevent your child's difficult behaviors; to use positive ways to discipline your child; and to reduce the impact of media violence on your child's behavior. Registration is required for the entire series, and there is a minimum amount of participants necessary to offer this program. Register by emailing psc@blufftonpubliclibrary.org, visiting our front desk, or calling 419-358-5016. 

On June 11 from 11am to 1pm, step back into 1975 and 1976 when the Cincinnati Reds were the talk of the town and kings of the baseball world for local author Mark Figley’s presentation of his book, Queen City Dynasty: Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine. Come and read not just about the “Great Eight” starters, but about every coach, pitcher and reserve player who contributed to the team’s success. Filled with anecdotes, trivia and statistics galore, the book is an excellent addition to any personal library and is the perfect Father’s Day gift for the man who has everything. Come and reminisce the first Sat. of June on the main floor of the library!

The Armstrong Air & Space Museum will offer exciting programs again this year. On June 13 at 10:30am, participants will learn about the food pyramid and how to make good choices about what they eat, and can even sample freeze-dried foods like astronaut ice cream in a space-themed program called Mission Nutrition. The program is for grades K-5, and each program requires individual registration.

Beth Boehr, of Beyond Budgeting and Love Legacy, will present a free, three-part series of workshops for adults in June. On June 14, join us for Laughing Out Loud to take time to think about funny stories from our past that we have forgotten about and realize that they are part of our legacy and need to be recorded and passed down. On June 21, attend A Life You Love to learn how to document and preserve our memorable life experiences in unique ways. Then on June 28, come to Loving Your Legacy and How to Protect It to examine our styles of preserving our legacies and look at the Love Legacy Ledger to find the topics of interest that we want to preserve. Each of these programs require individual registration and will meet at 6pm at the library. Books will be available for purchase at each of these programs. No purchase required to attend!

Diane Myers and Black Swamp Raptor Rehab Center of Pandora, Ohio will be with us on June 15 at 10:30am on the lower level of the library for Raptor Rehabilitation. Come learn about the large birds we call raptors and what it takes to help rehabilitate these animals and keep them happy and healthy. This program requires registration and the ability to stay relatively calm around large birds who may grace us with their presence! Donations will be taken at the door for the Black Swamp Raptor Rehab Center.

Come play Just Dance with us teens and tweens! We will set up on June 16 at 2pm at the library. No registration is required.

On June 16 at 6pm, join us for Vegan and Gluten Free Snacks for the Family with Beth Kuntz-Wineland. Kuntz-Wineland is a Bluffton University grad and Plant-Based Chef at Seminary Hill Kitchen of the Methodist Theological School of Ohio (MTSO) in Columbus, Ohio. Registration is required for this program offered to all age groups, and please specify any allergies or sensitivities when registering. Sample snacks made completely Vegan and Gluten Free. Walk out with a few new healthy snack recipes up your sleeve!

On June 20 at 5:30pm, local artist Jeanne Beutler will offer a Watercolor Workshop entitled “Calla Lily” on the lower level of the library. Registration is required and there is a $10 fee at the door, cash only. Walk away with your own watercolor piece! The last day to register is June 14.

Children grades K-5 will be excited to attend some learning programs by The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium at our library this summer. Join us for Amazing Adaptations on June 22 at 1pm. This program require registration and will take place on the lower level of the library. Children who attend may just meet some critters who call the zoo their home (if so, please remember to be calm around our guests.)

Teens and tweens: Ever wonder what a life-sized version of table-tennis would look like?  Wonder no more!  Just show up at the library on June 23 at 2pm for Giant Ping Pong (or come at 1pm to help set up!) Tacky sweatbands optional.

Adults, come learn with local grower Daisy Sutkay this summer during her two part-series at the library. She’ll start with Intro to Sprouting on June 23 at 6pm and then end with Intro to Veggie Fermentation on July 21 at 6pm. Registration is required for each of these programs individually, and participants are to meet on the lower level of the library.

All are welcome at the library’s Farmer’s Market Storytime at the Bluffton Farmer’s Market on June 25 at 10am! No registration required.

On June 29 at 10am, children K-5 are invited to Japanese Games with Ayane Hida of The Mazza Museum. Ayane Hida has done two other programs with the library this year, and the library is excited about this children’s event that will incorporate our summer theme. Kids will learn about and participate in some childhood games played by kids in Japan on the lower level of the library. Children are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes, and all children 2nd grade and under must be accompanied by an adult. Register soon because spots are limited.

Families are encouraged to visit the library on June 30 anytime from 10am to 2pm to participate in a Firework Art Activity in our Children’s Area. Art therapy is a wonderful way to be “Healthy Together!”

Teens can finally be like their favorite YouTuber with our library’s version of The Trivia Smoothie Challenge on June 30 at 2pm. Think you’re smarter than a librarian? Well, test your skills (and your taste buds)! Registration is required for this event-- please note any allergies or sensitivities when registering!

Our regular, ongoing library programs and services will also continue this summer:

Our Adult Book Discussion group will discuss The Flight of the Sparrow by Amy Belding Brown on June 1 at 12pm. Registration is required for this group. Email asc@blufftonpubliclibrary.org for more information.

Our Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writer’s Group will continue this summer, meeting on June 2, at 6pm. Registration is required for this group. Email asc@blufftonpubliclibrary.org for more information.

Dulcimers @ the Library continues on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., and Jammin’ @ the Library continues on Monday nights-- June 13 and 27, at 5:30 p.m. Come to any meeting to join or listen.

Paws 2 Read continues into the summer on Saturdays, June 4 and 18 at 10am. Teddy loves hearing stories or just getting a friendly cuddle. This program supports literacy, the humane treatment of animals, and healthy stress relief practices.

Playgroup, a program for infants, babies, and toddlers, will continue Friday mornings on June 10, 17, and 24, all at 10 a.m.  Make a play date and the library will provide the space and toys!  (Registration is not required for these Playgroup sessions.)

Storytime will start back up again on June 6 and 7 and take place on Mondays at 6:30pm and Tuesdays at 10am through June and July (excluding July 4 and 5 due to the holiday). Registration for Storytime begins May 31 and children participating must be ages 3-5. There are seven summer-themed sessions to the Summer Storytime series, and two additional Farmer’s Market sessions on June 25 and July 23.

The Gardeners of the Bluffton/Pandora Area continue to use the library’s lower level as a meeting space on June 7 at 6:30pm.

The Gluten Free/Food Allergy Support Group also continues to utilize the library’s lower level as a meeting space on June 27 at 6pm. Come to any meeting to join.

Please notice: The library will close on July 2 and 4 for the holiday. Have a safe and happy holiday! Due dates will be adjusted accordingly.