There’s still time to participate in the Bluffton Public Librtary 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.

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

Sports-Related Family Movie Showings will continue Fridays in July on the 15, and 22 at 1 p.m. Lower level of the library. Everyone is welcome and all movies are rated PG.

The Armstrong Air & Space Museum will visit the library Tuesday, July 19, at 10:30 a.m. Children will learn how astronauts train for missions and maintain their health during months in space, and participate in activities designed to optimize hand-eye coordination and overall mission readiness in Astronaut Fitness. This program is for grades K-5, and requires registration.

Children grades K-5 will be excited for a second learning programs with The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium. The next program is Wednesday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m. and it titled Animal Classification. This program requires 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.

Local grower Daisy Sutkay presents Intro to Veggie Fermentation on Thursday, July 21, at 6 p.m. Registration is required, and participants meet on the lower level of the library.

Farmer’s Market Storytime takes place Saturday, July 23, at 10 a.m. No registration required.

Tweens, teens, and adults are welcome at an Alter-Ego Comics’ Pizza Party on Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m. Please register for this program and specify any allergies or food sensitivities when registering.

Adults are invited on Monday, July 18, at 6 p.m. for a session called Green Grieving with Kathy Burrus of Green Hope Coaching. Learn how to embrace your whole story and respond with hope in the middle of the hard places to move forward in life. To do that we often have to grieve green- to not just acknowledge our loss, but to lean into that pain to notice the beauty and the lessons found there. Register by July 14.

On Tuesday, July 19, at 6 p.m., the owners of Bluffton's CG Pro Bikes will visit and provide bicycles connected to special software for a fun activity.  Bring a friend along to see which of you will outrace the other, and measure your heart rates to see how your bodies react to exercise on a bike. This Let’s Get Rolling: Racing Bikes and Heart Rates Using Software  program is open to all ages, and promotes the library's "Healthy Together" Summer 2016 mission. No registration is required.

This year’s Kids Nerf Challenge is Wednesday, July 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Join for target practice, snacks, obstacle building, and a special Super Nerf challenge. This program is for grades 3-5 only and all participants must provide their own Nerf equipment. Nerf darts should be initialed/named. Then, teens and tweens grades 6-12 can plan on Thursday, July 21, at 2 p.m. for Teens Nerf Challenge. Both activities take place on the library’s lower level.

Bring the kids and have fun with our interactive Kids Obstacle Course on Wednesday, July 27, at 1 p.m. No registration is necessary for this program, but make sure your children are wearing comfy shoes.

Those who participate in our Summer Reading Challenge are invited to our Summer Program Finale @ the Shannon Theatre on July 28! July 26th is the last day to turn in your reading entries and pick up your ticket to the show. Check back soon for more details-- you won’t want to miss this!

The library’s regular, ongoing programs and services continue this summer:

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Writer’s Group meets Thursday, July 14, at 6 p.m. with a special guest to discuss world building. Registration is required for this group. Email [email protected] for more information.

Dulcimers @ the Library continues on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., and Jammin’ @ the Library continues on Mondays, July 11 and 25, at 5:30 p.m. Come to any meeting to join or listen.

Paws 2 Read continues every other Saturday (July 9 and 30) 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.

Playgroup, a program for infants, babies, and toddlers, is Friday mornings on July 15, 22 and 29, 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 takes place Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 10  a.m. Registration is required for this Storytime series, but Farmer’s Market session on July 23 does not require registration.

The Gluten Free/Food Allergy Support Group meet in the library’s lower level on Monday, July 25, at 6 p.m.