There are no excuses not to read this summer. Take it from the Bluffton Public Library. Here's what the library has in store for patrons this summer:

To kick off the 2018 “Libraries Rock” Summer Program, the Library Fun Day begins at noon on Monday, June 4, with an Indoor Picnic (Bring your own brown bag lunch).

At 12:30 p.m. in the back parking lot, there will be Touch-a-Truck (and llamas), featuring a variety of local vehicles to explore and view (and some llamas to pet)  Bluffton Fire and Police Departments, Hard Rock Llama Co., and many others provide the fun for our Touch-a-Truck hour.

Wild Steelions youth steel drum band will perform outside at 1 p.m. Patrons are also encouraged to participate in activities on the main floor and register for the many Summer events and the Summer Reading Challenge.

At 6 p.m., is Jammin' @ the Library song circle, and at 6:30 p.m., Findlay's Heartstring Melodies will lead Music Moves Us, a fun musical therapy session geared towards toddlers, preschoolers, K-1 and their families. No registration is required for any of our kick-off festivities.

Playgroup sessions continue at 10 a.m. on Fridays. Make a playdate and the library will provide the space and toys.

Children going into grades K-5 are encouraged to attend the many free Make and Take craft sessions during the Summer Program. Registration is required for each session to insure enough materials for everyone. All sessions are Tuesdays at 1 p.m.

• Suncatchers Make and Take, June 5
• Mosaic Workshop (for grades K-2), June 12 
• Mosaic Workshop (for grades 3-5), June 19
• Recycled Instruments Make & Take, June 26
• Pet Rock Make & Take, July 10
• Color Your Own Pencil Case Make & Take, July 17
• Sock Puppet Karaoke, July 24
Email [email protected] for more information.

Dulcimers @ the Library continues on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. Jammin’ at the Library continues at 6 p.m. on June 4, June 18, July 2, July 16 and July 30. This is a song-circle style jam session to which anyone is welcome to join. Bring your instrument, voice, or listening ears. For more information, email [email protected].

In honor of the “Libraries Rock” theme, there will be plenty of music going on in the library for the Tiny Concert Series.

During this series:
• Eric Shellenbarger will sing '60s and '70s Folk/Rock, June 5, 6 p.m.
• Jonathan Burkey will be on acoustic guitar, June 11, 11:30 a.m.
• Wendy Chappell-Dick will lead an “80s Music Sing-Along,"June 19, 6 p.m. 
• Phil and Krysti Schey will do a “Children’s Sing-Along," June 22
  and July 27, 11 a.m.
• Charlie Saylor will lead a “Campfire” Sing-Along, and S’mores
  (while supplies last) will be on the menu, June 26, 6 p.m.
• Brent Larson will play acoustic rock, July 13, 11 a.m.
No registration is necessary.

Toledo Zoo Festival and Touch Tank from 10-11 am on June 6. Come and meet friends from Toledo Zoo.The Festival feature live animals from the Zoo and a table display of preserved animal pieces. No registration necessary. All ages welcome!

The library has a 3D Printer available for patron use in June, starting June 6. There is a suggested donation of 50 cents per hour of requested print to help cover the cost of the filament.

Community members are welcome to bring a flash drive with a preformatted file to print or choose from the selection of items available on the printer. For questions or more information, call or email [email protected].

The library’s Adult Book Discussion group will meet on Wednesday, June 6, at noon to discuss "The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat," by Edward Kelsey Moore. This monthly discussion group is open to new members, and registration is requested. Copies of each month’s book are available for checkout the month prior to each discussion, and you may register when you check out.  

Need more time?  Borrow a copy of July’s book "The Alice Network," by Kate Quinn (there will be an Author Skype Visit) and join the meeting on July 11. Call us or email [email protected] for more information.

Here are summer events for teens and tweens
• Cards & Cake is June 7 at 1 p.m.  Play Exploding Kittens, Dutch Blitz, Monopoly Deal and enjoy some cupcakes. Registration is required.
• Musical Note Sudoku is June 8.
• Musical Movie Marathon is June 14 from 5 to 10 p.m. Enjoy five hours of musicals and pizza. Bring a sleeping bag and lounge about. All participants must register and return a guardian consent form.
• Just Dance is June 21 at 2 p.m. Registration required.
• Tweens and teens are invited to Art Space on June 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Use the Youth Room as an Art Studio to be creative. We'll provide the materials. Lip Sync Battles is on July 19 at 2 p.m. Registration required.
• Register for the Unicorn Tea Party on July 26 at 1 p.m.

The SciFi/Fantasy Writer’s Group will meet June 7 and July 19 at 6 p.m. Please register in advance. For more information or to register/be put on the group’s email list, email [email protected].

STEAM Fridays is an ongoing program during the Summer Program for grades K-5 and their families. Check out projects and challenges going on during library hours on our main floor.

The schedule follows:
• June 8 Musical Note Art
• June 15 Name the Instruments
• June 22 Senses in Nature Scavenger Hunt
• June 29 Design a Shoe You Would Rock
• July 13 Sound Matching
• July 20 Coloring Activity
• July 27 Sound Sandwich
• There is no STEAM Friday on July 6 due to Summer Programming break week.

Storytime begins June 11 and continues on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. or Tuesdays at 10 a.m until July 24. Call 419-358-5016 or stop by our front desk to register your child. 

Storytime is for preschool children ages 3-5 on either Monday nights or Tuesday mornings. Children may join Storytime at the start of the month in which they will have their third birthday.  

Naturalist Beth Theisen of Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Parks will present The Healing Power of Nature on June 12 at 6 p.m. This program is for adults, and registration is required by June 7. Scientists are finding that a connection to the natural world is crucial for our health and well-being.

Then, register for the park system’s next library program for adults, Backyard Habitats with Johnny Appleseed, July 17 at 6 p.m. With less than 10% of land in Allen County in any semblance of natural area, our rich natural history is in danger of becoming just that – history. Join Naturalist Dan Hodges for a sampling of what the natural world in this area has to offer, and learn a little about how you can participate – even in your own backyard.

Join Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District Naturalist Jessie Elsass to participate in nature chorus (Frogs & Toads) at the park system's new Naturalist van, the B.E.E.T.L.E. (Bringing Environmental Education to Learners Everywhere). It will be parked at Bluffton's Buckeye Park on June 13 at 10 a.m. beside the pavilion.

Come back on July 25 at 10 a.m. for a program learning about reptiles (and meet some reptiles) Register for each of these programs at the library, and then we'll meet you there. 

Join us for Line Dancing with Dancing Barb on June 13 and July 11 at 6 p.m. in the lower level. This is for ages 18 and up, but register in advance as space is limited. Because the library’s floor is carpeted, participants will dance in socks. Please be sure to bring a pair of clean socks to the program.

Babies Love Books continues at 10 a.m. on June 14 and July 12. Join us for a time of fun, stories, and song for babies and toddlers (birth-3 years). Activities promote language and motor development. No prior registration is necessary, but all children must be accompanied by a parent or child care provider who will participate in the program.

The Friends of the Bluffton Public Library will hold its 5th annual 5K Run/Walk for Literacy on Saturday, June 16. Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co., will co-host the event. The run/walk begins at 9 a.m. in front of Bluffton High School on College Avenue with registration beginning at 8 a.m. at the Bluffton Public Library lower level. Registration fees are $20 (10 years and under are free).

Farmers Market Storytime continues at 10 a.m. on June 16 and July 28. All ages are welcome.

Nerf Challenge for grades 2-5 is on June 18 at 2 p.m. Join us for target practice, snacks, obstacle building and a super NERF challenge. Participants must provide their own NERF equipment. NERF darts should be initialed/named. Registration required.

The Library Drive In Movie is June 20 at 1 p.m. Join us for a family friendly musical movie and popcorn. Participants are invited to create their own cardboard box car at home to park at our drive-in movie. Children under the age of 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Vote for your favorite family friendly musical in the children's area from June 4-18. No registration is required for this program.

Succulent Dish Garden Make and Take with Stratton Greenhouses is June 21 at 6 p.m. Susie Stratton will introduce participants to the world of succulents, their variety and care.

With Susie's instruction, each person/party will create their own Succulent Dish Garden according to their own taste and style. Open to adults and families with adult supervision. Registration required and space is limited. Fee is $15 cash per succulent dish garden, taken at the door at time of program.

Watercolor Workshop is June 25 at 6 p.m. and July 23 at 6 p.m. Jeanne Beutler will continue teaching on the lower level of the library. Registration is required as the number of registrants is limited. Walk away with your own watercolor piece of art, complete with mat. There is a $10 supply fee at the door (cash only please).

The Gluten Free and Food Allergy Support Group meets June 25 and July 23 at 6:30 p.m.

Respecting Yourself and Others with Open Arms of Findlay is for grades 4 and 5 on June 27 at 1 p.m. This fun, interactive program discusses and celebrates our differences. Children will discuss healthy relationships with others, and respecting oneself, using a self-esteem approach. Registration is required as spots are limited.

Essential Oil Make and Take: Hand Scrub is June 28 at 6 p.m. Registration required. Please register by June 21.

You will learn how to make your own hand scrub from simple household ingredients and using essential oils. You will have opportunity to mix up your own container of hand scrub to take home. Supply fee ($6 cash, taken at the door) includes container and all ingredients.

Tthe library is closed July 4. All due dates are adjusted accordingly.

Adults age 18 and up are welcome to the library’s Self Care Mini Conference on July 9 beginning at 6 p.m. This conference has a broad self-care focus, from traditional to alternative.

Registrants will meet with and gather information from local businesses and organizations as well as complete activities to focus on self care.

Speakers include:
• Kathy Burrus of Green Hope Coaching: "Navigating the River of Life"
• Dyanne Gregg of Natural Healing Massage & Reiki Center: "What is Reiki?"
• Susan Harrod of Coleman Professional Services:
  "Practical Tips for Stress-Relief”

Other area businesses/organizations who will be available for activities and conversation include counselors, massage therapists, therapy dogs, physicians, and more. Registration is required.

Ohio Northern University's HealthWise program return to the library for a Mobile Health Clinic on July 11 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Meet them in the library’s rear parking lot.

This clinic offers free screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, and lipids (please fast for 12 hours prior to your arrival if you wish to participate in the lipids screening) as well as a bone density screening for osteoporosis.

Bluffton’s Got Talent is on July 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Do you sing, play an instrument, tell jokes, or dance? Showcase your talent on the library’s bottom floor! DJ EZ B will be there with a microphone and sound system, and judges will be there to award prizes. All participants will receive an entry ticket for the Summer Program grand prize drawing of their choice. Register for a time slot and a chance to win the title.

Music professor, Roy Couch, will present “The Beat Goes On: Cultural Origins & American Pop Music” on July 18 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone ages 10 and up is invited to learn about and interact with American pop music and its influences. This program will take place on the lower level of the library, and registration is required.

The Toledo Zoo and Aquarium returns for Insects and Invertebrates on July 20 at 1 p.m. This program is for children going into grades K-2, and registration is required. Sign up now as the zoo will bring another group of animal friends. On July 20 at 2 p.m., the Toledo Zoo and Aquarium presents Zoo Careers (for grades 3-12). Learn more about who works at a zoo and what goes on behind the scenes.  Registration is required for this program.

Everyone ages eight and up is welcome at a fun Family Yoga session with Joy Stemen, local licensed massage therapist and yoga instructor, on July 21 at 10 a.m. Due to space restrictions, registration is required. Bring your yoga mat and water bottle.

A Rain Gardens and Rock Gardens presentation by Transition Bluffton is Tuesday, July 24 at 6 p.m. Please register in advance. Information will be presented on the water-saving impact of rain gardens and the aesthetics of implementing rocks into landscaping.

A variety of applicable plant selections will be discussed, as well as the different styles and forms of rain gardens and the various methods of water collection as a source of irrigation as opposed to utilizing city water.

Essential Oil Make and Take: Insect Repellent is July 26 at 6 p.m. (register by July 19).  At this workshop, you will learn how to make your own insect repellent with simple household ingredients and using essential oils. 

You will have the opportunity to mix up your own bottle of insect repellent to take home with you. There is a supply fee of $5 (cash only please, taken at the door) and it includes a mist spray bottle and all ingredients.

Join us to celebrate completion of the Summer Program with a library pool party at the Bluffton Community Pool on July 30 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult. 

Remember to turn in your logs, collect your prizes, and receive your pool party ticket at the library. Tickets are available starting July 16 and the last day to turn in logs is July 27.