Here are special events and services offered in October by the Bluffton Public Library.

A 3D Printer is available for public use again during the month of October. Suggested donations are 50 cents per hour to help cover the costs for filament. The 3D printer is provided through The Northwest Regional Library System (NORWELD), of which Bluffton Public Library is a member.

Want to learn more about 3D Printing? Chris Gott will return for Intro to 3D Printing Part Two on Saturday, Oct. 6 ,at 11 a.m. Watch a 3D printer in action and enjoy a continuation of discussion from the first session on Sept. 29. Registration is required, and all ages are welcome. Speaker Chris Gott is a local technology educator and not affiliated with NORWELD. For more information, email [email protected].

International Coffee Day is Oct. 1 Stop by for a cup of fair trade coffee in the morning while supplies last.

Area Agency of Aging 3 is coming to the library on Friday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to offer an Informational Program highlighting the many services they provide to older adults, persons with disabilities, and family caregivers.  There will be time for questions and conversation at the end of the presentation, and no registration is necessary. Email [email protected] with questions about this program.

In honor of Fair Trade Month, BPL will host two sessions of a Fair Trade Webinar Series. The first is on Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. and is “U.N. Sustainable Development Goals: The Fair Trade Solution.” The second is on Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. and is “Telling Authentic Fair Trade Stories.” Anyone is welcome to attend, and you may attend one or both sessions. No registration is required.

Staying Well in Cold & Flu Season with Dr. Leah Eiden: As part of a Health Education series, Dr. Leah Eiden, family medicine provider at Bluffton Primary Care, will present a variety of ways to help keep you and your family healthy through the winter. All ages are welcome and there will be time for questions at the end.  This program is one in a series of programs offered through the BVHS Speakers Bureau. Please register in advance.

Spooky Crafts Day is on Oct. 25 from 9:30 a.m to 8 p.m. Bring the family along to get crafty together and make the library a stop on your trick or treating route.

The library will accept donations until Oct. 13 for its annual holiday gift silent auction.  Suggested donations are themed gift baskets and or individual items such as: giftcards, children’s items, (new books, toys, games or craft items), admission tickets (valid in 2019), merchandise for all ages, free services, lessons, lodging, etc. Cash donations are also welcome. The auction begins Nov. 1 at 9:30 a.m. and continues through Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m. All packages will include a minimum bid and feature a special “Buy Now” price. All donations to Ohio public libraries are tax-deductible, as defined by state law.

In celebration of Family History Month, the library invites patrons to use the library’s resources to investigate family histories.  The library has access to Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Quest and African American Heritage. During the month of October, there will also be a picture/Sslide/negatives-to-digital machine available for patron use.  Please bring your own SD card to which you may save your files. First come, first served.  

Fall Storytime for preschool children ages 3-5 continues on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. or Tuesdays at 10 a.m. until Oct. 23 (no Storytime during the last week of October). Registration is required, as spots may be full, for these sessions full of stories, games, crafts, and lots of fun while developing early literacy skills. Please specify if your child has any food allergies when registering, as snacks are often provided. For more information, email [email protected].

Dulcimers @ the Library meet Tuesdays at 1 p.m. on the lower level.

Chill Zone continues in October every Tuesday after school, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Chill Zone is a safe space for tweens and teens to hang out and relax at the library. Anyone in 6th through 12th grade is welcome to join. Activities include gaming, socializing, themed events, and crafting. Snacks are provided.

Teen Read Week is Oct. 8 through 13. This year’s theme is "It's Written in the Stars: READ." Teens are encouraged to seek out fantasy, science fiction and other out-of- this-world reads, and post about their picks on social media using the tag #TRW18.

The library’s Adult Book Discussion group will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at noon to discuss The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel James Brown. 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.

November’s discussion book is The Paris Wife by Paula McLain and take places on Nov. 7. Email [email protected] for more information.

Tutor Me Paperless begins again in October. This program consists of one-on-one basic technology tutoring sessions covering subjects such as: setting up an email, accessing eBooks through the Ohio Digital Library, the basics of Microsoft Office products, or even how to navigate a computer, smartphone, or tablet for the first time. Sessions are by appointment only on Wednesdays of select months from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Email [email protected] or call 419-358-5016 for more information.

The SciFi/Fantasy Writers Group (for ages 18 and up) meets Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. For more information or to register/be put on the group’s email list, email [email protected]. Registration is required.

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

Farmers' Market Storytime continues at 10 a.m. on Oct. 6. All ages are welcome.  Meet at Bluffton’s Farmer’s Market in the Citizens National Bank parking lot on South Main Street.

Jammin’ at the Library continues at 6 p.m. on Oct. 8 and 22. This is a song-circle style jam session to which anyone is welcome to join. Bring your acoustic instrument, voice, or listening ears. For more information, email [email protected].

Babies Love Books continues at 10 a.m. Oct. 11. 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.

Join us for the return of Line Dancing with Dancing Barb on Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. This program is for teens and adults only, but please 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.

 The library continues its Homeschoolers Learning Libratory on Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. Homeschooled children ages 4-11 (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult) will participate in a STEAM program once a month into December, with “Nature’s Day” as the session for October. Registration is required for each session. Email [email protected] for more information.

The Gluten Free and Food Allergy Support Group meets Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Local History Room on the library’s main level.

The library’s Community Display Case will showcase a “Tech Cemetery” during the month of October. This display will showcase pieces of technology from past decades that some patrons may have never seen before and that others will remember quite well.  This fun display celebrates our library's technology programming and National History Month. Come “pay your respects” to tech of the past at the display case near the front desk.