The library is hosting a number of special events in April.

The Friends of the Library Spring Tea will be on Thursday, April 25 at 5:45 p.m., featuring Fred Steiner. Tickets are available at the library’s front desk, starting at the beginning of April, and the cost is $12 (cash or check). This afternoon tea will be held on the library's lower level and acts as an annual fundraiser, hosted by the Friends of the Library, for library programs and services.

If you interested in learning about the Benefits of Massage Therapy, come hear Kelly Griffin and Becky McIntosh, from MedSpa, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 on the lower level of the library. Beyond MedSpa is part of the Blanchard Valley Health System. This program is part of a Health Education Series presented by Blanchard Valley Health System's Speakers' Bureau and hosted by the Library.

The library is offering another Lettering Workshop at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 29, where participants will learn more about the art of hand lettering. To ensure they have sufficient materials available for this program, please register. The program is open to ages 8 to adult, and is free.

The library has a new app you can download to access your account, browse our catalog, place holds, access our databases and more. To learn more, you can attend Mobile Library App 101 on Wednesday, April 24 at 4 p.m. Our Public Services Coordinator will run through the basics of downloading the “SEO Libraries” app onto your Android or iOS device and navigating its features on your device. Registration is required and registrants are invited to bring their devices to the program.

Dia! Children’s Book Day is on April 30. “El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day),” commonly known as “Día,” celebrates children, families, and reading, and emphasizes literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. The library will be celebrating this international day with some book activities in the children’s area.

Here's the roster of regular events and meetings going on at your local library for April:

For gardeners of any skill level

The Gardeners of the Bluffton/Pandora Area invites the public to their monthly meeting. Laurie Laird from the New Leaf Garden Center will present “Spring Vegetable and Flower Garden Planning” on the lower level of the library at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2. No registration is required.

Gluten Free/Food Allergy Group

The Gluten Free/Food Allergy Group meets on Monday, April 22, at 6:30 p.m. This group utilizes the library’s Local History room on the fourth Monday of every month and each meeting is open to anyone looking for support with food in tolerances and/or allergies.

For music lovers

Do you play an instrument? Do you want to play with other musicians? Jammin’ at the Library is a song-circle style jam session that meets on March 8 and 22, at 6 p.m. on the main level of the library. Anyone is welcome to join - bring your acoustic instrument, voice, and/or just come to listen to some local talent.

Dulcimers @ the Library meet on Tuesdays, at 1 p.m in the lower level meeting room. Feel free to join, independent of whether you can read music or not, or even if you've never played a dulcimer before. The group is very friendly and welcome to new players.

Book Discussion group

The library hosts a monthly Adult Book Discussion group. This month's meeting is on Wednesday, April 3, at 12 p.m. to discuss "The Stranger in the Woods" by Michael Finkel. This month's discussion includes a Skype meeting with the author. The 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 at the library desk.

If you need more time to read, the next book will be "The Heart's Invisible Furies" by John Boyne, and the discussion group will be on Wednesday, May 1 at noon, in the library.

For preschoolers

The library also offers Storytime for preschool children (ages 3-5) on  Mondays and Tuesdays until April 23. The Monday sessions are at 6:30 p.m. and the Tuesday sessions are at 10 a.m. Storytime involves lots of stories, games, crafts, and plenty of fun while developing early literacy skills. Registration is required. Please specify if your child has any food allergies when registering, as snacks (usually popcorn) are often provided.

There is also a special storytime just for babies (from birth to age 3). Babies Love Books Storytime is on Thursday, April 11, at 10 a.m.  Activities promote early literacy, 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 with them.

For kids

Friday Playgroup sessions continue at 10 a.m. every Friday. This informal group enjoys different toys and activities each week, and usually lasts about an hour. There is no age limit. The group meets in the lower level meeting room.

For teens and tweens

The library offers a kind of after-school club for teens and tweens called Chill Zone. They meet on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 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.

For homeschoolers

This month’s Homeschoolers Learning Libratory is on Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m. Homeschooled children ages 4-11 (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult) will participate in a S.T.E.A.M program with a coding focus. This group enjoys a fun time of experiments, construction and exploration, delving into science, technology, engineering, art, and math (also known as S.T.E.A.M.). Please note, registration is required for each session.

Please notice: The library is closed on April 26 for a Staff Development Day. Due dates are adjusted accordingly.

For information on any of these programs, please email [email protected] for more information.