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By Paula Scott

Monday night at the library in Bluffton is quite different from other nights. There certainly is no shushing going on. When the Icon stopped by on January 30, the event now billed as “Hummin’ and Strummin’” drew in a group of regulars with guitars, a ukelele and a banjo, as well as a broad repertoire of songs. An equal number came to hum, sing and listen.

Hummin’ and Strummin’ is now a weekly activity from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on Mondays at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St. Formerly known as the library jam sessions, the activity has been renamed to reflect that you don’t have to be a performer to join in. The schedule has been expanded to every Monday night the library is open.

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Here comes February and plenty of new events and programs at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St. 419-358-5016.

READING CHALLENGES
From Feb. 1 to Feb. 28, Bluffton Public Library is participating in “For the Love of Reading,” and “Black History Month” Reading Challenges sponsored by Beanstack.  Earn badges while you fall in love with reading this month or as you learn more about Black history, celebrate authors and illustrators and explore events in our community honoring Black experiences.  Keep Reading Bluffton!

STORYTIME
Family, Pre-K, & Baby Storytime (R): Begins on February 6 to April 26. Register on our webpage, phone call, by QR code https://tinyurl.com/Storytime2023, or stop by the library front desk to register. Storytime is a reading and song-filled half hour to encourage a relationship with reading. Register for Monday evenings @ 6:00 p.m. OR Wednesday mornings at 10:00 & 10:30 a.m.  

BOOK GROUPS
Noon Book Group (R) meets in person Wed. Feb 1 to discuss The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave. On Wed., March 1 the group will discuss Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery.  Stop by the library's front desk to pick up the book for the next discussion and to sign up for email updates and reminders. 

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Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main, has postponed A Gathering of Readers until Sat., March 25 at 11:00 a.m.

Sip a hot drink and share your 2 most favorite and 2 least favorite books that you read or listened to in 2022.

Register to share your titles; everyone will receive a printed list of all titles on the day of the program. Email Tanya Augsburger at [email protected]/

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Registration is open for Spring Storytime at the Bluffton Public Library.

This program includes Pre-K and Baby Storytime events with Ms. Sharlene.

Ways to register:

This fun-filled storytime includes books, music, and crafts. Themes include:

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Those interested in attending the presentation should register by contacting the Bluffton Public Library at 419-358-5016.

“Before we were Pirates,” the story of Bluffton sports teams and fans before 1929 is the topic of a presentation by Fred Steiner at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main St.

The Pirate did not become the school mascot until 1929. Prior to that the school had no mascot. This presentation is about the earliest teams in the history of the. The origin of the mascot will also be explained. 

“If you can imagine in 1893 jumping on a railroad box car, riding to Lima and back to watch a Bluffton baseball team play a Lima team, then this lecture is for you,” says Steiner. 

“You do not need to be a sports fan to appreciate this presentation,” he notes. “The talk will include many stories like the railroad box ride to Lima.” 

The presentation includes stories about Bluffton teams as early as 1893 and photos of both girls and boys athletic teams as early as 1900. 

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January 18 - The Angel Maker

February 15 - If We're Being Honest

It's not too late to pick up an advance copy of The Angel Maker by Alex North and participate in the Galley Book Group at noon on Wed., January 18 at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main.

This book will be published in February, so here's your chance to get a sneak peek!

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