The Bluffton Public Library announces its summer programming. Here's the June calendar and parts of the July calendar.
The library will utilize Beanstack, a Summer Program software, again this year.
On Beanstack, patrons track their reading and completed activities in order to earn badges and tickets. Patrons can then enter their tickets online to compete for awesome grand prizes in their age group.
Visit blufftonpubliclibrary.beanstack.org or download the Beanstack app free from your app store. If you already have a Beanstack login, no need to register again – just find your age group’s Summer Challenge and start competing.
The library also has paper logs for those wishing to participate in the Summer Program without internet access. Stop by the front desk or set up a Curbside Pickup to receive yours.
Paper logs will also be available on our website to print from home. During the summer program, the library will also have a variety of virtual programming and take home activities for all ages.
Community Animal Artwork Project – You can help decorate the library windows for our Summer Program.
Pick up and take home either a blank sheet of art paper and draw an animal for us, or an animal coloring sheet to color. Then drop it off at the library so we can display it in the library windows during the summer.
Adopt a Summer Reading Book Buddy: register online or via phone from June 1. The Reading Book Buddy program was created to encourage children to develop a love for and daily habit of reading. The book buddies are advantageous as they give children a physically pliable friend and allow a recess from screen time, during this season of tech fatigue due to online schooling because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This project was supported in whole by federal Institute of Museum and Library Services funds, granted through the State Library of Ohio. Each reading book buddy pack contains: a soft toy animal, an adoption certificate, a craft activity, a reading log and useful supplies to help keep track of reading.
Animal Sticker by Number Take & Make: Pages and stickers from Brain Games Sticker by Number animal books will be available for pickup at the library starting June 1.
Each kit consists of one art page and correlating stickers from the book to match, similar to paint-by-numbers. Open to adults and teens.
Noon Book Group via Zoom meets June 2 to discuss How the Penguins Saved Veronica by Hazel Prior. The book to be discussed on July 7 is Tree of Dreams by Laura Resau and will include a Q&A session with the author.
To register, and for the most up to date information, please email [email protected].
Let's get moving!
Each week, the library will have an opportunity for community members to get moving this summer.
To begin, visit Motter Metro Park during the week of June 7-13 for a Storybook Trail co-sponsored by Johnny Appleseed Metropolitan Park District.
Read the book, "What's This Tail Saying?" by Carolyn Combs during your walk! Pages of the book will be set up along the trail so you can read as you go. Don't forget to look for a code that you can enter on Beanstack or write in on your paper log for a badge and an entry into our prize drawings.
Then, tune in on our social media and website to see members of our community demonstrating a weekly Animal-Themed Yoga Pose of the Week.
Share a photo or video of you or your family doing the pose of the week for a badge and an entry into our prize drawings, and email [email protected] to nominate a community member you want to see demonstrate an Animal-Themed yoga pose.
June Creativity Kit- Pet themed: available from June 7 until supplies last. Creativity Kits are full of fun themed crafts and activities for children (preschool-5th grade).
Our June edition has a pet theme, you can create a sticker mosaic, a parrot lantern, kitty keychain and much more. Available at the front desk or via curbside pick-up throughout June and while supplies last.
Tails and Tales Facebook Live Storytimes: on Mondays, June 7, 14, and 21 at 7 p.m., join us live on Facebook to listen to stories and rhymes with animal themes.
Origami Live!: Mai Hirashita, Japanese Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator for BGSU, will lead two more live teaching sessions of origami on Tuesdays, June 8, and July 13 at 6:30 p.m.
Register for one or both dates (crafts will be different for each session.) This program is open to all ages and will take place via Zoom. Receive an origami paper Take & Make kit through Curbside Pickup or by stopping at the front desk (available while supplies last). Email [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom link.
New at the library:
Tuesday, June 15 at 12 p.m. - Join library staff as they discuss new materials added to the library, talk about reserving book bundles, and answer your questions. You can watch it live on the library’s YouTube channel.
Virtual Family Trivia Night: On Thursdays, June 17 and July 15 at 6 p.m., Lauren will host two more Family Trivia Nights using Kahoot and Zoom (two mobile devices and/or laptops/computers are required for gameplay.)
Register for one or both sessions as questions will be different for each session. Family groups may consist of six members or less, and questions are all family friendly.
Register by emailing [email protected] and receive instructions by email.
Craft & Chat: The library will provide tweens and teens (6th-12th grade) with animal-themed craft kits available for pickup the week of June 21. Then join staff via Zoom to create the kit and chat about the animal. The craft for June 24 is 3D elephants. Space is limited – to register, call or email: [email protected].
“Tails & Tales” Book Group via Zoom meets June 23 to discuss The Good Good Pig by Sy Montgomery. This discussion will be hosted by Bluffton Public Library and The Quarry Farm, and is open to adults and teens.
The book to be discussed on July 28 is Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall. Pick up one or both titles at the library and register to receive the Zoom link starting June 1. Email [email protected] for more information.
Teen Advisory Group: Teens interested in helping the library through making reading lists, writing reviews, and suggesting materials and programs should join the staff for a Virtual Teen Advisory Group meeting on June 10 at 2 p.m. This will be a friendly discussion about how the library can help support the area teens. To register, call or email: [email protected].
Mobile Health Clinic: Fridays, June 25 and July 30 from 9:30-11:30 a.m - All services are provided by individuals with the Ohio Northern University Healthwise program.
This clinic includes free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol (fast for 12 hours to participate in cholesterol or blood sugar screening).
Participants may speak with ONU Healthwise students and staff about their results or concerns, and even receive referrals to area doctors. Covid-19 vaccinations are not available at these clinics.
The library continues The Book Bag - A Library Subscription Service. The program allows community members to request a monthly themed or specially curated bag of items from the library collection along with an activity. The Book Bag checks out for four weeks, with new bags being automatically prepared for pickup the next month. If you haven't registered yet, no problem. We still have some space.
Visit the library’s website at www.blufftonpubliclibrary.org/book-bag or call the library for more information. This program is open to all ages.
Bluffton Public Library Postcard Penpals (Readers advisory for PreK-12th Grade): Not sure what to read next? Email Youth Services ([email protected]) the following information: name and address (for library use only), age, grade, and favorite book. Your child will receive a postcard of ideas for their next read.
More summer program events and services are coming in July including a Zoom program with Naturalist Daniel Hodges on July 22 at 11:30 a.m.
We will release the July 2021 Summer Program Calendar Booklet later in June. The Summer Program ends on July 31.
Each time you check out at the library this summer, you can enter to win a window bird feeder. Enter at the front desk when you check out.
Services Update
The health and safety of our patrons and staff at the Bluffton Public Library are a top priority.
According to Ohio’s Public Advisory System, Allen County is at Level 2, and library visits are available. Consistent with CDC guidelines, the library invites all patrons who have been fully vaccinated to enter without a mask if they choose.
Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, ages 10 and up, are required to wear a facial covering. We encourage patrons ages 10 and up to wear a face mask that covers the nose.
Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (ages 18+) who will remain with them during their visit. Returns continue to be made in the outdoor book drop, and browsing patrons who decide not to check out an item they have touched are to place those items on designated tables in order to quarantine them.
For more information about library procedures, visit our website or refer to signs posted on the library’s front door. Curbside Pickup is still available for those who prefer this service.
Library Visit hours are:
● Mondays -Thursdays: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
● Fridays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
● Saturdays: 10 a.m-1 p.m.
Appointments are not required, but patrons may call in advance to reserve a public computer.
Curbside Pickup hours are:
● Mondays -Thursdays: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
● Fridays: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Patrons may schedule a pickup on the library’s website or by calling the library during Curbside hours.
