Here's the July update on events planned at the Bluffton Public Library.
Bluffton Public Library continues its 2021 Summer Program, “Tails and Tales!” 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.
Bluffton Public Library and The Quarry Farm team up again this summer for Quarry Farm Fridays. On each select Friday, tune in to The Quarry Farm on Facebook between 10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. to meet the week's Special Guest Animal. Then, visit Bluffton Public Library and check out an Animal Book Bundle.
Let's get moving. Each week, the library will have an opportunity for community members to get moving this summer.
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.
Chat with a Therapy Dog featuring Pet Partners: Submit your question for Max (and his owner Helen), or Sophie (and her owner Julie) on the library's website, blufftonpubliclibrary.org or at the library's front desk.
If your question is chosen, you may ask your question live on our Zoom video recording on July 6 at 7 p.m. The video will be featured on the library's website, YouTube, and social media. The video chat will be recorded and then uploaded, not live streamed.
Noon Book Group via Zoom meets July 7 to discuss Tree of Dreams by Laura Resau and will include a Q&A session with the author. The book to be discussed on Aug. 4 is The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd. To register, and for the most up to date information, please email [email protected].
Live Stream with Llamas!: On Thursday, July 8, at 10 a.m., Hard Rock Llama Co. will go live on their Facebook for another "Live Stream with Llamas" educational virtual program.
Bluffton Public Library will share the stream on their social media, and patrons are encouraged to ask questions about the llamas they will see. Viewers will also learn a bit about the company's process of making rugs like the one they donated to the library for the adult summer program prize packages.
Origami Live!: Mai Hirashita, Japanese Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator for BGSU, will lead us in another live teaching session of origami on Tuesday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m.
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) and don’t forget to email [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom link.
Virtual Family Trivia Night: Grab the family and put your brains together. On Thursday, July 15, at 6 p.m., Lauren will host another Family Trivia Nights using Kahoot and Zoom (two mobile devices and/or laptops/computers are required for gameplay.)
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. The winning family will be announced on social media.
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 July 21 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].
On July 22 at 11:30 a.m., join Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District Naturalist, Daniel Hodges for "Tails and Tales Live" with JAMPD. to learn about tails in the animal kingdom. We will explore all sorts of tails and how they are different, what they do, and even what they say.
This program is open to all ages, and requires registration. Register by emailing [email protected] and receive the Zoom link.
Craft & Chat: The library will provide tweens and teens (6th-12th grade) with themed craft kits available for pickup on the week of July 26. Then join staff via Zoom to create the kit and share your creation.
The craft for June 29 is a cell phone stand. Space is limited - to register, call or email: [email protected].
Mobile Health Clinic: Friday, July 30, from 9:30-11:30 a.m - all services are provided through the Ohio Northern University Healthwise program. This clinic includes free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol (please 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.
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.
The following Take & Makes will be available to adults and teens starting July 6 and while supplies last:
● Animal Sticker by Number Take & Make: Pages and stickers from Brain Games Sticker by Number animal books. Each kit consists of one art page and the correlating stickers from the book to match, similar to paint-by-numbers.
● Hedgehog Repurposed Book Take & Make Craft: Create your very own bookish hedgehog using an old book and some simple craft supplies,
● Budgie Buddies Take & Make Craft: Create a little paper parakeet duo using printed paper birds, paper clips and glue.
● Animal Pop-up Greeting Cards Take & Make Craft: Pick up a kit and learn how to make simple animal pop-up cards.
Also: 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.
Notice: The library will continue to display a Community Art Exhibit for the month of July. "A Girl's Place" by Wendy Chappell-Dick: Take a look at our town through the eyes of an adolescent girl. This touching photography display reveals the drama, the fun, the secret places, and the wild hangouts of one spirited Bluffton resident.
Closing: The library will be closed on July 3 and July 5 to observe Independence Day. Due dates are adjusted accordingly.
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, please 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.
