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. 

CONTINUES

Galley Book Group (R) will meet Wed., Feb. 15 at 12:00 to discuss the advance reader (galley) version of If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook (debut author; genre: domestic fiction) to be published in April 2023. The group will meet in person on Wed., March 15 at 12:00 to discuss A Half-Baked Murder: A Cannabis Café Mystery by Emily George (cozy mystery; first in a series) to be published late February 2023. This group will be held the third Wed. of the month as new galleys become available. Receive the book in advance, read it, meet to discuss, and then a feedback survey will be filled out and sent to the publisher. Limited copies available. 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.

HOT TEA TUESDAYS
Hot Tea Tuesdays are back! In January and February, stop by the library between 10:00 and 2:00 and get yourself a cup of hot tea to warm up with during your library visit!

LIVE MUSIC
Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle: Jammin' @ the Library has a new name and will meet at 5:30 p.m. on each Monday the library is open. (Check the library calendar or website.) This is a relaxed, song-circle style music session and anyone is welcome to join or listen in. Bring your instrument, voice, or listening ears!

Dulcimers @ the Library: Starting Tues., February 7 at 1:00 p.m. The Bluffton Dulcimer Group will be practicing for upcoming performances the first Tuesday of every month. The public is welcome to come to the library and listen!

VALENTINE EVENT
Secret Code Valentine: Feb. 14 & 15 from 3 - 8 p.m. Come to the library to figure out the secret Valentine code. Explore the library while on the look-out for the elusive hearts. Find the hearts and solve the code to receive a small prize. This is an after-school event for all ages and there will be Valentine’s Day cards available.

ART WORKSHOP
Watercolor Workshop: Lighthouse (R)($) will be held Thurs., Feb. 16 from 5:30 - 7:15 p.m. Local artist Jeanne Beutler will teach on the lower level of the library. Walk away with your own watercolor piece of art, complete with mat! There is a $10 supply fee at the door (cash only please), and advance registration is required as space is limited. Open to adults and teens/children (with a participating adult).

MOBILE HEALTH CLINIC
Mobile Health Clinic: Fri., Feb. 24 from 11:30 a.m - 1:30 p.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 (please fast for 12 hours to participate in cholesterol or blood sugar screening) and osteoporosis. Participants may speak with ONU Healthwise students and staff about their results or concerns, and even receive referrals to area doctors. Please notice: Covid-19 vaccinations are not available at these clinics.

READER RECOMMENDATIONS
A Gathering of Readers: will be held Sat., March 25 @ 11 a.m. To register, stop by or call the library and share your top 2 most favorite and 2 least favorite books that you read or listened to in the last year! When you register, be sure to share your favorite titles; you will receive a printed list of all titles on the day of the program!

HOLIDAY CLOSING
*Please notice: The library is closed on Monday, Feb. 20 in observance of President’s Day. Due dates are adjusted accordingly.
*Check out the Display case with Valentine’s Day memorabilia.
*Don’t forget that the Ohio Digital Library remains open 24/7 from your computer or mobile device!

COVID-19 TEST KITS
At-Home Abbott BinaxNow test kits are available at the Library. We are limiting 2 boxes per household per day. These self-administered test kits contain 2 tests per box. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please call to schedule curbside pickup.