Above) June 2024 Bluffton Public Library calendar (click to enlarge)

This summer, unlock a world of adventure with the Bluffton Public Library’s 2024 Summer Reading Program, “Adventure Begins at Your Library!” starting June 3. Summer Read is open to all ages.

By joining in on the summer fun, you’ll earn tickets for prize drawings and have opportunities to connect with others in the community. Reading logs will be available for children and teens when they register, and adults can enter to win prizes with every three books read. The more you read and the more programs you attend, the more tickets you get to enter for the prizes.

LEGO Library Showcase is ON!:
During June and July the library is honored to be showing local residents’ LEGO builds. The LEGO builds can be sets or your own creations. Register at the Main Desk when you drop off your masterpiece. Open to ALL ages. Please pick up your builds August 5-10. 

A Camp Scavenger Hunt will be held through the first week of Summer Read - June 3-8. Come in and do a camp-themed library scavenger hunt! Open to all ages. 

Bigfoot Scavenger Hunt: Something’s afoot with Bigfoot. Where can he be hiding? Starting June 3, each week in June and July, BigFoot will be enjoying a new adventure. Find him in the Library. When you find him, take the bookmark to the Main Desk. Get it stamped and get a prize! 

Join us for our Bluffton Perennial Plant Swap! Activate Allen County & the Bluffton Public Library are hosting Perennial Plant Swap on Thursday, June 13, 2023 from 6 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at the Bluffton Public Library (145 S. Main St. Bluffton, OH 45817). What is a perennial plant swap? A plant swap is where people bring an outdoor perennial plant (in good condition) to exchange (swap) it for a new variety of outdoor perennial plant that someone else brought. Numbers will be assigned as participants arrive & everyone can go home with a new plant for their collection. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet fello plant enthusiasts in our area. For more information, please visit our event page on Facebook at https://fb.me/e/40BMTE0TM, email [email protected] or call 419-303-3387. 

Read with a Dog (Pet Partners) (R): Our furry friends are back. This is a great way to earn some reading time with a furry friend! Register if interested in reading with a Pet Partners Dog at the library! Friday mornings in June: June 14: 10:00-12:00 p.m. and June 28: 10:00-12:00 p.m. Open to children/teens (with a participating adult). 

Camp Games will be open Mon., June 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Come test out your camping skills! Play games to earn tickets towards fun prizes! Open to families and kids of all ages. 

Nature Walk at Motter Metro Park (R) - Let’s go on a nature walk with a Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District Naturalist at the Motter Metro Park in Bluffton on Tue., June 18 @ 6:00 p.m.! Register by June 17 at https://reservations.jampd.com/programs/598/ or call 419-221-1232. Open to all ages - children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Dress for the weather! 

Spiritus Collage Workshop (R) will be held Tue., June 25 @ 6:00 p.m. Create a beautiful 5x7 collage on canvas board with an inspiring message, using just paper, paint, and lots of glue! There is a $5 supply fee taken at the door, which covers everything! Open to ages 12 and up. Please register by June 21. 

Edible Adventures: a trip for your tastebuds (R): Tue., June 11 @ 6:00-7:30 p.m. Hey Tweens! …the library is having a book tasting and international snack tasting program just for you. Come, relax and have some fun finding a new book and trying a snack from across the world. Open to Grades 5-8. 

Words & Wine Book Discussion (R) will meet Wed., July 17 @ 6:30 p.m. at Kira’s Flipside Grill to discuss A Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon while enjoying a glass of wine. Please Register and pick up the book at the Library during the month of June. There is limited seating and the book discussion is open to Adults 21+. Refreshments are available for purchase. Join us for an evening to relax, socialize and discuss. 

Family Storytime (Birth-Pre-K): Begins Wed. June 5 - July 31 @ 10:00 a.m. No registration necessary this summer! All Storytimes will be about reading, singing, playing, and socializing with peers. June topics include: Library adventures! Choose your own adventure! and Mermaids, pirates, dragons, & gnomes! Please note there will be no storytime on June 19th and July 3rd.

Movie Event: Thu., June 6 Join us for popcorn, drinks, and a movie! The movie is rated PG. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a responsible parent or guardian, 14 or older. Please register by June 5 for popcorn and drinks. 

● Pre-K - 5th Grade @ 10:00 a.m. 

● 6th-12th Grade @ 1:00 p.m. 

Choose Your Own Adventure: Thu., June 13 Can you escape a deserted island? Can you save your family from the Time Travel Inn? Join your friends to survive our "Choose Your Own Adventure Book" style competition and win a prize! Register by June 11. ● 3rd-5th Grade @ 1:00 p.m. 

● 6th-12th Grade @ 3:00 p.m. 

Art Adventures: Tue., June 24 Enjoy an adventure through a variety of art stations and explore new art styles! Please register in advance. 

● K-5th Grade @ 1:00 p.m. 

● 6th-12th Grade @ 3:00 p.m. 

Mobile Health Clinic: The next Mobile Health Clinic will be on Wed., June 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 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. 

Watercolor Workshop: Dolphin (R)($) will be held Thu., June 20 and Thu., June 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 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, and children with an accompanying adult.

Playgroup is held at the library on most Fridays at 10 a.m. (Check the library calendar or website.) Make a playdate and the library will provide the space and toys! No registration required. 

Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays when 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! 

Open Chess on Tuesdays! The library has an area designated on the Main Floor for open chess from 5:30-7:30 p.m every Tuesday the library is open. Bring your own board or use one of the library’s! All ages are welcome! 

Wolverine SNaP-20MP Digital Converter will be back at the Bluffton Public Library in July!. The digital converter can digitize 35mm slides and negatives, as well as 3x5, 4x6, or 5x7 inch photographs into 20-MegaPixel JPEG digital images. Start planning ahead! 

The Library will be closed Wednesday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. 

Services Update 

COVID-19 Test Kits 

At-Home COVID Tests are available at the Library. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, please call to schedule curbside pickup.