Bluffton Public Library is busy in February.
The library is hosting a NORWELD Dremel 3D printer for this month, for patrons to use. If you've never seen a 3D printer or what they are capable of, then stop by for a demonstration. Patrons are welcome to bring a flash drive with a pre-formatted file to print or choose from the selection of items available on the printer. Suggested donations are 50-cents per hour of requested print to help cover the cost of the filament.
Stop by the library on Tuesdays for a warm cup of hot tea and a cookie for free. Hot Tea Tuesdays are available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. all of this month.
No matter what your age or interests, the library has a little something for everyone. See below for a list of events for this month:
For preschoolers
Friday Playgroup sessions continue at 10 a.m. every Friday in February. This informal group enjoys different toys and activities each week, and usually lasts about an hour. The group meets in the lower level meeting room.
The library also offers Storytime for preschool children (ages 3-5) on Mondays and Tuesdays. The Monday sessions are at 6:30 p.m. and the Tuesday sessions are at 10 a.m. Storytime involves lots of stories, games, crafts, and plenty of fun while developing early literacy skills. Registration is required. Please specify if your child has any food allergies when registering, as snacks (usually popcorn) are often provided. (Please note, there are no sessions on Monday, Feb. 18 or Tuesday, Feb 26, Feb. 5, 12, or 19 at 10 a.m.)
There is also a special Storytime just for babies. Babies Love Books Storytime is on Thursday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. Activities promote early literacy, language, and motor development. No prior registration is necessary, but all children must be accompanied by a parent or child care provider who will participate in the program with them.
For children (ages 6-12)
Brain Builders S.T.E.A.M. Club will meet on Thursdays, Feb. 7 and 21, at 4 p.m. S.T.E.A.M. Club stands for Science Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math Club. This group enjoys fun time of experiments, construction and exploration. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult who will remain in the building during the program.
For teens and tweens
The library offers a kind of after-school club for teens and tweens called Chill Zone. They meet on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Chill Zone is a safe space for tweens and teens to hang out and relax at the library. Anyone in 6th through 12th grade is welcome to join. Activities include gaming, socializing, themed events, and crafting. Snacks are provided.
If you are interested in volunteering at the library over this summer, then you're invited to a Teen Volunteer Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 4 p.m. to discuss program ideas for summer 2019. New Teen Volunteers are welcome to attend. Please collect a teen volunteer application from the front desk.
For homeschoolers
This month’s Homeschoolers Learning Libratory is on Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 1 p.m. Homeschooled children ages 4-11 will participate in a STEAM program with a coding focus. Please note, children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration for our new 2019 sessions is required for each session.
For music lovers
Do you play an instrument? Do you want to play with other musicians? Jammin’ at the Library is a song-circle style jam session that meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at the library on the main level. Anyone is welcome to join - bring your acoustic instrument, voice, or just come to listen.
Did you know Bluffton has a dulcimer group? Dulcimers @ the Library meet on Tuesdays at 1 p.m in the lower level meeting room. Feel free to join, independent of whether you can read music or not, or even if you've never played a dulcimer before. The group is very friendly and welcome to new players.
Parent/Child Art Workshop
Janette Reineke will lead an Art Workshop on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. This class is called “Let’s Build a Sculpture Together” and is for children, ages 7-10, and their parent/guardian. Reineke, former elementary art teacher and author of "Fear No Art: You Can Do It", will lead the class as each child and adult pair builds their very own sculpture. Please note, participants must bring their own glue gun from home that the adult/parent will use to help create the artwork. Registration is required by Monday, Feb. 25 and a $10 cash fee is payable on day of program for supplies.
Winter Book Challenge
The library is happy to announce the Winter Reading Program for children, teens, and adults. Pick up a Winter Reading Bookmark at the library, or download and print it from our website. Then complete five or more challenges during the months of January through March to receive a prize. There is also enter a drawing to win a larger prize.
Book Discussion group
The library hosts a monthly Adult Book Discussion group. This month's meeting is on Feb. 6 at 12 p.m. to discuss "At Home: A short history of private life" by Bill Bryson. This monthly discussion group is open to new members, and registration is requested. Copies of each month’s book are available for checkout the month prior to each discussion, and you may register when you check out.
Interested in eBooks?
Interested in eBooks and how to borrow them free from your library? Attend a session of eBooks 101 on Friday, Feb. 15, at 4 p.m. or Wednesday, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. Receive a walk-through of the library’s newest eBook app, Libby, hear information about the Ohio Digital Library, and learn about eContent available through the library’s databases. Registration is required, but only sign up for one session since the content will be the same for each one.
For your health
Ohio Northern University students and licensed medical staff of ONU’s Healthwise Program will visit the library for a free Mobile Health Clinic on Friday, Feb. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This clinic includes free screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. If you wish to be screened for cholesterol or blood sugar levels, you need to fast for 12 hours prior to your arrival. Participants may speak with Healthwise students and staff about their results or any concerns, and even receive referrals to area doctors. The ONU Healthwise program employs health care providers to reach the local community with knowledge and resources to address health-related concerns and to improve your health.
Gluten Free/Food Allergy Group
The Gluten Free/Food Allergy Group meets on Monday, Feb. 25, at 6:30 p.m. This group utilizes the library’s Local History room on the fourth Monday of every month and each meeting is open to anyone looking for support with food in tolerances and/or allergies.
Please notice: The library will be closed on Monday, Feb. 18,in observance of President’s Day. Due dates are adjusted accordingly. For information on any of these programs, please email [email protected] for more information.
