Bluffton Public Library remains closed during Ohio’s Stay at Home Order, but continues to offer 24/7 digital resources to support patrons of all ages.

Library staff were pleased to hear of Bluffton Elementary School’s reading challenge through the rest of the school year, and we want to assure parents and teachers that though our doors are closed to the public, our services are still available! We invite you to take a look at all we offer on our website blufftonpubliclibrary.org, but below are some highlighted library resources to assist students, parents, and teachers during this time.

The Ohio Digital Library 

Did you know that you can read books and graphic novels, listen to audiobooks, browse magazines, and even watch videos on your mobile devices through your library card? Sign in to the Ohio Digital Library with your library card information through one of these applications:

• The Libby App for mobile devices (available in Android & Apple stores). 
• The Overdrive App for Kindle, iPads, and other ereaders, or desktops/laptops.
• View in your internet browser: https://ohdbks.overdrive.com/ 

For more information, visit https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/use-library/enjoy-ebooks.

Research Databases

Enjoy free access to a variety of research databases available from the library. Below are some options for students, and for a full list please visit https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/use-your-library/research-databases. 

• Academic Search Premier - searchable academic journals.
• Early World of Learning - interactive learning for preschoolers and elementary students.
• Enciclopedia Estudiantil Hallazgos - a Spanish language reference site for kids, students and adults.
• Kids InfoBits - elementary school level researching made easy.
• L'Encyclopedie Decouverte - a French language encyclopedia for kids, students, and adults.
• Middle Search Plus - popular magazines and articles just for middle school students.
• Primary Search - popular magazines just for elementary students.
• Science Reference Center - middle and high school research database.
• Transparent Languages - language database for all ages, featuring 100+ languages and ESL for 26+ first languages. 
• World Book Kids - educational games, activities, and research just for kids.
• World Book Students - a multimedia reference and research database for kids and students.

Teacher Resources

Bluffton Public Library prides itself in supporting its community, and that includes its teachers! We have enhanced our teacher resources page to help teachers find all applicable services all on one webpage: https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/teaching-resources. 

While we are currently unable to provide physical materials for area teachers, we’d like to remind teachers that once opened, this service will again be available on our regular teacher services page here: https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/services-teachers. By following this link, teachers may also alert library staff of upcoming assignments so we can be prepared to assist students coming to the library to the best of our abilities. 

The library also offers free access through your library card to the research database for educators, ERIC. Find all of our research databases here: https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/use-your-library/research-databases.

Need help?

Staff are also working from home in order to help anyone needing assistance accessing these resources online. Follow our contact form here: https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org/about/contact-us; or take advantage of our live #askalibrarian chats on social media: on Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m. on our Instagram, on Thursdays from 12-2 p.m. on our Twitter, and on Fridays from 12-2 p.m. on Facebook. Patrons may also ask research questions or for book recommendations.

Don’t have a library card?

You can now receive one without leaving your house. Follow this link to sign up and get your digital card instantly: https://ohio.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/blu/search/registration/znbc/SYMWS/true. 

Stay updated 

Library staff are actively planning the library’s annual Summer Program for June and July 2020 as well as necessary modifications to ensure the safety of our patrons and staff. For the most up-to-date information regarding library services, please visit the library website at: https://blufftonpubliclibrary.org. The website includes links to local/state/national resources and all of the services mentioned above. Should you have any questions, please contact [email protected].