Don't let her degree in forensic science fool you, Sharlene Anderson has a wealth of experience working with children. The new Youth Services Coordinator at Bluffton Public Library returned home to Bluffton after teaching English as a Second Language near Seoul, South Korea from 2017-2020.

Anderson--or Ms. Sharlene, as the children know her--is a graduate of Bluffton High School and Tiffin University. She worked at the library while a college student and took on her new role in October 2021.

A sampling of youth services programing includes twice-weekly storytimes for children 3-5 years old. There are evening and morning sessions: 6:30 p.m. on Mondays and 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. At 5:30 p.m. on March 22 there will also be a special storytime for all ages with the Lima Symphony Orchestra. Space is limited and registration is required for storytimes. Visit the library at 145 S. Main or call 419-358-5016 to sign up.

Anderson prepares take-away crafts that can be picked up beginning on Wednesdays. This week's craft is a rainbow and cloud arch made of paper and cotton balls that is perfect for playing with toy cars and mini figures.

The library staff is also getting ready for the summer reading program, which will take place from June 6 to August 6, 2022. This summer's theme is "Oceans of Possibilities." Anderson notes that there will be breaks for Juneteenth and July 4 holidays.

Watch the Icon for more details on Summer Reading and visit www.blufftonpubliclibrary.org .