The month of May brings a great variety familiar and special events at the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main. Details from the May BPL Update follow; you can also subscribe HERE.

TO ENJOY ANYTIME

In the display case next to the circulation desk: May the 4th Be With You, a Star Wars Legos display.

Take & Make Crafts: Starting May 2, come and pick up a craft to enjoy in the spring weather. There will be an array of different crafts, for various ages, and all are pre-packed and ready to be taken home. Visit the Youth Services Desk to pick up your craft, while supplies last.

New Beanstack Challenges will be available in May: Celebrate Asian-American & Pacific Islander Voices, Teacher Appreciation and Mental Health Awareness.

The library challenges patrons to read during the month and keep track of their reading on the Beanstack site at http://blufftonpubliclibrary.beanstack.org.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Noon Book Group meets via Zoom on May 4 with coauthor Ramie Liddle to discuss Driving Miss Norma by Tim Bauerschmidt, Ramie Liddle. To register, and for the most up to date information, please email [email protected].

Jammin' @ the Library starts at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month. This is a relaxed, song-circle style jam session and anyone is welcome to join. Bring your instrument, voice, or listening ears!

Art Class at 10 a.m. on the 4th Tuesday of each month. In May, Janette Reineke will be teaching a lesson from her book, Fear No Art: You Can Do It! and participants will create their own art. This class is open to adults.

The May 24 lesson is Clay Pinch Pot. There is a $10 supply fee at the door, cash only. An optional follow-up class to Paint Your Pinch Pot will be held on May 25. Supply fee is $3 at the door, cash only. Register for one or both sessions by May 10. Space is limited.

Watercolor Workshop will be held Thursday, May 19 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 (with a participating adult). 

Medicare 101 (R) - Allen County Council on Aging will present Medicare 101 on Tuesday, May 24 at 6:00 p.m. at Bluffton Public Library. There will be time for questions after the presentation, and participants can find out about other services offered by the Allen County Council on Aging. To ensure adequate seating, please stop by the library or call 419-358-5016 to register.

Healthwise Mobile Health Clinic will be at the library on Fri., May 27 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. All services are provided by 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. The library itself opens at 9:30 a.m. 

SERVICES UPDATE

Based on Allen County Health Department's guidance, masks are optional at the library. Staff continue to sanitize and quarantine returned items. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (ages 18+) who will remain with them during their visit. For more information about library procedures, please visit www.blufftonpubliclibrary.org or see signs posted on the library’s front door. Curbside Pickup is still available for those who prefer this service.

The library will be closed on May 30 in observance of Memorial Day.