MEDIA RELEASE__Check out July 2026 events and opportunities at Bluffton Public Library:

2026 Summer Reading Program: “Unearth A Story” continues through July!

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 3 books read. So come on in and get the whole family registered and involved! 

LEGO Library Showcase: The library is always excited to be showing local residents’ LEGO builds. The LEGO builds can be sets or your own creations.

Register at the Main Desk. This event is open to ALL ages.

The library will display the builds during June and July in conjunction with our 2026 Summer Read program “Unearth A Story”. Pick up your builds anytime or August 3-9.  

Digby Scavenger Hunt: Every week during Summer Read Digby the Dinosaur will be looking for one of his Dino friends to join him for Summer Read. Can you find him in the library? When you find him, get your bookmark stamped and pick out a little prize! If you miss a week, no worries, you can look for Digby the whole summer. 

Noon & 2:00 Book Discussions (R) will meet Wed., Jul. 1 at Noon and at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney. On Wed., Aug. 5, at Noon and at 2:00 p.m., the groups will discuss My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Stop by the library front desk to register for your preferred time, check out the book, and to receive email updates! 

T-Rex Tea Party! (R) Children grades K-5 are invited to attend a T-Rex Tea Party on Wed., Jul. 8 at 2:00 p.m. Seating is limited, so be sure to register soon, in person or online! 

Galley Book Group - Mixed Titles (R) will meet on Wed., July 15 at noon. This discussion will be of an assortment of Galley books provided by the publishers, scheduled to be published between May and August 2026. Register for the discussion, Read a book from the box as soon as you are able, Return so others can read it and Repeat as desired until the discussion date. At the discussion, the group will briefly talk about each book read, rate the titles, and discuss whether it is book-discussion-worthy.

Newark Earthworks: Honoring the Past and Looking Toward the Future (R) will be presented on Wed., Jul. 22 @ 6:00 p.m. Sarah Hinkelman, Site Superintendent Newark Earthworks and Flint Ridge will be presenting. Register in person or online - see flyer and website for details. 

“Jurassic Adventure” Escape Room: Fri., July 17 and Sat., July 18 starting at 10 a.m. in the library’s lower level. This program is family friendly and suitable for ages 8 and up. It’s perfect for groups of 3-5 friends. We ask that those under age 12 have someone responsible, aged 18+ with them throughout the challenge. Each group will have an hour to bring order back to Isla Dinoterra. Since the island’s power core has malfunctioned - the island is in chaos with dinosaurs roaming free. Can order be restored before it’s too late!  Each group will receive a time slot when they register. Register in person or online by July 16. 

Acrylic Art Class: American Eagle (R)($) will be held Tue., July 14 @ 6:00 p.m. Join Hannah as she guides you through the process of creating an American Eagle painting in acrylic on canvas. Cost is $10. Register in person or online as space is limited. Open to adults, and teens and children with an accompanying adult. 

Mobile Health Clinic: The next Mobile Health Clinic will be held on Thu., July 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.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). Participants may speak with ONU Healthwise students and staff about their results or concerns, and even receive referrals to area doctors. 

Watercolor Workshop: Blue Heron (R)($) will be held Thu., Jul. 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. Local artist Jeanne Crumrine 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). Register in person or online as space is limited. Open to adults, and teens and children with an accompanying adult. 

Note: Start time for Watercolor Workshop will move to 1:00 p.m. starting in August. 

Words & Wine Book Discussion (R) will be held Thu., Jul. 23 at 6 p.m. at 1861 Wine Lounge to discuss Dinosaurs at the Dinner Party by Edward Dolnick while enjoying a glass of wine. 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. Register now and check out the book at the library front desk. 

Speed Puzzle Competition (R) will be held Tue., Jul. 28 @ 6:00 p.m. Calling all puzzle lovers! Bring your team (2-4 players) and compete to solve a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle. Each team has up to 1 hour to complete the puzzle. The winning team will receive a prize (and bragging rights!) Prize sponsored by Kira’s Flipside Grill. Register your team in person or online. Looking for something more slow-paced? Exchange your old puzzles for some exciting, gently used finds at our ongoing Puzzle Swap!

Read with a Dog (R) will be held on Fri., Jul. 17 and Fri., Jul. 31 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Register at the library to sit down and read for 10 min. with a Pet Partners dog. Open to children/teens (with a participating adult). 

Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle will be held Mondays, Jun. 6, 13 20 and 27 at 6:00 p.m. This is a relaxed, song-circle style music session and anyone is welcome to join or listen in and come and go as you need. 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! 

Join our LEGO creations "Unearth A Story” collaborative model at the Library. Use your imagination and skill to build...“What would Bluffton look like if Dinosaurs still roamed!” The model will be up all Summer Reading Fun for All Ages! 

Family Storytimes will be held every Wednesday in July, at 10:00 a.m., except July 1. No registration necessary. Join Miss Beth for a time of stories, games, crafts, and lots of fun while developing early literacy skills!  

K-2nd Grade Events are scheduled for Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21 and 28 at 10:00 a.m. Register in person or online. Stop by on Tuesday mornings for some summer fun - including crafts, games, books, and more! Themed events include: July 7 - Shark Week!; July 14 - Pet Rocks; July 21 - Edible Soil Layers; and July 28 - Wiggly Worms. 

3rd-5th Grade Events are scheduled for Thursdays, July 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 10:00 a.m. Register in person or online. Join us on Thursday mornings for some summer fun - including crafts, games, books, and more - just for 3rd-5th grade! Themed events include: July 9 - Shark Week!; July 16 - Pet Rocks; July 23 - Edible Soil Layers; and July 30 - Wonderful Worms. 

6th-12th grade Events are scheduled for Mondays, July 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 3:30 p.m. Register in person or online. Come hang out at the library on Monday afternoons - catch up with friends, enjoy some snacks, and we’ll have an activity too! Themed events include: July 6 - Shark Week! (shark dissection!); July 13 - Egyptian Hieroglyph Cartouche; July 20 - STEM Water Filtration Project; and July 27 - Garden Stepping Stones. 

Playgroup is held most Fridays at 10 a.m. Make a playdate and the library will provide the space and toys! 

Summer Read Finale Event will be held on Friday, July 31 at Bluffton’s Buckeye Park and will feature Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District’s Live Reptiles at 2:00 p.m.! Open to everyone! - Arrive at the park at 1:30 to have a popsicle and get ready to meet the reptiles! All children are to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Library staff are not responsible for child care. In case of bad weather, this event will be held at the library.  Don’t forget! July 31 is the last day to turn in your reading log and enter to win a Grand Prize! 

Bluffton Public Library Thank you! We would like to express our sincere appreciation to our donors for their donations toward the 2026 Unearth A Story Summer Reading Program: Anonymous Donors; Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co.; Becky Hartman; Bluffton Baking Co.; Butterfly House; Friends of the Bluffton Public Library; Kings Island; Kira’s Flipside Grill; Krysti’s Music Studio; Langan Family Finds; LuLu’s Diner; Miller Ferries to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island, Ohio; Ohio Renaissance Festival; Ohio State Fair; Ohio State Parks; Panda Express - Read with Me; Pizza Arcadia; Riley Creek Sportswear; Risen Indeed Baking Company; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; Seneca Caverns; Shannon Theatre; Shirley’s Popcorn; Tangled Griff Pet Salon; and Young’s Jersey Dairy Thank you! 

Don’t forget to check out the Display Case and look at ALL the possible Summer Read prizes you could win for your age group. 

Bluffton Public Library will be closed Friday, July 3 and Sat. July 4 in observance of Independence Day. Due dates will be adjusted accordingly. 

Services Update 

The American Heart Association “Libraries with Heart” program offers patrons who visit the Bluffton Public Library a chance to check their blood pressure at the library or borrow kits to monitor their blood pressure at home, just like they can check out a book.  

Download the SEO Libraries app to manage your library account. Library card at your fingertips. Place items on hold. Check due dates. Browse the catalog. Download it at the Apple App Store or on Google Play. 

Don’t forget that the Ohio Digital Library remains open 24/7 from your computer or mobile device.

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