MEDIA RELEASE__The following opportunities and services for January 2026 have been shared by the Bluffton Public Library, 145 S. Main.

Events and Programs 
Winter Read is for all ages and runs from January through March. Pick up a Winter Read Challenge Bookmark, complete it, and stop by the front desk to pick up a small prize!

Hot Tea Tuesdays! In January and February, stop by the library between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and get yourself a cup of hot tea to warm up with during your library visit!

Mobile Health Clinic: The next Mobile Health Clinic will be held on Thu., Jan. 8 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), bone density, and flu vaccines. Participants may speak with ONU Healthwise students and staff about their results or concerns, and even receive referrals to area doctors. *Note: Mobile Health Clinic Weather Policy: If the Bluffton or Ada school district has a weather delay or cancellation, Mobile Health Clinic will be cancelled that day.

Watercolor Workshop: Mouse & Mushrooms (R)($) will be held Thu., Jan. 8 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), and advance registration is required as space is limited. Open to adults, and teens and children with an accompanying adult.

Mixed Media Art Class: Snowflake (R)($) will be held  Tue., Jan. 13 at 6:00 p.m. with Hannah Warwick of Bluffton Art Co. Come prepared to create your own mixed media snowflake using watercolor/pen/paint. Cost is $15 per person and will be taken at the door (cash only, please). Register in person or online. Open to adults, teens and children with an accompanying adult. 

Noon & 2:00 Book Discussions (R) will meet Wed., Jan. 7  at Noon and at 2:00 p.m. to discuss The Women by Kristin Hannah. On Wed., Feb. 4, at Noon and at 2:00 p.m., the groups will discuss Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. Stop by the library front desk to register for your preferred time, check out the book, and to receive email updates!

Galley Book Group Mixed Titles (R) will meet on Thu., Mar. 26 at 6:00 p.m. This discussion will be of an assortment of Galley books provided by the publishers, scheduled to be published between January and April 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.

America 250 in Bluffton, Ohio and the Bluffton Public Library events:                        
Words & Wine (R) will be held at the 1861 Wine Lounge on Monday, February 23 at 6:00 p.m. The title to be discussed is My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie. Open to adults 21+. Limited seating. Register now at the library and check out the book at the front desk starting in January.

“I am not throwing away my shot!” The award-winning Broadway musical Hamilton will be shown downstairs in the Library on these special dates: Saturday, January 24, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ; Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ; and Saturday, February 14, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  The movie is rated PG-13 and 160 minutes. Register online or in person for the January showing by Thursday, January 22. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks; popcorn will be provided.

Winter Storytimes (R) January 14 through February 25!  Join Miss Beth for a time of stories, games, crafts, and lots of fun while developing early literacy skills! Little Ones Storytime is open to ages birth-2 and Pre-K Storytime is open to ages 3-5. When registering, please specify if your child has any food allergies, as snacks are often provided. Register in person or online.

Little Ones Storytime: Wednesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. (Birth-under 3 year olds)
Pre-K Storytime: Wednesday mornings at 10:45 a.m. (3-5 year olds) 

Family Storytimes (R) Join us the second Tuesday of each month, January - April, at 6:00 p.m. for a fun evening of stories and activities in the children's activity room. Families with children of any age are welcome. We will be meeting Jan. 13, Feb. 10, Mar. 10, and Apr. 14.  Register in person or online.

Family STEM: Do you have a budding engineer in your family? If so, join us for exciting STEM engineering challenges one Thursday evening each month at 6:00 p.m. from January - April. As a family unit, design, test, and modify your own creations. Meet downstairs in the large activity room. Mark your calendars for Jan. 15, Feb. 26, Mar. 19, and Apr. 23.

Homeschool Lunch Bunch: Pack a lunch and meet up with other homeschool families for informal social time and a fun story, activity, game, and/or craft. Meet downstairs in the large activity room at noon on the following Fridays: Jan. 23, Feb. 20, Mar. 20, and Apr. 17. No registration required.

Signing with Joy - ASL Family Storytime. Join Joy from Corson Communications each month, January-April, for Family Storytime in ASL!  Learn and experience American Sign Language through stories, games and interactive play - All are welcome and no registration is required. Mark your calendars: Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23, and April 27 at 6:00 p.m. in the children’s program room. 

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

Teen Snack Attack! Calling all hungry teenagers, grades 6-12! Stop by the library after school to hone your chef skills and create a delicious snack, appetizer, or dessert. We will meet at 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month: Jan. 26, Feb. 23, Mar. 23, and Apr. 27. No registration is required.

Needle Felted Heart Ornament (R)($) - On Mon., Feb. 9 at 6:00 p.m., Shawna Yoder will lead participants in creating their own version of a needle felted heart ornament. Cost is $3 per person. Open to adults, and children ages 10+ with a parent/guardian present. Sharp tools will be used for this craft. Advance registration required and seating is limited.

Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle will be held Mondays, January 5, 12, & 26 at 5:00 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!

HOLIDAY CLOSURE
Bluffton Public Library will be closed Jan. 19, 2026 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  Due dates will be adjusted accordingly.  Regular hours resume on Tues., Jan. 20 at 9:30 a.m.

SERVICES UPDATE

The American Heart Association’s program “Libraries with Heart” 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!