MEDIA RELEASE_This summer, unlock a world of adventure with the Bluffton Public Library’s 2026 Summer Reading Program, “Unearth A Story” starting June 1. 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 three books read. So come on in and get the whole family registered and involved.

Monday, June 1 is the first day of Summer Read - visit the library wearing something with a dinosaur theme and receive a little prize.

LEGO Library Showcase returns: 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 starting May 11 during the early Summer Read registration. This event is open to ALL ages. The library will display the builds during June and July in conjunction with its 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. 

Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held at the library June 4-6 in the library’s lower level. Sale proceeds benefit library services, materials, and programs. Your purchase at this sale goes to enriching Bluffton and the surrounding community. 

Times are scheduled as follows: 

• Thu., June 4: 9:30 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. 
• Fri., June 5: 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. 
• Sat., June 6: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Baked Goodies Giveaways will begin in June. Drawings will be held on Fridays and the lucky winners will get to take home yummy baked goodies from local bakeries: Langan Family Finds, Risen Indeed Baking Company, and Bluffton Baking Co. Must be registered for Summer Read to be eligible to win. 

Three Sisters Garden & Ancient American Seeds (R) will be held Tue., June 2 at 6:00 p.m. This program features a short presentation on the indigenous Three Sisters Garden method, as well as info about three of the oldest corn, bean, and squash seed varieties found in America. Participants will go home with a collection of the featured seeds to grow this summer. Seeds donated by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (rareseeds.com). Open to adults, and teens and children with an accompanying adult. Register in person or online. 

Noon and 2:00 p.m. Book Discussions (R) will meet Wed., Jun. 3 at Noon and at 2:00 p.m. to discuss Remember: the science of memory and the art of forgetting by Lisa Genova.  On Wed., Jul. 1, at Noon and at 2:00 p.m., the groups will discuss Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney. Stop by the library front desk to register for your preferred time, check out the book, and to receive email updates. 

Erin Henry, author of Reconstructed: A Healing Journey After Breast Cancer, is originally from Bluffton and will be doing a Book Signing on Thu., Jun. 4 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. and a Book Talk & Reading (R) on Wed., Jun. 10 @ 2:00 p.m. Please register for the Book Talk & Reading. Books available during these events for $15.99 (Cash or Venmo) 

Acrylic Art Class: Bike & Flowers (R)($) will be held Tue., Jun. 9 at 6:00 p.m. Join Hannah as she guides you through the process of creating a Bike and Flowers painting in acrylic on canvas. Cost is $10. Register in person or online as space is limited. Open to adults, teens and children with an accompanying adult. 

Artificial Intelligence 101 (R) with “Bill the AI Guy” Bill Theisen, PhD will present the basics of AI on Wed., Jun. 10 at 6:00 p.m. Register in person or online. 

Watercolor Workshop: Horse (R)($) will be held Thu., Jun. 11 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). Register in person or online as space is limited. Open to adults, teens and children with an accompanying adult. 

Author Mindy McGinnis will be speaking at Bluffton Public Library on Tue., Jun. 16 @ 6:00 p.m. Open to Adults & Teens. Register online or in person. McGinnis is an Edgar award-winning novelist of YA and adult novels written across multiple genres, including Not a Drop to Drink, A Madness So Discreet, and Heroine. A former school librarian, she and her work have been featured on NPR and PBS, as well as a number of podcasts. McGinnis will discuss her book Under This Red Rock, which takes place in the cavern systems of Ohio. The book takes a hard look at mental illness and struggles that go with it. McGinnis will share her own personal battles, express the importance of speaking out about mental health and removing the stigma, and how this was all worked into the novel. Books available for purchase ($15/$20) following the presentation. Cash, card, and all apps accepted as payment. 

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 in June and check out the book at the library front desk. 

Speed Puzzle Competition (R) will be held Mon., Jun. 15 at 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 Pizza Arcadia. 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. 

Digging Up the Past: Tips for Ohio genealogy research (R) will be held Tue., Jun. 23 at 6:00 p.m. Register in person or online and learn how to research your family history in Ohio. 

Plant Swap with Activate Allen County: Join us for our 4th Bluffton Plant Swap. on Thu., Jun. 25 @ 6:00 p.m. This year, we will be swapping both house plants and outdoor perennials, so come with either or both. A plant swap is where people bring an outdoor perennial plant (in good condition) or a house plant (or both) to exchange (“swap”) it for a new variety of plant. It’s a great way to expand your plant collection & meet friends. Numbers will be assigned as participants arrive & everyone can go home with a new plant for their collection. For questions or additional information: call 419-222-6045, visit the Bluffton Library or email Chad Welker at [email protected]. 

Read with a Dog (R) will be held on Fri., Jun. 26 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 (or a bunny.) Open to children and teens (with a participating adult). 

Hummin' & Strummin' Song Circle will be held Mondays, Jun. 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 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 June, at 10:00 a.m. 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, June 2, 9, 16 and 20 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: June 2 - Dinolympics (like the olympics, but with dinosaurs); June 9 - Dinosaur Skeletons; June 16 - Dino Dig; and June 23 - Triceratops Craft 

3rd-5th Grade Events are scheduled for Thursdays, June 4, 11, 18 and 25 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: June 4 - Dinolympics; June 11 - Recyclosaurus (try saying that 3 times fast); June 18 - Dino Dig; and June 25 - Cookie Excavation (a delicious digging expedition).  

6th-12th grade Events are scheduled for Mondays, June 8, 15 and 22 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: June 8 - Dinolympics; June 15 - The Great Fossil Find (bring your best Indiana Jones impression); and June 22 - Plantersaurus. 

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

Coming in July... 

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 18 and Sat., July 19 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. Participants 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. 

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; Becky Hartman; Bluffton Baking Co.; Butterfly House; Friends of the Bluffton Public Library; Kings Island; Krysti’s Music Studio; Langan Family Finds; Miller Ferries to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island, Ohio; Panda Express - Read with Me; Ohio Renaissance Festival; Ohio State Fair; Ohio State Parks; Panda Express; Riley Creek Sportswear; Risen Indeed Baking Company; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; Seneca Caverns; Shannon Theatre; Shirley’s Popcorn; The Story Room Bookstore; and Young’s Jersey Dairy

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, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth. Due dates will be adjusted accordingly. 

Those wishing to register for upcoming events may do so on the Bluffton Public Library's website.

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.