Age Limits for Programs
Please be sure to check the age limits when registering. Our programs are specifically designed with the listed ages in mind. We want to ensure that children who do fit the age group are not prevented from signing up or attending programs. Please respect the posted age limits.
Main Branch
Countdown to Kindergarten Bags
Ages 3 – 6
Is your little one getting ready to enter kindergarten? Or maybe you’d just like to work on some fun and educational activities together?
Check out our new Countdown to Kindergarten bags! Each bag has 3 unique activities and challenges for you to complete together, along with supplies and instructions. Each bag also has a guide that matches he activities to corresponding state educational standards and childhood developmental benchmarks and milestones.
These bags are for in-library use only and cannot be taken home. Ask at the desk for the complete list of bags and activities.
Kids Board Game Collection
Check out our new board game collection! These board games are available for in-library use. We have a wide variety including Candyland, Life, Monopoly, Trouble, and much more! Stop by the Children’s Desk for a full list of games and check one out today!
Sensory Bags
Ages 3 and up
Thanks to a Libraries Accelerating Learning Grant, we now offer 7 sensory bags. You can choose from the list below:
- Auditory
- My Sensory Bag
- Proprioception Sensory Backpack
- Quiet Fidget and Fun Backpack
- Sensory on the Go
- Tactile Awareness Bag
- Visual Sensory Bag
We also offer noise reducing headphones.
These bags are to be checked out for in-library use only and cannot be taken home.
Monthly Make a Craft
Every first Monday of the month
All day while supplies last
All ages
Stop by the Children’s Department to get creative with one of our monthly crafts. This craft is in-house only.
Spring Story Times
Spring Story Times will run Monday, March 11 – Friday, May 3. Head over to our Story Time Page for full listing and descriptions.
Story time schedule is subject to change based on needs and safety of the community. If you have any questions please call 440-255-8811 option 3 for more information.
Firehouse Friends
May 9th
10 AM
All ages
Join Fireman Dan, from the Mentor Fire Department, as he reads some fire related stories and offers tips on staying safe. Receive a raffle ticket for each time you attend for a chance to win pizza lunch with some firemen in December, 2024. No registration required.
A Librarian for a Day
Monday, April 1st – Friday, May 31st
All day
Ages 7-12
Children receive a raffle ticket for every 2 nonfiction books they check out for a chance to be a librarian for a day sometime over the summer. For more information see a children’s librarian.
Star Wars Spelling Bee
Saturday, May 4th
12 AM
Ages 8-12
In honor of Star Wars Day we will host a Star Wars spelling bee to test your spelling skills. The competition will test you on your knowledge and spelling of ONLY Star Wars facts. First, second, and third places will win a prize. Registration is required.
Muffins in the Morning
Tuesday, May 7th
10 AM
Ages 3-6
Bring Mom or your special caregiver for a treat, a story and make a special handprint flower keepsake! Registration is required.
Mommy and Me Spa Day
Saturday, May 11th
1 PM
Ages 6-12
Treat your mother to a special spa day to celebrate Mother’s Day. We will make lip gloss and stress balls. Plus a few other activities. Registration is required.
Teddy Bear Parade
Thursday, May 23rd
10:30 AM
Ages 2-6
Bring your favorite teddy bear and enjoy the fun! We’ll meet at the main entrance and march down to Eleanor B. Garfield Park. When we have reached our destination, we will read a story and enjoy a snack. No registration required.
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Thursday, May 30th
6 PM
All ages
Help us kick off our Summer Reading Program with Outback Ray’s amazing, hands on animal show. You may sign up for summer reading at this time. The show will be outdoors from 6pm until approximately 7pm. No registration required.
Lake Branch
Lake Erie N-scale Society (LENS) Model Train Display @ Lake
Friday, May 3-4, 2024
12:00pm – 4:30pm
Join us at the Lake Branch of the Mentor Public Library for a special model train exhibit brought to you by the Lake Erie N-scale Society (LENS). Members of LENS will be available to demonstrate the model trains and answer any questions you may have. The display will begin at noon on Friday, May 3rd and continue until Saturday, May 4th at 4:00.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Master Builders @ Lake
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Ages: 5-11
Join us at the Lake Branch for a monthly club where you can be creative with different building materials.Come build with LEGO, magnetic tiles, Brain Flakes, marble run, and more! No registration required.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Switch Mario Kart Party! @ Lake
Thursday, May 9, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 9-14
Teens and Tweens battle it out for the coveted Gamer Cup! Bring your switch or use ours! Registration is required.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins April 25, 2024.
Oodles of Pool Noodles! @ Lake
Thursday, May 16, 2024
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 4-8
Get into the summer spirit by enjoying crafts and activities with pool noodles.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins May 1, 2024.
World Turtle Day @ Lake
Thursday, May 23, 2024
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 6-10
Kids ages 6-10 can join us to celebrate World Turtle Day with a craft, games, and appreciation of all things Turtle!
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins May 9, 2024.
Choose Your Own Adventure Scavenger Hunt @ Lake
June 1-29, 2024
All Day Event
Choose your own adventure at the Lake Branch. Start at the beginning of the story, making your way around the library as each choice leads to another decision. You decide where the story goes!
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Grab-n-Go Seasonal Crafts @ Lake
Monday, June 3, 2024
All Day Event
Enjoy a seasonal children’s craft to take and make at home. Available at Lake Branch. While supplies last.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512. No registration is required.
Storytime Adventures @ Lake
Thursday, June 6 – July 25, 2024
No program on July 4th
10:30am – 11:00am
Ages: 0-5
Join us at the Lake Branch for an interactive story time with music, singing, stories, and rhymes. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512. No registration required.
Funday Fridays @ Lake
Friday, June 7 – July 26, 2024
11:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: 3+
Each Friday of our Summer Reading Program, join us for fun activities, challenges, and crafts for kids ages 3 and up. Some weeks may be messy!
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512. No registration necessary.
Read, Write, Play @ Lake
Monday, June 10 – July 15, 2024
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Grades: K-3
Stop the summer slide for your child going into K-3 with some early literacy games! Each week we will have different games to practice early reading and literacy skills. Please note this is a self-led program for families and children to explore, play, and learn at their own pace.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512. No registration necessary.
Master Builders @ Lake
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Ages: 5-11
Join us at the Lake Branch for a monthly club where you can be creative with different building materials.Come build with LEGO, magnetic tiles, Brain Flakes, marble run, and more! No registration required.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Saturday Family Story Time @ Lake
Saturday, June 15, 2024
10:30am – 11:00am
Welcome to a monthly story time for the whole family! Enjoy stories, music, rhymes and a craft. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 . No registration necessary.
Picnic Story Time @ Lake
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
11:00am – 12:00pm
Ages: 3-7 (with a parent)
Celebrate International Picnic Day with us! We will meet at the Lake Branch and walk to Mentor Beach Park to sit outside, enjoy a snack, and read a few stories. Appropriate for children 3-7, with an adult. Please register to attend.
If inclement weather or muddy, the story time will be held in the Paulson Room.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins June 4, 2024.
Family Minute-to-Win-It! @ Lake
Tuesday, June 18, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8+
Join us at the Lake Branch for a series of silly contests for the whole family! Compete with your family to beat the clock. Do you have what it takes to win? Families will participate as teams. Participants must be ages 8 and up.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration is open.
Headlands Branch
Finger Paint Fridays @ Headlands
Fridays
10:00am – 12:00pm
Bring in your little one to explore their creativity! We’ll provide the paper, paint and aprons – you provide the fun! Perfect for Pre-K!
Registration is not required, but space is limited inside the branch so there may be wait times. This activity is largely self-directed with limited interaction with staff.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Next Level Video Game Club @ Headlands
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8+
Do you enjoy playing games like Smash Brothers, Mario Kart and Nintendo Sports? Come join us at the Headlands Branch as we take turns playing video games for the Nintendo switch. You can also bring your own portable device, and just hang out and meet new people!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 24, 2024.
Headlands Jeopardy
Saturday, May 11, 2024
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Ages: 8+
Come see what you know or learn something new with us in a fun afternoon of trivia challenges at the Headlands Branch. Always on the 2nd Saturday of the month!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 27, 2024.
ROBLOX Saturday
Saturday, May 11, 2024
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Each month, we’ll be playing different games from Roblox! In-house computer use will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can still join us at the branch on your phone, computer or tablet! If you plan on attending with your own device, please let us know!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 27, 2024.
Headlands Crafternoon
Thursday, May 21, 2024
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Calling all crafters! Come to the Headlands Branch for a fun afternoon of crafting! Bring your current project, meet others with similar (or radically different) interests & maybe learn a new thing or two! Open to fiber/textile artists, beaders, paper crafters, etc. All skill levels and ages welcome! No registration necessary.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Nature Journaling @ Headlands Beach State Park
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
6:00pm – 7:30pm
All Ages
The library meets the wilderness! Join us every month at a different Mentor park to forge a deeper connection with yourself and with the marvels of nature living in our own neighborhood. We’ll explore different journaling techniques across a variety of mediums.
No experience necessary – open to all ages and skill levels. Limited instruction will be given, as this is a way for each individual to find ways to create a habit of observing and connecting to nature. All supplies provided (but feel free to bring your own!).
Meeting will take place at the Headlands Beach State Park (9601 Headlands Rd.).
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Headlands Treasures Hunt
Saturday, June 1 – July 31
All Day Event
That’s right, it’s a treasures hunt!
Your summer adventure starts in your own neighborhood! The best treasures we have in our area are our parks. Stop by the Headlands Branch to pick up a map of these parks to explore. Visit as many as you can (mark off on your treasures map) and return to the Headlands Branch before August 1st for a prize and a special chance to win a $25 gift card!
No registration required – stop in to participate! For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Pretty Pretty Princess Royal Tea Party @ Headlands
Saturday, June 1, 2024
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Hear ye, hear ye! The Kingdom of Mentor Headlands is calling for all majestic princesses to join us in the Headlands Palace Library on Saturday the 1st of June in the year Two Thousand and Twenty-four for a Pretty Pretty Princess Royal Tea Party!
The royal highnesses will be read fairy tales, complete an imperial craft, participate in an aristocratic princess pageant, play noble games, and dine on the queen’s tasty treats while sipping “tea” with their regal pinkies high in the air.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins May 11, 2024.
Headlands Crafternoon
Thursday, June 6, 2024
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Calling all crafters! Come to the Headlands Branch for a fun afternoon of crafting! Bring your current project, meet others with similar (or radically different) interests & maybe learn a new thing or two! Open to fiber/textile artists, beaders, paper crafters, etc. All skill levels and ages welcome! No registration necessary.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Next Level Video Game Club @ Headlands
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8+
Do you enjoy playing games like Smash Brothers, Mario Kart and Nintendo Sports?Come join us at the Headlands Branch as we take turns playing video games for the Nintendo switch.You can also bring your own portable device, and just hang out and meet new people!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins May 29, 2024.
Headlands Crafternoon
Thursday, June 18, 2024
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Calling all crafters! Come to the Headlands Branch for a fun afternoon of crafting! Bring your current project, meet others with similar (or radically different) interests & maybe learn a new thing or two! Open to fiber/textile artists, beaders, paper crafters, etc. All skill levels and ages welcome! No registration necessary.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Nature Journaling @ Mentor Lagoons
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
6:00pm – 7:30pm
All Ages
The library meets the wilderness! Join us every month at a different Mentor park to forge a deeper connection with yourself and with the marvels of nature living in our own neighborhood. We’ll explore different journaling techniques across a variety of mediums.
No experience necessary – open to all ages and skill levels. Limited instruction will be given, as this is a way for each individual to find ways to create a habit of observing and connecting to nature. All supplies provided (but feel free to bring your own!).
This month’s meeting will take place at Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina (8365 Harbor).
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins June 11, 2024.
Eric Carle Storytime @ Headlands
Saturday, June 29, 2024
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ages: 4+
Celebrate Eric Carle’s birthday (belatedly) with a fun afternoon of stories and crafts!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins June 15, 2024.
Let’s Cook With Kids @ Headlands
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8+
Let’s Cook is a plant-based mobile cooking school that is making their way to the Headlands to offer cooking classes for kids ages 8+.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins June 19, 2024.
The HUB
Makerspace 101 @ The Hub
Monday, May 6, 2024
Monday May 13, 2024
5:00pm – 6:00pm
All Ages
Learn all about the incredible machines in The HUB’s makerspace at this informational tour. See examples of what you can make with our laser engraver, vinyl cutter, t-shirt press, and more!
This program repeats on May 13th. One session per person.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins April 22, 2024.
Pet Leash Holder @ The Hub
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Calling all pet lovers! Learn how to make a Leash Holder for your furry friend!
This program will repeat on May 15th. Attendees may participate in one session only.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins April 24, 2024.
Pool Noodle Unicorns @ The Hub
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Thursday, May 30, 2024
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Embellish your own unicorn with a bit of Cricut magic!
This program will repeat on May 30th. Attendees may only participate in one session.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins May 9, 2024.
Backpack Adventures @ The Hub
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Let the adventure begin! Learn how to customize a Backpack for your favorite Summertime activity!
This program will repeat on June 12th. Attendees may participate in one session only.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins May 22, 2024.
Once Upon A Summer Adventure @ The Hub
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Thursday, June 13, 2024
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 0-5
Remember your summer adventure with Cricut and handprints on canvas.
The program will repeat on June 13, Attendees may only participate in one session.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins May 23, 2024.