Jason Lea

Travel back to the era of Untouchables and learn about Eliot Ness during a special program at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 14, at our Lake Branch.

Eliot Ness served as Cleveland’s Safety Director for Mayor Harold Burton from 1935 to 1941. In these short years, Cleveland went from the most dangerous metropolis in America to winning a National Safety Award. Photos and stories will reveal the Eliot Ness that you won’t get from the movies – because, in this case, the truth is more fascinating than fiction.

The speaker will be local historian, author and all-around Eliot Ness expert Rebecca McFarland. McFarland is a fourth-generation Clevelander. She has given hundreds of talks on Ness and discussed him on A&E’s Biography. She’s also the person who ensured Cleveland would be Ness’s final resting place, as McFarland herself spread his ashes at Lake View Cemetery.

The program is free to attend and open to all. Save yourself a seat by registering online or by calling us at (440) 255-8811 ext. 1.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, discover the story of Victoria Woodhull — the first woman to run for US president — during a special program at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 11, at our Main Branch. (She was from Ohio too!)

Actress Anne McEvoy from Women in History will perform as Woodhull. Learn how she became a presidential candidate and involved in a scandal that rocked the nation. McEvoy will explore Woodhull’s abilities, achievements, courage and dreams.

The program is free to attend. Due to limited seating, registration is required. Sign up online or by calling us at 440-255-8811 ext. 1.

Children (ages four to six) can listen to the classic fairy tale Thumbelina and create a fairy garden at 1 p.m. on Friday, March 8, at our Main Branch.

The program is free to attend. Space is limited, so registration is required. Sign up online or call us at 440-255-8811 ext. 3.

Kids (ages eight to 12) can learn sewing basics and receive a free pair of eclipse glasses during a free program at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 4, at our Main Branch.

During Sew Much Fun, the young seamsters will sew a case for their eclipse glasses. The program is free to attend. Space is limited, so registration is required. RSVP online or call us at 440-255-8811 ext. 3.

Afterward, the children can use their glasses to safely view the total solar eclipse on April 8!

Others looking to procure eclipse glasses can receive them from MPL in three different ways.

1. You can register for up to two pairs of glasses per family online. Registration starts March 1.
2. Patrons can also receive glasses for attending special MPL programs this February, March, and April.
3. Finally, kids can get a pair of eclipse glasses by participating in the library’s Science Readathon this March.

For more information on all of these options, visit mentorpl.org/eclipse.