News

We and the Willoughby Fine Arts Association have teamed for a pair of special story times on Thursday, Feb. 22, at our Main Branch.

The story time is called Leapin’ Literature! Kids up to six years old and their grownups can explore their favorite children’s books through music and art.

The library will host one session at 10 a.m. and another at 11 a.m. Due to limited space, registration is required. Sign up online or call us at 440-255-8811 ext. 3.

These programs are made possible by a Libraries Accelerating Learning grant from the Ohio Department of Education.

Register to pick up free eclipse glasses from Mentor Public Library here.

Mentor Public Library is distributing eclipse glasses before the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8! You can receive them one of two ways:

1. Register on our event calendar to pick up to two pairs of glasses per family at our Main Branch.
2. Receive a pair of glasses for attending or participating in specific programs this February, March, and April.

Signing Up for your Free Eclipse Glasses

To sign up, you must have an adult CLEVNET card in good standing.

You can pick up your glasses from the Front Desk at the Main Branch. You can receive up to two pairs of glasses per family, because we are trying to share glasses with as many families as possible. Bring your library card to receive glasses at the Front Desk

All glasses must be picked up by April 3.

Receiving glasses for program attendance & participation

Attendees for the following programs will each receive one pair of glasses:

• Space Themed Trading Cards on Feb. 19
• Escaping the Moon’s Shadow on Feb. 22
• Sew Much Fun: Solar Eclipse Glasses Holder on March 4
• Commemorative Solar Eclipse Tote on March 6 and 13
• Solar-Viewing Glasses Case on March 7 and 14
• A Celestial Dance of Light and Shadows on March 11
• Moonbear’s Shadow on March 15
• In the Shadow of the Moon: Total Eclipse 2024 on March 19
• Solar Eclipse Slate Coasters on March 20 and 27
• Eclipse Path of Totality Wooden Wall Décor on March 21 and 28
• Eclipse T-Shirts on March 25 while supplies last
• Solar Science Crafts on March 29
• Science Saturday: Be Eclipse Smart on March 30
• Solar Art Soiree on March 30
• Total Eclipse of the Sun Extravaganza on April 6
• Science Saturday: Be Eclipse Smart on April 6
• Pizza Box Eclipse Viewer on April 6

Registration is required for most of these programs. You can sign up with the hyperlinks above or by calling Mentor Public Library. Registration typically opens two weeks before the program’s date.

We’re also hosting a Science Readathon from March 1 to 30. Kids and teens can receive a pair of eclipse glasses when they check out any two science books at Lake, Headlands, or the Children’s Department at Main. Maximum of two pairs per family for the month or until supplies run out.

Finally, we’ll have a small number of eclipse glasses for the public on the day of the eclipse at our Main, Lake, and Headlands Branches. (The HUB will be closed on April 8, since school will not be in session.)

Our schedule is packed with programs and activities for families on Presidents Day, Feb. 19! Kids can play, paint and learn all about the presidents.

First, children can search for presidents in the children’s area of our Main Branch during the Name That President scavenger hunt. If they find and name all 15, they’ll win a prize.

Also, our Creation Station will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Lake Branch. Children of all ages can create with fun crafting supplies.

Additionally, kids (ages seven to 12) can paint space-themed trading cards with watercolors during a program at 1 p.m. at our Main Branch.

Children can walk in and try the scavenger hunt or use the creation station. However, registration is required for the Space-Themed Trading Cards program. Sign up online or call us at 440-255-8811 ext. 3.

Finally, we will provide a craft during the 18^th annual Dinner with the Presidents event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. that day at the Yours Truly in Mentor.

Looking for something new to love?

May we suggest a book?

From now through Feb. 29, you can check out one of our Blind Date books. And, if you rate them, you could win a prize!

It’s easy to spot our Blind Date books. They’re wrapped so you can’t see the title—they are Blind Date books, after all—but you can see a short description.

They’ll be shelved on one of the main displays when you first walk into our Main Branch.

Check them out, rip them open and give them a good reading.

Each Blind Date book has a Rate Your Date card. If you fill it out and drop it off at Mentor Public Library, you could win dinner and a movie for two.

Inside each Blind Date book is a Rate Your Date card.

Fill out the card and drop it off at our Main Branch.

At the end of the month, we’ll pick a rating card at random, and that reader will win a gift card to a local restaurant.

By the way, you can enter more than one rating card; so check out as many blind dates as you like.

Who knows? You might fall in love with a book you just met.

Kids can celebrate Fat Tuesday at the library! We’re hosting Mardi Gras Mayhem for kids at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13, at our Main Branch. The children will make masks, necklaces, and even snack mix.

The program is free and open to all children (ages six to 12). Due to limited space, RSVP is required. Sign up online or call us at 440-255-8811 ext. 3.