News

Want a creepy Christmas? Families used to read ghost stories before Christmas during the Victorian Era. The most famous is Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” But there were several more.

Ranger Allison Powell from James A. Garfield National Historic Site talks about the tradition and then shares an example of the genre that was published in The Plain Dealer more than a century ago!

For more from our neighbors at James A. Garfield National Historic Site, enjoy their Civil War lecture series.

Does your young reader need a boost? Kids entering kindergarten through second grade can strengthen their reading skills with the Reading Rockstars series at our Headlands Branch!

The program runs at 4 pm EVERY Thursday from from Dec. 28 to Feb. 1. It’s free to attend and no registration is required.

We’ll reinforce important reading skills using stories, music, games, and more. Each session will bolster different skills to help students reach their reading goals.

Reading Rockstars is supported by a Libraries Accelerating Learning grant from the Ohio Department of Education.

Dr. Scott Hardy from the Ohio Sea Grant College Program explains the critical issues facing Lake Erie:

• Invasive species
• Harmful algal blooms
• Hazardous storms
• Plastic marine debris
• Toxic legacy sediment.

But it’s not all bad news! He also shares how scientists, farmers, politicians, and many more have worked hard to improve the health of Lake Erie and its rivers. As the most biodiverse of the Great Lakes, Lake Erie plays a critical role to our region.

For more environmental programs from Mentor Public Library:

• How (and Why) to Plant a Rain Garden
• Meet Us in the Garden: Protect Your Pollinators
• Discover the Nature Conservancy’s Work in Northeast Ohio
• Backyard Stewardship for Beginners

Discover the life and legacy of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth’s consort for 72 years. Our in-house royalty expert guides you through the exile, tragedy, heroism, scandals, and patronages of the man beside the queen.

This talk concludes Hoffman’s series about the House of Windsor. Her other lectures on Queen Elizabeth II, King George V, and King George VI can be viewed in their entirety on our YouTube channel.

Due to limited space, registration is required. Sign up online or by calling us at 440-255-8811 ext. 1.