News

10 9, 2021

The French Revolution & The Tennis Court Oath

By MPL Comm Outreach|2021-10-09T12:00:37-04:00October 9, 2021|

There’s no love on this tennis court!

Our resident historian, Dr. John Foster, talks about the causes of The French Revolution and what led to the famous Tennis Court Oath. He also explains how the oath changed history – not just for France, but for the western world.

This talk is the third in a series of lectures from Dr. Foster about the history of the French Revolution. Both of the previous lectures in Foster’s series can be viewed online (though you don’t have to watch them to understand Dr. Foster’s upcoming talk):

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War II, the Cold War, the American Revolution and US Presidents of the 20^th Century at the library.

10 2, 2021

All Booked Up with Cailey & Meg: Teen Horror

By MPL Comm Outreach|2021-10-02T12:00:48-04:00October 2, 2021|

It’s spooky season so Cailey and Meg are sharing some of their favorite YA horror novels. (There’s some gore in a few of these recommendations, so they definitely skew toward older teens.) Their suggestions include:

Don’t Tell a Soul by Kirsten Miller
The Haunted by Danielle Vega
The Mary Shelley Club by Goldy Moldavsky
There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins

Most of the books we discuss can also be borrowed as ebooks using OverDrive or Libby. All you need is your Mentor Public Library card.

10 1, 2021

‘Creepy Cat’ travel writer discusses Dark Shadows, underground cities & searching for the sublime

By MPL Comm Outreach|2021-10-01T12:00:55-04:00October 1, 2021|

Katherine Kerestman – the author of Creepy Cat’s Macabre Travels: Prowling around Haunted Towers, Crumbling Castles and Ghoulish Graveyards – visited us earlier this week to talk about her new book.

Creepy Cat takes readers to renowned and lesser-known macabre destinations across the globe and delves into the culture, cuisine and humanity at each site.

In this interview, Kerestman discusses her terrifying travelogue and her search for the sublime. She also tells us about her love for the supernatural soap Dark Shadows and the only place on her macabre map that sent a chill down her spine.

Visit our YouTube channel for more macabre and mysterious fun, including interviews with:

Karin Slaughter, author of the bestselling Grant County and Will Trent series
D.M. Pulley, author of The Dead Key and The Unclaimed Victim
Jane Ann Turzillo, author of Wicked Women of Ohio and Unsolved Murders & Disappearances in Northeast Ohio
Vivien Chien, author of The Noodle Shop Mysteries
Amanda Flower, author of The Magical Bookshop Mysteries, The Amish Candy Shop Mysteries, and the Magic Garden Mysteries

09 28, 2021

Revisit the Vietnam Wars with Lecture Series from MPL

By MPL Comm Outreach|2021-09-28T12:00:49-04:00September 28, 2021|

Our resident historian Dr. John Foster discussed the continued fighting in Vietnam from 1954 to 1963 during a special program last week. We recorded it for anyone who could not attend.

He discussed the leadership of Ngo Dinh Diem, the frustration of John Paul Vann, and the catastrophic Battle of Ấp Bắc.

This is the third lecture in Foster’s year-long series on The Vietnam Wars. Both of the previous lectures in Foster’s series can be viewed in their entirety on our website:

As part of his talk, Foster recommended several books on this era in Vietnam, including:

A Bright Shining Lie by Neil Sheehan
Vietnam: A History by Stanley Karnow
The Making of a Quagmire by David Halberstam
A Rumor of War by Philip Caputo
Vietnam-Perkasie: A Combat Marine Memoir by W.D. Ehrhart
Dispatches by Michael Herr
Fire in the Lake by Frances Fitzgerald
If I Die in a Combat Zone by Tim O’Brien
Close Quarters by Larry Heinemann
Street Without Joy by Bernard B. Fall

In addition to being a reference librarian, Foster has a doctorate degree in history. He has taught history at both high school and college levels. Previously, he has led series on the Battles of World War II, the Cold War, the American Revolution and US Presidents of the 20^th Century at the library.

09 19, 2021

Discussing Dementia: How to Have the Tough Conversations

By MPL Comm Outreach|2021-09-19T06:00:35-04:00September 19, 2021|

Earlier this week, a representative from the Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association offered advice on how to broach difficult subjects with a loved one who is experiencing dementia, including:

how to encourage them to see a medical professional
when it’s time to give up the car keys
how to make medical and financial plans for the future.

That program can now be watched in its entirety in the video embedded above.

Additionally, we’ve hosted other programs that can help families dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. They are still available to watch on our YouTube channel.

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