Happy Spring, everyone! 

It's been a crazy busy month of May for me, so I apologize for getting this e-newsletter out to you so late. We still have a few great events coming up for the last week of May, and I hope you'll try to join us for some of these unique events! 

I'm especially excited to host filmmaker Susan Reetz and Judge Eugene White-fish for a discussion of the documentary "Missing Threads" next Tuesday evening. We're also happy to have author Clark Kidder visit on Wednesday to talk about the story of his grandmother, an orphan train rider. 

Read on for more information. See you soon!

Teresa Schmidt, library director


"Missing Threads" documentary screening May 24th
Filmmaker to lead a Q&A session and discussion

Join filmmaker Susan Reetz and Forest County Potawatomi Chief Judge Eugene White-fish for a screening and discussion of the documentary, "Missing Threads: the story of the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act," on Tuesday, May 24th at 6:30 pm. 

This film tells the story of some of the many Native America children who were taken from their homes and families, and how eleven Wisconsin tribes and the state government stood together to create the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act.  "Missing Threads" was named 2016 Best Short Documentary by the Albuquerque Film and Music Experience and recognized with a Golden Reel from the Media Communication Association - International for Documentary/Shorts. 

Author Clark Kidder visits Mercer Library
Author of Emily's Story: the brave journey of an Orphan Train rider

Clark Kidder, author of Emily's Story: the brave journey of an orphan train rider, will visit the Mercer Library on Wednesday, May 25th at 11:00 a.m.

 Between 1854 and 1929, nearly 150,000 children were transported from New York City to the homes of farm families in almost every state. Kidder tells the story of his paternal grandmother, the late Emily (Reese) Kidder, who was brought to the Midwest in 1906 on an orphan train. Kidder will read from his new book and share other stories and photos from his family's history. 

Summer News

After Memorial Day the library will switch to its extended summer hours: Monday-Thursday 9am to 7pm; Friday 9am to 5pm; and Saturday 9am to noon. 

Friday, June 3rd, is an early release for Mercer's last day of school, and kids are invited to visit the library to celebrate with popcorn, a movie, and some simple activities.

Kids and parents should also watch for an upcoming schedule of summer events at the library. Thanks to a generous donation from the Friends of the Library, we have some fantastic programs and performers scheduled for this year. We'll host visits from musician Tom Pease, the Discovery Center's traveling naturalist Licia Johnson, the Lake Superior Zoomobile, Traveling Lantern children's theater, and much more. A full schedule will be released soon.
Support the library with Amazon Smile

When you shop online, don't forget to support the Mercer Library at the same time! Just start shopping at http://smile.amazon.com and tell Amazon that you want to support the Friends of the Mercer Public Library. Then, anytime you shop at Amazon Smile a portion of your sale will be donated to support the library. Thanks! 
Northwoods Book Festival begins June 9th

The new Northwoods Book Festival kicks off a summer of programming with an appearance at 6:30 p.m. on June 9th by Mike Beno, editor of the very popular "Our Wisconsin" magazine, at the Winchester Public Library. This event is the first of seven author appearances around the area, and the program will also include a "Community Read" event featuring Nickolas Butler's Shotgun Lovesongs with a special appearance by the author this fall.  
 
For more information on this cooperative series, visit www.northwoodsbookfest.org. 
Volunteers Needed

The Mercer Library is always on the lookout for new volunteers. We are looking for a volunteer interested in manning the front desk this summer for substitute evening or weekend shifts, and can always use extra hands for our summer children's programming. If you are interested, please call Renie at the library (715-476-2366) or stop by.

The library is also interested in sponsoring a Memory Cafe for people with dementia and their caregivers. We are in need of a Cafe moderator to host these programs. If this sounds interesting to you, please call Teresa at the library. 


Other activities at your library
  • Stop in for one-on-one technology help with librarian Teresa Schmidt at "Tech Tuesdays" on June 7 and June 14 at 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. or call to set up an appointment for a more convenient time. 
     
  • The Friends of the Mercer Library meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. to plan upcoming activities and library projects. New members and volunteers are always welcome.
     
  • The Mercer Book Club will be taking a summer break. Stay tuned for news on their return in September. 
     
  •  Knitters and other fiber crafters meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00 p.m. to work on projects, get help, show off their completed projects, and enjoy the company of their fellow crafters. Are you new to knitting? Feel free to drop in for some informal introductory lessons or to get help with your current project.  All are welcome! 
     
  • The library board meets on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the library. These meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome.