It's Election Day in Wisconsin, and Mercer voters are turning out in high numbers to vote in local and state elections. Since the town moved our polling location to the Community Center, we're able to show off our library to all the people coming in to vote. It's always fun to introduce what we do to a new audience!
It's the last week to enter your guess for our "When Will It Melt?" contest. We have guesses ranging from early April all the way through July. Stop by before Saturday 4/6 to select your date and you could win a gift certificate donated by a local business.
As always, we're planning lots of events and activities this month. We're also busy building our summer schedule, inviting authors, children's performers, and more for the community to enjoy. Read on for more information,
visit our website
, or
follow us on Facebook
for the latest news. Thanks, as always, for your support of our library!
Teresa Schmidt
Library director
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"Eager Beavers" with Discovery Center tomorrow
Naturalist Licia Johnson from the Discovery Center will present a free "Knowledge at Noon" program
tomorrow, April 3rd at 12pm
at the Mercer Library, on "Eager Beavers." Beavers are one of the few animals that have an amazing capability to alter their environment to fit their needs. Join us to learn about their unique adaptations and role in our local forest and aquatic ecosystems. The program is free and open to all, with donations to the Discovery Center appreciated.
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National Library Week Book Sale
"Libraries = Strong Communities"
-- National Library Week is April 7-13, and this year we're celebrating the role that libraries pay in your community. Stop by next week and let us know what the library means to you!
The Friends of the Library will be holding a
Used Book Sale
Wednesday 4/10 through Saturday 4/13 during regular library hours, great deals for everyone including bag sale specials on Friday and Saturday. We're still taking donations for the sale through next week.
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Mercer School student art reception
The students of Mercer School are our April 2019 Featured Artists. Under the instruction of teacher Craig Griffin, Mercer School students have created a variety of pieces with a “Earth and Wood(s)” theme.
The community is invited to a public reception on
MONDAY, APRIL 15th from 4:30 to 6:00pm
. Light refreshments will be provided by Mercer’s culinary arts students. The reception is free and open to all.
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Programs for landowners and homeowners
Bryan Pierce of the Northwoods Land Trust will speak on
“
Leaving a Legacy of Land
” at
6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16th
. According to Pierce, voluntary conservation of private shore lands, woodlands and wetlands can protect the land and keep family lands intact for future generations. The presentation will highlight the variety of voluntary conservation options available to private landowners working with local land trusts.
If you own ten or more acres of forested land, you may also benefit from having a forestry plan. Forester Chris Paulik will present information about the options available, resources from Wisconsin’s Managed Forest Law Program, and federal programs administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Services at a free program on
Private Forest Management
on Wednesday, April 24th at 6:30pm
.
Also in the works is a series of
programs for homeowners
featuring local builders, plumber, electrician and appliance service sharing their tips on what you should know about your home. We should have more information to share in our mid-month newsletter.
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Celebrate Smokey Bear, April 23
The Wisconsin DNR Mercer Ranger Station and the Mercer Public Library will hold a celebration of Smokey Bear and the first Smokey Bear costume in the Mercer Community Center on
Tuesday, April 23rd at 10:00am
.
Mercer, Wisconsin, became the birthplace of the first Smokey Bear costume in 1950, when Frank Brunner, Bill Carow, Bernard Klugow, Neal Long, and Ada Hart created the first walking, talking Smokey Bear for the Wausau Logging Congress Parade. That original Smokey Bear head has been housed at the Mercer Ranger Station, but will be moved to the Mercer Public Library to return to public display. Family members of Frank Brunner are planning to attend the celebration and make a presentation. Students from Mercer School have also been invited for wildfire prevention information and a visit with Smokey Bear. The public is invited to join us.
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Seed Library News
The Mercer Seed Library is fully stocked and ready for the upcoming garden season!
The seed library has been relocated in the library, so look for it in the center aisle near the gardening books. Stop in and see our selection of vegetables from beans to zucchini. We also have herbs, greens and flowers. We currently have sunflower and marigold seeds along with some natives like coneflower and milkweed. Remember it’s time to start thinking about starting those tomato and pepper seedlings!
UW Extension Horticulture Specialist Darrin Kimbler will discuss extending the garden season in our cold, wet climate on
Wednesday, May 8th
at the library. Stay tuned for details. If you need information about the seed library or just want to talk gardening in the north, call Jeanne Matchefts at (715) 476-2460 or Chris Paulik (715) 476 2874.
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Earth Day Fair - April 27th
Our 3rd annual Earth Day Fair will be on Saturday, April 27th at 10am to noon. Over 12 local organizations will participate and we'll have activities, information, and refreshments for all ages. All attendees will be entered to win great door prizes including a rain barrel (value $99) and reusable shopping and kitchen bags.
This year we'll also offer
FREE recycling of batteries and small electronics. Bring your computers, hand-held electronics, keyboards, printers and other accessories for recycling courtesy of
Trig's Recycling in Minocqua. Sorry, we cannot accept CRT (tube) TVs or monitors.
Kids can also enter our Earth Day Poster Contest -- the Friends of the Library will be giving away $225 in prize money in three age categories.
Click here for more information
and an entry form. Poster entries are due at the library by April 25.
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Wait for it...
We're working on another
Grown-Up Story Hour
at Liberty Way later this month; stay tuned for details. If you'd be interested in reading a piece of short fiction, essay, or poetry please
let us know
.
Finally, don't forget about the latest in our
Armchair Travel
series coming up on April 30, when Al and Marsha Fairfield will share their adventures in
Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
.
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Other activities @ your library
- Movie Night: April 23rd at 6:30pm, showing "Green Book," the 2018 Oscar winner for Best Picture. 130 minutes, rated PG-13.
- Knitters' gathering: Join your fellow knitters for an informal gathering on Monday mornings at the library, 9am to noon on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Mondays of the month.
- Friends of the Library will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 9 at 10:00 a.m. New members are always welcome.
- The Mercer Book Club will meet on Wednesday, April 10th to discuss Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. Copies of the book are available at the library, and all are welcome.
- Coffee & Coloring is a relaxing afternoon of coloring and paper crafts. We provide the coloring supplies, or bring your own paper projects to work on. There will be just one session this month on Friday, April 12 at 2-4pm.
- Tech Tuesday offers computer and technology help with librarian Teresa Schmidt. Drop in on Tuesdays, 4/2 and 4/16 from 2pm to 4pm.
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Winter hours: Mon, Wed and Fri 9am-5pm; Tues & Thurs 9am-6pm; Saturday 9am-noon
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