It's "Love Your Library" month in Mercer
Hello, library friends --

It's "Love Your Library" month in Mercer, and we're delighted to be open and serving the community during these strange times. We remain open to the public for regular hours, and all of our online services are available to our cardholders 24/7.

As I'm sure you've heard, there has been some controversy about whether or not masks are required statewide in Wisconsin. No matter where any statewide regulations end up, here at the library we will continue to require masks worn over the mouth and nose for all library visitors ages 5 and older. It's complicated, but we know that there is ample evidence that wearing masks saves lives. By wearing masks and requiring all of our patrons to wear them, our library staff has remained healthy (knock on wood!) and able to keep the library open. We want to continue that trend!

Stay warm out there this week, and stop by to see us soon!

Teresa Schmidt
Library director
715-476-2366
February is Love Your Library Month


We'd love to hear from you! Why do you love your library? Use this Google Form to tell us your library story or submit a photo or video telling the world why you love the library. When you do, we'll send you one of our vinyl “Love Your Library” stickers to thank you for your time and support.

Another way to show your library love is to support our collections with a donation. We're looking for subscription sponsors this month so we can add some new magazine titles to our collection. Check out our magazine wish list for a list of potential new titles and details on how you can donate.
Take a blind date with a book!

Here's a fun Love Your Library Month display -- Take a blind date with a book! Check out these books' profiles and take one home with you. Who knows? You might just end up with a new literary love in your life.

Prefer to set up a friend? Find your favorite book in our library collections and write a profile for it, and we'll add it to our display. Check out the display here at the library all February long.
February Craft Kits

The Mercer Library's FREE craft kits continue to be a hit! Each kit contains instructions and the materials needed to put together a fun craft at home. All ages are welcome to take a kit, including adults.

February 12: Heart hand warmers
February 26: Craft kit to be announced

These kits are available beginning at about noon on their release day, and while supplies last. Kits are available at no charge thanks to support from the Friends of the Library.
Tax forms available

Wisconsin income tax forms and some federal tax forms are now available at the library.

Before you pay for a tax preparation service, you may also want to check out the IRS Free File program to see if you can file without any additional cost. If you are eligible for a second federal stimulus payment and have not received it, you may also be eligible to file for a Recovery Rebate Credit.

Please note that our library staff is happy to assist you with finding the forms and resources you need, but we cannot provide tax advice of any kind. Please consult a tax professional for more information, or look into the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program to find a location for free tax help if you qualify.
Book Clubs

Our book clubs are meeting virtually. Copies of the book are available to borrow at the library, and new members are always welcome to join us!


Visit our online events calendar for more information and to get the links for the online meetings. (Just click on the program listing in the calendar.)
Tech Tip: Know your passwords!

One of the most difficult things to help people with is a lost password. All the "tech magic" in the world sometimes just isn't enough to help someone get back into a forgotten account.

Here are some ways to avoid being stuck in password limbo:

  1. Don't assume that because your phone or computer remembers your password, you're fine. If you don't know how to access those stored passwords, you'll be out of luck if something happens to your phone or you need to get access on a different device.
  2. Store your passwords in a secure location. (Yes, a notebook that you keep in a safe place at home is a secure enough location for most people.) Don't write them down on little scraps of paper that you stick in a pocket or purse - you'll never find them again!
  3. Remember that it's not the provider's responsibility to help you get back into your account. Imagine this: you've lost your credit card and you've changed your address without telling your bank, dropped your landline without giving your bank your cell number, don't know your account number, and can't remember your mother's maiden name. Would you expect your bank to still tell you that account number over the phone? Of course not! It's the same with your password: if the website or service provider doesn't have another way to verify that you are you, they have no obligation to give you access to your account.

Here's what NOT to do: Don't use the same password for every account just because it's easy to remember. When a hacker gets into a website's password data, the first thing they will do is try your password on any other website they can think of. If you've reused your password, you're only as strong as the least-secure website you've ever logged into.

A great way to keep track of your passwords is to use a password manager. I'll share more info about them in my my next Tech Tip!

Need more help?

Librarian Teresa Schmidt holds "Tech Tuesdays" to provide one-on-one help with your technology questions at the library. Appointments are available on most Tuesdays and on other days as necessary. Call us at 715-476-2366 for more info or to make an appointment.
Curbside and online services

The library remains open to the public, with masks required for all visitors ages 5 and older. For those who cannot come inside, we will happily offer curbside delivery for library materials and many other services. Just call us at 715-476-2366 for assistance.

You can also take advantage of our online services with your library card number. Visit our website at www.mercerpubliclibrary.org for links to our digital collection of ebooks and audiobooks, Gale Courses, Ancestry Library Edition, and Badgerlink resources.
Did you know...

...that your library director is a notary? We provide notary services at no charge. Just bring ID and remember to WAIT to sign your documents until the notary can witness your signature.

It's a good idea to call ahead or make an appointment for notary services, since your library director is not a full-time employee and often has meetings and other obligations. Appointments are not required, though, so drop in if you need to.
Mercer Public Library | 715-476-2366 | director@mercerpubliclibrary.org | mercerpubliclibrary.org
Winter hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 9am-5pm; Tues, Thurs 9am - 6pm; Sat 9am-12pm