February 2020 library news
We're almost back up to 10 hours of daylight each day, so while I'd prefer we see the sun a little more often, at least things are getting better! What have you been doing with your long, dark winter days?

Here at the library we've been cleaning and rearranging things to make more space for some of our most well-used collections, including our large print book collection and movies. Stop in to see what's new - it's still a work in progress but, like the daylight, we're getting a little more in every day.

Read on for a quick summary of our February special events. See you at the library!

Teresa Schmidt
Library director
Ditch the Dish!

Want to “cut the cord” or “ditch the dish” and start streaming your media? Curious about how to make one or all of those streaming media services work for you? Librarian Teresa Schmidt will lead an introduction to streaming media on Thursday, February 13 at 11:00 a.m.

You’ll learn about some of the many services out there: Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Hulu, Sling TV, AT&T Now, and more. We’ll look at the equipment you’ll need to watch your favorite movies, shows, and live events on your TV.

This class is free and open to all. Bring your questions!
Watercolor Painting with LOLA

Clear out those winter doldrums and get creative – let’s paint!

Land O’ Lakes Arts (LOLA) resident artist Wendy Powalisz will teach a fun class for beginning painters. Join her for a foray into the magic of working with watercolors on Tuesday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. Many watercolor techniques will be used to create a 9″ x 12″ painting of our favorite trees – the paper birch. All materials will be supplied, and no experience is necessary.

This program is free and open to all but space is very limited. Please call the library at 715-476-2366 to register in advance.
Book Club news

Tomorrow (Tuesday 2/4) is book club day!

Our daytime group meets at 1:00 p.m. to discuss The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, and the evening group meets at 6:00 p.m. to discuss Jimi Hendrix Turns Eighty by Tim Sandlin.

In March, the daytime group is reading Ice Hunter by Joseph Heywood and the evening group is reading Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner. Copies of both are here and ready to borrow. New members are always welcome in either group!
Get the latest titles @ Your Library

New movies on our shelves this month include: Doctor Sleep, Playing with Fire, Last Christmas, The Good Liar, Midway, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Knives Out, and Color Out of Space.

New books on our shelves this month include: A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabelle Allende, American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins, The Splendid and the Vile by Erik Larson, When We Were Vikings by Andrew MacDonald, Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, Country Strong by Linda Lael Miller, House on Fire by Joseph Finder, The Vanishing by Jayne Ann Krentz, No Fixed Line by Dana Stabenow, and Golden in Death by J.D. Robb.

To view our library catalog and place holds on your favorite titles, visit merlin.nwls.lib.wi.us .
Movie Night

Join us for a free movie night on Tuesday, February 11 at 6:00 p.m. We'll be showing "The Goldfinch," rated R for drug use and language, 149 minutes.

Thirteen-year-old New Yorker Theo Decker's life is turned upside-down when his mother is killed in a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Confused in the rubble of the tragedy, he steals a priceless piece of art known as "The Goldfinch."

Join us for a free screening, and we'll provide the popcorn!
Grown-Up Story Hour

Our next Grown-up Story Hour is tentatively scheduled for the last week in February, but stay tuned to our events calendar or Facebook page for details. This month we'll be reading stories about love: love gone right, love gone wrong, and anything in between.

"Love is like a child that longs for everything it can come by."
William Shakespeare, The Two Gentlemen of Verona , Act 3, scene 1

If you're interested in reading a short (5-15 minutes) piece of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, email Teresa at [email protected] . We're always looking for new readers, and we promise that it's a friendly crowd! Interested in reading but don't know what to read? Just let us know -- we'll be glad to help you find something.
Other activities @ your library

  • Coffee & Coloring: February 14 and 28 at 2-4 p.m. Coloring is a great way to relax - bring your own projects to work on or use some of our coloring pages and supplies.
  • Tech Tuesdays: February 4 and 18 at 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Drop in for help with your laptop, smartphone, tablet, eReader, or other digital devices. If you can't make it for the scheduled Tuesdays, call the library at 715-476-2366 and make a free 30-60 minute appointment for help at another time.
  • Informal Knitters Group: Monday mornings, about 9-10:30 a.m. Stop in with your latest work-in-progress and enjoy the company of your fellow knitters.
  • Ecumenical Bible study group: Tuesday mornings at 8:15 a.m. This group of Christian women of all faiths shares an interest in the Bible’s history as well as its message to modern Christian women. New members welcome. For information, please call Martha at 715-776-3993.
  • Friends of the Library: regular meeting on Tuesday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. New members and volunteers always welcome!
  • Mercer Library Board of Trustees: February 10 at 5:00 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.
  • Be sure to check out our full calendar of events to stay up to date with the latest schedule.
Mercer Public Library | 715-476-2366 | [email protected] | mercerpubliclibrary.org
Winter hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9am - 5pm; Tuesday, Thursday 9am-6pm; Saturday 9am-noon