No foolin' - it's another busy month at the library! | |
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There's some interesting library and publishing news making headlines today. The L.E. Phillips Library in Eau Claire just announced their Books on Blades program, while School Library Journal broke the story that James Patterson has accidentally written the same book again. Hmm....
Here in Mercer we're planning another busy month of events, with everything from Earth Day to nutrition, tech help to gardening. See the latest schedule of events on our website for the full list. You particularly won't want to miss our Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 20 from 10am to 12pm. More details on that are below.
Election Day
Don't forget that tomorrow (April 2) is election day in Wisconsin. The polls are open from 7am to 8pm. You can learn more about how to vote and what's on your ballot by visiting myvote.wi.gov. Mercer's polling place is in the Mercer Community Center connected to the library. Be sure to stop in for a little treat at the Friends of the Library Election Day bake sale, too -- they'll be here from 7am until they run out.
If you're looking for something different to do tomorrow night, check out the ONLINE Trivia Night sponsored by the Sherman & Ruth Weiss Community Library (Hayward) and the Superior Public Library. Log in at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 to test your knowledge of eclipses, space, astronomy, and more. Library patrons from around our system are welcome! Here's the virtual meeting link: tinyurl.com/5cjks2fj
We had a great time at Grown Up Story Hour at Liberty Way Tap House last weekend, with some super fun readings and a delightful group of people. Thank you to the guys at the tap house for hosting us! Stay tuned for the next scheduled date.
Hope we'll see you soon at the library,
Teresa Schmidt
director@mercerpubliclibrary.org | 715-476-2366
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Understanding and Managing Prediabetes and Diabetes
According to the American Diabetes Association, over 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes every year. In 2021, 97.6 million American adults had prediabetes. Want to learn more? Registered Dietician Rebecca Crumb-Johnson from NorthLakes Clinic will present an informative program on diabetes and prediabetes at the Mercer Library TOMORROW, Tuesday, April 2nd at 11:30 a.m. Read more
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Horticulture workshops with Extension Iron County
Extension Iron County horticulture educator Bruce Spangenberg will host three free in-person horticulture events in April, with two locations to choose from. The first one happens this week!
- Thursday, April 4: Planning a Successful Vegetable Garden
- Monday, April 22: Ornamental Grasses for Northwoods Landscapes
- Thursday, April 25: Keeping Your Trees Healthy
Each program will be offered from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Iron County Courthouse Boardroom in Hurley and at 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Mercer Public Library. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Register at the Extension Iron County website or call the Extension office at 715-561-2695.
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Another Great American Eclipse
On April 8, the moon’s shadow will pass over the United States and Mexico, providing a total solar eclipse that will be visible to over 32 million Americans who live along the path of totality.
Here in Mercer, we'll see about 80% coverage of the sun, with maximum eclipse just after 2:00 p.m. It's not safe to view a partial eclipse without eye protection, so be sure to use safe and approved eclipse glasses, a pinhole viewer, or another indirect method to take a look.
Join us for Eclipse Observations at the Library on Monday, April 8 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., weather permitting. We'll have eclipse glasses to share, our Sunspotter solar viewer, a telescope with solar filter, and more. Mercer School classes will be dropping in to observe the eclipse and capture some weather data, and the public is welcome to join us.
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New Artist in Residence McCall Hocking
Welcome our newest Artist in Residence, McCall Hocking!
McCall will be the featured artist here at the library from now through the end of June. She describes her work as "a humorous take of the beauty and absurdity of living through this crazy current time and place, combining Northwoods influenced landscapes with anthropomorphized woodland creatures." She'll be installing her exhibit at the library later this week. Stay tuned for more information about upcoming workshops on creativity and oil painting throughout her time with us.
Please join us in welcoming McCall in an opening reception on Wednesday, April 17 at 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Refreshments will be provided, and the artist will give a brief statement at about 5:30 p.m.
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Associated Bank offers tips on avoiding identity theft on 4/18
Federal Trade Commission data shows that American consumers reported over $10 billion in losses due to fraud in 2023, a 14% increase over the previous year. Imposter scams, fake investment schemes, online shopping fraud, and other scams are having a bigger impact than ever. How can you protect yourself?
Financial specialists from Associated Bank will offer information and tips on keeping yourself safe from identity theft, fraud, and scams in a free program on Thursday, April 18 at 12:30 p.m. at the library.
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Earth Day Fair coming on April 20
The Mercer Public Library will host its 6th annual Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will include activities for all ages, information tables, a recycling station for a variety of materials, refreshments, door prizes, and more.
Over 15 local organizations and businesses have registered to participate this year. We also will be accepting a wider variety of items for recycling than ever before, including electronics and small appliances, batteries, plastic film, denim, shoes, and more.
We're pleased to announce that as part of Mercer's Bird City annual activities, naturalist John Bates will be presenting a free program on birding in the northwoods at the conclusion of the fair. He'll be speaking at 12:00 p.m. in the library.
The Mercer United Methodist Church will then sponsor a "Walk for Water" following John's talk. You can visit the Mercer Walk for Water website to register to participate or make a donation.
The Friends of the Mercer Public Library are also sponsoring a children’s Earth Day poster contest. Cash prizes will be awarded in three age categories: preschool through second grade, third through sixth grade, and seventh through twelfth grade. Click here for links to entry forms and more information.
You can learn more about the fair, the details of what recycling will be accepted that day, and the registered participants on the Earth Day Fair event announcement on our website.
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"Taste Test" continues with pepper
Our first Taste Test program was a success, so let's try it again! Each month we’ll be featuring a different spice, seasoning, or other ingredient.
Ask at the front desk for the April 2024 featured spice, black pepper. You’ll receive a sample of pepper along with recipes and other information about how to use it in your kitchen. Kits will be available beginning on Friday, April 5. Watch for a new kit on the first Friday of every month!
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April Tech Classes
Tech help is also available by chance or by appointment with any of our library staff. Stop in with questions about your smartphone, laptop, tablet, eReader, the library's digital services, and more.
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