Thank you so much to everyone who came to our Midsummer Tea last weekend, either as an attendee or a volunteer helping with the event. It was a lovely time! Check out our Facebook page for some photos of the event and a great video put together by our friends at the Koller Library in Manitowish Waters.

Next week happens to be a very busy one here at the library, with several events for all ages. We're learning about everything from loons to artificial intelligence to folk instruments. Hope to see you here!

Teresa Schmidt

Library director

director@mercerpubliclibrary.org | 715-476-2366

"Loon Lessons" this Monday evening

Learn more about Mercer's favorite bird with Jim Paruk, author of Loon Lessons: Uncommon encounters with the great northern diver. Paruk will visit the library for a free talk on Monday, June 19 at 7pm.

All are welcome, and books will be available for sale.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Research: a virtual BadgerTalk

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about ChatGPT and the other new advances in artificial intelligence. These tools have the potential to change work, education, and the way we think about what it means to analyze data and even to “know” something at all.

Professor David Williamson Shaffer from UW-Madison will present a virtual BadgerTalk on The Role of AI in Research this Wednesday, June 21 at 12pm. All are welcome to visit the library to watch the talk together, or visit our website to register to watch the Zoom program from anywhere.

Community Concert with "Spoons for the People"

Join us for a Community Concert with Vincent Schueren, a.k.a. "Spoons for the People," on Thursday, June 22 at 2pm.

Vince Schueren is a singer, teacher, and folk instrumentalist who prioritizes playfulness and creativity when performing. He’ll share a colorful array of uncommon folk instruments, combined with the help of a looper pedal, jazz vocals, and improvisation, for a memorable concert. Everyone had such a great time at his event here last year that we've invited him back again. Don’t miss it!

The program will be held outdoors on the library grounds, weather permitting, so bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. In case of inclement weather, we'll move indoors to the Community Center.

This program is free and open to everyone, thanks to sponsorship from the Friends of the Mercer Library and the Mercer United Methodist Church.

"All Together Now" for summer reading and programs

All ages, kids to adult, can join our 2023 Summer Reading Challenge. Reach your reading goals and you will be entered to win some fabulous prizes! You can track your reading using a paper reading log or by using the Beanstack tracker app. Check out our Summer 2023 website for more details.

We also have weekly programs and activities schedule for kids, monthly movie double features, and more. Here's the schedule for the next few weeks:

• June 22: Fascinating Folk Instruments with Vincent Schueren, Spoons for the People
• June 29: Galaxy Tie-Dye (rain date: July 14) -- all ages, 1 to 100, are welcome!
• July 6: Galaxy Folds: Space origami
• July 10: Double Feature: An American Tail and Iron Giant

A Quilter's Trunk Show on June 29

Quilter Sue Bulawa will hold a Trunk Show on Thursday, June 29 at 1:30pm in the Community Center. She’ll have examples of her work on display and talk about her techniques.

Bulawa started her sewing career by sewing doll clothes and soon graduated to making her own clothes. One of her UW-Stout classes led her to make her first quilt. Soon after, her father retired and her mother opened a quilt shop in their family basement in Trempealeau, Wisconsin. Sue started making the store samples using mixed techniques. Today, she appraises, collects, lectures, teaches, and makes quilts.

All are welcome to this free program.

Ongoing Events at the Library

Here's a brief list of some of the other things coming soon at your library, and you can always visit our website for more info.

• Chess Club: Anyone from beginner to expert, child to senior, is welcome at chess club! Drop in for a game or stay all afternoon. We will have a few sets available for play, or you are welcome to bring your own. Chess Club upcoming dates are June 27, July 11, and July 25 at 2 to 6pm.
• Knitting Group: Enjoy the company of your fellow knitters at our informal Knitting Group on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. All are welcome to bring a work in progress, show off a completed project, or just visit with other knitters. Crochet and other fiber crafts are welcome, too.
• Craft Kits: We are releasing new take-and-make craft kits on the second and fourth Fridays of the month all summer. Right now, anyone can pick up a kit to make their own dragons! Beginning on Friday, June 23, we'll be making "Sponge Boat, Square Sails" using some common household items.

Friends of the Library membership drive

Thank you to everyone who has joined or renewed their Friends' membership this year!

We're well over halfway to our goal of 200 members. A donation to the Friends in any amount makes you a member, and you can make a membership contribution on our website or in person at the library. It's thanks to our Friends that we're able to offer all of our summer programs and activities, and we're so grateful for your support.

Mercer Public Library | 715-476-2366 | director@mercerpubliclibrary.org | mercerpubliclibrary.org

Summer hours: Mon-Thurs 9-7, Fri 9-5, Sat 9-12 -- Closed on July 4 for Independence Day