...and there are so many reasons to love your Mercer Public Library! Thanks to the Friends of the Library, we've planned several activities to help us celebrate this month. Check out some of our special events and activities below. You can always visit our website or follow us on Facebook for the latest updates, too.

Most of our library events this month and throughout the year are sponsored by the Friends, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to helping support our library and provide more services and activities for the community. The Friends meet once a month to plan their fundraisers and other activities, and new volunteers are always welcome! If you can, join us TOMORROW, February 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the library. We'd love to see you.

Read on for more events and library news!

Teresa Schmidt

director@mercerpubliclibrary.org | 715-476-2366

Artist in Residence block printing classes

Our newest Artist in Residence, Cedar Nelson, is a watercolorist and block printer from Ironwood, Michigan, and her work will be featured in library displays and events from now through the end of March 2024.

Cedar will be teaching two block printing workshops at the Mercer Library during her residency: Block Printing for Kids on Saturday, February 17 for kids in 3rd grade and older; and Block Printing for Teens and Adults on Saturday, March 9. The class for teens and adults is full, but there is still some room in the kids class. Please call the library to register in advance. 

Love Your Library Month

February is Library Lovers' Month! Here are some fun ways you can share the library love at MPL:

• Tell us why you love your library and you'll be entered to win a $50 Visa gift card! Use this Google Form to share your story, or visit the library for a paper entry form.
• Take our Love Your Library Month Bingo Challenge! Anyone who completes a Bingo will get a Mercer Library magnetic bookmark and be entered to win a prize package. Download a Bingo card or stop in to pick one up.
• Take a blind date with a book: Stop by to see our display of books with Tinder profiles... you might just find your next literary love!
• Join us for a Love Your Library movie afternoon on February 29, when the Friends of the Library invite you to a free screening of "Robot & Frank."

Grown Up Story Hour is back!

Why should kids have all the fun? Join us for a special “Love Your Library Month” edition of Grown Up Story Hour on Sunday, February 18 at 1:00 p.m. at Liberty Way Tap House in Mercer. 

Sit back and relax while you listen to short stories, poetry, and essays. There’s no cost to attend, but food and beverages are available for purchase at Liberty Way and Home Slice Pizza.

All are welcome! We're always looking for more readers, so call the library at 715-476-2366 if you'd like to read. If you don't have a selection in mind, we can help you find one!

Free Bath Salts Bar with The Sunflower Project

February 9 is National Read in the Bathtub Day. Make your next bathtub reading session a little nicer with a free bath salts bar from The Sunflower Project.

Kaitlin will be here on Monday, February 19 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Drop in and create your own relaxing, moisturizing bath salts. She’ll bring everything you need, including a selection of essential oils and floral elements to create a blend that’s just right for you. All are welcome to this free event thanks to support from the Friends of the Mercer Public Library for Love Your Library Month.

Interested in a book club?

The library currently supports a couple of private book clubs, but it's been a while since we've had our own book club. Are you interested? Please fill out this online form to let us know, or call 715-476-2366 and we'll keep you updated on whether we can get a group going again.

Tech Classes

In addition to providing technology help through drop-in questions or by appointment, the library has scheduled a few tech classes this winter. Here are the next events on our calendar:

• Friday, Feb. 9 at 10:30 a.m. - What is the cloud? with Teresa
• Friday, Feb. 23 at 10:30 a.m. - Facebook Marketplace and other online sales with Julia

10 Years of Fe University

Fe University is celebrating 10 years of classes! FeU began in 2014 as a way for older adults to engage in college-level short courses and lectures and to discover the joy of lifelong learning. They've gone on to offer over 100 classes on everything from history to writing to natural resources.

Join FeU for a free winter social to kick off their new series, Still Learning After All These Years. The free gathering will be held at the Mercer Library on Tuesday, February 20 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres and libations will be served.

More Services @ Your Library

Elder Benefits assistance

Jerri Sokol, Elder Benefit Specialist with the ADRC of the North, will continue holding monthly outreach hours at the library on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Jeffi can help with questions on Medicare and supplemental insurance, SSI, housing, Food Share, Medicaid, and more. Drop in during her office hours or call for an appointment at 715-561-2108 ext. 5.

Tax forms

The library has started receiving state and federal forms for the 2024 tax season. Stop in to pick up copies of what you need, or ask for assistance in downloading less-common forms.

Mercer's Comprehensive Plan

Every Wisconsin community must have a Comprehensive Plan that details how each the community wishes to grow in the next 20 years, and Mercer’s updated plan must be completed by 2025. Visit the library's website for a copy of all of the documents we have received from the Planning Commission, or contact the Town of Mercer for more information.

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

Winter hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 9-5 -- Tue, Thu 9-6 -- Sat 9-12