A fond farewell...

So, I have a little announcement: after almost sixteen years as your Mercer Public Library director, I am moving on to a new position. I'll be staying in the northwoods community, but taking a new job with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Library Services Team. I'm sad to be leaving, but excited about the opportunities that this new role will bring.

Thanks for all of your support through the years. Mercer is blessed to have a fantastic library, and that doesn't happen without an active community of library supporters. Thank you for everything you do! Whether you're a volunteer with the Friends of the Library or just someone who gets their books from the library, every little bit helps. The best way to support the long-term health of your library is to use it, and I hope you'll continue to do just that.

Not to worry, though: I'm leaving you in good hands! The Mercer Library Board of Trustees has appointed one of our library assistants, Julia Pusateri, as our interim library director. She and I will be working closely together for the remainder of the month to help make this transition as smooth as possible. I know that Julia is going to do a great job continuing our tradition of excellent library service in Mercer.

There's still a lot of fun to be had before I leave, too! I hope you'll join us for our Beaver Bonanza on June 28, featuring a free screening of Hundreds of Beavers. It promises to be a wacky good time! I'm also looking forward to hosting one last tie-dye party on July 2, which will be open to ALL ages, kids and adults. Come make a colorful creation with me!

Thanks for all the memories!

Teresa Schmidt

director@mercerpubliclibrary.org | 715-476-2366

Hundreds of Beavers!

Friday, June 28th at 4pm… All the finest minds in the northwoods will gather... for a screening of the supernatural winter epic HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS.

It’s action… it’s adventure… it’s comedy… it’s not for small children! It’s a slapstick Wisconsin epic about a frostbitten battle between JEAN KAYAK and DIABOLICAL BEAVERS—hundreds of them—who stand between him and survival. They Gnaw Where You Live!

The Mercer Library is excited to present a FREE screening of HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS, directed by Mike Chesik and starring Ryland Brickson Cole Tews, Olivia Graves, and Wes Tank.

But first, we invite you to prepare yourself with a Beaver Bonanza! Join us at 3pm for fearsome beaver stories and facts with retired wildlife biologist Jeff Wilson, Discovery Center's Jenna Richardson, and Jim Bokern of the Manitowish Waters Historical Society; a photo booth with hundreds of beavers; stick-y snacks; and fabulous door prizes!

The afternoon of events is free and open to all thanks to the generosity of Mike Chesik and the HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS filmmakers and the Friends of Mercer Public Library.

Summer Reading Series begins June 20

Weekly summer programs for kids start now! Thanks to support from the Friends of the Mercer Public Library, kids can enjoy theater, magic, live animals, and more at the library this summer.

• Thursday, June 20 at 10:30am - Road Trip Adventures
• Thursday, June 27 at 1:00pm - The Magic of Isaiah
• Tuesday, July 2 at 10:30am - Tie-Dye Party! open to all ages

We've also begun our annual Summer Reading Program! Kids can set their own reading goals by number of books read or time spent reading this summer, and be entered to win some fun prizes!

Visit our online events calendar for more details and a full schedule of upcoming events.

Legal and Elder Benefit assistance at the library

Judicare Legal Aid will be providing a second legal assistance clinic at the Mercer Public Library on Wednesday, June 26, from 9:30am. to 12:30pm. Judicare Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income persons living in Northern Wisconsin and Native Americans statewide. Visit our website for more information.

Don't forget that ADRC Elder Benefits Specialist Jerri Sokol holds office hours at the Mercer Library on the first Wednesday of the month from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Jerri can assist you with Medicare, SSI, housing, Food Share, Medicaid, Senior Care, and much more. Drop in during her office hours or make an appointment by calling 715-561-2108 ext. 5.

Sharing Mercer's history

Library assistant Blaze will host another Memory Monday on Monday, July 8 at 11:00am.

“Memory Mondays” are engaging gatherings where local history buffs and community enthusiasts come together to share insights, stories, and ideas about our local history. Join an informal conversation about local history, your ideas and projects, and more. This event is open to anyone with an interest in Mercer's history.

Library Passport program

The 2nd annual Northern Waters Library Network (NWLN) Library Passport program is in full swing! Stop in at any of the 30 libraries in our network and pick up a passport. Bring your passport with you as you travel and get a stamp at each library you visit. Collect 10 stamps and you’ll be entered to win one of four Kwik Trip gas cards totaling $500!

Our June "Taste Test" is cardamom!

This month's Taste Test kit features cardamom, an ingredient found in Indian cooking, Scandinavian baking, and more. Ask at the front desk for a sample of cardamom along with recipes and other information about how to use it in your kitchen. These kits are a fun and free way to try something new in the kitchen, and they're free thanks to support from the Friends of the Mercer Public Library.

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

Summer hours: Mon - Thurs 9-7 -- Fri 9-5 -- Sat 9-12

The library will be closed on July 4 in honor of Independence Day.