October events @ Your Library |
|
Hello, library friends --
It's been a little quiet here at the library this month, which I hope means that you are all staying "safer at home" and limiting your outings. That's a good plan for everyone! Don't forget that we are still here for your book, movie, audiobook, puzzle, and other library needs, so make the library one of your stops when you are out for essentials.
We are open to the public for our normal fall hours, although we do suggest that you try to limit your time inside the library. Masks are required for all visitors ages 5 and older. We can provide curbside service if you aren't comfortable coming in, and can answer reference questions over the phone, too.
We are still focusing on providing online programs and take-home activities this month, and we have some good things lined up for you in October. Read on for what we have planned.
Take care,
Teresa Schmidt
Library director
715-476-2366
|
|
Bats of Wisconsin
Bat Week is October 24-31, 2020. Celebrate a little early with a fun and educational program with the Discovery Center!
Our annual “Knowledge at Noon” program with the North Lakeland Discovery Center had to be cancelled this spring, but naturalist Licia Johnson was kind enough to create a FREE, one hour virtual talk on the Bats of Wisconsin for us to share with our library patrons.
Note: the link will ONLY work on October 12, 13, and 14, so mark your calendar and make a plan to watch while it’s available! The link is also included on the program description in our online calendar of events.
|
|
Craft Kits coming soon!
Beginning this month, the Mercer Library will offer craft kits for kids. Each kit contains instructions and the materials needed to put together a fun craft at home.
Kits are available at no charge beginning at noon on their "release date" and while supplies last. Visit the library to pick one up on or after the following dates:
- October 16 - Beginner cross stitch kits, suggested for ages 6 and older
- October 30 - Skull string art kits, suggested for ages 11 and older
|
|
Genealogy programs
As the cold months approach, we'll all be looking for some indoor hobbies to keep us busy. The Mercer Library would like to provide programs for both beginning genealogists and more experienced family researchers. If this sounds like you, I'd love to hear from you! What are you interested in learning about?
I'm working with Carol Williams from the Northern Waters Genealogical Society to find some professional speakers and local experts who can answer your questions. If you have topic ideas please share with with me by calling the library at 715-476-2366 or emailing [email protected], and we'll use your ideas to plan our future programs.
|
|
Trunk or Treat, October 31st
The Library will sponsor our second annual "Trunk or Treat" in our parking lot on the afternoon of Saturday, October 31st. If you or your organization would like to set up a booth/truck/car trunk to hand out Halloween goodies to local kids, we'd love to have you participate!
We will be setting up stations outdoors and will be instituting social distancing measures. All participants will be asked to wear masks during the event. In case of bad weather, the event will be cancelled. More details, including the specific time, will be released soon.
If you'd like to be a part of the event, please contact the library at 715-476-2366 or email [email protected] so we can reserve a space for you.
|
|
Grab Bag Book sales
The Friends of the Library have been selling "grab bags" of books for $1, and they've proved to be so popular that we're nearly sold out! Never fear, though, because the Friends will be getting together this week to make more. Stop by and pick one up to see what books you might get -- you never know, you could find a new favorite!
|
|
Tech Tuesday by appointment
Librarian Teresa Schmidt is here to help you with your tech questions. We'll be doing Tech Tuesday by appointment this fall. Appointments are available this month on the afternoons of October 6, 13, and 20. Call us at 715-476-2366 to make an appointment. If you are not available on Tuesdays, we may be able to find another time.
|
|
Fall Book Clubs
Our Evening Book Club will meet virtually this month. New members are always welcome to join us!
The daytime book club does not currently have any meetings scheduled. Keep an eye on our online calendar of events for updates.
|
|
Information Literacy class available online
Do you know how to spot a troll or a bot? Know the difference between misinformation and disinformation? Have any tips about talking with others who are spreading misinformation online? If you'd like to know the answers to these questions and more, you might want to take a look at the Information Literacy class I've been teaching for Fe University.
We're three weeks into the class so far and I've been getting some great feedback from the class attendees. You can watch the course lectures (each about an hour long), download the presentation slides and check out the reading list on our website.
|
|
The Library is OPEN
Masks are required for all library visitors ages 5 and older. All visitors are required to keep their mask over their mouth and nose at all times while inside the library. We have disposable masks for those who need them for their library visit.
We have resumed our regular schedule of hours, including Saturdays. Fall library hours are:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Tuesday & Thursday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
We're happy to provide curbside service or make other accommodations if you can't come inside. Call us at 715-476-2366 or email [email protected]. We can find library books, movies, games, puzzles, and other materials; answer reference questions; and help provide copy, fax, notary, and printing services.
For those who need to participate in online classes/meetings, we can make our meeting room and the small memory lab equipment room available to you. Since the rooms are in regular use, we recommend making a reservation.
You may use one of these rooms and remove your mask only if:
- You must participate in an online class or meeting where you are speaking. Please don't use these rooms just because you don't like wearing a mask - we need to reserve them for those who genuinely need to for school or work.
- You are inside the room with the door closed either alone or only with others from your immediate household.
- You let us know when you leave, so we can close the room for 30-60 minutes after your visit.
|
|
Did you know...
...that there are tens of thousands of book titles in our digital collection? Your Mercer Library card gets you access to the entire Wisconsin Digital Library of books and audiobooks.
You can use our digital collections on your Kindle, mobile device (using the Libby app), and on your computer. My personal favorite is to download audiobooks so I can listen while I drive, and the Libby app now works with Android Auto and with Apple's Carplay.
The collection includes books and audiobooks for all ages and interests, and all your need to access it is your library card number!
|
|
Fall/winter hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 9am-5pm; Tues, Thurs 9am - 6pm; Sat 9am-12pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
