MENTOR, Ohio — Are you looking for a little fun and adventure? Something to spice up your life in these challenging times? Mentor Public Library is offering you the chance to take a risk on a blind date.
Not with a human being.
With a book.
The new program is launching at the library’s main branch on Jan. 26.
Here’s how it works:
When you walk in, the books will be sitting on the main displays. Their covers will be wrapped up, with only a short description visible. You can choose a book, check it out, then take it home and unwrap it to see what you got. Inside each book is a “Rate Your Date” card, which you can fill out after you finish the book. You can then drop those cards at the library. On Valentine’s Day, the library will pick several cards at random, and those people will win gift cards to local restaurants.
This is just one of several initiatives the library is running to try to keep people engaged during the pandemic.
“We still want to make sure we offer educational and entertaining ways to learn stuff,” Jason Lea, Community Engagement Coordinator for Mentor Public Library, said.
The library also offers a virtual story time for families every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m.
For fitness enthusiasts, on Jan. 27 at 2 p.m., there will be an online yoga class.
If you like history, you may want to tune in on Jan 28 for a virtual lecture about Bloody Sunday. It will feature Dr. John Foster, a historian who works in the Adult Information Services Department at the library. He will explore how that pivotal day affected not only Ireland but the world.
On Feb. 23, the library is hosting a virtual jewelry workshop for teens and tweens. Participants can come to the library to pick up the supplies, then follow along with the class online.
The library also regularly offers virtual meet-and-greets with authors and online book clubs.
“In some ways, we’re more isolated than ever,” Lea said, “but it provides an opportunity for us to be with people, at least in some fashion, that we might never be with otherwise.”
You can sign up for all of these events, and check out the full calendar, on the Mentor Public Library website, or by calling the library at 440-255-8811.
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