Author James Renner offers tour of Ohio’s weird and wonderful at Mentor Library

 

Have you ever heard of the Melon Heads, the hydrocephalic test experiments that supposedly still lurk in Kirtland woods? Or the Loveland Frog, the 4-foot-tall amphibian that’s haunted the banks of the Miami River since the time of the Twightwee Indians?

Author and journalist James Renner spent years collecting stories about the weird and wonderful denizens of this state for his book, It Came from Ohio: True Tales of the Weird, Wild and Unexplained.

Renner will share stories from his book at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 13 at Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch. His talk is free and everyone is welcome.

In anticipation of his talk, Renner was kind enough to answer a few questions about his book, his interest in the unusual, and things that go bump in the night.

Q: What about the abnormal and macabre interests you?

A: There are a handful of moments in every person's life that cannot be explained. I am fascinated by these stories and how they alter the course of someone's life. How do we explain the unexplainable when we tell the story to someone, later? What is the little pearl of truth hiding inside?

Q: You've written both fiction and nonfiction. Where does It Came from Ohio fall in that dichotomy?

A: It Came from Ohio is 100% nonfiction, in that these are stories collected from people across Ohio who firmly believe they have encountered frogmen and Bigfoot and UFOs. I research each case from the point of view of a journalist but it's up to the reader to ultimately decide whether Mothman really exists or whether it could just be a giant, angry owl.

Q: When did you start compiling the stories from It Came from Ohio?

A: I wrote crime stories for about 10 years and really wanted to do something a little more fun. I noticed that the people I interviewed about crime always had some other story they wanted to tell, now that someone was listening. And usually that story was about the strangest thing that had ever happened to them. I started jotting those stories down in my notepad. Eventually I had enough to put this little book together.

Q: Do you have a favorite story in It Came from Ohio?

A: Definitely the story about the Loveland Frog. Back in the 70's, a couple cops outside Cincinnati saw a half-man/half-frog creature on the banks of the Miami River. When I researched the local history, I found a story passed down from the Twightwee Indians who once lived in the area, about a monster called the Shawnahook. 400 years ago, the Indians also saw a frogman in the river. That gives me goosebumps. What in the world was it?

Q: I suspect people have been sharing their own unusual tales with you since you published It Came from Ohio. Is there a possibility of a sequel?

A: I love a good scary story and am compelled to go looking for monsters if you tell me where to go.

Come to the Mentor Library on Oct. 13 to hear more stories about the unusual creatures that reside in Renner’s Ohio. People can register for his talk on Mentor Library's website or by calling 440-255-8811 ext. 216.

Renner will also have copies of It Came from Ohio available for sale on Oct. 13 at Mentor Library, and he will sign them after his program.

Banned Books Week & Why It Matters

Banned Books Week celebrates books that some have tried to bowdlerize, censor and ban.

From Sept. 21 to 27, libraries and schools across the country will recognize Banned Books Week.

It's a chance for us to remind you about all the society-changing books that have been banned or challenged. And there's a good chance that list includes your personal favorite. Imagine your bookshelf without To Kill a Mockingbird, Color Purple, Animal Farm, Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.

And you might say: But that was a long time ago. We don't still do stuff like that today?

Yes, we do.

Legislators in South Carolina planned to cut some funding to state colleges after the College of Charleston picked Alison Bechdel's Fun Home as assigned reading. Bechdel is an award-winning cartoonist. You can probably guess what upset legislators based upon the name of Bechdel's comic strip, Dykes to Watch Out For.

(You may also know her as the creator of the Bechdel Test, which challenges movies on a single parameter. Does a movie have at least two women, and do they talk about something other than a man in at least one scene? It's astonishing how many films fail to cross that low threshold.)

Cartoons and graphic novels seem especially prone to challenges, because they are still perceived as low art.

For example, Bone—a fantasy series written and drawn by Ohio native Jeff Smith—was the tenth most challenged book in U.S. libraries last year.

The offending characters

Banned Book Weeks isn't just about championing books that other people might have concerns about. After all, everyone's entitled to their own taste in literature.

Banned Books Week is about having the freedom to read

There's a reason we chose "Bradbury" as the password in our Banned Books video last year.

Ray Bradbury said, "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.”

So it doesn't matter if no books are ever banned or challenged again. That is, it doesn't matter if nobody reads them anyhow.

So commemorate Banned Books Week in the best possible way: Read.

Read a book that's been banned or challenged. Read whatever you like.

But read. And decide for yourself what belongs on your bookshelf.

7 Questions You Should Ask When Picking a College

A pretty campus isn't enough.

It's College Prep week at Mentor Public Library. On Tuesday, Patricia Saddle of the College Planning Center presented an overview on all aspects of the college-application process.

The last time Saddle spoke at MPL, we highlighted some of the worst reasons to pick a college.

This time, we're sharing some of the questions you should ask when selecting your school.

1. What academic majors are offered?

This isn't just a matter of, "Do they have the major I want?" After all, 50 to 70 percent of college students change their majors at least once. Know what the college offers and if it coincides with your career interests.

2. What organizations and clubs are available?

Yes, you're going to college to learn, but you're also going to participate. If you love theater—even if you don't intend to major in drama—take into account if the college has a drama club. The same goes for karate clubs, intramural broomball leagues, jazz bands and whatever else it may be that you love.

3. What is the school known for?
Take into account a school's reputation. It's likely earned.

What are you looking for in a college or university? Somewhere with a strong alumni network? A vibrant arts scene? A school that's as well known for its social life as its academics?

Research your colleges of interest and make sure they sync with your expectations.

4. Does the college offer what you need for your learning style?

Do you prefer individual attention or more independence from your teacher? Pay attention to average class sizes. It's always helpful to get a current student's impressions, as well.

5. What percentage of students come back for their sophomore year?

A school's retention rate can be very telling. A high percentage of transfers and dropouts may indicate that a college does a subpar job of integrating new students.

6. How many students live on campus?

This question—much like our second and third questions—give you a sense of a school's culture. Do most students go home or stay during the weekend? Do they live in dorms or independent housing? There is no right or wrong answer, but it's a good sign when your preference coincides with your school's statistics.

7. What does the university look like?

No, we don't mean, "Is the campus pretty?" Frankly, any campus can look beautiful on the right day.

We mean is the campus tiny or sprawling? Is it urban, suburban or rural? It doesn't matter too much if your campus is photogenic. It does matter if it's in the middle of a city or if you need a car to get around it.

Our college prep series continues tonight. A representative from Lake/Geauga Education Assistance Foundation (LEAF) will talk about financing your college education. They will discuss loans, grants and scholarships, explain the differences between the three and tell students the best way to get them.

While the program is free and open to everyone, we that people register for it beforehand. They can do so by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 214 or by visiting Mentor Library’s event calendar.

Be your own hero at Mentor Library's Comics Club

Abby draws her own superhero during Mentor Library's Comics Club.

A bisected page, two large eyes, the beginnings of a mouth—Abby is drawing a superhero she created during the most recent meeting of Mentor Library's Comics Club.

"Her name is Hula," she explains. "She uses her hula hoop to trap bad guys."

The scene is decidedly relaxed during the latter half of the meeting. Some children draw—characters they've created, their Minecraft avatars—while others read graphic novels or issues of Tiny Titans and Adventure Time.

While most people associate comics with superheroes, the Comics Club is eclectic by design. One month they're designing their own sidekicks. The next they're reading independent web comics.

Our Comics Club is for any 8- through 12-year-old who likes to read, talk about or draw sequential art. We love everything from Amelia Rules to Batman to Bone.)

Our Comic Club meets from 7 to 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month at our Main Branch.

At a typical meeting, the kids talk about a special theme. Then we introduce the kids to graphic novels and comics that can be found in the library’s collection.

We close out each meeting with free time for the kids to draw or read.

“Their favorite part of the night is drawing time,” Schulz said. “We use templates that resemble comic strips and comic-book pages, so the kids can do short 3-panel or longer stories. Some have created their own characters that they revisit every month while others draw something new every time.”

The next Comics Club meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Oct. 7 at the Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch. The theme for next month will be costumes.

To register a child for the Comics Club, call the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.

Nicholas checks out an issue of Adventure Time during our Comics Club.

The Battle of the Books Begins

Who are you voting for in the Battle of the Books?

Is a young demigod any match for the boy who lived? Will Judy Moody overwhelm the Wimpy Kid? If the Wild Things win, will they celebrate with a wild rumpus?

These are just some of the questions leading into the first round of Mentor Public Library's Battle of the Books.

Eight children classics will duke it out tournament-style, and it's up to you (and your kids) to vote for your favorites.

The first round match-ups are:

1. Percy Jackson & the Lightning Thief vs. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone

2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid vs. Judy Moody

3. Madeline vs. Where the Wild Things Are

4. I Want My Hat Back vs. Don't Let the Pigeon Drive

You can cast your votes for your favorite books with ballots located at the Children's Desk at our Main Branch. The first round will take place now through September 28.

On September 29, the winners will move forward; and a new round of voting will begin and run until Oct. 6.

The championship round will run from Oct. 6 through 12, after which the winner will be crowned.

So who are you voting? And what children's classic do you wish was in the brackets?

Our newest Little Free Library location

We dropped off our newest Little Free Library at Memorial Middle School on Friday.

Short post today to celebrate our newest Little Free Library at Memorial Middle School.

We love kids, we love books and we love giving books to kids; so having a Little Free Library at a school is a delight for us. Thanks to Principal Dudziak for making it happen!

This is our 16th Little Free Library—17th if you count the one we take with us during our Flash Libraries. People often tell us how much they like them and thank us for them; but, honestly, it's we who should be thankful.

We're thankful to all our partners who host them, thankful to all our volunteers who make sure they stay filled, thankful to everyone who donates books, and thankful to everyone who takes a book to read. Without all of you, our Little Free Libraries would just be handsome blue bird houses.

Never stop reading!

Mentor Library hosting College Prep Series to help teens get ready for next step

Patricia Saddle talks about selecting colleges at the Mentor Public Library.

Mentor Public Library is hosting a College Prep Series from Sept. 16 through Sept. 18 to help people navigate the gauntlet that is college preparation.

The workshops cover finding the right college, the application process and how to find loans, grants and scholarships. Both sessions are free and open to the public, including teens, parents and adults who want to go back to school.

All of the talks will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the library’s Main Branch.

On Sept. 16, Patricia Saddle, an independent educational consultant from the College Planning Center, will present an overview on all aspects of the college-application process. She will discuss choosing a college, applying and financing a college education. She will also offer tips to those who are new to the process.

On Sept. 18, a representative from Lake/Geauga Education Assistance Foundation (LEAF) will talk about financing a college education. They will discuss loans, grants and scholarships, explain the differences between the three and tell students the best way to get them.

Mentor Librarian Cailey Williams organized the series to help parents, teens and anyone else who might be overwhelmed by the college search.

“As a teen, it can be difficult to figure out where to start in the college search and it can be kind of scary,” Williams said. “By setting up this series at the library, we are giving them the opportunity to meet these professionals on a neutral, less intimidating ground. They are encouraged to ask questions and to participate in the workshops.”

“In particular, the financial aid aspect is intimidating,” Williams said. “That is why we will have someone from LEAF explain how it all works and sharing advice on how to manage finances for college.”

This is the third year the library has hosted the College Prep Series.

While the workshops are open to everyone, the library asks that people register for the programs beforehand. They can do so by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 214 or by visiting Mentor Library's event calendar.

Music from the Civil War at Mentor Library

The Celtic Union Band performed classic songs from the Civil War yesterday at our Main Branch. If you couldn't make it, here's a short video to give you a taste of what you missed.

For more of the Celtic Union Band, you can visit their YouTube page.

We have another program about the Civil War this week.

For the last two years, the James A. Garfield National Historic Site has led a monthly lunch-time Civil War series at our Main Branch, and their war stories and facts have been fascinating.

Rangers and park volunteers discuss everything from the Battle of Gettysburg to Civil War Art to the role artillery played in the war.

At noon this Wednesday, Sept. 9, they will talk General William T. Sherman’s famous “March to the Sea” from Atlanta to the Georgia coast. All of the Civil War talks are free and open to the public. You can register for it on our website.

Come by and bring a lunch if you like!

Mentor Library launches new writing club for teens

What story do you want to tell?

Writers all share one common attribute. They feel the need to write.

It doesn't matter if they're 16 or 67, from Cameroon or Colorado. Writers have stories inside of themselves and they need to get them out.

That's why Mentor Public Library has started a writing club for teens—to help young authors tell their stories.

The first meeting will be from 4 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, at Mentor Library's Main Branch. It's open to anyone in seventh through 12th grade.


"The Teen Writing Club is all about our young writers," said Kristin Milks, the reference librarian who started the club. "Each month, the writers are welcome to come in with their current work or a blank slate. I'll also have writing prompts that we can play around with and use as story starters."

September's theme is "A picture is worth a thousand words." The teens can create short stories using photos as story prompts. Teens can also bring any writing they want to share with the club.

While Kristin will oversee the Teen Writing Club for the library, it's ultimately up to the teens on what they want to do.

"I want everyone who comes to our club to take ownership of it," she said. "Because, in the end, it's all about having fun and honing your writing."

Teens can register for the writing club on Mentor Library's website. By the way, we also have a book club especially for teens.

The Civil War at Mentor Public Library

We'll be talking about General Sherman's March to the Sea next Wednesday at Mentor Library.

While I hate to use the word "fun" to describe any war, there's a lot that's fascinating, interesting and, yes, even fun to learn about the American Civil War.

For the last two years, the James A. Garfield National Historic Site has led a monthly lunch-time Civil War series at our Main Branch, and their war stories and facts have been captivating.

Rangers and park volunteers have talked about everything from the Battle of Gettysburg to Civil War Art to the role artillery played in the war.

At noon this Wednesday, Sept. 9, they will talk General William T. Sherman’s famous “March to the Sea” from Atlanta to the Georgia coast. All of the Civil War talks are free and open to the public. You can register for it on our website.

And that's not all!

As part of our Monday University series, we're having a special concert Monday evening, Sept. 8, at our Main Branch. The Celtic Union Band will share stories, poems and play music from the Civil War era. Once again, this program is free and open to all.

To get a taste of the Celtic Union Band, you can check out their YouTube page, but there's no substitute for seeing them live.

5 Reasons We Host Concerts At Mentor Public Library

The Travelin' Man Band performed a free concert Wednesday at our Lake Branch. The good news: it was a great show and a lot of fun. The bad news: that performance closed out another concert season at Mentor Public Library.

Most people don't associate libraries with live music, though we've been hosting concerts at Mentor Public Library for a few years now.

We do it for a lot of reasons. Here are the five biggest.

1. We love music

Sometimes, it's really that simple. We love music—all kinds, from jazz to country to pop and back again—and this is one of the ways we share that love.

It's also one of the reasons we offer Freegal and Hoopla—digital services that let you download and stream music, respectively—and have stacks upon stacks of CDs for you to borrow.

2. Libraries aren't just places to borrow books. They're cultural centers

Don't get me wrong. We love books. Most people who work in a library are there, in part, because they love to read.

But libraries aren't just about books.

They're a place to engage with the culture, and culture doesn't end in the written word. It includes music, fashion, art -- pretty much any way a person expresses themselves.

3. It lets us promote local talent

Last year, we launched our Rock Roots Summer Concert Series.

We featured four local bands over the span of three free shows. All four bands—Altered Generation, Brendan Burt Band, Cheap Clone and Hedgehog's Dilemma—have roots in Mentor.

This not only gives these bands a chance to perform on their home turf, it also exposes them to a new audience who might not hear of them otherwise.

4. The concerts might introduce you to something new that you'll love

Mentor Public Library is all about lifelong learning. That's why we host computer classes and programs about the Mars Rover, Edgar Allan Poe and make rockets from Alka-Seltzer tablets and water. (And that was just this summer.)

That's also why we bring in an eclectic range of performers. We've hosted jazz, country, alternative, indie pop, oldies and Beatles tribute bands.

We hope you've enjoyed our myriad shows, and we hope you enjoy our concerts next summer too.

5. The concerts are a lot of fun

It really is that simple sometimes.