MPL Talks: The Origins of the Final Solution

We host a lot of programs at Mentor Public Library and it's hard to catch them all.

And sometimes you miss one you really wanted to see.

That's why we've started MPL Talks, where we post full programs online for you to watch at your convenience. It's not quite the same as being there. (For example, you don't get to ask questions.) But it's better than missing out.

MPL Talks begins with a program by Dr. John Foster—one of our reference librarians who also happens to have a doctorate in German history.

In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, he discussed the origins of the Nazi's Final Solution on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

How and why did Germany, the home of one of the more integrated Jewish populations in Europe, decide to systematically kill at least six million Jewish people? Watch and learn all about it.

For more information on programs at Mentor Public Library, visit our event calendar; and for more videos of MPL programs and events, check out our YouTube channel.

Mentor Library providing tax instruction booklets for checkout this year

The IRS is not sending tax instruction booklets out this year, but Mentor Library is making some available for checkout at all of its branches.

This year, the federal government is not providing 1040, 1040 A or 1040 EZ tax instruction booklets to libraries, as they have in previous years. Consequently, it may be more difficult for some people to find these booklets during this tax season.

However, Mentor Public Library is helping by making some of these tax instruction booklets available for checkout, starting in Monday, Feb. 2

MPL patrons can borrow 1040, 1040 A or 1040 EZ instruction booklets at its Main, Mentor-on-the-Lake and Headlands Branches. They can each be checked out for three days.

To be clear, the 1040, 1040 A and 1040 EZ tax forms will still be available for pickup, as opposed to checkout. But the federal government is not sending any other tax forms or instructional booklets.

However, the instructional booklets are also available for download on the Forms & Publications page of the IRS website. If someone is averse to downloading or printing the booklets, they can order them from the IRS website or by calling 1-800-829-3676. The IRS site says its takes between seven and 15 days for ordered documents to be received in the mail.

The Mentor Public Library will still be receiving local and state tax forms, and they will be available for pickup starting Feb. 2.

Local author talks about his grandfather, a Cleveland Mafia street boss

Frank Brancato was a mainstay of the Cleveland  mafia for almost 50 years. His grandson, Frank Monastra, has written the book "Mafia Street Boss" about him.

Though it seems like a bygone era, we are not far removed from the heyday of the Cleveland Mafia. Less than a century ago, the Porrello and Lonardo families fought for bootleg liquor profits during the Corn Sugar War; and the mafia's battles with Danny Greene's Celtic Club were more recent than that.

One man—Frank Brancato, a mainstay of the Cleveland mafia for almost 50 years—bridged both the Corn Sugar and Celtic Club eras. (In fact, Brancato's credited with introducing Greene to the Cleveland underworld.) In his lifetime, Brancato went from gambler to capo to consgliore.

Now, a family member of Brancato is talking about his time in the famiglia.

His grandson, Frank Monastra, has written a book, Brancato: Mafia Street Boss, about Brancato's mafia tenure and will talk about it 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, at Mentor Public Library's Main Branch. The talk is free and open to everybody. You can register for the program here.

So learn more about the man the FBI investigated for years—under J. Edgar Hoover's direct orders, no less—and his role in Cleveland's organized-crime scene.

(For more information on Cleveland's mafioso history, you may enjoy Rick Porrello's The Rise and Fall of the Cleveland Mafia and To Kill the Irishman.)

We're all a little mad at the Wonderland Tea Party

Alice reads her story to the children during the Wonderland Tea Party at Mentor Library's Headlands Branch.

Want to visit Wonderland?

That's impossible, you say. Wonderland is a nonsense place.

Nonsense? Impossible? Why we do six impossible things before breakfast over at the Mentor Headlands Library.

And a trip to Wonderland—that's as easy as opening as book. In fact, we didn't just go to Wonderland on Saturday; we threw a tea party there.

Kylie enjoys a cup of tea during the Wonderland Tea Party.

Kids decorated their own tea cups and top hats—in deference to the Mad Hatter—played games, listened to stories (read by Alice, herself) and, of course, enjoyed tea and cookies.

After all, there are few things we love more than a good tea party at Mentor Library. And, sure, we may get a little crazy sometimes; but that's all right. All the best people (and parties) are a little mad.

Lilly paints her top hat (and even the Mad Hatter would be impressed.)

For more photos from our Wonderland Tea Party and other programs at our Headland's Branch, visit Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Paws to Read: The Difference a Dog Makes

Taylor reads to a pair of therapy dogs—Honey (on the left) and Hannah—during Paws to Read at Mentor Library.

Taylor didn't like reading in front of people. She could read the words as well as any kindergartener, but it made her nervous when someone listened, her mother Donna explained.

Then Donna found the least judgmental audience in the world —the therapy dogs at Mentor Library's Paws to Read.

So Taylor started reading to the dogs, and they never corrected her pronunciation or narrowed their eyes if she didn't know a word. They just rested their heads next to her and occasionally angled for a belly scratch.

Soon Taylor enjoyed reading so much that she didn't care who listened.

Taylor's in second grade now and reads at a 3.4 Level. She still goes to Paws to Read, but now it's just for the fun of it.

Her mother Donna was so impressed that she got her dog, Jazzy, registered as a therapy dog; and now Jazzy helps young readers get over their worries, just like other canines did for Taylor.

Elizabeth multitasks, scratching Jazzy's ear without losing her page.

Elizabeth multitasks, scratching Jazzy's ear without losing her page.

Paws to Read is for readers between the ages of six and 12 years old. Mentor Library hosts it on the third Wednesday of the month at either its Main or Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch.

If your child can read independently but doesn’t like to do it in front of other people, you might try signing them up for Paws to Read. The program works well for dog lovers, but it’s also helped some kids who are scared of dogs get over their phobia.

The next session is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 18, at Mentor Library’s Main Branch.

Registration fills up quickly, so contact the children’s department at Mentor Public Library soon if you think you child could benefit from Paws to Read. (There is often a waiting list for the program once registration begins.)

For more information on Paws to Read and other children’s programs at Mentor Public Library call (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.

Between books, Nathan scratches behind Fragg's ear.

For more photos from Paws to Read, visit Mentor Library’s Facebook page.

Teen Project gives teens a place to be themselves at our Lake Branch

Roast your friends during the first meeting of The Teen Project on Feb. 9 at Mentor Library's Lake Branch.

Ready to get messy? Get busy? Get wired? Then you’re ready for The Teen Project at our Lake Branch.

The Teen Project has one mission: to give teens a fun place where they can be themselves at the library.

It starts at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9 with a Super Smash Bros tournament. (Register for it here.) Any teen who wants to play is invited. There will also be pizza and pop.

After that, The Teen Project will meet the second Monday of every month at our Lake Branch.

Video game tournaments are just the beginning. Teens will paint, compete in trivia contests, customize coffee mugs and more. The teens will be able to suggest their own ideas for The Teen Project, as well.

"In the digital age, ‘hanging out’ can mean four teens talking over Twitter or Snapchat—each from their own homes," said Ariel Johnson, the manager at our Lake Branch. "We want to bring the hangout back with video games and pizza and people actually in the same room."

For more information on The Teen Project or to register for the Super Smash Bros tournament call the Lake Branch at 440-257-2512.

Mentor Library also has book and writing clubs specifically for teens. The Teen Book Club meets at 2 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month at the Lake Branch. Their discussion book on Feb. 7 is Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher. Any teen who wants to join the club can pick up a copy of Ketchup Clouds at the Lake Branch.

Meanwhile, the Teen Writing Club meets 4:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at our Main Branch. During each meeting, they hone their writing by using a different story prompt. On Feb. 16, the story prompt will be "from a rock's perspective..."

Teens can register for either or both clubs by calling Mentor Library or signing up on our online event calendar.

Studio MPL makes cartouches and you can too

Help your kid turn his or her name into a cartouche like Ruthie did.

Studio MPL—our art club for kids in first through fifth grade—turned their names into colorful cartouches on Monday.

A cartouche was a designation for a royal name written in hieroglyphics in ancient Egypt. Some pharaohs would even have their names inscribed into amulets and wear them. (So cartouches are sort of like those bracelets with names on them—except for Egyptian rulers, and in hieroglyphics.)

Even if you missed Monday's Studio MPL get-together, you and your kids (or grandkids or nieces or nephews or whatever) can still make your own cartouches.

It's a fun art project and also allows you to teach (and learn) a bit about ancient Egypt.

You can get as creative with your cartouche as you want.

You can use the Virtual-Egypt website to get a translation of your or anyone else's name into hieroglyphs. (No, these aren't exact translations. They're the closest possible phonetic translations for each alphabetic character. It's about as close as you can get without hiring a papyrologist.)

Once you've got your translated name, you can draw and decorate it anyway you want!

Payton favors a psychedelic background.

If your kid enjoys the cartouche craft or has an artistic bent, they may like our Studio MPL art club.

Every month, they try a different art project. They’ve made sun catchers, painted sunsets, weaved and even garnered inspiration from Jackson Pollock.

Studio MPL meets on the third Monday of each month. Our next session is Feb. 16 at our Main Branch. You can register for it here.

For more photos from our Studio MPL session, check out our Facebook page. For more information on programs and events for children, teens and adults at Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org.

9 tips to improve your resume

Make your resume more effective with this advice from Ohio Means Jobs' Alaryce Shea.

Alaryce Shea of Ohio Means Jobs Lake County offered advice to people looking to improve their resumes Wednesday at Mentor Public Library's Main Branch.

If you're job hunting, looking to switch careers or just want to make your resume as effective as possible, you'll want to see what he recommends.

1. There's no such thing as a perfect resume. If you ask 10 people what they think of your resume, you'll get 10 answers and they'll all contradict each other. Shea recommends asking no more than two people to review your resume. (Of course, you want to make sure those two people know what they're talking about.)

2. What is the purpose of a resume? It isn't to get you a job. It doesn't even get you an interview anymore (though it used to.) No, the purpose of the resume is to get you the phone call or email that leads to the interview. (And the interview will hopefully lead to a job.)

So you need to constantly ask yourself this while writing your resume: "Will this make them want to call me?" It's great that you speak Russian, sing in the church choir and play jazz piano, but if it doesn't make them want to call you, then it doesn't merit inclusion. Does the company mention specific skills in the job opening. Do you have those specific skills? Make sure you mention those specific skills, instead!

3. Big companies don't read every resume—not even close. Instead, your resume goes into a database. When a position opens, the company searches through the database for certain keywords. If your resume doesn't have enough of those keywords, your resume doesn't get read. Even if you would've been perfect for that job.

So you need to include those keywords. But how? Do you turn your resume into a Mad Lib where every third word is some phrase you know they want to hear?

Shea recommends adding an extra page to your resume specifically for keywords. Include your name, title it Keywords and simply list your pertinent skills beneath. If you drive a forklift, include keywords like "tow motor" and "forklift." If you work in marketing, "event planning," "advertising," and "graphic design." Management: "hiring," "managing," "budgeted" and so on. (Make sure all of your keywords are true. Don't say "welding" if you have no idea how to weld.)

This way, your resume is more likely to show up in a keyword search, which will actually get it read.

(Only include the Keywords page if your resume is entering a database. Don't add it if you're mailing your resume to someone directly.)

4. There's more than one type of resume. You have your reverse-chronological resume, which lists your work experience from most recent and concludes with your education. This is the most common type, but not necessarily the most effective. The second is the functional resume, which focuses on accomplishments and skills. (This is especially useful when you're making a career change.) The third is combination, which (obviously) combines qualifications and employment history. Shea says the combination resume is usually the most effective.

5. Consider how you phrase things. Don't just list your responsibilities; include accomplishment statements. To phrase it differently—don't just say what you did, tell them what you did well. Don't say "managed the budget;" say "through responsible spending, cut _____ from the budget." Don't say "taught computer classes;" say "trained thousands of people how to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Publisher."

6. Have a Skills and Qualifications section. List 15 or so of your skills, all of which should be pertinent to the job to which you're applying. And what is a skill? According to Shea, "If you did it once, can do it again and want to do it again, it's a skill." Which leads us to...

7. Have different versions of your resume. Not all of your skills are going to be pertinent to every job you apply for. You know how to use Photoshop? Great. That doesn't matter if you want to drive the Zamboni. Tailor your resume to the job for which you're applying.

And, in general, don't feel the need to include everything. Your resume is a brochure, not an autobiography. If they want to know more, they can call you.

8. It's good to include your volunteer experience, especially if you haven't worked in awhile or are changing careers. But you don't need to list the 32 different organizations in which you've participated to show your community-minded. Pick two—the two most pertinent to the job you want. Once again, if they want to know more, they'll call.

9. I haven't mentioned objective statements or references yet. That's because you don't need them—cover letters either. "References available upon request" is sufficient.

Some final thoughts: write in Arial or Times New Roman fonts, 12 pt.; it's OK for your resume to be two (or even three) pages; save your resume as a DOC not as a DOCX, PDF or (so help me) WPS; if they ask for a requested salary, answer "open" or "negotiable." If they demand an actual number, use glassdoor.com as a reference. And, yes, spelling and punctuation matter.

For more help, visit Ohio Means Jobs Lake County at 177 Main Street, Painesville. The phone number is (440) 350-4400.

Mentor Library will continue to team with Ohio Means Jobs for programs throughout the year to help career-seekers. In February,we’re hosting a computer class specifically for job hunters; and, in March, we’ll offer advice on how to ace job interviews.

This is in addition to the computer classes on how to use Facebook, Microsoft Word, Publisher and email we have slated for this February.

The joy of singing 'Let It Go' at the top of your lungs

Do you want to paint a snowman? Princess Marian does.

Those who don't don't hear "Let It Go" everyday may not realize it; but, yes, Frozen is still definitely a thing.

Tiny Annas, Elsas and even a few Svens filled our Garfield Room yesterday afternoon to play games and make crafts inspired by the Disney movie. And, of course, there was a singalong.

Bella flings a snowball during one of our Frozen games.

Kids painted Olaf, built their own Frozen forest, decorated cookies and tested their aim with a snowball challenge.

And then they sang!

(We apologize for the video's bad lighting and shaky camera, but how could we not share that? May we one day all love something as much as Aven and Bryn love Frozen.)

For more photos from our Frozen program, visit Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Payton decorates her snowman cookie with gusto (and sprinkles.)

15 Books, Videos & Albums from the Civil Rights Movement for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

While the day is named after him, Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrates everyone who strives for justice and equality.

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we wanted to compile a list of books, documentaries, movies and albums either from or about the Civil Rights Movement.

At first, we intended to limit it to 10, but that cap made for a superficial list. We increased the total to 15, but that still excluded too many favorites.

We eventually realized that we could stretch the list to 100, and it still wouldn't include everything we considered recommended reading, viewing and listening. So this list is admittedly incomplete; or, rather, it's far from exhaustive, and we preemptively apologize if we failed to include a personal favorite.

If anything, we hope this list introduces you to something new or reminds you of something important.

One final caveat: There has been more than one Civil Rights Movement in America and hundreds more across this planet. This list focuses on black Americans' fight for freedom and equality in their country. To try to include every Civil Rights Movement would be casting a web too wide for a single post.

However, this won't be the only list of its kind. The story of any people who are striving for justice and equality matters.

1. A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King Jr.

The holiday is named after the man. We might as well begin with Martin Luther King Jr.

His most moving words are all here: his Nobel Prize acceptance speech; his Christmas sermon on peace; "Why We Can't Wait"; his final speech delivered on April 4, 1968; and, of course, "I Have a Dream."

2. April 4, 1968: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Death and How It Changed America by Michael Eric Dyson

"I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight, that we as a people will get to the Promised Land."

Those were King's words from his final speech the day he was murdered. Dyson uses the fortieth anniversary of King's assassination as a starting point for a comprehensive reevaluation of the fate of America, specifically Black America, over the ensuing years. He investigates the ways in which we as a people have made it to the Promised Land that King spoke of. He also illuminates the ways we still have a long way to go. (April 4, 1968 can also be streamed as an audiobook via Hoopla.)

3. Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Years

Both the PBS documentary and book do a masterful job of recapping the Civil Rights Movement from Brown v. Board of Education to the march from Selma to Montgomery—equally useful as an introduction and as a reminder.

4. Nina Simone's The Definitive Collection

Struggle is never far from Nina Simone's music, whether it be the struggle of her race ("To Be Young, Gifted and Black" or "Mississippi Goddam") or her sex ("Four Women" or "Pirate Jenny.") Life is difficult. The only thing that seemed to come easy were the songs; and, even then, they are sometimes painful to listen to.

You can stream Simone's music on Hoopla or download her songs from Freegal.

5. Carry Me Home: Birmingham, Alabama: The Climactic Battle of the Civil Rights Revolution by Diane McWhorter

McWhorter won the Pulitzer Prize fore her investigation of her hometown and segregationist family during a pivotal year in the Civil Rights movement.

6. The Autobiography of Malcolm X

King was not the only leader during the Civil Rights movement. Malcolm X's leadership, vision and rhetoric still influences millions of people. To learn more about the man you can read his autobiography (which, in full disclosure, was primarily written by Alex Haley.) Malcolm Marable's Malcolm: A Life of Reinvention also offers an interesting counterpoint to his autobiography, as well as more information on his marriage to Betty Shabazz. (It's also available as an eBook on OverDrive.)

If you'd rather watch than read, Malcolm X is one of Spike Lee's finest films.

7. If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold

Ringgold may be better known for her story quilts, but she has also written and illustrated more than a dozen children's books. If a Bus Could Talk is an excellent way to teach and talk to kids about Rosa Parks and Civil Rights.

8. Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom by Peter Guralnick

Guralnick tells the story of how musicians—Spooner Oldham, Otis Redding, Booker T. Jones and more—cut across racial lines to make music that was both timely and timeless.

9. Marvin Gaye's What's Going On?

Speaking of sweet soul music, Gaye's plaintive question is as pertinent now as it was in 1969. You might know the singles already (the title track, "Inner City Blues" and "Mercy, Mercy Me") but this album rewards those who listen to it in its entirety.

10. Black Like Me

In a move that would be decidedly not politically correct by today's standards, a white reporter temporarily darkened his skin during the height of the Civil Rights movement so he could see how black men were treated in the segregated south.

11. Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins by Carole Boston Weatherford

Eight-year-old Connie can't eat her ice cream at Woolworth's lunch counter. This book was written for third through fifth graders, but adults will appreciate its message too.

12. Voices of Freedom: An Oral History of the Civil Rights Movement from the 1950s through the 1980s

The worthy followup to Eyes on the Prize. This book tells the story of the Civil Rights Movement from people who were there, both the famous and the unknown.

13. Breach of Peace: Portraits of the 1961 Mississippi Freedom Riders by Eric Etheridge

This book uses modern photos and the historical mug shots of the black and white protesters who rode across the country together protesting segregation.

14. Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody

The Civil Rights Movement isn't just the story of Malcolm and Martin and Medgar Evers. It isn't just the story of the people who refused to leave their seats on the bus or at the lunch counter. It was (and is) the story of everyone who has been belittled because of their race or sex or some other attribute beyond their control.

Anne Moody writes about her childhood, growing up in the Mississippi Delta in the 1940s and 1950s. Without embellishment or literary theatrics, she describes the risks her contemporaries faced for the sake of earning basic rights. And by telling her story, she tells all of our stories.

15. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Fiction can be a powerful way to share a people's struggle and few people used it more powerfully than Harper Lee. If you've already read To Kill a Mockingbird but it's been awhile, read it again.

Don't waste your winter

Don't let a little snow scare you.

We know. It’s cold outside. Very cold.

Your driveway needs shoveling, the doors of your car are sealed shut, and you haven’t been able to feel the tips of your fingers since November.

But winter in Lake County isn’t just some inconvenience between fall and spring. It’s an opportunity—a chance to see something new or something familiar in a different light.

So here are five ways to make the most of this time of year.

1. Go for a hike. Lake County is replete with gorgeous parks. And while they may be a little chillier in January, they are no less beautiful. Are you trying to exercise more this New Year? Knock out two birds with one stone and go hiking. In fact, you can get a free pedometer or water bottle for your hike if you show your Mentor Library card at the Mentor Parks & Recreation Office this month.
2. Expand your taste palate. Whether its comfort food at Melt, fine dining at Skye, something crafty at Little Mountain Brewery or dessert at the Confectionary Cupboard, Lake County has hundreds of restaurants, eateries, wineries and more to tantalize you. We’re getting into the act too. Starting February, we’re launching our Tasty Tuesdays program. Each month, we’ll show you the variety of flavors you can get from a single food. It’s like a book club for your mouth. And we’re starting with chocolate!
3. Learn something new. Even if the weather has you trapped inside, that’s no excuse to stare at the walls until your brain cells atrophy. Take a photography class with Gale Courses. Learn Spanish with Transparent Language. Watch a documentary on Hoopla. (What those three suggestions have in common: You can do them all from home and they’re all free with a Mentor Library card.)
4. Update your music collection. You know all of those Best of 2014 music lists that are filled with artists and albums you’ve never heard of? Use them as a roadmap to explore something new. Listen to an artist from a genre that you usually ignore or check out that album from that band you used to love. But music’s expensive, you say. Not if you stream it for free from Hoopla or Freegal, which you can do if you have a Mentor Library card. You can even check out a CD or two, if you’re feeling old-fashioned.
5. Check some books off of your To-Read list. I even know a place that can help with that.

10 Tips for Healthy Weight Maintenance with Dr. Morris

Dr. Misty Morris visited Mentor Library Tuesday to suggest ways people can maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Eat right and exercise. We know.

Everybody knows how to stay healthy. It's just so hard to do sometimes.

That's why we regress on our New Year's Resolutions. It's not that we don't know better. It's just broccoli-and-5 am-calisthenics fatigue sets in, and a cheeseburger catches us in a moment of weakness. And so do the fries. And a shake. And maybe some mozzarella sticks.

To that end, Dr. Misty Morris visited the library Tuesday to recommend 10 ways we can get and stay healthy this year.

1. What are you eating? You can exercise as much as you want. If you don't eat healthy, then you won't see the results you want. Lean meats, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and remember to shake up the menu sometimes so you don't get bored.
2. What are you drinking? And it's not just food either. You'd be surprised how many calories can fit in a smoothie, a milkshake, a can of soda or a beer. Liquid nutrition is still nutritious and liquid junk is still junk.
3. 70/30. You don't need to be perfect. All asparagus and no play makes Jack freak out at 2 a.m. and eat a dozen soft tacos. Keep it proportional. If 70 percent of your calories are nutritious, then that 30 percent won't undo you. (Though you'd be better off with an 80/20 or even 90/10 split, but the point is that 100/0 never lasts long.)
4. No plan is a plan to fail. Plan out your meals. If you're thinking, "I'll come up with lunch on the fly," you're going to eat what's convenient and not what's healthy. Also, know when and how you're going to exercise. If you think you'll just fit in in later, you won't.
5. Have fun with motivation. Don't be afraid to reward yourself. Give yourself goals and, when you reach them, treat yourself. (But don't keep treating yourself. If every day was Mardi Gras, we'd all be sick by Palm Sunday.)
6. Let's get physical. Yes, exercise is important. No, exercise doesn't need to be running marathons in the snow. Get active—go for walks, try out an exercise DVD, check out a gym or the YMCA. (Your first visit is free with your Mentor Library card.) Don't feel the need to do everything at once. Start where you are, but try to move for at least 20 minutes a day.
7. Get some sleep. While sleep requirements differ from person to person, a healthy adult needs between seven and 9 1/2 hours a day. If you don't get enough, it hurts your metabolism, your focus, your attitude—everything.
8. The first thing you need to change is your mind. It doesn't help if you're never satisfied. If you want to lose 30 pounds, you can still be proud of yourself for losing five. You need to look in the mirror and be happy with yourself during each step of the process.
9. Get your friends involved. You're going to run into doldrums—that day you don't feel like getting off the couch. When that happens, lean on your friends. Instead of calling your friends to go out and eat, why not go snowshoeing or hiking? It won't feel like a chore with your friends in tow.
10. What's your motivation? You clicked on this story for a reason. Why do you want to be healthier? So you can fit into that old dress (or suit)? So you can be there for your family as you get older? So you can lift your groceries without wheezing? Keep that motivation in mind when you're working out or eating those carrot sticks. Ultimately, that reason will help you stay the course.

Using ancestry.com at Mentor Library to discover your history

I was able to find my great-grandfather's naturalization information almost a century later with www.ancestrylibrary.com at Mentor Library.

It's amazing what you can learn about your family history in just 30 minutes with the free Ancestry database at Mentor Library.

I found out that my great-grandfather Gaetano "Thomas" Mangione was born on July 7, 1890, in Licata, Sicily. He landed in New York City on March 17, 1906, aboard the Prince Adalbert. He married Crocifissa "Bessie" Vecchio on April 28, 1917, in Cleveland. (She had emigrated from Licata in 1914 aboard the Dante Alighieri.) They named their son after his father, Andrea Mangione, and their first daughter after his mom, Francesca Amato. The other daughters were named Amelia "Mamie" and Assunta "Susie."

They lived on East 38th Street and then Ensign Avenue in Cleveland. He worked as a fruit vendor to support them, according to the federal census.

It was Susie who later met Richard Lea, the son of Howard Lea and Gertrude Kling, who had a kid who had kid who uses the library database to research his family.

And you can learn about your family history too!

You can use the Ancestry database for free when you visit any of the Mentor Library branches. You can access it on the Databases page in the Research & Tools section of our website. (Unlike most of our digital services and databases, you do need to use a Mentor Library computer to access the Ancestry database.)

If you know the name of the person you're researching and somewhere they lived, then you have all you need to begin.

You don't need to know much to get started on the Ancestry database—a name, somewhere that person lived and it helps to know his or her approximate birth year. (And, frankly, if you don't know your great-grandfather or great-great-mother's birth year, it usually only takes a single search to find out.)

Ancestry then searches through millions of public records for information about him or her: census and immigration information, birth/marriage/death certificates, and more. Not only can you view these documents, but you can email them to yourself and your family members.

You'll never know what you don't know until you look. (The Dante Alighieri!)

And it's free with your library card. So come to Mentor Library and start searching!

Wands, Wizards & Writing this MLK Day at Mentor Library

It's going to be a Harry Potter party this Jan. 19 at our Lake Branch. (Don't worry. No snakes are invited.)

Schools are closed this Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, but we'll be open with a full carte du jour of programs for teens and kids.

If your kids are looking for something fun to do on their day off, we have you covered.

At our Lake Branch, we're throwing a Harry Potter party at 6:30 p.m.. Kids can make their own wands, while playing wizarding games. (No curses allowed!)

Meanwhile, Studio MPL—our art club for kids in first through fifth grade—will have its monthly meeting at 4 p.m. at our Main Branch.

During the last two years, the kids in Studio MPL have made sun catchers, painted sunsets, weaved and even garnered inspiration from Jackson Pollock; so, whatever they have planned for this Monday, it's going to be fun and creative. (And maybe a little messy.)

Each month, Studio MPL experiments with a different form of art.

Our new Teen Writing Club is also meeting at 4:30 p.m. at our Main Branch. Each month, our young writers get together to hone their craft by trying a different story prompt. This month's theme is creating complex characters.

If any of these programs interest you, we'd recommend registering for them soon—either by calling Mentor Library or by using our event calendar online. Each of these programs only have so many available slots—our Frozen program on Monday is already completely booked—and we don't want anyone to get left out because they waited too long to register.

If you have any questions, you can call our Lake Branch at 440-257-2512 or our Main Branch at 440-255-8811. See you at the library!

Our teen writing club tackles different story prompts and shares their stories each month.

Meeting Kaya with the American Girl Book Club

The question asked was, "Who wants glitter?"

Dolls, books and glitter—it was a good day for our American Girl Book Club.

On Wednesday, the girls of our book club met and talked about Meet Kaya, the story of a young girl from the Nez Perce tribe who earns the trust and respect of her elders. The girls also made dreamcatchers. (Yes, that's where the glitter came in. It finds its way into many crafts around these parts.)

Abby threads the yarn through her dreamcatcher.

Our American Girl Book Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month to discuss a different American Girl book and make a new craft.

If you have a daughter who likes the American Girl books or dolls, then she can join the fun. She can even bring her dolls with her, if she likes. (Of course, the dolls aren't required.)

Our next meeting is 4 p.m. on Feb. 4 in the children's section of our Main Branch on Mentor Avenue. The girls will be meeting Felicity.

You can register your child for the book club on our web site or by calling (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.

Madison and Clara work together on their craft.

For more photos from our American Girl Book Club and other programs, visit Mentor Library's Facebook page.

Get résumé advice from from the experts

Get resume-writing advice from the professionals at Ohio Means Jobs on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at Mentor Library's Main Branch.

Only 30 percent of people in the United States feel engaged at work. (Sadly, that's ahead of the global average of 13 percent.)

And most of that 70 percent probably still prefer their job to unemployment.

What we're trying to say is this: There are a lot of people out there who wouldn't mind brushing up their résumé.

Why not get help from the experts?

The professionals from Ohio Means Jobs will be at our Main Branch from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21. offering suggestions on how to write (or rewrite) your résumé. If you bring your résumé, they can even give you personalized advice.

The program is free and open to everybody. If you're interested, you can register for it on Mentor Library's site or call the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 216.

We're teaming with Ohio Means Jobs for programs throughout the year to help career-seekers. In February,we’re hosting a computer class specifically for job hunters; and, in March, we’ll offer advice on how to ace job interviews.

This is in addition to the computer classes on how to use Facebook, Microsoft Word, Publisher and email we have slated for this February.

The path to a better job begins with your résumé. If you want to join the minority that actually enjoys its job, make sure yours is the best it can be.

An Introduction to Yoga with Awaken Yoga

You don't need to be able to do a handstand or reach your leg behind your head to try yoga.

If you can sit in a chair and breathe, then you can start to derive the benefits of yoga. And what do those benefits include? Everything from reduced stress and boosted immunity to weight loss and stronger muscles.

Cathy Picozzi from Awaken Yoga in Mentor visited our Main Branch Monday to talk about the history of yoga, its current popularity, its health benefits, and she also taught some simple poses even the newest of beginners could do.

If your curiosity is piqued, you can learn more by taking a class at Awaken Yoga. It can help if your New Year's Resolution is to lose weight or reduce stress.

Also, Awaken Yoga is one of our Core Card partners. So you can save money on classes, as well. If you pay for a 5-class package with Awaken Yoga, you get the sixth class for free—just because you have a Mentor Library card.

Paws to Read returns to Mentor Library

Paws to Read returns to Mentor Public Library in January.

As you've already surmised from the headline and the caption above, one of our favorite programs is back.

After a holiday sabbatical, Paws to Read returns Jan. 21 at our Main Branch.

Paws to Read pairs young readers (between the ages of six and 12 years old) with therapy dogs, who listen to the children as they read.

If your child can read independently but doesn’t like to do it in front of other people, you might try signing them up for Paws to Read. The program works well for dog lovers, but it’s also helped some kids who are scared of dogs get over their phobia.

Registration for the January sessions start Jan. 7. There will be two 30-minute sessions on Jan. 21; one beginning at 6:30 p.m., the next at 7 p.m. We only have so many therapy dogs; so, unfortunately, there's a limit on how many kids can participate each month.

Furthermore, those spots tend to fill up quickly, so contact the children’s department at Mentor Public Library soon if you think you child could benefit from Paws to Read.

There is often a waiting list for the program once registration begins.

For more information on Paws to Read and other children’s programs at Mentor Public Library call (440) 255-8811 ext. 221.

Join Mentor Reads to Learn about President James A. Garfield

Meet fun people and learn about Mentor's favorite son during Mentor Reads with the Garfield National Historic Site.

Every day is President's Day in Mentor, because our city is one of the few that can claim to be a hometown to a president.

To celebrate (and also learn about) our president Mentor Library started a book club, Mentor Reads James A. Garfield, with the James A. Garfield National Historic Site.

Our next meeting is at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, at our Main Branch on Mentor Avenue. We'll be talking about Horatio Alger's "From Canal Boy to President: The Boyhood and Manhood of James A Garfield." Alger is the bard of rags-to-riches tales, so he's uniquely suited to tell the story of someone born in a one-room log cabin who rose to the presidency.

If you'd like to borrow a copy of "From Canal Boy to President" from us, it's already uploaded onto all of our Nooks (along with a bunch of other things.) You can also read it for free online with your computer, phone, tablet or eReader thanks to Project Gutenberg.

If you can't make it this month, join us Feb. 12 to talk about "Crete and James: Personal Letters of Lucretia and James Garfield." All of our book clubs are free and open to everyone.

If you love history, the Garfield National Historic Site also leads a monthly program about the U.S. Civil War. At noon on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at our Main Branch, they'll be talking about famous regiments from our state, including the 23rd and 42nd Ohio. You can register for the lunchtime talk on MPL's event calendar.

See you at the library!

#MyLifeInAQuote

"Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has ever known." Oscar Wilde

Maybe you've noticed one our #MyLifeInAQuote posts on our Twitter, Tumblr or Instagram pages. (Yes, it's hashtagged, because this will be remembered as the decade in which we hashtagged everything.)

The concept is pretty simple. We take a photo from one of our programs and pair it with an appropriate quote from an author or artist.

"Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet, sauté it, whatever. MAKE." Joss Whedon

Our goal is two-fold. One, we want these photos to encourage you to try something new and exciting. Two, we want to show you some of the ways we can help you try these new and exciting things.

For example, if your child wants to be a writer, we have writing clubs for kids and teens. We also have a Comics Club if sequential art is your passion, as well as art programs for kids and adults.

"If there's a book you want to read but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." Toni Morrison

At Mentor Library, two of our biggest goals are to encourage lifelong learning and to stimulate your creativity. That sounds very right brain/left brain, but both goals have one important thing in common: It's not just about who you are; it's about who you want to be.

So when we share a #MyLifeInAQuote, we're not just offering a cute photo with a clever caption. We're asking, "How can we help you become who you want to be?"

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." ee cummings

Finally, #MyLifeInAQuote is about telling stories. After all, these quotes are meant to say something about our lives. We don't just quote Norton Juster because we love The Phantom Tollbooth (though we do.) We quote him because his words resonate with us.

"So many things are possible just as long as you don't know they're impossible." Norton Juster

So what's your favorite quote? What words by an author or artist fit who you are or who you want to be? Let us know and we may use your quote on #MyLifeInAQuote.

Learn about the real-life Downton Abbey at Mentor Library

Sometimes the real world is even odder than the fiction it inspires.

Are you frothed for Downton Abbey's return Sunday night?

If you can't wait to see who Lady Mary picks—we're team Blake all the way; Lord Gillingham is duller than a scuffed wingtip—then you might be interested in hearing about the history that inspired Downton Abbey.

If so, come join our Book & Brush Club at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 28 at our Main Branch. We'll be discussing Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon.

The book tells the real story of Lady Almina, the fifth countess of Carnarvon and daughter of wealthy industrialist Alfred de Rothschild. Among her accomplishments, she turned Highclere Castle—the inspiration and setting for Downton Abbey—into a hospital during the Great War.

Sara Hume, an assistant professor and curator at Kent State University, will also be joining us on Jan. 28 to talk about the fashions of Downton Abbey.

And speaking of fashion, we're having costume contest! Don your finest Downton-influenced togs to the library on Jan. 28, and the best outfits will win prizes.

Want more? We'll also be screening the PBS documentary The Secrets of Highclere Castle starting at 5 p.m. in our new Village Room (which is in the basement of our Main Branch.)

Our Book & Brush Club offers lively discussion about historical art novels and nonfiction. If you love art, literature and where those two intersect, then you'd probably enjoy our book club. We meet the final Wednesday of the month, and it's open to everyone. If you want to join us, you can pick up a copy of Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey from our reference desk.

For more information contact Barb Hauer at 440.255.8811, ext. 210, or email Barbara.Hauer@MentorPL.org. Click to see the Book and Brush Club’s 2014-15 book list.

5 ways Mentor Library can help you keep your New Year's Resolution

Only eight percent of people stick to their New Year's Resolutions.

That's pretty harrowing.

But we at Mentor Public Library are ready to help you lose weight, save money, find a better job or attain whatever goal you have set for yourself in 2015.

1. Lose weight & be healthier

This is the most popular resolution, so let's start here.

If you want to lose weight or just generally be more fit, we have books on eating better, cookbooks with healthy recipes and exercise DVDs you can borrow.

Your Mentor Public Library Core Card also lets you try out local gyms, karate and studios for free, including Lake County YMCA, Mentor Heisley Racquetball and Fitness Club, Karate Institute, Family Karate and Spotlight Dance Studio. (Here's a list of all the discounts you get around town—just for having a library card.) Get out there and see what works for you.

We also have a pair of programs scheduled for January, specifically designed to help you get healthy.

On Monday, Jan. 5, Awaken Yoga is offering a free introduction to yoga at our Main Branch. Yoga is a great way to relieve stress, build strength and (when paired with a healthy diet) lose weight. This class is designed to accommodate people of all health and skill levels. You can register for it here. By the way, Awaken Yoga is also of our Core Card partners.

Then, on Jan. 13, Dr. Misty Morris of Morris Chiropractic will offer 10 steps to help people lose weight this year.


2. Find a better career

This year, we're teaming with experts from Ohio Means Jobs for a series of programs designed to help you jump-start your career. In January, we'll talk about how to build a winning résumé; in February, we're hosting a computer class specifically for job seekers; and, in March, we'll offer advice on how to ace job interviews.

This is in addition to the computer classes on how to use Facebook, Microsoft Word, Publisher and email we have slated for this February.

3. Learn something new

There are hundreds of thousands of ways to learn something new. Literally every item in our collection could potentially teach you something you didn't already know.

Beyond that, you can check out Gale Courses for hundreds of online classes. (You may remember the service by its former name, Learn4Life.)

Gale Courses has classes on everything from music to technology to accounting, many of which are taught by college professors. And they're all free with a Mentor Public Library card.

If you specifically want to learn a new language, try Transparent Language. Its online classes offers a simple, intuitive way to learn the basics of more than 80 different languages—pretty much any language you can think of, everything from Albanian to Zulu.

4. Save money and get your finances in order

We have more than 200,000 books, movies and CDs in our collection, and that's not even counting our digital services that let you read eBooks and stream music, movies and audiobooks anywhere and at anytime. (And that includes several books on how to best manage your money.)

Every time you borrow something from us, that's money you saved. That can add up to a lot of savings over the span of a year.

Also, our Core Card helps you save money with businesses and organizations all around Lake County.

5. Spend more time with your family

We offer a menagerie of story times for families, and they're starting a new session on Jan. 5.

But there are a lot of ways to use library resources to spend more time with your family. Borrow a stack of DVDs and start a family movie night.

And, while our story times are a lot of fun, there’s no substitute for reading to your child.

So we hope to see you soon. Whatever your resolution is, I'm sure we have a book, video or program that can help. Don't be shy. Just come up to the reference desk and ask for recommendations!