Edgar Allan Poe visits the library

Aside from the occasional visit by Mark Twain, it's difficult to convince dead authors to speak at the library. So we considered it quite a coup when Edgar Allan Poe agreed to talk at Mentor Public Library this Friday.

Sure, it wasn't Poe, per se, but Jim Knight performing as Poe. But considering Poe has been quite dead for quite some time, Knight serves as an excellent substitute

In addition to hearing The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven, we learned a few interesting facts about Poe's life on Friday.

For example, Poe never considered himself a horror, suspense or even a mystery writer. He was a romantic and nearly everything he wrote—even the macabre stuff—was in the pursuit of beauty. (Of course, you may disagree with what he considers beautiful.)

Oh, and he loathed Longfellow.

As we may have mentioned a few dozen times, we turned July into Know Poe month. We've celebrated all aspects of Poe this month: his writing; his influence on art and cinema; his groundbreaking work in suspense and detective fiction; his interest in codes and cryptography. It wasn't easy, but we even found an age-appropriate way to introduce Poe to kids.

We've given away hundreds of collections of Poe's poetry and short stories (and a few snazzy Know Poe T-shirts, as well.)

This gentleman earned his Know Poe shirt by quoting the entirety of "The Raven" to us during a Flash Library at the park.

The festivities—or, rather, since we're talking about Poe, perhaps, we should say "the oddities"—are almost concluded. But there's still time to join us for one final Know Poe book talk. It's this Thursday, July 31, at 7 p.m. in Wildwood Cultural Center.

Join us for a discussion on Poe. Talk about what you loved, what you disliked, what scared you, what impressed you about him. Find out what other people thought.

We hope you join us and we hope you enjoyed getting to Know Poe this July.

Get to Know Poe during Mentor Reads

Dee Tarentino laughs during a Know Poe book talk at Mentor Senior Center.

There's still time to join one of our Know Poe book talks.

As part of our Know Poe month in July, we’re holding a city-wide book club called Mentor Reads.

We’ve compiled some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poems and short stories, including “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and more, into books that are available throughout Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake.

You can pick up copies at any Mentor Public Library branch.

Take a book. It’s free! You can then join us for a discussion on Poe and his work. We've already had talks at city parks, Melt and Yours Truly, but there are still a couple of meetings left.

If you’ve always been interested in joining a book club or just love reading, this is a great place to begin.

Discussions will be at:
Friday, July 25, 12 p.m. at the News Herald
Tuesday, July 29, 6:30p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
Wednesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
Thursday, July 31, 7 p.m. at Wildwood Cultural Center

You can come to one or all of them. We can’t wait to hear what you think.

See you soon!

Click here for a full list of all our Know Poe programs.

Having Fun at the Lake and Headlands Branches

Some fun from the chalk art program at Mentor Library's Headland Branch.

We have a lot of fun over at our Main Branch on Mentor Avenue with our dragon training and Mad Science Mondays, but you'll miss a whole lot if you never venture to our Headlands and Mentor-on-the-Lake Branches.

Just last week, we dyed T-shirts with Kool-Aid over at Lake Branch, and kids broke out the chalk and practiced their sketch art at Headlands.

We've also been having Lakeside Labs over at our Headlands Branch where we've learned about UV rays and built small hovercrafts.

It's about to get colorful at our Tye-Dye program.

The fun continues this week. Travelin' Man Band is playing a free concert this Wednesday evening at our Headlands Branch. (Bring a lawn chair or a blanket, if you like.)

And Know Poe—our month-long celebration of Edgar Allan Poe—continues at the Lake Branch tonight with Mystery on the Lake. Kids can use their sleuthing skills to solve a whodunnit. (After all, Poe did invent the detective genre, as well as horror.)

We're even making lava lamps on June 30 at our Headlands Branch. (You can use them while wearing your new tye-dye shirt.)

Getting creative with the chalk on the Headlands Branch sidewalk.

You can see what other programs and events we have coming up this summer at Mentor Public Library's website. So check it out and join us for some fun at any of our branches this summer.

Edgar Allan Poe for children

Zack squeezes the Tell-Tale Heart during our Poe-themed obstacle course.

As we may have mentioned once or twice already, Mentor Library has dedicated the month of July to Edgar Allan Poe. All month, we've been hosting Know Poe events: citywide book clubs, free film festivals, scary video contests; and we still have more to come.

However, admittedly, a lot of our Know Poe programs have been for adults and teens. After all, with all the people getting dismembered, buried or burnt alive, it's difficult to design appropriate Poe programming for children.

But Mentor Public Library is for the whole family, so we took it upon ourselves to create programs that would introduce children to Poe without traumatizing them.

Peyton and her mom, Theresa, sort out some Poe codes during our cryptography program at Headlands.

For example, we held a program for kids about Poe’s love of cryptography last Saturday at our Headlands Branch.

Cryptography, in case you haven't heard of it, is secret writing. Or, rather, it’s using codes and rubrics to hide secrets in plain sight. Poe was fascinated by cryptography and hid all sorts of secret messages in his prose and poetry. For example, he hid the name of his friend Sarah Anna Lewis in his poem “An Enigma.”

On Saturday, the kids used one of Poe's own rubrics to crack codes and learn secret messages.

Erin came dressed in costume for our life-sized, Poe-inspired game of Clue.

Then this week, we had a special life-sized version of Clue in which we transformed the Garfield Room into an enormous game board. Then we substituted Colonel Mustard and company with characters, places and demises from Poe stories.

Some people even showed up in costume.

Elizabeth hides in the House of Usher.

Just yesterday, we unveiled a special obstacle course where all 10 obstacles come from Poe stories. Kids had to dodge The Pendulum, escape The House of Usher, break The Gold-Bug's code and even make their own mask for a masquerade.

For more photos from the obstacle course, check out Mentor Library's Facebook page.

And we're not done yet.

On July 22, kids can use their sleuthing skills to solve a mystery at our Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch. After all, Poe did invent the detective genre, as well as horror.

(By the way, I know it’s not for children but we’re hosting a special horror writing workshop for teens on on Saturday at our Main Branch. It’s a fun opportunity for young writers to hone their crafts.)

You can sign up for any and all of these Know Poe events on Mentor Public Library’s website.

Edgar Allan Poe's love of cryptography

Edgar Allan Poe was fascinated by cryptography and codes.

When you remember Edgar Allan Poe, you tend to think of people getting dismembered, buried or burnt alive.

Consequently, a lot of the programs during our Know Poe month this July are aimed toward teens and adults.

But we didn't forget about the kids. We've found some fun ways to introduce Poe to children without traumatizing them.

For example, we're hosting a program for kids about Poe's love of cryptography this Saturday at our Headlands Branch.

And what is cryptography, you ask. It's secret writing or, rather, it's using codes and rubrics to hide secrets in plain sight. Poe was fascinated by cryptography and hid all sorts of secret messages in his prose and poetry, including the name of a friend. His treasure story, The Gold-Bug, revolves around a coded message.

Kids entering third through sixth grade can solve a few cryptograms and even create a few of their own this Saturday at our Headlands Branch. Click here to register your child for our cryptography program. (By the way, all of our programs are free.)

And that's not our only Know Poe program for kids. On July 17, we're unveiling a special obstacle course where all 10 obstacles come from Poe stories. Then, on July 22, kids can use their sleuthing skills to solve a mystery at our Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch. After all, Poe did invent the detective genre, as well as horror.

(By the way, I know it's not for children but we're hosting a special horror writing workshop for teens on on July 19 at our Main Branch. It's a fun opportunity for young writers to hone their crafts.)

You can sign up for any and all of these Know Poe events on Mentor Public Library's website.

Thinking with Ink during Know Poe

Leah uses a fine paintbrush so she can ink detail lines.

We're celebrating Edgar Allan Poe's work all July during the Know Poe festival at Mentor Library.

When we talk about Poe's influence, we're mostly talking about his affect on writers. He did, after all, create two genres: the horror and detective story.

But Poe influenced all types of artists. (We've already discussed his effect on cinema.) And Monday, we talked about the influence his stories had on illustration.

Lou Geis includes a "Quote the Raven" in the corner of his inking.

Poe is associated with dark art—which is not to be confused with the dark arts. When his stories included illustrations, they all made us of heavy lines and midnight blacks. That's partly a byproduct of technology. With the proliferation of presses, inked prints became more common than paintings.

So when Poe collections were being printed, it made more sense aesthetically and economically to illustrate them with dark, heavy inkings.

Elizabeth uses heavy, dark lines to draw the viewer's eyes to her tree branches.

Artist Del Borovic taught a workshop Monday night at our Main Branch that showed people how they can make their own Gothic ink masterpieces. (You can find more photos from the workshop on Mentor Library's Facebook page.)

And we'll be having more Poe events all month. Our Know Poe film festival continues this Thursday with a free screening of Vincent Price's The Raven at the Atlas Cinemas at Great Lakes Mall.

Then, on July 19, we're hosting a horror writing workshop for teens.

Click here for a full list of our Know Poe programming.

Join our Poe Book Talks during One Book, One City

So you picked up a Know Poe book at one of our branches, Little Free Libraries, Java Express, Melt, Yours Truly, one of our Flash Libraries or wherever.

You read it and loved it—or hated it; you're entitled to your opinions—and you want to know what to do next.

How about joining us and other readers to talk about it?

We're having our first One Book, One City discussion today—that is Monday, July 7—at Walsh Park. Everyone is welcome to participate. You can register beforehand if you prefer, but it's not mandatory.

Talk about what you loved, what you disliked, what scared you, what impressed you. Find out what other people thought.

And it's all right if you can't join us today, because we're having these One Book, One City talks all month throughout the city of Mentor.

You can join us at any of the following locations for a discussion on Poe and his work. If you’ve always been interested in joining a book club or just love reading, this is a great place to begin.

Let’s get all of Mentor reading! Discussions will be at:

• Monday, July 7, 11 a.m. at Walsh Park
• Tuesday, July 15, 11 a.m. at Melt Bar and Grilled
• Monday, July 21, 7 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Tuesday, July 22, 2 p.m. at Mentor Beach Park
• Tuesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m. at Yours Truly
• Wednesday, July 23, 1:30 p.m. at Mentor Senior Center
• Friday, July 25, 12 p.m. at the News Herald
• Tuesday, July 29, 6:30p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Wednesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Thursday, July 31, 7 p.m. at Wildwood Cultural Center

For more information, you can call Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 215.

By the way, we're hosting programs on Edgar Allan Poe all July—everything from a free film festival to horror writing workshops. Click here for a full list of all our Know Poe programs.

Know Poe Film Festival Begins Tonight

Want to see a movie but don't feel like spending money?

Watch a classic on us.

Our Know Poe Film Festival begins with a free screening of The Pit and the Pendulum at 7 p.m. today at the Atlas Cinemas at Great Lakes Mall.

That's right. As part of our month-long celebration of Edgar Allan Poe, you can see this classic film (starring Vincent Price and directed by Roger Corman) on the big screen in the comfort of an air-conditioned theater.

You don't even have to register. Just show up. Bring the whole family if you want. (However, you should know that this movie has a couple moments that might scare the kids. We are talking about Price and Poe, after all.)

And that's just the beginning. For the next four weeks, we'll be offering free screenings of classic Vincent Price films that were inspired by Poe.

The showing times are:

• Thursday, July 3, 7:00 p.m. The Pit and the Pendulum
• Thursday, July 10, 7:00 p.m. The Raven
• Thursday, July 17, 7:00 p.m. Tales of Terror
• Thursday, July 24, 7:00 p.m. The Masque of the Red Death

You'll also be able to see scary short films that were created as part of our Know Poe Video Contest. You'll be impressed (and terrified) by what the filmmakers in our community made.

So that's the deal: A classic horror movie on the big screen, short films by local filmmakers and all for free.

So how are you spending your Thursday night?

Visit Mentor Library's website for more information on the month-long Know Poe celebration. There are programs for kids, teens and adults and they're all free.

Get to Know Poe this July at Mentor Library

Mentor Public Library is dedicating the month of July to the inventor of the horror genre and detective novel, to an author who mastered both verse and prose, one of the most important writers ever—Edgar Allan Poe.

There will be a film festival, art clinic, writing workshop, a performance by a professional Poe impersonator, a scary video contest and book discussions hosted throughout the city. All of which will commemorate and celebrate Poe!

One Book, One City

Mentor Library has compiled some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poems and short stories, including “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and more, into books that are available throughout Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake. You can pick up copies at any Mentor Public Library branch and Little Free Libraries, as well as Melt, Yours Truly and other locations around the city of Mentor.

Take a book. It’s free! You can then join us at any of these locations for a discussion on Poe and his work. If you’ve always been interested in joining a book club or just love reading, this is a great place to begin.

Let’s get all of Mentor reading! Discussions will be at:

• Monday, July 7, 11 a.m. at Walsh Park
• Tuesday, July 15, 11 a.m. at Melt Bar and Grilled
• Monday, July 21, 7 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Tuesday, July 22, 2 p.m. at Mentor Beach Park
• Tuesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m. at Yours Truly
• Wednesday, July 23, 1:30 p.m. at Mentor Senior Center
• Friday, July 25, 12 p.m. at the News Herald
• Tuesday, July 29, 6:30p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Wednesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Thursday, July 31, 7 p.m. at Wildwood Cultural Center

Poe Buttons—Collect all 7!

Attend our Poe events and receive a free Poe Button—there’s a different style for each program—collect all 7! While supplies last.

Know Poe Video Contest

From “The Cask of Amontillado” to “The Masque of the Red Death,” nobody told a scary story like Edgar Allan Poe.

Teens and adults can take tools they learned from the master and apply them to a medium that Poe never knew—video.

They can work individually or as a group to make short, scary video (no longer than five minutes.) Videos will be judged on creativity, scariness, execution and Poe-tency.

Some participants will be able to see their video on the big screen at the Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas during the Know Poe Film Festival.

The deadline for entries is July 1.

For more information, call the library at (440) 255-8811 ext. 213.

Know Poe Film Festival at Atlas Cinemas

Edgar Allan Poe may have not lived to see his work on the biggest of screens, but he had an enormous influence on director Roger Corman and actor Vincent Price.

Library patrons can come see four of their classics, as well as Know Poe video contest entries, at the Great Lakes Mall Atlas Cinemas. (Some images and sequences may not be appropriate for all ages.)

The film festival is underwritten by the Mentor Community Arts Commission.

The showing times are:

• Thursday, July 3, 7:00 p.m. The Pit and the Pendulum
• Thursday, July 10, 7:00 p.m. The Raven
• Thursday, July 17, 7:00 p.m. Tales of Terror
• Thursday, July 24, 7:00 p.m. The Masque of the Red Death

Gothic Ink: Poe Inspired Art

Monday, July 7, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch

Want to learn how to draw with ink? Artist Del Borovic will teach teens and adults how to create inspired ink drawings inspired by Poe.

The Gothic Ink program is underwritten by the Mentor Community Arts Commission

Poe’s Mystery on the Lake

Friday, July 11, 2 p.m. at Mentor-on-the-Lake Branch

Celebrate Poe, the inventor of the detective mystery genre and an avid cryptography enthusiast. Become a detective and solve a mystery! Kids will create detective badges and learn how to crack three different types of secret codes. Put your sleuthing skills to the test to solve a mystery and earn a prize. Appropriate for ages 5 to 10. Registration is required.

Whodunnit? Poe Style

Wednesday, July 16, 7 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch

Families can play a life-sized game of Clue featuring the characters, settings and demises from the tales of Edgar Allan Poe. Bring your detective skills.

Poe Obstacle Course

Thursday, July 17, 2 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Read House

Children from kindergarten through sixth grade can race through a series of 10 obstacles all based on the books of Edgar Allan Poe. Kids will also make a creepy craft.

Poe’s Prose

Saturday, July 19, 11 a.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch

Writer and teacher Jacklyn Czekaj will host a writing workshop for teens. Learn the macabre styling of America’s favorite Gothic writer. Writers of all skill levels welcome.

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe

Monday, July 28, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Read House

Join Jim Knight as he interprets some of the famous stories and poems from legendary writer and master of the macabre. Hear such famous Poe masterpieces as “The Tell Tale Heart,” “The Raven” and more come to life in Mr. Knight’s rendering. Also, audience members will hear a brief background on the life of Poe, his times and how his writing influenced his contemporaries. Enjoy a fun and creepy evening illustrating why Edgar Allan Poe is still as relevant (and frightening) today as he was in his own time.

Join Mentor Reads & Get Ready to Know Poe

You can pick up Edgar Allan Poe's selected works for free at any MPL branch.

As part of our Know Poe month in July, we're holding a city-wide book club called Mentor Reads.

We've compiled some of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poems and short stories, including “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart” and more, into books that are available throughout Mentor and Mentor-on-the-Lake.

You can pick up copies at any Mentor Public Library branch and Little Free Libraries, as well as Melt, Yours Truly, Java Express and other locations around the city of Mentor.

Take a book. It’s free! You can then join us at any of these locations for a discussion on Poe and his work. If you've always been interested in joining a book club or just love reading, this is a great place to begin.

Discussions will be at:

• Monday, July 7, 11 a.m. at Walsh Park
• Tuesday, July 15, 11 a.m. at Melt Bar and Grilled
• Monday, July 21, 7 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Tuesday, July 22, 2 p.m. at Mentor Beach Park
• Tuesday, July 22, 7:30 p.m. at Yours Truly
• Wednesday, July 23, 1:30 p.m. at Mentor Senior Center
• Friday, July 25, 12 p.m. at the News Herald
• Tuesday, July 29, 6:30p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Wednesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m. at Mentor Public Library Main Branch
• Thursday, July 31, 7 p.m. at Wildwood Cultural Center

You can come to one or all of them. We can't wait to hear what you think.

If you have questions or you want a free copy of Edgar Allan Poe's selected works, visit your Mentor Library or call (440) 255-8811 ext. 213.