The winners of this year’s photo contest are…

This photo by 2-year-old Trey of his dog, Basil, was one of our contest winners.

You hit us with your best snapshots, and now we’re back to congratulate the winners of our kids’ photography contest!

And the winners are:

• “Squirrel in a Tree” by Joey, age 9
• “The Ducks!” by Drew, age 11
• untitled photograph of Basil the dog by Trey, age 2.

"Squirrel in a Tree" by Joey G.

Congrats to our young photographers who will receive Target gift cards for winning.

And thanks to everyone who participated in our photo contest. We loved seeing and sharing your beautiful photos!

"The Ducks!" by Drew G.

By the way, summer reading has begun. It’s free, fun and open to everyone.

Everyone who participates in summer reading at Mentor Library (that includes teens and adults) has a chance to win prizes, and the more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

For more information on Mentor Library’s summer reading program, call 440-255-8811 or visit your nearest branch.

There's still time to enter MPL's 'Loving Life' photo contest

There's still five days left to enter Mentor Library's Loving Life photography contest!

Kids up to the age of 12 can submit a photo to show us how they're loving life! You can use any device—a phone, tablet, even a camera—to take your winning snapshot.

But each child can only submit one shot. So make sure the photo you submit is your best.

Between now and May 20, bring a printed copy of your photo (no bigger than 5” by 7”) to the children’s department of Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch or email it to marilyn.weiss@mentorpl.org.

All of your contest entries will be displayed in the children’s department; and, from May 20 until the end of the month, everyone can vote on their favorites.

The top three vote-getters will win a prize.

We've already received some pretty adorable entries, but maybe you can top them. Only one way to find out...

Kids can enter Mentor Library's 'Loving Life' photo contest

Kids, show us how you're loving life during our May photo contest!

The Mentor Public Library is holding a photography contest for kids from May 1 through 20; so, if you’re handy with a camera (or phone,) hit us with your best shot!

The theme for the contest is "Loving Life."

Kids up to the age of 12 can submit a photo, but each child can only submit one shot. So make sure the photo you submit is your best.. And, yes, you can use any device—a phone, tablet, even a camera—to take your winning snapshot.

Between now and May 20, bring a printed copy of your photo (no bigger than 5” by 7”) to the children’s department of Mentor Public Library’s Main Branch or email it to marilyn.weiss@mentorpl.org.

All of your contest entries will be displayed in the children’s department; and, from May 20 until the end of the month, everyone can vote on their favorites.

The top three vote-getters will win a prize.

So get out there and show us how you're loving life!

And the winners are...

You hit us with your best snapshots, and now we're back to congratulate the winners of our first ever kids' photography contest!

And the winners are...

• People: "Grammy's Moth" taken by Noah Scanlon, Age 6
• Place: "Color of Winter" taken by Megan St. John, Age 12
• Artistic: "Lightning Bolt" taken by Marley Lugo, Age 7

Congrats to our young shutterbugs who will receive Target gift cards for winning.

And thanks to everyone who participated in our inaugural photo contest. We loved seeing and sharing your beautiful photos!

By the way, our summer reading kickoff party is this Saturday at the Read House, which is next door to the our Main Branch. COSI (the Center of Science and Industry) will bring its traveling exhibits to the party and show kids how much fun science can be.

And, of course, both our party and summer reading program is free and open to everyone.

Everyone who participates in summer reading at Mentor Library (that includes teens and adults) has a chance to win prizes—from gift cards at Toys ‘R’ Us to Lake County Captains tickets to Nook eReaders. The more someone reads, the better chance they have of winning.

For more information on Mentor Library’s summer reading program, call 440-255-8811 or visit your nearest branch.

Kids, hit us with your best (snap)shot

The Mentor Public Library is holding a photography contest for kids from May 1 through 15; so, if you're handy with a camera (or phone,) hit us with your best shot!

Kids up to the age of 12 can compete in the contest. And, yes, you can use any device—a phone, tablet, even a camera—to take your winning snapshot.

There will be three categories: people, places and artistic.

The people category allows the photographers to focus their lenses on their friends and family and even themselves. That's right. We respect the selfie or, as it used to be called, the self-portrait.

The places category lets you share your best photos from vacation, a favorite landmark or a trip to the park. You don't necessarily have to travel too far. Sometimes, the best places are just a short walk from your home.

Finally, the artistic category embraces anything that's neither person nor place. Let your imagination run free. (And then capture it with a photo.)

Kids can compete in any category, but they can only enter one photo total in the contest. So make sure the photo you submit is your best.

Between now and May 15, bring a printed copy of your photo (no bigger than 5'' by 7'') to the children's department of Mentor Public Library's Main Branch. You'll also need to fill out a submission form.

All of your contest entries will be displayed in the children's department; and, from May 16 until the end of the month, everyone can vote on their favorites.

The top vote-getters in each of the three categories will win a prize!

So get out there and capture the world the way you see it.

Speaking of photographers, thanks to George Hodan for the use of his splendid photo.

Mentor photographer finds beauty in the abandoned

Photographer Johnny Joo has an affinity for abandoned buildings—the kind with tree branches intruding into windows, moss growing on the floor, shattered glass on the stairwell, rust on the fire escapes and a degree of dilapidation that requires decades of neglect.

Joo has photographed abandoned Masonic temples, Byzantine and Baptist churches, vaudeville theaters, hospitals, schools, diners and homes.

Now he has gleaned his collection—which consists of thousands of photos from hundreds of places—for a special display at Mentor Public Library's Main Branch. The photos will be exhibited until December 31.

The display includes shots from the Newburgh Masonic Temple, the Paramount Theatre in Youngstown, Larimer Elementary in Pittsburgh, Detroit Hope Hospital, St. Joseph Byzantine Church in Cleveland, Fanny’s Diner and more.

All of the locations used to be landmarks—destinations that were part of thousands of people’s daily lives—but now they house insects, pigeons, rodents and memories.

“You can find people’s past there—things people forgot about,” Joo said of his subjects. “People just look past it.”

Joo also enjoys taking pictures of the quiet of undisturbed nature. He likes finding and photographing secluded caves and waterfalls.

Joo’s work has been featured in The News-Herald and Cleveland Scene. He was also a finalist in a National Geographic photography contest.