News Release

MENTONE — There will be no library board meeting for the month of December.

The library will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31, so staff can ring in the new year with their families. The library’s staff would like to wish each of you a happy new year!

The library invites parents to join them every Friday (except holidays and during their SRP) for Preschool Story Hour! The event begins at 2 p.m. and is held in the Children’s Room. This is a free program for children 2-6 years old. Children listen to a story and complete a craft project related to that week’s theme. Contact Pat at (574) 893-3200 or [email protected] for questions.

Do you enjoy playing Euchre? If so, join the Bell Memorial Euchre Club! They will meet from 6-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 26, in the large conference room. This program is free to anyone wishing to participate.

See what’s new and now streaming on Hoopla Digital! “The Adventures of the Christmas Pudding” by Agatha Christie, “Terra Nova” by Henriette Lazaridis and “Hidden Waters” by Catherine Cowles are now available. Teens and children can browse titles such as “Can I Pet Your Dog” by Jeremy Nguyen and “Fortress of Snow” by Melanie Dickerson. A valid library card is all that is needed to use the library’s Hoopla streaming services. Any member of the library’s staff would be happy to assist you with setting up your Hoopla account.

LEGO Club will meet from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29. This is a free program and is open to all age groups (even adults). Contact Natalie Salazar at [email protected] for information.

New books are arriving soon! Note that the library pre-orders the majority of their materials, and they do not receive items until they are released from the publisher. Release dates are noted, if applicable.

Among the new releases are:

• “The Secret Life of Pets 2” by Stephane Lapusa
• “Over My Dead Body” by Greg Melville
• “Robert B. Parker’s Fallout” by Mike Lupica
• “The Rodeo Queen” by Marcella Bell (Dec. 27)
• “And Yet” by Kate Baer
• “Angels of the Resistance” by Noelle Salazar
• “The Lady Has A Past” by Amanda Quick
• “Laptops for Seniors for Dummies” by Faithe Wempen (Dec. 28)
• “The Montague Twins 1” by Nathan Page
• “Murder in the Supreme Court” by Martin Clancy
• “Overcoming Parental Anxiety” by Debra Kasen, Ph.D.
• “Plantpure Comfort Food” by Kim Campbell
• “A Small Affair” by Flora Collins (Dec. 27)
• “The Twist of a Knife” by Anthony Horowitz

Bell Memorial Library now offers Overdrive! Let them know if you would like to join Indiana’s Digital Library to have access to e-books, audio books, magazines and collections for teens and kids. You will need to register at the library first by calling or stopping by in person. Call (574) 893-3200 or email [email protected]

Junior Book Club (ages 8-12 years old) will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, in the Young Adult room. This is a free program. For information about participating, contact Salazar at [email protected] or call (574) 893-3200.

Bell Memorial Public Library is in need of donations for their hygiene cabinet! Items needed for the hygiene cabinet are: deodorant (guys and ladies), body wash, bar soap, shampoo, tooth paste, tooth brushes, razors (guys and ladies), feminine napkins (pads), tampons, combs and brushes, shaving cream, mouth wash, lotions, clothes of all sizes in good condition, hats and gloves. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk. For questions, contact Salazar at (574) 893-3200.

Their Makerspace is available for public use during regular business hours, and a Cricut machine (along with tools) is for public use as well. They only ask that you bring your own supplies necessary to complete your project. The library also has a Design Space account set up for patron usage if you don’t have one of your own. Contact Billie Abalos at (574) 893-3200 with any questions you might have.

Bell Memorial Public Library will be hosting workshops in their Makerspace for anyone interested in learning the basics on how to use Cricut Design Space and the Cricut machine. Workshops will last for one hour each. They have a Cricut Explore Air 2 for public use and will provide the supplies needed during the workshop. Interested persons will need to schedule a time slot with Abalos by email at [email protected] or by phone at (574) 893-3200. Time slots available will be from 1-3 p.m. or 4-6 p.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays. These are free for anyone interested.

Curbside services are always available. Call (574) 893-3200 to request materials. You can also email Stephen Boggs at [email protected].

The library has a notary public available Monday through Thursday. Services are free of charge.