Library Lovers Unite!

February is National Library Lovers Month, and the perfect opportunity for all library lovers to celebrate, explore, connect, and share their love of the library! At Mercer County Library System, there’s a lot to love. From the range of programs offered, to the services and accommodations available, to the vast collection of books and media—there’s something for everyone! I thought I’d take a moment and spread some library love by highlighting a few of my favorite resources and offerings available at MCLS! Take a look…

Headspace - Headspace offers science-backed meditation and mindfulness techniques online so you can experience the benefits of meditation anytime, anywhere. I found the website and app very easy to navigate, and it offers hundreds of meditations and exercises for sleep, focus, and movement. MCLS patrons can experience Headspace for free by signing up with their library card!

Job Interview Practice & Resume Review - Prepare for an upcoming job interview by virtually meeting with an MCLS staff member to sharpen your interview skills. During a 25-minute session, you will get the chance to practice interviewing, as well as get feedback to help make your interview stronger. In addition to this service, you can also have a librarian review and proofread your resume or cover letter and offer feedback with recommended edits and changes, including grammar, formatting, and overall layout. These services are a must for anyone in the job market!

Kanopy – Like to stream movies? Look no further! MCLS library cardholders have access to Kanopy PLUS, a collection of films, TV series, and kids' videos you can stream. With Kanopy PLUS, you’ll have instant access to hundreds of titles with no holds or waiting periods, and unlimited streams!

Launchpads – Launchpads are pre-loaded tablets containing interactive games and learning tools that allow both kids AND adults to explore, play, create, and stay sharp! Launchpads are durable, portable, and simple to use—plus, no WiFi is needed! These are perfect to take along on trips, or to occupy your mind in place of scrolling aimlessly on your phone. Search “playaway launchpad” in our catalog to browse our collection!

LinkedInLearning – Another great tool to have in your job search/career development arsenal is LinkedIn Learning! LinkedIn Learning offers expert-led online courses covering current topics in business, software, human resources, wellness, lifelong learning, and much more. You can select courses relevant to your current role in areas like Business, Technology and Marketing, or you can pursue other passions! With courses on financial literacy, social media, even drawing and music theory, you’ll be able to grow and develop in the areas you care about both at and outside of work, all while learning at your own pace.

Museum Passes – One of my favorite - and maybe “lesser-known”- resources at MCLS is the Museum Pass program! The Ewing, Hickory Corner, Hopewell, Lawrence, and West Windsor Branches all have passes available for local museums and attractions, including Battleship New Jersey, Eastern State Penitentiary, Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve, Academy of Natural Sciences, Elmwood Park Zoo, and more! Each pass must be reserved through the library’s website using an MCLS library card. They can be borrowed for three (3) consecutive days and reserved up to forty-five (45) days in advance! Now a disclaimer – The passes must be picked up and returned to the “owning” branch that you’ve reserved it at; however, I feel it is well worth the trip to another branch to be able to pick up a free pass (that usually covers the fee for up to 4-6 people)!

NextReads eNewsletters – MCLS curates a variety of monthly and bimonthly newsletters that highlight a diverse array of book genres, new and featured movie collections, library resources, special events and programming, best-sellers, staff picks, music, and more! Sign up for topics based on your unique interests, and MCLS' will deliver recommendations and resources straight to your inbox!

Personalized Picks – Not sure what you want to read next and looking for suggestions tailored to your personal reading interests? Take advantage of MCLS’ personalized book selection service! Just provide the library with answers to a few questions and a librarian will recommend titles that are available at MCLS in print and or digitally through hoopla and eLibraryNJ!

I could go on and on listing all of the wonderful services, resources, and other fun activities available at MCLS, but I think I’ve shared enough here to help turn you into a library lover, too! However, if you’re still not sold, visit our website or follow MCLS on social media to explore and learn more about all that MCLS has to offer.

- by Dana, Hopewell Branch