Mercer County Library Blog

This may sound a little cliché, but Great Britain always has a special place in my heart. It’s not because I’m an Anglophile or a big fan of the Royal family, but more because of my dad and connections to my family. My dad grew up in England, so I was exposed to the history and culture of the land more times than I can count. I will be going on a trip to England and Scotland in the latter part of March with my older sister. This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve been there, as I’ve been to England a few times over the years. The last time, I went to Stratford-Upon-Avon, home to the famous bard, William Shakespeare. I also went to Whitby, whose abbey features in the Bram Stoker classic, Dracula. This is the first time I’ll be going to England without my dad and the first vacation I’ll be taking with just my sister. While we’re there, we will visit family members, go sightseeing, and have a good time eating the local cuisine. My sister went full steam ahead on planning this trip (funn...

Here are some of the events and programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of March. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar , and check out the flyers in this post! Women’s History Month Events From craft sessions honoring influential artists like Alma Thomas and Georgia O’Keeffe to discussions on women’s achievements in civil rights, literature, and science, there’s something for all ages. Movie screenings, poetry readings, and hands-on activities offer engaging ways to celebrate women’s history’s long-lasting impact. For Kids Crafternoon: Paint like Alma Thomas Monday, March 3, 2025, 4:00 pm Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 4:00 pm Hopewell Branch Paint Like Faith Ringgold Monday, March 3, 2025, 7:00 pm Hickory Corner Branch Women’s History Paper Circuits Sunday, March 9, 2025, 2:00 pm Lawrence Branch School‑age STEAM: Space Shuttle Project & Mae Jemison Monday, March 10, 2025, 5:00 pm Hickory Corner Bran...

How to Draw With Help From MCLS By Julia @ the Lawrence Headquarters Branch Every year as the “Drawing Party” program continues to develop, participants work on pushing themselves to try new techniques. As a library, we are lucky to have numerous resources for learning how to draw, including books and DVDs. I helped the Drawing Party group utilize some of those resources this past year, and I wanted to share them with the Mercer County Library System community for anyone looking to further hone their artistic skills. My primary style is realistic art, so normally in class we work on landscapes, flowers, animals or things that can be photographed. In addition to challenging the patrons with new drawing styles, I wanted to challenge myself by trying out one type of cartoon style known as anime, or Japanese animation. This popular style of art is also featured in many Japanese graphic novels known as manga. To try out this style, I utilized the book Cute Creature Art Class: Enchanting A...

Last year, I took a four-session class on ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. With no previous experience in any kind of flower arranging, it was a revelation to pay close attention to curve of stems, the direction the flowers faced, and the harmony achieved (I tried to, anyway). Ikebana has its origins in the sixth century, when flower arrangements were used as temple offerings to Buddha. Centuries later in the Muromachi period (late 14 th to early 16 th century), Tatebana (“standing flowers”) arrangements were popular with aristocrats and the samurai class. In the centuries since, schools formed and distinct styles developed. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), women began to be taught the previously male-only artform. As Western flowers were introduced to Japan, practitioners used them in the Moribana (“piled-up flowers”) style. Worldwide, there are now several hundred schools that teach the ikebana. During class, we all crowded around the teacher while she arranged ...

When we think about cooking with kids, we often think of special times when families gather to make special treats near a holiday. Holidays come with a huge amount of cooking and baking, for parties and family gatherings, for others as gifts, and together with kids to make memories while passing on family traditions. Once the November and December holidays are over, the New Year often ushers in meal-planning resolutions as we settle back into our normal routines. Before we know it, more holidays are around the corner and kids are itching to get their hands messy making some of their favorite foods. But does cooking and baking with kids have to be a special occasion? Cooking with kids can be daunting, messy, and frustrating. But it can also be endlessly fun, make amazing memories, and build important life skills. Preschoolers and younger children can strengthen confidence, motor skills, and curiosity in just a few minutes while stirring a bowl or ripping up lettuce. Older kids learn me...

Consumer Reports Online Edition was added to Mercer County Library System’s list of resources this past fall and runs the gamut of products readers have come to expect from the print magazine, while also offering new and interactive ways to find the best deals on the highest rated products. This patron-requested resource is now available to you both in-branch and on the go. The online edition is organized by categories: Cars, Home & Garden, Appliances, Electronics, Babies, Digital Security, Deals, and More+. I’m using Consumer Reports Online Edition to help family members shop for a new laptop. Performing a search brings up the Laptops & Chromebooks page with tabs for Overview, Ratings & Reliability, Recommend, and Buying Guide. The family member I’m helping is currently using a mid-size, 15in laptop. They prefer a laptop of comparable size, but with a larger, solid-state drive as they plan to mainly store their files locally. The laptop should have the capability to...

Every year in February, many families and friends come together. Spouses, uncles and aunts, siblings, and best friends hover around the TV. Excitement explodes through their fingertips as they reach for the nearest snack. Support of different teams screams through the favorite jerseys they wear. This is the Super Bowl.  This post, however, is not about your typical Super Bowl. It involves no football at all. In this post, I want to share my version of the Super Bowl—the night I feel the most excited, and eager to know who will win. The night my heart sings as sweet melodies of artists' performances swim through my ears. My version of the Super Bowl is the Grammys! Although, don't worry—there won't be any beer-breathed screams of anger or split-colored face paint involved. On Sunday, February 2nd, 2025, the 67th Annual Grammys Awards will be held. The Recording Academy has been presenting the Grammy awards since 1959. The Recording Academy aims to recognize different m...

On Monday, February 17th, all branches are closed for Presidents’ Day. Registration is required for most programs. Here are some of the programs from around the Mercer County Library System for the month of February. For a complete list of events at your local branch, visit the MCLS Events Calendar , and check out the flyers in this post! American Heart Month Events Celebrate American Heart Month with life-saving workshops, health screenings, and wellness programs designed to promote heart health for all ages. Also, be sure to check out the Heart Health research guide we’ve put together for resources on how to put your health first. Events for Adults Hypertension Screenings Friday, February 14, 2025, 11:00 am Hopewell Branch Heart-Healthy Eating (Virtual Program) Tuesday, February 18, 2025, 6:30 pm Events for Teens and Adults Heartfulness Meditation Saturday, February 15, 2025, 11:00 am West Windsor Branch Black History Month Programs Honor Black History Month with educat...