Tiling a backsplash may seem like an intimidating project for some DIYers. But for 14 people at the Lowes at the Library interactive program, tiling a backsplash became a more realistic goal.

“I am going to be brave about trying this,” said Pat Mazzolini during the Aug. 27 Mentor Public Library program presented by Mentor Lowes Store Flooring Specialist David Gomez.  “I liked the idea of him bringing the products and tools to show us how to use them.”

Gomez demonstrated how to use a notch trowel and rubber float to thin-set, lay and grout tile with an application of sealant.  Many of the attendees participated in the process to get a better handle on attempting the project at home.  Gomez reassured the program attendees that with the right tools and information they were capable of creating quality work.

“He was right on when he said we would be scared to do projects like this, but I am an encouraged to try this,” said Chad Russo.

Through collaboration between the library and Lowes, the DIY program series will provide home-and-outdoor improvement projects for patrons who want to do the cost-savings jobs themselves at an accessible venue.  Lowes at the Library will feature many DIY program options throughout 2013.

““I loved the hands-on approach. It is the best way for me to learn,” said Sandy Newmark. “The program provided me with great and useful information that will turn me into a DIYer.”

The next Lowes at Library will feature Fall Lawn Care tips from what types of fertilizers to mower height.  Register for the program by calling the library at (440) 255-8811, ext. 215 or visit the website: www.mentorpl.org.

CUTLINEGROUT:
Sandy Newmark observes Mentor Lowes Store Flooring Specialist David Gomez adhere mosaic tile to a coat of thin-set during the MPL Lowes at the Library: How to Tile a Backsplash program for DIYers.

CUTLINETILE BACKSPLASH:
Chad Russo with Mark and Pat Mazzolini watch Mentor Lowes Store Flooring Specialist David Gomez lay in tile during the Lowes at the Library: How to Tile a Backsplash program. The program was held Aug. 27 at the Mentor Public Library.

CUTLINEDIY TILE:
Chad Russo uses a rubber float to apply an unsanded grout mixture to a mosaic tile piece during the Aug. 27 Lowes at the Library program.

CUTLINEGROUTFLOAT:
A rubber float tool is used to apply grout to mosaic tile setup during the Aug. 27 Lowes at the Library program.

CUTLINELOWES DEMO:
Mentor Lowes Store Flooring Specialist David Gomez sets mosaic tile during the Lowes at the Library: How to Tile a Backsplash program held Aug. 27.

CUTLINEMENTOR DIY:
Mark Mazzolini applies unsanded grout mixture to mosaic tile during a hands-on demonstration by Mentor Lowes Store Flooring Specialist David Gomez.  The Lowes at the Library program for DIYers is collaboration between the store and the Mentor Public Library.

PHOTO BY MENTOR PUBLIC LIBRARY
Cleveland Museum of Art docent Erwin Edelman discusses the intricate workmanship of a 1500s knight’s helmet during the Mentor Public Library’s Art-to-Go: Cool Knights program held June 27. Twenty-nine participants were able to hold and examine the helmet during the program.

Thanks to the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Mentor Public Library, patrons were able to step back in time by touching artifacts used by the knights of medieval and High Renaissance times.

Twenty-nine participants of the MPL Art-to-Go: Cool Knights program were able to hold a helmet from the European Middle Ages and several patrons tried on a medieval gauntlet, as well as a replica of mesh armor.  During the June 27 program, docents of the Cleveland Museum of Art explained the technological development and artistry of each piece of armor and addressed misconceptions that armor was heavy and difficult to wear.

Docent Erwin Edelman said it would take an armor maker six months to construct a coat of mail and they gave each piece of armor its own name.

“These armorists were clever people. They were good engineers and technicians,” he said. “It took sheer force and a lot of labor to make armor that would protect against most swords and arrows,” he said.

Edelman said a full suit of armor would weigh about 60 pounds and over time some knights “sacrificed some of that weight for mobility.”

He said armor was a way to protect people against weapons, but “weapons and armor got better and it went on and on until armor was not needed.”

Participants were also able to examine a crossbow bolt from the 1500s, providing a better perspective of what the knights had to face during battle. Bullets and gunpowder eventually made armor ineffective during a battle and by the mid-17^th century armor ceased to be worn, Edelman said.

MPL patron Don Lingafelter gave high marks for Edelman’s presentation.

“He put on a great program and it was very interesting and informative,” he said.

Jennifer Simmons said she attended the Art-to-Go: Cool Knights program with her daughters Cayla and Morgan because they were “medieval freaks.”  She said the program made them more determined to visit the armor exhibit at the museum.

Cayla described the program as a “great learning experience.” She said she particularly liked being able to try on the gauntlet.

“I was surprised by the technology of the gauntlet, especially the mobility of how it moved with your hand,” she said.

Jennifer said she was pleased the library invited the museum docents to conduct the historical presentation.

“I liked the accessibility and that it was free.  I would like the library to offer more of these types of programs,” she said. “I loved it.”

Ally, Rachel and Amanda Misch pick out a Mentor Public Library Beach Reads bag from Mentor Public Library Outreach Library Associate Courtney Patterson during her rounds at the Mentor Overlook Beach Park June 22. Patterson also had Beach Read bags for men and children.

MENTOR, Oh… Mentor Public Library staff visited Mentor Headlands Beach State Park and Overlook Beach Park June 22 to take part in the library’s nationally recognized program Beach Reads.  About 125 Beach Read bags, filled with free donated, gently used paperback books and programming materials, were given to beachgoers. In partnership with Lake Health and Abitibi Paper Retriever Recycling, MPL staff members also gave away free sunscreen and Frisbees.

There were several favorable comments made by beachgoers, including a group of young adults, who were excited to receive their bags from MPL staff members Denise Wright and Courtney Patterson.

“This is amazing. You have saved our day,” said one of the young adults.

“You are like beach angels,” said another.

Wright, the library’s circulation department manager, said the program is in keeping with the library’s strategic plan.

“The Beach Reads program allows us to reach our patrons at the beaches to promote our services, providing public awareness of the library’s free programs and services,” Wright said.  “The Beach Reads program was established in 2009 and to date we have distributed more than 4,000 bags at the beaches.  We not only promote the joy of reading, but through our community partnerships we are providing wellness and recycling awareness.”

The Beach Reads program visits the beaches once a week and will continue to the Labor Day weekend.  For more information on the program, contact the Mentor Public Library at (440) 255-8811.

LEAHANDMITCHELL: Mitchell Marsh, 9, watches as Leah Westman, 5, attempts to turn on a small light bulb with a battery during the Science is Everywhere program at Mentor Public Library on July 6.

Mentor Public Library showed kids that they can find science even with the most common items from their own homes during the Science is Everywhere program July 6.

The children’s program drew a large crowd with 60 people in attendance. Children were sorted into groups and rotated through five stations, each with a science-related theme, which ranged   from magnetism to electricity. At one of the stations, meant to teach kids about the principles of light, participants were able to make their own kaleidoscopes to take home. Olivia Szmania, 10, explained how the experiment worked.

“You take one cup and put colored confetti in it and then you put another cup over it, fold a shiny piece of paper into a triangle and when you move the cups around you can see cool shapes,” she said.

Kids who participated in the program enjoyed those kaleidoscopes along with learning about mass, playing with magnets and even making a few different types of circuits. Szmania said of the program, “I love science. It was great to see all the reactions we created from the experiments. Science is really fun and it’s fun getting a little messy, too.”