Age Limits for Programs
Please be sure to check the age limits when registering. Our programs are specifically designed with the listed ages in mind. We want to ensure that children who do fit the age group are not prevented from signing up or attending programs. Please respect the posted age limits.
Main Branch
Countdown to Kindergarten Bags
Ages 3 – 6
Is your little one getting ready to enter kindergarten? Or maybe you’d just like to work on some fun and educational activities together?
Check out our new Countdown to Kindergarten bags! Each bag has 3 unique activities and challenges for you to complete together, along with supplies and instructions. Each bag also has a guide that matches he activities to corresponding state educational standards and childhood developmental benchmarks and milestones.
These bags are for in-library use only and cannot be taken home. Ask at the desk for the complete list of bags and activities.
Kids Board Game Collection
Check out our new board game collection! These board games are available for in-library use. We have a wide variety including Candyland, Life, Monopoly, Trouble, and much more! Stop by the Children’s Desk for a full list of games and check one out today!
Sensory Bags
Ages 3 and up
Thanks to a Libraries Accelerating Learning Grant, we now offer 7 sensory bags. You can choose from the list below:
- Auditory
- My Sensory Bag
- Proprioception Sensory Backpack
- Quiet Fidget and Fun Backpack
- Sensory on the Go
- Tactile Awareness Bag
- Visual Sensory Bag
We also offer noise reducing headphones.
These bags are to be checked out for in-library use only and cannot be taken home.
Monthly Make a Craft
Every first Monday of the month
All day while supplies last
All ages
Stop by the Children’s Department to get creative with one of our monthly crafts. This craft is in-house only.
Spring Story Times
Spring Story Times will run Monday, March 11 – Friday, May 3. Head over to our Story Time Page for full listing and descriptions.
Story time schedule is subject to change based on needs and safety of the community. If you have any questions please call 440-255-8811 option 3 for more information.
Firehouse Friends
May 9th
10 AM
All ages
Join Fireman Dan, from the Mentor Fire Department, as he reads some fire related stories and offers tips on staying safe. Receive a raffle ticket for each time you attend for a chance to win pizza lunch with some firemen in December, 2024. No registration required.
Reading Buddies
April 23rd and April 30th.
4 pm
Grades K-3rd
Children are invited to attend this early literacy series to enforce reading skills through games and activities. Receive a reading buddy to take home and keep. Children must have some reading skill. This program is supported by a Libraries Accelerating Learning grant. Registration is required.
A Librarian for a Day
Monday, April 1st – Friday, May 31st
All day
Ages 7-12
Children receive a raffle ticket for every 2 nonfiction books they check out for a chance to be a librarian for a day sometime over the summer. For more information see a children’s librarian.
Tree Tellers
Tuesday, April 23rd
11 AM
All ages
Join for a special Holden tree teller story time to learn about the world of plants and trees. Registration is required.
Star Wars Spelling Bee
Saturday, May 4th
12 AM
Ages 8-12
In honor of Star Wars Day we will host a Star Wars spelling bee to test your spelling skills. The competition will test you on your knowledge and spelling of ONLY Star Wars facts. First, second, and third places will win a prize. Registration is required.
Muffins in the Morning
Tuesday, May 7th
10 AM
Ages 3-6
Bring Mom or your special caregiver for a treat, a story and make a special handprint flower keepsake! Registration is required.
Mommy and Me Spa Day
Saturday, May 11th
1 PM
Ages 6-12
Treat your mother to a special spa day to celebrate Mother’s Day. We will make lip gloss and stress balls. Plus a few other activities. Registration is required.
Teddy Bear Parade
Thursday, May 23rd
10:30 AM
Ages 2-6
Bring your favorite teddy bear and enjoy the fun! We’ll meet at the main entrance and march down to Eleanor B. Garfield Park. When we have reached our destination, we will read a story and enjoy a snack. No registration required.
Summer Reading Kickoff Party
Thursday, May 30th
6 PM
All ages
Help us kick off our Summer Reading Program with Outback Ray’s amazing, hands on animal show. You may sign up for summer reading at this time. The show will be outdoors from 6pm until approximately 7pm. No registration required.
Lake Branch
Storytime Stars @ Lake
Tuesdays (until April 30)
10:30am – 11:00am
Children ages 6 months to 5 years are welcome to attend this storytime at Lake Branch. Enjoy stories, music, rhymes and a craft. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Musical Munchkins @ Lake
Thursdays (until May 2)
10:30am – 11:00am
Join us for an interactive musical story time with music, singing, and stories. For children 5 and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration required.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Lake Erie N-scale Society (LENS) Model Train Display @ Lake
Friday, May 3-4, 2024
12:00pm – 4:30pm
Join us at the Lake Branch of the Mentor Public Library for a special model train exhibit brought to you by the Lake Erie N-scale Society (LENS). Members of LENS will be available to demonstrate the model trains and answer any questions you may have. The display will begin at noon on Friday, May 3rd and continue until Saturday, May 4th at 4:00.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Master Builders @ Lake
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Ages: 5-11
Join us at the Lake Branch for a monthly club where you can be creative with different building materials.Come build with LEGO, magnetic tiles, Brain Flakes, marble run, and more! No registration required.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Switch Mario Kart Party! @ Lake
Thursday, May 9, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 9-14
Teens and Tweens battle it out for the coveted Gamer Cup! Bring your switch or use ours! Registration is required.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins April 25, 2024.
Oodles of Pool Noodles! @ Lake
Thursday, May 16, 2024
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 4-8
Get into the summer spirit by enjoying crafts and activities with pool noodles.
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins May 1, 2024.
World Turtle Day @ Lake
Thursday, May 23, 2024
6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 6-10
Kids ages 6-10 can join us to celebrate World Turtle Day with a craft, games, and appreciation of all things Turtle!
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512 or register online. Registration begins May 9, 2024.
Choose Your Own Adventure Scavenger Hunt @ Lake
June 1-29, 2024
All Day Event
Choose your own adventure at the Lake Branch. Start at the beginning of the story, making your way around the library as each choice leads to another decision. You decide where the story goes!
For additional information, contact the Lake Branch – 440-257-2512.
Headlands Branch
Finger Paint Fridays @ Headlands
Fridays 
10:00am – 12:00pm
Bring in your little one to explore their creativity! We’ll provide the paper, paint and aprons – you provide the fun! Perfect for Pre-K!
Registration is not required, but space is limited inside the branch so there may be wait times. This activity is largely self-directed with limited interaction with staff.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Nature Journaling @ Headlands (offsite)
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
6:00pm – 7:30pm
The library meets the wilderness! Join us every month at a different Mentor park to forge a deeper connection with yourself and with the marvels of nature living in our own neighborhood. We’ll explore different journaling techniques across a variety of mediums.
No experience necessary – open to all ages and skill levels. Limited instruction will be given, as this is a way for each individual to find ways to create a habit of observing and connecting to nature. All supplies provided (but feel free to bring your own!).
First meeting will take place at the Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve & Marina (8365 Harbor Drive). Registration is required.
By registering, you agree to waiver found on the registration page.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 9, 2024.
Let’s Cook With Kids @ Headlands
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8 +
Let’s Cook is a plant-based mobile cooking school that is making their way to the Headlands to offer cooking classes for kids. Registration opens 2 weeks prior. Please call the Headlands Branch at 440-257-2000 to inform us of any food allergies.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 17, 2024.
Headlands Crafternoon
Thursday, May 2, 2024
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Calling all crafters! Come to the Headlands Branch for a fun afternoon of crafting! Bring your current project, meet others with similar (or radically different) interests & maybe learn a new thing or two! Open to fiber/textile artists, beaders, paper crafters, etc. All skill levels and ages welcome! No registration necessary.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Next Level Video Game Club @ Headlands
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 8+ 
Do you enjoy playing games like Smash Brothers, Mario Kart and Nintendo Sports? Come join us at the Headlands Branch as we take turns playing video games for the Nintendo switch. You can also bring your own portable device, and just hang out and meet new people!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 24, 2024.
Headlands Jeopardy
Saturday, May 11, 2024
12:00pm – 1:00pm
Ages: 8+
Come see what you know or learn something new with us in a fun afternoon of trivia challenges at the Headlands Branch. Always on the 2nd Saturday of the month!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 27, 2024.
ROBLOX Saturday
Saturday, May 11, 2024
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Each month, we’ll be playing different games from Roblox! In-house computer use will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but you can still join us at the branch on your phone, computer or tablet! If you plan on attending with your own device, please let us know!
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins April 27, 2024.
Headlands Crafternoon
Thursday, May 21, 2024
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Calling all crafters! Come to the Headlands Branch for a fun afternoon of crafting! Bring your current project, meet others with similar (or radically different) interests & maybe learn a new thing or two! Open to fiber/textile artists, beaders, paper crafters, etc. All skill levels and ages welcome! No registration necessary.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Headlands Treasures Hunt
Saturday, June 1 – July 31
All Day Event
That’s right, it’s a treasures hunt!
Your summer adventure starts in your own neighborhood! The best treasures we have in our area are our parks. Stop by the Headlands Branch to pick up a map of these parks to explore. Visit as many as you can (mark off on your treasures map) and return to the Headlands Branch before August 1st for a prize and a special chance to win a $25 gift card!
No registration required – stop in to participate! For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000.
Pretty Pretty Princess Royal Tea Party @ Headlands
Saturday, June 1, 2024
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Hear ye, hear ye! The Kingdom of Mentor Headlands is calling for all majestic princesses to join us in the Headlands Palace Library on Saturday the 1st of June in the year Two Thousand and Twenty-four for a Pretty Pretty Princess Royal Tea Party!
The royal highnesses will be read fairy tales, complete an imperial craft, participate in an aristocratic princess pageant, play noble games, and dine on the queen’s tasty treats while sipping “tea” with their regal pinkies high in the air.
For additional information, contact the Headlands Branch – 440-257-2000 or register online. Registration begins May 11, 2024.
The HUB
Fancy Watering Can @ The Hub
Thursday, April 25, 2024
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 6 – 11
This spring gardening companion should be as special as you! Make it unique with Cricut designs.
This program will repeat on April 25th. Attendees may only participate in one session.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins April 4, 2024.
Makerspace 101 @ The Hub
Monday, May 6, 2024
Monday May 13, 2024
5:00pm – 6:00pm
All Ages
Learn all about the incredible machines in The HUB’s makerspace at this informational tour. See examples of what you can make with our laser engraver, vinyl cutter, t-shirt press, and more!
This program repeats on May 13th. One session per person.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins April 22, 2024.
Pet Leash Holder @ The Hub
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Calling all pet lovers! Learn how to make a Leash Holder for your furry friend!
This program will repeat on May 15th. Attendees may participate in one session only.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins April 24, 2024.
Laser Engraver 101 @ The Hub
Monday, May 20, 2024
5:30pm – 7:00pm
All Ages
Learn the basics of using The HUB’s laser engraver at this informational program. Be inspired for your next project and take home an engraved souvenir!
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins May 6, 2024.
Pool Noodle Unicorns @ The Hub
Thursday, May 23, 2024
Thursday, May 30, 2024
4:00pm – 5:30pm
Ages: 6-11
Embellish your own unicorn with a bit of Cricut magic!
This program will repeat on May 30th. Attendees may only participate in one session.
This program is open to the public. The program will be held at the HUB at Mentor High School (6477 Center St). Call the library at 440-205-6011 for more information or register online. Registration begins May 9, 2024.