Press Release

MENTONE — Demand has certainly risen for Internet hotspots at Bell Memorial Public Library.

The library has just added three new units for patron use. The units are free to use, can be reserved, circulate for one week and are only available to residents in the Bell Memorial Library’s tax district, which includes the town of Mentone and Harrison Township, or to patrons who have purchased a library card. The hotspots use the T-Mobile/Sprint network and have exceedingly good download speeds and connectivity. Just contact library staff with any questions.

Another new service is the patron-use VHS videotape converter to digital. Contact Stephen Boggs at (574) 353-7234 or [email protected] to set up a time to come to the library to learn how to use the machine and begin digitizing homemade videotapes. Users will need to bring their own storage device such as a USB flash drive (4 GB minimum) or an external hard drive. Copying off-air programs i not allowed.

Plans are also being considered to add a document/photo scanner, which will include a 35mm film or slide scanner, a CriCut machine for patron use as well as a 3D printer. Just contact Mr. Boggs at the library for more details.

October Adult Creative Corner grab-n-go kits are now available for pick-up. This month’s craft will be a macrame ornament. All supplies needed are provided at no cost. Pick up at the library or call (574) 353-7234 to reserve yours.

Teen Book Club will meet again from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. Any teen or young adult interested in participating should contact Natalie Salazar at (574) 353-7234.

For Axis 360 users, these new eBooks will be available soon. Please note that some of these titles are pre-ordered. The library does not receive them until they are released from the publisher.

• “All That Glitters” by Danielle Steel (Nov. 17)
• “The Amish Christmas Gift” by Laura V. Hilton (Oct. 27)
• “The Amish Midwife’s Hope” by Barbara Cameron (Nov. 10)
• “The Arrest” by Jonathan Lethem (Nov. 10)
• “The Awakening” by Nora Roberts (Nov. 24)
• “Dark Tides” by Phillipa Gregory (Nov. 24)
• “Deadly Cross” by James Patterson (Nov. 23)
• “Dolly Parton, Songteller” by Dolly Parton (Nov. 17)

Log in to see what’s streaming on Hoopla Digital. New audiobooks just added to Hoopla include “Hope is Our Only Wing” by Rutendo Tavengerwei, “29 Seconds” by T.M. Logan and “The Nobodies” by Liza Palmer. Teens and children can browse “Project Class President” by Alyssa Milano and “Bark vs. Snark” by Spencer Quinn. All that is required to use Hoopla’s streaming service is a valid library card. For more information, stop in and speak with a library staff member.

A junior book club will soon start for kids in grades 3 through 5. The first meeting will be held on Nov. 5 and the chosen book is “Catwings” by Ursula K. LeGuin. Any questions or for more information, contact Sharon Kindig at (574) 353-7234.

The library is still offering curbside services for any patron wishing to exercise this option. There are no limits on how much material can be requested. Patrons wishing to exercise this option can call (574) 353-7234 or (574) 551-9007 to request materials. You can also email Stephen Boggs at [email protected].