Bell Memorial Library Offering Gift Wrapping Space To Public
Press Release
MENTONE — Bell Memorial Public Library is allowing those who need extra space to wrap Christmas presents to use their facilities.
The library has a number of six-foot tables that can be easily used for wrapping needs. This is especially useful if people need to keep gifts away from “prying eyes.” Bring your own supplies. Gift-wrappers need to wear a mask and maintain a six-feet distance from others; library staff will thoroughly wipe down each table after patrons have finished. No reservations are needed but this is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The library will be closed from Dec. 24 to 26 and on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 in observance of the Christmas and New Year holidays.
BMPL’s board meeting will take place on Monday, Dec. 28, both in-person and via Zoom.
Check out what’s streaming on Hoopla Digital. New eBooks that were just added to Hoopla include “Reprobates” by R.C. Bridgestock, “Blood on Snow” by Rachel Amphlett and “Tangled in the Tinsel” by N. Jade Gray. Teens and children can browse these titles: “The Abba Tree” by Devora Bushen and “Dinos Don’t Do Yoga” by Catherine Bailey. 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.
Teen Book Club will meet from 4:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15, and Jan. 5. Any teens or young adults interested in joining should contact Natalie Salazar at (574) 353-7234.
The library is having a book sale in its main lobby. Stop in and check it out; there’s something for everyone.
Curbside services are always available. Call (574) 353-7234 to request materials. Patrons can also e-mail Stephen Boggs at sboggs@bell.lib.in.us for more information.
Demand has certainly risen for Internet hotspots and 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 BMPL 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. Contact the library with any questions.
Another new service is the patron-use VHS videotape converter to digital. Contact Boggs at (574) 353-7234 or sboggs@bell.lib.in.us 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 with a 4 GB minimum or an external hard drive. Copying off-air programs is not allowed.
