There was once a world before COVID-19.  In this old world, a young, intelligent,  sensitive and talented writer  named Michael Stromenger  lived in Melbourne.  He was an intern for the Jewish Holocaust Centre .  He had presented beautifully  at Mentone Public Library in 2019 and was preparing to deliver again for us  in March and April for our 95 th birthday celebrations.  Our late president and dearly missed friend  Tony Brooker remarked:  “With that much talent, he has the sky as his only limit.” Tony's statement proved prophetic,  because by April 2020,  Michael was placed on a rescue flight  back home to Austria,  as the pandemic reached uncharted heights  and land mass - seizing Australia too. ...We thought we had lost Michael for good. Fortunately, through the power of Zoom,  this was not the case. Michael was able to find his way back to us  and bring us to our feet in standing ovation. Below

Mentone Public Library's   "An Anniversary Celebration for All Seasons"  Proudly Takes the Celebrations Online &  Opens its Zoom Room  to Present a Back to Back Showcase  Across  Two Saturdays  &  Crossing Continents to Join   Emerging Young Writer    Michael Stromenger Michael will be Debuting Two  of his Newest Original Works:    Mentone Public Library's Zoom Room  is able to Welcome  97 Guests  to Each Event.   Bookings are Essential.   The Zoom Links for Each Event  will be Emailed to all who Book  48 Hours  Before the Premiere of Each Event.   TO BOOK:   Phone Paul: 0432 950 810 Email Julia: mentonepubliclibrary@gmail.com Entry: FREE   Date 1 - "The Cigarette Filter":   Saturday, 13 June 2020      Date 2 - "You and Me": Saturday, 20 June 2020            

Mentone Public Library   Re-Opening:  Wednesday, 10 June 2020 Mentone Public Library  will return  to normal operating times 10am-12pm , Mondays, Wednesday,  Fridays, Saturdays from  Wednesday, 10 June 2020 . We will be observing the following practices  to ensure the safety of all our valued patrons  & new visitors to our library home... Please use the provided hand sanitiser upon entry. Disposable cups will be provided for hot & cold beverage. 1.5 metres social distancing must be practised at all times. No more than nine patrons can be admitted  to the library at a time. Page Turners  will be the only  literary program to resume  within the library space from:  10-11.30am , Wednesday, 17 June 2020. All other literary events associated with  " An Anniversary Celebration for All Seasons"  will run either as online events  or through alternative mediums from J une to end October 2020 . We will