Mentor Schools has teamed up with the Mentor Library to offer a myriad of community-focused events
By Mimi Vanderhaven
In a smashing stroke of symbiosis, starting this school year, the Mentor Library is partnering with The Hub media center at Mentor High School on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to open up the state-of-the-art resource center to the community at large.
“This offers a tremendous opportunity for people to get to know all the capabilities at The Hub,” says Kristen Kirby, director of community relations for the Mentor School System.
Debuting in 2015, The Hub is a tech-forward, two-story learning and research center created to mimic the facilities seen at the college level. It includes banks of computers, a Makerspace, two audio and video production studios, collaboration space with flexible furniture and whiteboards, as well as more private rooms for individual study and tutoring. To fit the school system’s one-on-one tech initiative, there are many charging stations there as well.
“We were presented with the unique opportunity to enjoy a beautiful, safe and welcoming space for people to gather and make the most of the amazing facility,” says Jason Lea, community engagement coordinator for the Mentor Library. “And all we had to do was populate it.”
To that end, the library has put together a myriad of free programs to appeal to all ages, such as a Coding Club and ACT/SAT test prep for teens, movie nights for families, and Medicare planning seminars for older adults.
“For the teens, in addition to all the test help, we find they are looking for ways to relax, too,” he says.
“And there are outlets for them to decompress here, including crafts. For instance, in October, we are offering a ‘Galaxy in a Jar’ craft, as well as ‘DIY Wall Weaving.’”
The hours the community can utilize The Hub are 3 to 8 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with exclusion of holidays.
Look for these monthly stories to cover topics at every level of the schools throughout the school year. The Mentor School system educates 7,600 students from pre-K to 12th grade in eight elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school and one school for students with autism. The HUB is located within Mentor High School at 6477 Center Street. For a complete schedule of evening programming at The Hub, check out the calendar at MentorPL.evanced.info/eventcalendar. For other general school updates, visit MentorSchools.net.