On any given day at the Marian J. Mohr Library, Associate Director Grayce Moorehead is manning the reference services desk, fielding questions and overseeing operations.

Most importantly, though, she is talking to patrons to find new and inexpensive ways to attract patrons to the library’s adult programs.

Moorehead has a keen ear, and more than once, casual conversations with passersby have evolved into full-blown events at Mohr, covering everything from genealogy to stamp collecting. Last year, a conversation about pinching pennies and making money go farther led to a series of workshops at the library.

Working with a shoestring budget consisting of legislative grant money and funds raised by the Friends of Mohr Library, Moorehead continues to do more with less, scheduling a variety of free, or almost-free events.

She has found additional support from members of the local business community. She has reached out to some, but others who frequent the library have offered to share information on their area of expertise.

Patron Michele Cardillo-Austin has been bringing her daughter to youth library programs for some time. As the owner of Nails & Eclect-Hip Salon, located on Hartford Avenue, she will start visiting Mohr for another reason.

Cardillo-Austin will be giving the first in a series of Mind – Body – Health workshops, describing the spa experience, on Monday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m.

“I am very pleased that we have not only coordinated with local organizations this spring such as the Senior Center and the Johnston Historical Society, but also with several local businesses such as Nails & Eclect-Hip Salon, Bella Art, the Stirring Spoon and from neighboring communities as well,” Moorehead said.

The Mind – Body – Health series continues with Hair-Tissue Mineral Analysis by Joy Feldman, author of “Joyful Cooking in the Pursuit of Good Health,” on Tuesday, April 6, at 6:30 p.m. Then, on Thursday, April 8 at 6:30 p.m., Marie Bouvier-Newman will present Iridology, showing how the eye’s iris can tell you about your health.

Moorehead has also reached out to other civic groups within the town, to offer programs in conjunction. One such program is A Brief Peek into Johnston’s Long History, a talk by Louis McGowan, president of the Johnston Historical Society, on Monday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m., which will be held at the Society’s barn at 101 Putnam Pike.

Other upcoming programs include Irish Music and Stories, to be held at the Johnston Senior Center, on Thursday, April 29, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. The event, which will also feature local step dancers, is free; the senior center will also hold its monthly “Sunset Dinner” that evening, and a five-course dinner is available with prior reservations for $6.

Moorehead organizes many of the programs after hearing suggestions from library patrons. In May, there will be a program on American Sign Language. Other programs are geared around upcoming holidays, like “Hi, I’m Ernie Pyle,” a one-man performance by Gary Morrison, to be held on Monday, May 29, close to Memorial Day.

The library has featured many talks by local authors, including a recent appearance by Gina Russo, a Station night club survivor, on March 25, and Terri Martin, author of a children’s book called “The Adventures of Eddie the Emu.” On March 29, Martin described how she was able to get her story published.

Detective writer Marc Blevins, author of “Pray for the Dead,” will visit the library on Monday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m.

For a full list of programs for all ages, see the library’s Web site at www.mohrlibrary.org. For more information on adult programming at Mohr Library or to reserve a spot at an upcoming event, contact Moorehead at the library at 231-4980, ext. 13.