Perry Public Library, Carnegie Library Museum announce June programs

This year's Summer Library Reading Program theme is All Together Now! Get ready for a fun-filled summer of making new friends, spreading kindness, learning how to help your community, and earning prizes in new and fun ways. We have lots of activities and programs planned, as well as special field trips. New this year, children will log not only their reading, but activities including family time, donating items, helping others and more. Each age group will meet weekly and will have different logs to fill out to earn prizes. Age groups are divided into: Wee Wonders (birth to 2 years old); 3 to 5 years old; COMPLETED kindergarten to 2nd grade; and COMPLETED 3rd to 5th grade. Families should register each child in their separate age group, but may attend whichever program they feel most comfortable. Grand prizes include a Kindle Fire, STEM package and tickets behind home plate to an Iowa Cubs game. Our grand finale will be a family picnic. Registration begins May 22. Register in-person, online at www.perry.lib.ia.us or at KidsFest.

This year's Teen Summer Library Reading Program theme is All Together Now! Activities are planned on Friday afternoons at 3 p.m. throughout June and July, including paint your own squishy, make friendship bracelets, a Stranger Things Escape Room, Meme-A-Book and a blindfolded Survivor-style team challenge. There will also be two Movie Mondays, June 19 and July 17. Earn scratch tickets by attending programs, checking out books, writing book reviews, or donating clothing or supplies for the animal shelter. Each scratch ticket is worth a prize, including a free book, a full-size candy bar, a gift card, a water bottle, or your choice from a prize box, AND is also a grand prize entry. Grand prizes include a Kindle Fire tablet, Nintendo Switch Lite, or a gift card of your choice. Our grand finale will be a Zombie Attack after hours at the library. Registration begins May 22. Register in-person, online or at KidsFest! Pamphlets handed out at school also have QR codes that link to the registration page on our website.

This summer, visit the Perry Public Library and receive your passport to fun! Adult patrons 18+ are invited to join us as we celebrate community, reading and our favorite brews with "Books and Brews" this summer. Signing up is free and patrons can earn passport stamps by completing activities such as reading, volunteering, attending events and even learning a new language. Every two stamps earn something special – three special prizes, then entries into your choice of one of three grand prize baskets. These grand prize baskets include awesome prizes, with many items from local businesses. Plus, we’ll have events at some of your favorite community businesses, including the new Books and Brews, Casa de Oro, the Perry Perk, the Proletariat and the Tin Pig. Registration begins May 22. For more information or to register, go to the library's website, visit the library, or call the library for more information at 515-465-3569.

The Wee Wonders Summer Library Program for babies through age 2 and their adults caregivers meets on Tuesdays through June and July from 10:15-11 a.m. We read board books, sing lots of songs, do lapsits, scarf and shaker activities, sensory play and so much more. We will meet June 6, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 18 and July 25. This is an excellent way to encourage early literacy skills and make new friends. Registration is required and log sheets will be available to earn prizes all summer long. A special grand prize tailored to children under age 3 is also available. This is a free event and no registration is required. Registration begins May 22. For more information, go to the library's website, call 515-465-3569, or ask a librarian.

Visit the Carnegie Library in June to expand your knowledge about rocks, minerals and gems and what can be found in our area. The Rocks and Minerals Exhibit will allow visitors to see different rocks, minerals and gems in both refined and unrefined forms. They’ll also be able to see, touch, and notice the differences that collectors and/or enthusiasts want or look for. Visit the Carnegie Library Museum in June and July to view this free exhibit. Summer hours are closed Monday, Tuesday-Wednesday 10 am. to 4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For questions, call 515-465-7713.

June's Grab and Go Adult Craft will prepare you for an awesome Fourth of July celebration. Grab a kit and make a red, white and blue pinwheel to hold at the parade and decorate your home. Beginning June 1, adult patrons can bring home a Free DIY Patriotic Fabric Pinwheel Craft Kit from the Perry Public Library. This craft kit includes materials and instructions for making fabric pinwheel. This June Craft is free, courtesy of the Perry Public Library, and available while supplies last. For questions, call 515-465-3569.

Fresh Conversations is a free nutrition and physical education program for ages 60+. The program offers practical tips and sensible solutions to everyday problems that get in the way of doing what most people want to do: eat well and live well! Fresh Conversations is also an opportunity to connect with other adults for a friendly group discussion. We will meet in June to discuss bone health and the benefits of calcium and vitamin D, plus try a tasty recipe from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1 in the Perry Public Library Community Room. This is a monthly, free event for ages 60+ and no registration is required. For more information, call the library at 515-465-3569.

Local Chess Instructor David Oliveira is partnering with the Perry Public Library to teach, mentor and play chess with players of all ages and experience levels. Whether you are new to chess or looking for a challenging game, mark your Thursday evenings in June for chess instruction and walk-in at the library. Students, grades K-12, will meet from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Board Room. Chess players of all ages are then welcome to meet from 5:30-7:30 p.m., also in the Board Room, for instruction or competition. David Oliveira leads the group meetings and also offers chess instruction by individual appointments as part of the library program. Call the library for more information or to arrange a time at 515-465-3569.

Join us for the annual Perry Public Library KidsFest! This is an exciting, family-friendly, budget-friendly event to kick-off the Summer Library Program from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 3. We offer many age-appropriate activities for children like the Foam Blaster, creating bubbles, science-based discover stations, balloon twister, family photos, dunk tank, interactive cone game and a petting zoo. The Perry Volunteer Fire Department will cook pork loin sandwiches and hot dogs. Hy-Vee donates the hamburger and hotdog buns and Fareway donates the bottles of water. Also included in the lunch are a bag of chips and a cookie. The Fire Department sells lunch for $1 and is a fundraiser for them. This event is free and no registration is required. For more information, visit the library or call 515-465-3569.

The Library Community Room will be filled with KidsFest activities on June 3, so the next Crafternoon will be held on July 1.

We are kicking off our Adult Summer Reading Program with a special event at Perry's The Proletariat! Our host will be pairing brews with books, helping readers create the ideal literary match. Join us from 6-7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 6 at 1213 2nd St. in Perry. The Proletariat will provide samples of brews for participants who are 21+ to test the pairings and additional items can be purchased. The library will be on hand to offer book suggestions, sign individuals up for library cards and stamp Summer Library Passports. This event is free and open to adult patrons 21 and over. No registration is required. For more information, call the Mindy Farmer, the Adult Services Librarian, at 515-465-3569.

Adults and teens are invited to join our We Have Issues (Young Adult Book Club for Everyone) to discuss "All the Rage" by Courtney Summers. This is a book that Angie Manfredi, Head of Youth Services, Los Alamos County Library System, calls "A YA game changer along the lines of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak…this is a work of great power and resonance and I believe it can give a new generation of teen girls a voice." The club will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7 in the Library Community Room. Interested adults and teens may join the group at any time, but registration is required. Books are available at the library for registrants. Register online at www.perry.lib.ia.us, in person, or call the library for more information at 515-465-3569.

In the first week of the program, we will read excerpts from "The Wild Robot," do a blindfolded "Buddy Walk" and make beaded friendship bracelets! This group will meet from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7 in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

In our first week of the program, we will read and sing about friendship, play a game about friendship and make friendship bead bracelets! This group will meet from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 8 in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

In the first week of summer programming for 3-5-year-olds, we will focus on friendships and how to be a good friend! We will read, sing songs, and play games about being friends. Plus, we’ll make paper bag puppet friends. This group will meet from 10:15-11 a.m. on Friday, June 9 in the Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

Teens are invited to paint their own squishy, a stress ball shaped like an animal or object. Snacks will be provided. Come hang out with your friends from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, June 9 in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

Each month during Summer Library Program, we will host a Movie Monday afternoon for kids ages 6 to 11 to come in and watch a movie and have some snacks. June's Movie Monday will take place from 2-4 p.m. on June 12 in the Library Community Room. The June movie will be a popular film starring a swashbuckling cat. Come cool off and enjoy a family movie. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

This week we'll read excerpts from Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Friendly Frenemy and Stand Up for Yourself and Your Friends and we'll read "Cool Bean." We'll also make bookmarks with positive phrases on them and hide them in books around the library to make someone else's day! This group will meet from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 14 in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

Local entertainer and comedian Toby Kid presents, "Friendship Adventures," an entertaining program that "spins a cacophony of high merriment…that will have kids singing, dancing, and clapping along." Learn how making new friends makes us better in this laugh-out-loud way to teach social skills. Join us from 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 15 in the Library Community Room for this Summer Library Program event. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

This week we will read about being kind, sing songs, play a kindness game and learn about "wrinkled hearts" and make finger paintings to give to local senior communities. This group will meet from 10:15-11 a.m. on Friday, June 16 in the Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

Teens can create their own multicolor threaded friendship bracelets from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, June 16 in the Library Community Room. This is a fun opportunity to enjoy snacks and hang out with friends, while making a wearable craft. Teens are invited to make their own multicolor threaded friendship bracelets. Snacks will be provided. Come hang out with your friends. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

Teens are invited to cool off at the library and enjoy a free movie and delicious snacks! A popular movie will be shown on the big screen from 3-5 p.m. on Monday, June 19 in the Library Community Room. Another Movie Monday will be held at 3 p.m. on July 17. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20 at the Carnegie Library Museum. Members will discuss "Two Old Broads: Stuff You Need to Know That You Didn't Know You Needed to Know" by Dr. M.E. Hecht, a laugh-out-loud, lively conversation about growing old with no apologies. This special Summer Library Program Books & Brews Event will also feature a special treat from the local Scooter's Coffee for attendees! Everyone interested is invited to join the discussion, but registration is required. Register online at www.perry.lib.us, by phone at 515-465-3569, or in person. Books are available at the library for participants for a small fee. For more information, call Library Director and discussion leader Mary Murphy at 515-465-3569.

The Summer Library Program fun continues with the Iowa State University Insect Zoo from 10-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20 in the Library Community Room. Join the ISU Insect Zoo for a performance reading, followed by a hands-on, walk-through animal display of over 100 living arthropods! Follow "Unia, The Cricket Who Lost His Song," as he travels to find if others like him have lost their song too. Along the way, Unia encounters some multi-legged friends who sing and learns how they use their song. Unia, and listeners, will hear the actual songs of many arthropods during this performance. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

This week we will read "Change Sings" and "We're better together: a kindness and community activity book", make a "Thanks a Latte" craft to give to someone you appreciate and do small jobs around the library to help out. This group will meet from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21 in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

This week we will read books and sing songs about being kind, play a kindness game and learn about "wrinkled hearts" and make cards to give to senior community residents. This group will meet from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

Dare to enter the Stranger Things Escape Room, where demogorgons and Vecna haunt your every move! Can you solve the clues that Dustin left behind or will you be trapped in the Upside Down? Teens will work in teams to escape in this free event from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, June 23 in the Library Community Room. No registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

Our Books and Brews Summer Library Events continue on Friday, June 23. This time, we’re meeting up at The Perry Perk for some free hors d’oeuvres provided by the Perry Public Library and an exciting Secret Book Swap! Come early starting at 4 p.m. to purchase and enjoy your favorite Perk drink, browse The Backwards Boutique and peruse mystery book descriptions. Afterwards, we’ll gather for a fun Yankee Swap starting at 6 p.m., where we’ll open, steal and swap books until everyone goes home with a new (to them) book! To participate, please bring a gently used or new wrapped book and tape a notecard to the front with answers to the following: 1. You’ll love this book if you love (insert book or author here) and 2. I loved this book because… This event is free and open to adult patrons 18 and over. No registration is required. For more information, call the Mindy Farmer, the Adult Services Librarian, at 515-465-3569.

This week we will read about our neighbors and how we can all work together, sing songs, play with the library's parachute and make paper hand wreaths with all of our hands on them! This group will meet from 10:15-11 a.m. on Friday, June 23 in the Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

The June Club is pleased to welcome special guest Kathy Miller! Kathy, Friends of the Library President, will share her card-making expertise and teach participants how to make paper lanterns and 3D cards. June Craft Club meets from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26 in the Library Community Room. Come learn how to make Patriotic Paper Lanterns and a 3D, pop-out Independence Day card in preparation for the Fourth of July. All are welcome, but space is limited and registration is required. A $5 materials fee is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot. Please register by Thursday, June 22. For questions, call 515-465-3569. To register, visit the library. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

All ages are welcome to a special visit from the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled! Join us from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27 in the Library Community Room where special guest Denise Bean, Youth Services Librarian for the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, will read "Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille," by Jen Bryant. Participants will receive Braille alphabet cards; secret code bookmarks, with their own name in Braille; and tactile coloring pages. This storytime will help your child get a better understanding of how similar we each can be, although we may do things a little differently. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

This week we will read about how animals help each other and work together, watch the library's ant farm in motion and make ants out of spoons. We will also talk about the upcoming field trip to the Voas Nature Center on July 5. This group will meet from 2:30-3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 28 in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

This week we will read about how animals help each other, sing songs, watch the library's ant farm in motion and make ants out of spoons! We will also talk about the upcoming field trip to the Voas Nature Center on July 5. This group will meet on Thursday, June 29 from 2:30-3:15 p.m. in the Library Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.

This week we will read about how animals help each other, sing songs, watch the library's ant farm in motion and make fingerprint ants! We will also talk about the upcoming field trip to the Voas Nature Center on July 5. This group will meet from 10:15-11:00 am on Friday, June 30 in the Community Room. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us, call 515-465-3569, or ask a librarian.

Come make memes out of books! Laura, The Youth Services Librarian, will provide pictures of book covers and it's up to you to turn them into memes. We'll also play What Do You Meme Family and have snacks. This teen activity is from 3-4 p.m. on Friday, June 30. This is a free event and no registration is required. For more information, call 515-465-3569 or ask a librarian.