Perry Public Library, Carnegie Library Museum announce January programs

Winter Craft Swap Donations Collected – Now through Jan. 19

Storage space overcrowded with unused craft supplies? Looking to start a new hobby? Ready to let go of supplies from an old hobby? Hoping to add to your classroom art supplies? Want to share the love of crafts with others in your community? Then, the Perry Public Library Winter Craft Swap is the perfect event for you! Clear out space, swap for new supplies and help other crafters! How to Participate: Donate your unwanted craft supplies to in good, usable condition through Thursday, Jan. 19. What can you donate? Yarn, paint, brushes, fabric, floral, craft papers, stickers, buttons, fabric, knitting needles and crochet hooks, markers and pens, ink, stamps and stamp pads, scrapbooking supplies, jewelry supplies, beads, sewing notions… if you can create with it and it’s in good, usable condition, it will be welcome at our swap. Swap craft supplies from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22. Don't have anything to donate? That's okay! Feel free to stop by and bring home supplies too. Any leftover supplies will be used by the library for programs or donated.

Winter Reading Program – Through February 2023

The Perry Public Library Winter Reading Program is back for children, teens and adults! Come to the library to register, find new books to read and find our hidden friends! Participating is easy – read, record hours or complete short book reviews, and win prizes. Awesome grand prizes are available for preschool, grade school, teens and adults. Keep an eye out for monthly drawings, in addition to grand prize winners. To register, go online at www. perry.lib.ia.us, visit the library, or call 515-465-3569.

Festival of Trees 2022 – Through Jan. 8

The Festival of Trees will continue spreading festive cheer through Jan. 8! Don’t miss witnessing the Carnegie Library Museum transformed into a merry, winter wonderland. The festival features beautifully decorated themed trees and cheerful displays installed by individuals, businesses and organizations; all designed to put us in the holiday spirit. Enjoy the magical atmosphere through Jan. 8 at this free event. The Carnegie Library Museum is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information, call the Carnegie Library Museum at 515-465-7713.

January Grab and Go Kid’s Craft – Available Jan. 3

Kids looking for a creative project to enjoy at home can come into the Perry Public Library beginning Jan. 3 to pick up a Free DIY Mini Flower Pot Polar Bear Craft Kit. The kit includes material and instructions to create your own adorable polar bear! This January craft is free, courtesy of the Perry Public Library and available while supplies last. For questions, call the library or Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at (515) 465-3569 or e-mail lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.

January Grab and Go Adult Craft – Available Jan. 5

Sometimes it’s nice to stay home and enjoy learning a new craft at your leisure. Why not bring home a Free DIY Button Flowers Bouquet Craft Kit from the Perry Public Library? This January Grab and Go Adult Craft includes materials and instructions for making delightful, miniature button flower bouquets to adorn your home. You’ll be amazed by what you can create with simple materials and templates! This January craft is free, courtesy of the Perry Public Library, and available while supplies last. For questions, visit the library or call 515-465-3569.

Never Too Old for YA Book Club – Jan. 4

Don’t be fooled by the YA label; Young Adult books appeal to adults, too. They may be marketed to teens, but this awesome selection of books is popular with adults, too, because they touch on important topics in fun, engaging and accessible ways. Why not explore the YA genre this January by joining our Never Too Old for YA Book Club? The Perry Public Library Never Too Old for YA Book Club will hold its January book discussion at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 in the library Community Room. The selected discussion book is "With the Fire on High" by Elizabeth Acevedo. 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, in person, or call the library for more information at 515-465-3569.

Chess at the Library – Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26

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 January for Chess Instruction and Walk-in at the Library. Students, grades K-12, will meet from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the library Board Room. Chess players of all ages are then welcome to meet from 5:30 to 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.

Saturday Crafternoon – Jan. 7

Calling all crafters and do-it-yourselfers! The Perry Public Library welcomes you to our dedicated makerspace the first Saturday of each month! Saturday Crafternoons last from 12-4:30 p.m. in the library Community Room and offer a free community space to work on projects in a comfortable environment. Plan your next work session for Saturday, Jan. 7 at the library. Tables are available on a first come, first served basis, and everyone is invited. No reservations and no charge! For more information, visit or call the library at 515-465-3569.

Toddler Time Storytime – Jan. 10, 17, 24, 31

This Storytime is for ages 18 months to 3-year-olds. Our theme for January and February is Winter Wonderland at the Library! We will be reading about winter and snowmen and what people and animals do in the winter. We will also be making marshmallow snowmen, “shoveling” cotton ball snow and many more fun activities! Toddler Storytime meets Tuesdays from 10:15-11 a.m. in the Library Community Room. This event is free, but registration is required. Register online or call Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at (515) 465-3569 or e-mail lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.

Quarterly Classics Book Club – Jan. 10

All are invited to join the Quarterly Classics Book Club for discussions of traditional and modern classics. The Quarterly Classics Book Club will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 to discuss "An American Tragedy" by Theodore Dreiser at the Carnegie Library Museum. Anyone interested may join the group at any time, but registration is required. Books are available at the library for registrants for a small fee. Register online, in person, or call the library for more information at 515-465-3569.

Wow! Wednesdays – K through 2nd – Jan. 11

Attention elementary school students! Come check out our new after-school program that’s full of fun crafts, STEM activities, LEGO building time and games! You’ll have a blast! Kindergarten through second grade students meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 3-4 p.m. This event is free and no registration is required. For questions, call the library or Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at (515) 465-3569 or e-mail lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.

Fours and Fives Storytime – Jan. 11, 18, 25

This Storytime is for preschoolers and our winter unit for January and February is Winter Wonderland at the Library! We will read about winter, snowmen and what people and animals do in the winter. We will also be making pasta snowflakes, examining Evergreen branches and pinecones and so much more! Fours and Fives Storytime meets Wednesdays from 10:15-11 a.m. in the Library Community Room. This event is free, but registration is required. Register online or call Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at (515) 465-3569 or e-mail lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.

Wee Wonders – Jan. 12, 19, 26

This is our program for babies through 18 months, where we promote early literacy skills and motor skills through reading simple books, rhymes, songs, scarf and shaker play, and other fun activities. We also discuss helpful parenting tips. Each registered baby receives a board book every week they attend. Wee Wonders meets Thursdays from 10:15-11 a.m. in the Library Community Room. This event is free, but registration is required. Register online or call Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at (515) 465-3569 or e-mail lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.

Hometown Heritage at the Carnegie Library Presents: Winter Birdseed Ornaments – Jan. 14

Families are invited to come make birdseed ornaments from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 14 at the Carnegie Library Museum in Perry. We will learn about the importance of feeding birds in the winter and bring home ornaments to hang for the birds outside! No registration required. For more information, contact Trista at the Carnegie Library at 515-465-7713 or email tcohea@perry.lib.ia.us.

Monthly Book Club – Jan. 17

The Perry Public Library Monthly Book Club will meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17 in the library Community Room. For January, the club will discuss Jon Grinspan’s "The Age of Acrimony: How Americans Fought to Fix Their Democracy, 1865-1915." Everyone interested is invited to join the discussion, but registration is required. Register online, 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.

Wow! Wednesdays – 3rd through 5th – Jan. 18

Attention elementary school students! Come check out our new after-school program that’s full of fun crafts, STEM activities, LEGO building time and games! You’ll have a blast! Third through fifth grade students meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 3-4 p.m. This event is free and no registration is required. For questions, call the library or Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at (515) 465-3569 or e-mail lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.

Hometown Heritage at the Carnegie Library Presents: The Life of Andrew Carnegie – Jan. 26

The Perry is community is invited to this free special presentation at the Carnegie Library from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 26. Follow the life of Andrew Carnegie, a philanthropist best known for his special emphasis on building local libraries, from birth to death. Discover how he became the richest man in the world, surpassing even John D. Rockefeller, and went on to give away almost 90% of his fortune to promote peace, education and libraries. No registration required. For more information, contact the Carnegie Library at 515-465-7713.

January Craft Club: Polymer Clay Pens – Jan. 30

Did you know that you can take a basic pen and transform it into a one-of-a-kind keepsake? Join Hunter for the Perry Public Library’s January Craft Club, where she will teach attendees how to use polymer clay to create marbled, tie-dyed and solid pen designs. Crafters will meet in the Library Community Room from 6-8 p.m. on Jan. 30 to create their designs and then they will take their pens home to finish baking them. All are welcome, but space is limited and registration is required. A $5 fee materials fee is due at the time of registration to reserve your spot. Please register by Friday, Jan, 20. For questions or to register, visit the library or call 515-465-3569.

Never Too Old for YA Book Club – Feb. 1

On Feb. 1, come explore themes of friendship and identity with the Perry Public Library’s Never Too Old for YA Book Club. The club will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the library Community Room. The selected discussion book is "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets to the Universe" by Benjamin Alire Saenz. 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, in person, or call the library for more information at 515-465-3569.

This article originally appeared on Perry Chief: Perry Public Library, Carnegie Library Museum announce January programs