Murphy outlines summer library lineup for Kiwanians

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Perry Public Library Director Mary Murphy, left, was welcomed Tuesday by the Perry Kiwanis Club's longest-serving member, Lawrence Bice, whose 47 years of Kiwanis service to the Perry community is a club record. Photo by Kiwanis Club Secretary Doug Wood

Summer is on its way, and the Perry Public Library will soon become a major focus of area youth. Perry Public Library Director Mary Murphy stopped by the weekly luncheon meeting of the Perry Kiwanis Club to discuss some upcoming events at the library.

This Saturday, May 6 will see the third annual Toddler Fest at the Dallas County Fairgrounds in Adel. The fest runs from 10 a.m. until noon and features a petting zoo, photo opportunities with cartoon princesses and superheroes and free children’s identification cards. Every child attending the event receives a free book.

Toddler Fest is sponsored by 4RKids and the 12-member Dallas County Library Association, which includes the Perry Public Library. Last year’s fest attracted a crowd of 600 children and adults.

Murphy also discussed the library’s upcoming annual Summer Reading Program, which the Perry Kiwanis Club has donated to for several years. The reading program provides services to children, which is one of the missions of Kiwanis.

This year’s summer reading program will have about 450 participants, Murphy said. There will also be 70 to 100 teens participating and more than 100 adults. There will be prizes awarded for reading, and adults can win $50 in Perry Bucks or a Kindle.

Saturday, June 3 will bring the fourth annual Kid Fest, an event started by longtime Carnegie Library Museum volunteer John Glass, who passed away in 2015. The Glass family hosted last year’s Kids Fest in John’s honor, and the Perry Public Library will host the event this year.

Kids Fest will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will serve to kick-off the Library’s Summer Reading Program. It will be held on Railroad Street between the Carnegie Library Museum and Perry Public Library, with additional events inside both libraries. Kids Fest is a free, family-friendly event for the whole community, Murphy said.

Activities will include face painting, Balloon Twister, Critter Cindy, Walking Magic Show and several games and craft activities. There will also be a scavenger hunt, card stacking and a peace poster. The Popcorn stand will be open.

Murphy said they hope to have every service organization participate in this event. The motto of Kids Fest is “Build a Better World.”

The Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimists and Lions will be participating, she said, and about 400 kids are expected to attend. The Perry Fire Department will prepare lunch from food donated by Tyson, Fareway and Hy-Vee, and clean-up will be provided by Perry High School students.

Murphy ended with a discussion of the Adult Summer Reading Program, which will include five workshops on self-improvement. The first workshop is entitled, “How to Make Your House Better.”

Murphy was welcomed to the weekly meeting by 47-year Perry Kiwanis Club member Lawrence Bice. The Perry chapter of the Kiwanis Club was founded in 1939.

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