Saturday Crafternoons – April 1
Are you looking for a quiet, community space to craft? Then, we have the perfect Saturday event for you! The Perry Public Library welcomes crafters and do-it-yourselfers to our dedicated makerspace the first Saturday of each month. You bring your ideas and supplies and we’ll supply the crafting space. Saturday Crafternoons last from 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm 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, April 1, 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.
April Grab and Go Adult Craft – Free DIY Floral Kissing Balls Craft Kit
April’s Grab and Go Adult Craft is a lovely way to welcome in Spring! These beautiful hanging floral decorations make a stunning addition to your home, office, or event. Beginning April 1st, adult patrons can bring home a Free DIY Floral Kissing Balls Craft Kit from the Perry Public Library. This craft kit includes materials and instructions for making one kissing ball decoration of your own. This April Craft is free, courtesy of the Perry Public Library, and available while supplies last. For questions, visit the library or call 515-465-3569.
April Grab and Go Kid’s Craft – Free DIY Craft Kit
Kids looking for a creative project to enjoy at home can come into the Perry Public Library in April to grab a Free DIY Kit. The kit includes material and instructions to create your own DIY project! This April 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.
April Fresh Conversations with Aging Resources of Central Iowa: Fiber – April 5
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 April to discuss the health benefits of fiber and try a tasty recipe on Wednesday, April 5 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm 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 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
Never Too Old for YA Book Club: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green – April 5
Adults and teens are invited to join our Never Too Old for YA (Young Adult) Book Club to discuss Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. The author, perhaps best known for The Fault in Our Stars, tackles the heavy topic of mental illness with humor and warmth. The club will meet at 6:00 pm, on Wednesday, April 5, 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.
Poetry Fun for Featuring the Works of Shel Silverstein – April 5
Join us on Wednesday, April 5 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm for some fun with Shel Silverstein poetry! Elementary students are invited to come enjoy some silly, wacky poems filled with tongue-twisters and spoonisms. Miss Laura will read some of her favorites, including tongue-twisters from Runny Babbit. Participants will also learn how Silverstein uses “spoonisms” to create the silly language in this book, and will get to try their own hand at making “spoonism” poems. This activity 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.
Chess at the Library – April 6, 13, 20, 27
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 April for Chess Instruction and Walk-in at the Library. Students, grades K-12, will meet from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, in the library Board Room. Chess players of all ages are then welcome to meet from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, 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.
Toddler Time Storytime – April 4, 11, 18, 25
Come make some music with Miss. Laura at Toddler Storytime this month in the Library Community Room on Tuesdays from 10:15 am to 11:15 am. This fun activity time for toddlers, ages 18 months to age 3, and their caregivers involves sensory plays, felt boards, and songs, with a special focus on music. Let’s Make Some Music! Storytime will incorporate basic instruments, sing-alongs, and dancing into our early literacy programming. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting the library, www.perry.lib.ia.us, calling 515-465-9881, or emailing lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.
Quarterly Classics Book Club: 1984 by George Orwell – April 11
All are invited to join the Quarterly Classics Book Club for discussions of traditional and modern classics. The Quarterly Classics Book Club will meet Tuesday, April 11 to discuss 1984 by George Orwell at the Carnegie Library Museum from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. 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 at www.perry.lib.ia.us, in person, or call the library for more information at 515-465-3569.
Wow! Wednesdays – K through 2nd grades – April 12
The Perry Public Library STEM fun continues in April at WOW! Wednesdays, scheduled for April 12 (k-2 grades) and April 19 (3-5 grades) from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This exciting program engages elementary-aged kids in creative, hands-on activities and games. Kindergarteners through second graders meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. 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.
Fun with Fours and Fives Storytime – April 5, 12, 19, 26
Preschools and their caregivers are invited to join Miss. Laura at the Perry Public Library in April for the Fun with Fours and Fives Storytime. Our newest Storytime will be all about music, incorporating basic instruments, sing-a-longs, and dancing. This early literacy program includes a book and interaction with instruments. Bring your little one to the library to make music with shakers, rhythm sticks, triangles, bongo drums, and maracas. Plus, come sing fun songs and dance to groovy beats! Fun with Fours and Fives Storytimes meets every Wednesday from 10:15 am to 11:00 am in the Library Community Room. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting the library, www.perry.lib.ia.us, calling 515-465-9881, or emailing lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.
Wee Wonders – April 6, 13, 20, 27
Families with infants from birth to 18 months are invited to attend our Perry Public Library Wee Wonders Storytime this April to read stories and sing songs with Miss. Laura. The Wee Wonders program is created specifically for babies and will incorporate simple instruments, such as egg shakers, drums, maracas, and rhythm sticks. Participants will also join in family sing-a-longs and bring home a free board book! Wee Wonders meets in the Perry Public Library Community Room each Thursday from 10:15 am to 11:00 am. Registration is required and can be completed by visiting the library, www.perry.lib.ia.us, calling 515-465-3569, or emailing lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.
Teen Poetry Slam – April 17
Teens are invited to an informal poetry slam at the Perry Public Library on April 17 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the Library Community Room. This is all about learning how to perform in public and share your work! There will be no microphone and, if anyone gets stage fright, Miss Laura or someone else can perform their poem for them. Participants will be supportive and vote to award prizes. For questions, call the library or Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at (515) 465-3569 or e-mail lpieper@perry.lib.ia.us.
Monthly Book Club: How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu – April 18
The meeting will be held at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, April 18, in the Library Community Room. Members will discuss the 2023 All Iowa Reads Adult Selection, How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu. 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 Adult Services Librarian and discussion leader Mindy Farmer at 515-465-3569.
Wow! Wednesdays – 3rd through 5th grades – April 19
The Perry Public Library STEM fun continues in April at WOW! Wednesdays, scheduled for April 12 (k-2 grades) and April 19 (3-5 grades) from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. This exciting program engages elementary-aged kids in creative, hands-on activities and games. Third through fifth graders meet on the third Wednesday of each month from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. 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: Historical Craft Seed Bombs – April 22
Get ready for spring with a new historical craft at the Carnegie Library Museum. Trista will show participants how to create seed bombs using recycled paper. These can be put directly into the soil and April showers will bring May flowers! This free, all-ages event is happening April 22 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm upstairs in the Carnegie Library Museum. For more information, contact Trista at 515-465-7713 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
Impressions/Expressions of the Library Collage and Relief Print Workshop with Atelier at 1109 – April 22
Seth Anderson from Atelier 1109 will join us to kick off National Library Week with a special library art workshop on Saturday, April 22 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. The class will be a combination of collage and relief print to create impressions/expressions of their community library. The process involves collaging elements of books, newspapers, and magazines and overlaying relief prints to create the story. Atelier 1109 will provide pre-carved blocks with images of books, fairy tale pieces, as well as other miscellaneous stamps and textures, to allow each person the creative freedom with their storytelling. This is a free community event for teens and adults. No registration is required. A children’s craft time will accompany this event. For more information, contact the Library at 515-465-3569 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
National Library Week Children’s Craft – April 22
Kids are invited to join Miss Laura for a Saturday craft time to kick off National Library Week! This special kids craft will be at the Perry Public Library on Saturday, April 22 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. This craft time will accompany the teen and adult craft happening that day. This is a free community event. No registration is required. For more information, contact the Library at 515-465-3569 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
Found Poetry for Tweens – April 26
Tweens in 3rd through 6th grade are invited to learn the art of “found” poetry using words clipped from magazines. Participants will create collages of words and phrases and glue them together to “find” their poems. This is a great way to get creative! Join us at this free event in the Library Community Room April 26 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. No registration required. For more information, contact the Library at 515-465-3569 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
Brenton Arboretum Trees for Bees Program – April 27
Brenton Arboretum will join us during National Library Week to help us understand that “there’s more to the story” when it comes to bees. Join Executive Director Melissa Burdick on April 27 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm in the Library Community for an engaging, informative presentation. Lots of people know about the importance of flowering annuals and perennials to honey bees and native pollinators, but did you know that trees play an important role in supporting these vital insects? In this program, Burdick will review a broad selection of trees that bees love and are beautifully suited to Midwest landscapes. This Trees for Bees program is free and open to the public. No registration is required. For more information, contact the Library at 515-465-3569 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
Craft Club: Paint Your Own Pot, Plant Your Own Succulent – May 1
Craft Club meets on Monday, May 1 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Library Community Room. Participants will paint mini pots and plant succulents. 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 Monday, April 24h. For questions, call 515-465-3569. To register, visit the library.
