Here is a list of the events planned for August 2023 at the Perry Public Library and Hometown Heritage at the Carnegie Library Museum.
Hometown Heritage at the Carnegie Library Museum Presents: Perry’s Train Heritage Exhibit – July 19 to August 31
Discover Perry’s rich train heritage through memorabilia and model trains at the Carnegie Library Museum in August. This free exhibit will feature pieces highlighting local locomotive heritage and history. All ages are welcome to come enjoy this fun, engaging exhibit! Summer hours are as follows: Sunday-Monday closed, Tuesday-Wednesday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, Thursday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Friday-Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. For questions, call 515-465-7713 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
August Grab and Go Adult Craft – Free DIY No-Sew Rope Containers
We are welcoming in August with fun and functional storage! Come into the library for your own Grab and Go No-Sew Rope Containers Kit beginning August 1st. Adult patrons can bring home one Free DIY No-Sew Rope Containers Craft Kit from the Perry Public Library. This craft kit includes materials and instructions for making one large rope container or a few small rope containers. This August Craft is free, courtesy of the Perry Public Library, and available while supplies last. For questions, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us or call 515-465-3569.
August Fresh Conversations with Aging Resources of Central Iowa: Prediabetes – August 2
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 August to discuss prediabetes, plus try a tasty recipe on Wednesday, August 2 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in the Perry Public Library Community Room. This is a monthly, free event held the first Wednesday of each month 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.
Chess at the Library – August 3, 11, 18, 25
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 August 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.
We Have Issues (YA Book Club for Everyone): I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver – August 7
We Have Issues: A YA Book Club for Everyone is a fun, laid-back book club where we enjoy the often-dramatic world of YA literature. We love exploring timely issues and you don’t have to be a teen/young adult to come. Our club meets every first Monday from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Library Community Room. The August 7th selection is I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deavers, which centers around a non-binary character and their experiences. Interested adults and teens may join the group at any time, but registration is required. Books are available at the library for a small fee for registrants. Register online at www.perry.lib.ia.us, in person, or call the library for more information at 515-465-3569.
Monthly Book Club: Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders & the Birth of the FBI by David Grann – August 15
August’s Monthly Book Club will read and discuss Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders & the Birth of the FB, “a twisting, haunting true-life murder mystery about one of the most monstrous crimes in American history.” Join the discussion on Tuesday, August 15, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm in the Library Community Room. Join the library book discussion before the movie releases in October. 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.
Paper Crafting with Kathy – August 26
Join paper crafting enthusiast Kathy Miller for a series of monthly how-to workshops featuring different paper crafting techniques and creative designs for making greeting cards. The craft series will be held on the last Saturday of each month. We will meet on August 26 in the Library Community Room from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. August’s workshop will focus on creating specialty cards and treat boxes. There is a $5 materials fee for the program and payment is required for registration. Registration closes on August 21. All materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies. For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us, or call 515-465-3569.
Crafternoons – August 26
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 – now moved to the last Saturday of each month. You bring your ideas and supplies and we’ll supply the crafting space. Saturday Crafternoons last from 12:30 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, August 26, 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.
Latino Fest 2023 – August 26
Hispanics United for Perry (HUP) will host its annual Latino Festival ¡Viva Perry! on Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The Latino Festival celebrates Hispanic culture with a parade, music, food, and children’s activities, in addition to raising funds for higher education scholarships. This year, the festival will be held in Pattee Park at the area located on the southwest corner of the park. Food and other booths will be set up in the parking lot and grassy area next to the stage on West 5th Street. Children’s activities will also be located in the same parking lot. The Latino Festival begins with a parade at 10:00 am. The parade route follows Willis Street, turning south on West 3rd Street, then turning onto Park Road, and then one more turn north onto West 5th Street to finish in front of the stage. Free activities for kids this year include a petting zoo, giant bubbles, a lottery, and a foam blaster, plus a balloon twister and free books sponsored by the Perry Public Library.
August Craft Club: Macramé Rainbow Wall Hangers – August 28
During the August craft club, patrons will make macramé rainbow wall hangers. This craft is beginner friendly and requires no knotting. The rainbows can also be in all sorts of different colors, including “goth” rainbows or neutral rainbows, to suit a variety of color schemes. The August Craft Club will meet on Monday, August 28 from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. 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 Wednesday, August 23. For questions, call 515-465-3569. To register, visit the library. For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us, call 515-465-3569, or ask a librarian.
Childcare Training for Adult Caregivers: How to Teach Children About Gardening – August 31
The Perry Public Library is partnering with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Dallas County to offer a Gardening with Children class for childcare providers. The gardening class will be held on Thursday, August 31, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Perry Public Library Community Room. ISU Extension Food & Health Specialist Tom Keinert will lead the class. This class is for adult caregivers, who will engage in experiential learning gardening activities through crafts, literacy, container gardening, and taste-testing. Registration is required by August 25. Patrons can register in person or by calling the Library at 515-465-3569. For additional information, including how to receive credit hours on childcare license renewal, contact Tom Keinert at tkeinert@iastate.edu.
