The Perry Public Library and Hometown Heritage at the Carnegie Library Museum have announced the following programs for December 2024.
Adult Winter Library Program
Get your mitts on a good book (or 2 or 3) this winter and join our Perry Public Library Adult Winter Reading Challenge! Participating is easy. Read every day for 90 days and earn 1 point for each day you read. Every 5 points you earn gets you an entry into a prize drawing! Adults can earn entries for our two grand prizes, including Grand Prize 1: The Kindle Paperwhite Ultimate Prize Bundle and Grand Prize 2: The Connect to Hoopla or Libby TV Prize. Plus, earn entries for 6 fun mini-prizes. The Adult Winter Library Program will run from December 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025. Registration and participation begin on December 1st. We recommend using the Beanstack app, where you can easily track each day you read and enter to win prizes! Simply visit beanstack.com and enter in our library name or download the Beanstack app to get started. Patrons may also opt to register in person and use paper tracking forms to participate. For more information, go to www.perry.lib.ia.us, visit the library, or call 515-465-3569.
Teen Winter Library Program
Get your mitts on a good book (or 2 or 3) this winter and join our Perry Public Library Teen Winter Reading Challenge! Participating is easy. Read every day for 90 days and earn 1 point for each day you read. Every 5 points you earn gets you a prize – alternating between earning a charm and earning a charm + a Grand Prize Entry! Teens can earn entries for our three grand prizes, including Grand Prize 1: Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Grand Prize 2: A Heated Blanket and Box of Hot Chocolate, and Grand Prize 3: A Cozy Reading Set Bundle. The Teen Winter Library Program will run from December 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025. We recommend using the Beanstack app, where you can easily track each day you read and enter to win prizes! Simply visit beanstack.com and enter in our library name or download the Beanstack app to get started. Patrons may also opt to register in person and use paper tracking forms to participate. For more information, go to www.perry.lib.ia.us, visit the library, or call 515-465-3569.
Children’s Winter Library Program
Get your mitts on a good book (or 2 or 3) this winter and join our Perry Public Library Children’s Winter Reading Challenge! Participating is easy. Read every day for 90 days and earn 1 point for each day you read. Every 5 points you earn gets you a prize – alternating between earning a charm and earning a charm + a Grand Prize Entry! Children can earn entries for our three grand prizes, including Grand Prize 1: A Magna-Tile Construction Set, Grand Prize 2: A Fire 7 Kids’ Tablet, and Grand Prize 3: A Boy’s and Girl’s Cozy Reading Set. The Children’s Winter Library program will run from December 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025. We recommend using the Beanstack app, where you can easily track each day you read and enter to win prizes! Simply visit beanstack.com and enter in our library name or download the Beanstack app to get started. Patrons may also opt to register in person and use paper tracking forms to participate. For more information, go to www.perry.lib.ia.us, visit the library, or call 515-465-3569.
10th Annual Perry Festival of Trees: November 23, 2024 to January 4, 2025
This holiday season, the Carnegie Library Museum is thrilled to host the 10th Annual Festival of Trees! This Perry tradition began in 2014 with just twelve trees and a team of enthusiastic volunteers. Since then, participation has grown to include not only a Carnegie Library filled with beautiful trees and creative displays, but also community activities, such as coloring for kids, scavenger hunts, a handmade quilt raffle, and a special time to welcome the Latino community to view the displays. The public is invited to enjoy this free festival during open Carnegie Library hours, excluding holiday hours, through January 4, 2025. The Latino community is invited to a special Saturday Festival of Trees Showcase on Saturday, December 14, from 12:00 pm to 2:30 pm. For questions, contact the Carnegie at 515-465-7713.
December Grab and Go Adult Craft Kit – DIY Winter Button Mitten Decor
Looking for a relaxing craft to enjoy while snuggled by the cozy fire on a chilly winter day? Pick up our December Grab and Go Adult Craft Kit and make your own DIY Winter Button Mitten Décor. While you’re picking up your button craft, be sure to sign up for our Winter Library Program too, because we’re “S’mitten with Reading” this winter! Adult patrons can bring home one Free Adult Grab and Go Adult Craft Kit from the Perry Public Library. This craft kit includes materials and instructions for one DIY Winter Button Mitten Decor. This December Grab and Go 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.
December Grab and Go Teen Craft Kit –DIY New Year’s Party Poppers
Ring in the New Year with these fun DIY New Year’s Party Poppers in our December Grab and Go Teen Craft Kit. Teens, 12 to 18, are invited to come into the library during December to pick up a Free Grab and Go Teen Craft Kit! This month’s kit includes supplies to make your own DIY New Year’s Part Popper. Teen patrons can bring home one Free December Grab and Go Teen Craft Kit from the Perry Public Library. This Grab and Go 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.
December Novel-Teas Book Match: A Monthly Program for Adults
We think a good book and a delicious cup of tea are the perfect pairing. With our Adult Novel-Teas Book Match program, participants can sign up each month to receive an individualized book recommendation, with a complementary tea pairing. Simply register, and complete the personalized Book Match Form by December 15, and our Adult Services Librarian, Mindy, will help you find your next book, while our tea enthusiast, Trista, will select your tea. December Book Matches will be available for patrons to pick up beginning January 2nd. Patrons must be 18+ to participate and spots are limited. To register and complete your survey, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us for an online form or visit the library for a paper version. This is a free program. For questions, visit our website or call 515-465-3569.
Evening Family Storytime (Ages Birth to 11): Mondays – December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Can’t make it to our daytime storytimes? Do you want to enjoy some family time with your children at the library? Come to our Monday Evening Family Storytime each week from 6:30 pm to 7:15 pm in our Children’s Area! We will follow the same theme as our daily storytime each month and incorporate different songs and activities, depending on the ages of the children who attend. The theme for December is Winter Fun! No registration is required for this free program. For questions, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us or call 515-465-3569.
Special Evening Storytime: Family Holiday Party – Monday, December 9
Come to the Perry Public Library as a family to enjoy holiday-themed crafts, games, and snacks from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 12. This is a free event and is open to the public. Celebrate the season with us at the Perry Public Library! No registration is required for this free program. For questions, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us or call 515-465-3569.
Tween Zone (3rd to 5th Grades): Tuesdays – December 3, 10, 17, 31
This fall, Tween Zone is a weekly library program for students in 3rd through 5th grades, every Tuesday from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm! Each week will include a fun activity. We may make crafts, play games, or even watch a movie! Our December activities include:
- December 3 – Tiny Hands Challenge: Maneuver through an obstacle course using tiny plastic hands.
- December 10 – We will make holiday crafts.
- December 17 – We will watch a holiday movie. (The program will run until 5:30 this day.)
- There will not be a program on December 24 as the library will be closed for Christmas Eve.
- December 31 – We will have a New Year’s Eve Party.
This is a free, weekly activity and no registration is required. For more information, call the library at 515-465-3569 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
Adventure in the World of Dungeons and Dragons: Tuesdays – December 3, 10, 17, 31
Welcome to a world of Dungeons and Dragons! Dungeons and Dragons is a communal storytelling adventure where you get to play a character of your own creation and make decisions (and rolls) to decide the path of our story and the destiny of your character! Great for newcomers and experienced players alike, our adventures in Candlekeep are based around short one-shot-like adventures that make popping in or coming every time a fun adventure! Patrons 10+ are invited to join us as we explore the magic books of Candlekeep in the Perry Public Library Community Room on Tuesday nights in December. We will meet from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Community Room. This is a free program and no registration is required. For more information, go to www.perry.lib.ia.us, visit the library, or call 515-465-3569.
Budding Bookworms Storytime (Ages 2 to 5): Wednesdays – December 4, 11, 18
The Perry Public Library is excited to announce our new storytime, Budding Bookworms, a weekly Wednesday storytime for ages 2 to 5 from 10:30 am to 11:15 am in the Community Room. This storytime combines our Toddler and Preschool storytimes into a fun, engaging 45-minute program that includes books, singing and dancing, and simple crafts. Our goal is to provide caregivers with an opportunity to introduce their children to good literature, encourage growth in children’s literacy skills (reading, talking, singing, playing, and writing), and promote the library as an enjoyable place where learning is fun. The theme for December is Winter Fun. We will read books and sing about winter and the holidays and do some fun related activities and crafts! This program is free to the public, but please register your child, so we can be prepared with supplies to enhance their experience. To register, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us and click on our Events Calendar, call the library at 515-465-3569, or speak with a librarian.
“Next Chapter” Older Adults Group at the Library: Wednesdays – December 4, 11, 18
Join us for our new, weekly “Next Chapter” group for patrons 55+, every Wednesday, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm in the Perry Public Library Community Room. We will offer a variety of activities each month, including free ISU Extension Stay Independent courses, Lifetime Fitness sessions with Judy Tomenga, and social gatherings and conversation opportunities. December’s schedule includes:
- December 4: ISU Stay Independent Series “Planning Ahead for Future Care”
- December 11: Lifetime Fitness with Judy Tomenga
- December 18: Lifetime Fitness with Judy Tomenga
This is a free, weekly activity held each Wednesday for adults 55+, and no registration is required. For more information, call the library at 515-465-3569 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
WOW! Wednesdays STEM Program (K-5th Grades): Wednesdays – December 4, 11, 18
New this year, our WOW! Wednesdays STEM program will meet every Wednesday (excluding holidays), from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm in the Community Room! Each week will include elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Every week Miss Laura gets asked when she will make slime. This whole month will be dedicated to slime! Every week we will make slimy concoctions! Come one, come all and prepare to be slimed during Slimorama! We will also have LEGOs, Snap Circuits, and our Maker Space cart available for tinkering at each WOW! Wednesday. This is a free, weekly activity and no registration is required. For more information, call the library at 515-465-3569 or visit www.perry.lib.ia.us.
Wee Wonders Storytime (Ages Birth to 24 Months): Thursdays – December 5, 12, 19, 26
Wee Wonders is an early literacy lapsit program for babies birth through 24 months and their caregivers held every Thursday from 10:30 am to 11:15 am in the Community Room. We sing songs and rhymes, read simple books, do fingerplays and bounces, and incorporate motor skills with shakers and scarves. There is also a period of social play at the end of each program. Plus, each participating baby gets a free board book every time they come to the program. This program is free to the public, but please register your child, so we can be prepared with supplies to enhance their experience. To register, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us and click on our Events Calendar, call the library at 515-465-3569, or speak with a librarian.
Chess Club at the Library: Thursdays – December 5, 12, 19, 26
Are you interested in learning how to play chess? Do you already know how to play, but are looking for some local players to challenge? Could you use some tips and practice to improve your skill level? 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 December for chess instruction and walk-in play at the Library. Students, grades K-12, will meet from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm, in the library Board Room. Chess players of all ages are then welcome to meet from 5:30 pm 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. This is a free program and no registration is required. For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us, call, or come to the library.
Teen Lounge (6th to 12th Grades): Fridays – December 6, 13, 20, 27
Welcome to the Teen Lounge, our new weekly program on Fridays for teens in middle and high school! Every week will be different: crafts, games, speakers, a movie, karaoke, or just a place to hang out. This month’s planned activities include:
- December 6: Holiday papercraft
- December 13: DIY Christmas gifts
- December 20: Ugly Art Day
- December 27: 2024 Jeopardy
No registration is required; call the library for more information at (515) 465-3569.
Teen Advisory Board (6th to 12th Grades): Fridays – December 6, 13, 20, 27
The Perry Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board, or TAB, meets from 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm on Fridays immediately following the Teen Lounge program. The board is intended for students in 6th through 12th grade who have a strong interest in the library and want to become involved in its function. Participants will have a say in future teen programs, the young adult collection, and the teen space. Participation counts toward high school volunteer hours. To join, come to the library to fill out an application. Applications will be available during Teen Lounge programs as well. Regular participation is required. For more information, contact Youth Services Librarian Laura Pieper at laura.pieper@perryia.org or (515) 465-3569.
December Adult Craft Club: Ornament Christmas Tree – Special Date: Monday, December 16
Join Trista as she demonstrates how to transform simple dollar store materials into a delightful Ornament Christmas Tree! The December Adult Craft Club will meet on Monday, December 16 (a special early date), from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Community Room. Supplies and instruction are provided free of charge, but space is limited and registration is required by December. To register, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us and click on our Events Calendar, call the library at 515-465-3569, or speak with a librarian.
Monthly Book Club: Vote on Book Selections for 2025 – Tuesday, December 17
Join our Monthly Book Club as we vote on our book selections for 2025! Members suggest books based on themes for each month before our meeting. On December 17, we’ll meet in the Community Room from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm to choose our 2025 finalists and enjoy some holiday treats. Anyone interested in participating in the Book Club is welcome to come! For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us, call 515-465-3569, or come to the library.
Gingerbread Man at the Library Decorating Contest – December 20 to December 31
“You can’t catch me, I’m the Gingerbread Man!” Help the Gingerbread men hide in the library by disguising them as book characters! Participants will receive a gingerbread man to decorate with any materials they wish. The only requirement is that their gingerbread man’s disguise is a character from a book. Registration is required by Thursday, December 19. Cardstock gingerbread men will be handed out starting Friday, December 20. Participants will have until Tuesday, December 31 to complete their gingerbread man and return it to the library. Gingerbread men will be on display at the library during the month of January for voting. Prizes will be awarded at the end of January. For more information contact the library at (515) 465-3569.
Paper Crafting with Kathy: New Year Paper Party Poppers and Cards – Saturday, December 28
Welcome in the New Year with Paper Party Poppers at our December Paper Crafting with Kathy class! Kathy Miller leads this series of monthly how-to workshops featuring different paper crafting techniques and creative designs for making greeting cards. The craft series will be held one Saturday each month. We will meet on Saturday, December 28, in the Library Community Room from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. The class is free, but space is limited and registration is required. Registration closes on December 27. All materials will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own supplies. For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us and click on our Events Calendar, call 515-465-3569, or ask a librarian.
Saturday Crafternoons: Saturday, December 28
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 following Paper Crafting with Kathy. 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, December 28, 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, go to www.perry.lib.ia.us, visit the library, or call 515-465-3569.
Winter Holiday Closure for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25
The Perry Public Library and the Carnegie Library Museum will be closed on Tuesday, December 24 and Wednesday, December 25. We will open again for regular hours beginning, Thursday, December 26.
Salvation Army Support Services
The Salvation Army Support Services will not be available in person in Perry during the months of November and December. They will be available for assistance via phone and return to the Perry Public Library in January. The Salvation Army helps with rent, utilities, gas, personal care items, food, and other information. For more specific information about services offered, contact the Salvation Army directly at 515-282-3599. This is a free service and no registration is required. For more information, visit www.perry.lib.ia.us, call 515-465.3569, or visit the library.
Special New Year’s Eve Hours
We will be open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, on Tuesday, December 31.
Winter Holiday Closure for New Year’s Day – Wednesday, January 1
The Perry Public Library and the Carnegie Library Museum will be closed on Wednesday, January 1. We will open again for regular hours beginning, Thursday, January 2.
