August 2009
Summer vacation is over, but a lot of great things are happening at Perry Carnegie Library.
Summer Reading Program was a smashing success! Almost 1000 children and adults attended the various programs from June through August. We ended the year with a special “blow-out” party for participants and their families. Magician Steve Crawford astonished the crowd with a full show of special summer tricks. Everyone got prizes, ate cake, and had a great time. During the party, Children’s Librarian Linda Branson announced our Summer Reading Program winners. These are the children who got special recognition and extra prizes for being the top readers in their age groups. Aiden Dillon read 109 books to take the 2-6 year old prize, and Desmond England read 151 books to win in the 7-12 year old category.
End of summer surveys are now available at the library and on our website at http://www.perrypl.okpls.org. If your family participated in any of our summer activities, or would like to give input that would make it easier for you to participate, please take time to fill one out. We always like to know what everyone enjoyed, how we can improve, and what our citizens would like to see in the future. All responses are anonymous and confidential.
Enrollment for Children’s Storytime starts Wednesday, August 26th. Storytime takes place on Tuesdays starting in September. Two sessions are held each Tuesday, one for 0-2 year olds at 9:30-9:50 a.m. and 3-4 year olds from 10:10-10:40 a.m. Parents, guardians, and caregivers are encouraged to attend with their children and participate in activities. Brochures listing Storytime themes and other important information will be available at enrollment.
We are also happy to welcome back our homeschooler group, Perry Area Christian Educators, for another school year full of learning opportunities. The dedication displayed by PACE families inspires everyone who comes in contact with them.
In response to requests from our patrons, the library will be featuring a number of new magazine titles in the coming months. Our magazine rack will also be made much more convenient and accessible. We encourage everyone to come in and catch up on the latest titles about cooking, quilting, entertainment, and many others. Do not forget that back issues of all magazines are able to be checked out and taken home.
Speaking of great books to take home, I’m proud to report the return of the upstairs book sale rack. A variety of items from popular authors are always available to purchase, and proceeds benefit library programs. Small paperbacks are $0.25, large paperbacks are $0.50, and hardbacks are $1.00.
Our library is now on Twitter. This popular website allows users to send and receive short updates from other users. Go to http://www.twitter.com/perrycarnegie or follow @perrycarnegie for the latest information about library happenings.
Perry Carnegie Library, located at 302 N. 7th St. (corner of 7th and Cedar), is open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon. For more information, please call 580-336-4721, e-mail director@perry.lib.ok.us, or follow @perrycarnegie on Twitter.
June 2009
Summer is a great time to visit Perry Carnegie Library!
I would like to start this month by reporting that fund-raising for the Perry Progress Club’s Library Centennial statue is continuing to go well. As of late June, approximately $11,000 has been raised toward our goal of $17,500. We still need everyone’s support and generosity, so please drop off your donation of any amount here at the library. A special word of thanks needs to be given to the ladies of the Progress Club for all their hard work and determination throughout this process. We are inspired by the seven decades of continuous service they have provided the library community.
In light of the recent economic troubles and their effect on the people of Perry, I wanted to remind everyone of a number of no-cost services we provide that can be of assistance.
Library cards are the most important free tool we provide. A library card lets you use the full range of available items, and is yours for the asking as long as you live, work, or own property in Noble County. Just bring a current photo ID with your correct Noble County address.
Free Internet computers are available to any citizen who needs to file for unemployment, type a résumé, conduct job searches, or apply for open positions. Wi-Fi is also available at no charge for those who prefer to use their own laptops while at the library. Library staff are trained to assist anyone who needs help with these tasks, and are always happy to answer any questions.
Perry Carnegie Library also subscribes to the Perry, Stillwater, Enid, Oklahoma City, and Tulsa newspapers, all of which have employment listings covering a wide variety of careers and job opportunities.
All library programs are also free of charge to attend. Summer Reading Program, which is going on right now, is a great place to bring your children in addition to Vacation Bible School, swim lessons, and other activities offered in Perry. Mondays at 1:30 p.m. are movie days where children ages 4 and up are invited to enjoy age-appropriate offerings from the library collection. Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. are “preschool” activities for 2-6 year olds, and “primary” activities for 7-12 year olds are on Wednesdays. Thursdays are “special guest days” where we host great local talent that help us promote the arts and learning with our “Be Creative @ Your Library” theme. Upcoming special guests include magician Steve Crawford and musician Monty Harper in special outdoor performances which will take place at the Bandstand on the square. Summer programs run through July 30, 2009. All participating children must be signed up in person at the library or by calling Children’s Librarian Linda Branson at 580-336-7300.
Finally, I would like to remind everyone that it was 100 years ago, in 1909, that construction began at Perry Carnegie Library. For a century, through changes in society, world wars, difficult times, and prosperity, generations of librarians have been proud to serve the people of this great community. We are inspired by your continued support and always hard at work to provide the best library service possible. I would like to extend a personal invitation to every member of the community to come visit as often as you can. Grab some books, movies, and magazines. Make new friends. Explore new worlds. Give your family the lifelong gift of learning.
Perry Carnegie Library, located at 302 N. 7th St. (corner of 7th and Cedar), is open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon. For more information, please call 580-336-4721 or e-mail director@perry.lib.ok.us.
May 2009
Perry Carnegie Library has been a very busy place since my last column!
National Library Week was an overwhelming success, and we appreciate the Perry community coming out to help celebrate with us. Our citizens bought as many books as they could carry at the book sale, and also made sure that the Library Centennial Sculpture fundraising drive got off to a great start. As of May 18, 2009, approximately $5,100 has been raised toward our goal of $17,500. Many of your friends and neighbors have been very generous, even in these hard economic times. A donation of any amount can be dropped off at the library and would be a great way to help celebrate the Library Centennial. Please make all checks payable to Perry Carnegie Library. If desired, the library will provide a Letter Of Donation for tax purposes.
From June 1-5, 2009, the library is hosting Scholastic Book Fair. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Scholastic Book Fair is a great opportunity to purchase age-appropriate books and other items for your child. Proceeds from the Fair also help provide new children’s materials for Perry Carnegie Library. A special “sneak preview” for teachers will be held Saturday, May 30, 2009, from 9 a.m. to noon. It’s never too early to find birthday presents and stocking stuffers!
Summer Reading Program is right around the corner! This year’s theme is “Be Creative @ Your Library”. We encourage all area parents to sign their 2 – 12 year-olds up for a summer of fun-filled activities guaranteed to unleash your child’s “inner artist”! The fun starts June 08, 2009. Brochures are available at both library circulation desks and around the community. For more details and sign-up information, call Children’s Librarian Linda Branson at 580-336-7300.
Weekly Census testing and information sessions are currently on hold for the summer. We have had a great turnout of motivated local citizens who are working to help their friends and neighbors be counted. Information about future sessions will be featured in a later column.
As you may have noticed in the newspaper and on the PIN network, the library was recently upgraded with new wood blinds. These blinds help protect our books, magazines, movies, and other materials from sunlight and other damage. They also give the building a more historical look and help with heating and cooling costs. The City of Perry takes great pride in our library, and is always working to make it the best building possible.
Finally, I would like to take a second to thank our Friends Of The Library group for their continued support, and also encourage everyone to join this outstanding organization. The level of involvement you choose depends on your schedule and ability to help. Some members simply support the Friends’ mission by paying dues. Other members help by working book sales, bake sales, and other fund-raising events. In order to get involved in the Friends, please contact Rose Knight at 580-336-5305. Dues are $5.00 per year for an individual, or $10.00 per year for families/businesses.
We look forward to seeing you soon at Perry Carnegie Library!
Perry Carnegie Library, located at 302 N. 7th St. (corner of 7th and Cedar), is open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon. For more information, please call 580-336-4721 or e-mail director@perry.lib.ok.us.
March 2009
Spring has sprung, bringing many exciting opportunities to Perry Carnegie Library in upcoming weeks!
Our Friends of the Library group is now sponsoring “First Friday” programs in the Thelma Knox Brown Conference Room. Each month, speakers will present topics concerning our local area.
The first class is scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., with Noble County Emergency Manager Lloyd Brown. During this 45-minute session, Lloyd will educate the public about tornado and weather safety. He will also answer questions about weather radios and be able to help citizens program their radios will the correct codes for Noble and surrounding counties.
The second class is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. Perry’s Petunia Garden Club will educate the public on planting spring flowers and how to properly care for their gardens. Come ready to ask questions and learn how to use your green thumb!
Tax time is almost here! Unless you have made special arrangements with the IRS, your taxes need to be in by April 15th. We have many free Federal forms and instructions available at the library, and can print any other Federal or State forms for $0.25 per page.
National Library Week is April 13 – 17, 2009. We would like to invite all citizens to come to the library and help us celebrate 100 years of continuous service to the people of Perry!
During National Library Week, we host the two most important events of the year. Perry Progress Club’s Annual Benefit Tea will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. For 76 years, the women of the Progress Club have put in countless amounts of time supporting the library. This year’s event is especially important because the Progress Club will kick off a fund-raising drive for their Library Centennial Project.
Friends of the Library kick off their Spring Book Sale at noon on April 15th. A wide selection of books, magazines, and movies will be available for purchase. Hours are Wednesday noon – 5 p.m., Thursday & Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you would like to donate your old books and reading materials to the Book Sale, please call Rose Knight at 580-336-5305 or Dianna Harlow at 580-336-9267.
All proceeds from National Library Week events will benefit library programs and projects.
Perry Carnegie Library, located at 302 N. 7th St. (corner of 7th and Cedar), is open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon. For more information, please call 580-336-4721 or e-mail director@perry.lib.ok.us.
February 2009
Starting this month, I will be writing a column to keep the citizens of Perry up to date on what is going on Perry Carnegie Library. If you have questions about anything you read here, please feel free to call 336-4721 or e-mail me at director@perry.lib.ok.us.
First, I would like to congratulate our Friends Of The Library on another successful Chocolate Fantasy fund raiser. Every Valentine’s Day, the members bake and create a wide variety of decadent treats and sell them to raise money for special library projects. As in previous years, many citizens came to show their support for the library. We appreciate the Friends Of The Library for everything they do, and the continued support of the citizens of Perry. Our job would be impossible without you!
As everyone knows, it is time to do your taxes! The library provides most Federal income tax forms for free. This includes 1040, 1040 A, 1040 EZ, and related instructions. However, any other Federal forms and all state forms are only available on the computer. We can print those for anyone interested at a cost of 25 cents per page. Please remember that we are unable to provide detailed tax assistance, and instead ask you to patronize our great local tax professionals.
Perry Information Network (PIN) is scheduled to start airing an expanded line-up of library related items, including book reviews, special story times, and staff picks of great books to read. We encourage everyone to stay tuned to PIN for information about when our new items will start airing.
Perry Carnegie Library is the local testing site for anyone interested in working for the 2010 US Census. A Census representative is on hand every Wednesday at 1:00 PM to administer testing and give out information. If you are interested in signing up to test, you need to contact the Census Bureau beforehand at 1-866-861-2010 or go to http://2010.census.gov
There are also a lot of great things going on in the Children’s Department. Our final RIF distribution of the year is in March. Summer Reading Program is also getting closer every day. This year’s theme is “Be Creative @ Your Library”. Arts, music, painting, sculpture, and many other ways to be artistic will be featured. To this end, the library is looking for talented Perryans who want give a presentation about their area of expertise. Contact Children’s Librarian Linda Branson at 580-336-7300 with further questions.
In closing, I wanted to remind everyone of all the free opportunities that are available at Perry Carnegie Library. These hard economic times mean that our citizens are trying to save money and make sure they can provide for their families. The library stocks a wide range of books, magazines, newspapers, and even movies. We have free Wi-Fi (wireless internet), so you can bring your laptop to the library and catch up on your e-mail. If you do not have a laptop, we have free Internet computers for your use. Perry Carnegie Library provides great ways of spending time with your family without breaking the budget.
Library staff are always available to help you live the best life possible. We look forward to seeing you soon!
Perry Carnegie Library, located at 302 N. 7th St. (corner of 7th and Cedar), is open Monday – Friday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and Saturdays from 9:00 AM to noon. For more information, please call 580-335-4721 or e-mail director@perry.lib.ok.us.
