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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Perry Memorial Library Holiday Festivities Include Book Sale, Movies And Caroling Downtown

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It’s not a stretch to imagine that librarians love to give books as gifts – in fact, Perry Memorial Library’s Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters says a book “is a gift that keeps on giving.”

So why not do a little holiday shopping at the Friends of the Library’s Back Door Book Sale? It’s happening Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the library.

Books are no more than $1 and gift wrapping is free, said Peters.

Proceeds go to support the Friends of the Library, which in turn supports library programming.

There will be hot chocoloate, goodies and a craft activity to create your own special bookmark, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The library has lots in store to get folks in the Christmas spirit. Bring the whole family on Tuesday, Dec. 9 for a special showing of the movie “The Polar Express.” The movie begins at 4:30 p.m. and Peters said it’s fine to bring your own snacks – traditional pajama wearing is encouraged, but not required!

The library is kicking off another tradition this year with carol singing along Breckenridge and Garnett streets on Wednesday, Dec. 17. The group will gather at the library at 4:30 p.m. before making its way to the police station and then along Garnett Street, stopping at local downtown businesses to share some familiar holiday carols.

They’ll return to the library by about 5:30 p.m. and enjoy S’mores as a special holiday treat.

“I love caroling,” Peters said. “We’ll sing carols everybody knows,” but she’ll have printouts of the lyrics just in case.

If the weather’s chilly, carolers will most likely be wearing hats, scarves and mittens to keep warm, and Peters reminds patrons and others in the community to bring donations of hats, gloves and mittens to the library to decorate a special tree. The winter clothing items are free for anyone to take who needs them. Donations may be taken to any of the library’s service desks.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Winter Activities at Perry Memorial Library

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Even as regular programming slows just a bit at Perry Memorial Library as the holidays inch ever closer, the library staff is still providing a variety of opportunities to encourage people to read.

Take the Holiday Book Sale, for example. Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said the sale takes place on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nothing’s more than $1, Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

Stick around downtown and stake a spot along the parade route to view the Henderson Christmas parade, which begins at 3 p.m.

The fun continues on Tuesday, Dec. 9 with Family Fun Night at the library. Come in your pj’s and enjoy some hot cocoa and cookies as you snuggle in to watch the ever-popular Polar Express, a beloved holiday classic.

“I like to bring back traditions that bring people joy,” Peters said.

She and library staff are trying out something new this year that perhaps will become a tradition – caroling downtown.

It’s taking the place of the December Community Read-In, she said. “It’s a new thing we’re trying,” she explained. The group will head out from the library at 4:30 p.m. and visit area downtown businesses to sing some familiar holiday tunes and then end up back at the library by about 5:30 p.m.

It’s all part of the library’s efforts to reach more people in the community to demonstrate the power of literacy and the importance of reading, she said.

And when you visit the library, whether to check out some reading materials of your own or to participate in some of the programming, Peters welcomes donations of warm hats, gloves and mittens that will decorate the annual Hat and Mitten Tree at the library. Drop off items at any Service Desk, she said, and help make someone else’s winter a bit warmer.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn more.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Perry Memorial Library Ready For DINOvember!

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It’s “DINOvember” at Perry Memorial Library, and Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters is capitalizing on young people’s fascination with the now-extinct animals that roamed the Earth millions of years ago to create special activities with a dinosaur theme.

“Most kids love dinosaurs,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The month’s theme is a way to stir a young person’s imagination and sense of wonder, she said. There will be a dinosaur-related story time at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 and then a Dino-Mite Family Story Time on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 3:30 p.m.

Kids will get a chance to participate in a scavenger hunt in the library for young people of all ages throughout November, and a special “Adopt-a Dinosaur” program for youngsters to promote reading.

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, the library will host a program from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. in observance of Native American Heritage month. Peters said participants will enjoy a story, a song and then have a make-and-take craft activity.

While some of the regular programming is preparing for a break until after the holidays, Peters and the library staff are gearing up for the final Fun Friday activities that will take place this Friday, Nov. 7.

“It’s just a day of fun,” Peters said. “I have a BALL!”

The day gets started with Baby Rave at 10:30 a.m. It’s a time when the youngest kiddos – 0-2 years, get a chance to play together with their parents or caregivers. Parents enjoy watching their kids interact with other kids, Peters said. And Baby Rave is a prime opportunity for that to happen.

Then, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon, it’s Parachute Play for the 3-5 year olds. “Kids love the big parachute,” Peters said, calling it “good active play” for the preschool age.

She said she wanted something special for the preschool-aged children who aren’t in formal preschool during the week. And Parachute Play was born.

It’s important for children to interact with others, Peters said, but not everyone has a chance to do that in a formal school setting.  Another popular library program serves homeschooled children. Home School Social Hour is just what it sounds like, Peters said, and children and their parents/teachers can gather together beginning at 1 p.m. on Fridays during the regular programming year to play games, use computers and create in the Maker Space. Friday’s session is the final one for the year, but like other regular programming, it’ll crank back up in January.

Find out about all the library’s programs and services at www.perrylibrary.org.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Wrapping Up October at Perry Memorial Library

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It’s not too soon for trick-or-treaters to be plotting their routes for maximum candy collection on Oct. 31. With Halloween just over a week away, Perry Memorial Library Youth Services Director Melody Peters has a couple of great suggestions: Stop by the Vance County Regional Farmers Market for Spooky Story Time at 3 p.m. and then head downtown to see what the business and retail community has in store between 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

The library is teaming up with the local 4-H program to host the story time at the farmers market. It’ll last about an hour and is for children of all ages, she said.

But this won’t be the only option for Halloween celebration at the library, Peters said. She’s hosting a “Not So Spooky” Family Story Time at 3 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 26. Enjoy a story and then a craft afterward.

Peters hopes the weather cooperates for the last Wednesday of the month’s Community Read-In. What started back in the summer has continued, she said. It’s a simple way to encourage more reading among all ages, adults and children alike.

The read-in will take place – weather permitting – on the grassy area outside the library near the police station on Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Bring a book or other print reading material, a blanket or a lawn chair to participate.

“It’s a very simple, but very powerful” demonstration of the power of reading. The group has grown from a handful in the beginning to dozens, and Peters said she hopes the growth continues.

Another multi-age opportunity comes Tuesday, Oct. 28 when the Charlie Cart gets wheeled in for a free cooking class to learn how to cook sweet potato fries.

Space is limited but there’s still time to register for participants ages 13 and up, Peters said. The class is from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Visit the library website to sign up for the cooking class.

To learn about all the program and services the library offers, visit www.perrylibrary.org

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Life Skills For Teens, VV Mitchell, Fall Festival Await Patrons Of Perry Memorial Library

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The second in a three-part Life Skills for Teens series on Money Matters takes place Thursday, Oct. 9 at Perry Memorial Library.

Participants will be assigned different roles to experience how job, education and family growth affect finances, and the library’s Youth Services Director Melody Peters said it’s like having a dose of reality before adulthood gets “real.”

The program is from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Got your first paycheck? Great! Now how much is left after you pay your bills – think rent, phone bill, car payment – the list seems endless. Teens get a chance to learn in a fun way the importance of financial literacy from Coastal Credit Union’s Wendy McCoy.

Then on Monday, Oct. 13, Varonica Mitchell, known by many as “VV” Mitchell, brings The VV Show to the library for a program called “Get Hype About Reading.” Come on out from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. and enjoy an Italian ice from Mac Scoops while sharing all the great things that come from reading.

The Fall Festival is just around the corner and the library staff is busy preparing for all the fun, including games, prizes and more! The festival is from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with a special Trunk or Treat to follow from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the library parking lot.

Learn more about these programs and all the programs and services at Perry Memorial Library at https://www.perrylibrary.org/home

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Activities For All In The Fall At Perry Memorial Library

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If you’ve got a pair of pants that are too long and you’re 13 years old – or older – there’s a class at Perry Memorial Library on Sunday that could fit you just right.

Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters is having a “Fix It” Lab that will help participants learn how to hem a pair of pants.

The class takes place at 2:30 p.m. at the library. “It’s a simple skill,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s The Local Skinny!

Peters revealed that she has a background in costume and theater, where she learned some of her sewing skills.

Offering the “Fix It” Lab is also a way to bring people of all ages together to enjoy time together.

“We used to have more community settings,” Peters said. Church events and extended family get-togethers provided young people access to older folks that may not be in their immediate family circle.

This library offering is another way to address patrons’ requests to have more intergenerational programs.

“We’re going to get some going and see what happens,” she said.

Here are some other events coming up at the library:

  • Michael McCray of “Occasions by M” has cooked up a series of free cooking classes for young people 13 years and older beginning on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Space is capped at 16, so if you’re interested, sign up soon. The class will be held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. McCray is going to fire up the library’s Charlie Cart, which Peters said has everything on it you need to learn how to cook – without being in a regulation-size kitchen.
  • Students in grades K-12 are encouraged to hop on the anti-litter bandwagon as part of a county-wide effort to clean up trash. “We are on board, we’ve signed our pledge,” Peters said. The “Essay and Art Clean Community Contest” winners will be announced at National Night Out Celebration in downtown Henderson, set for Thursday, Oct. 7 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The deadline to submit entries is Sept. 30. Three students from elementary, middle and high school levels will win gift cards for their winning entries.

Contact Peters at mpeters@perrylibrary.org for more details.

Learn more about all the happenings at Perry Memorial Library at https://www.perrylibrary.org/

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Perry Memorial Library’s Bookmobile Ready To Cruise

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City and local officials joined library staff and others from the community on Thursday to officially launch the Perry Memorial Library Bookmobile, a state-of-the-art library – on wheels!

WIZS’s Scout Hughes got a quick tour from Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

There are shelves filled with books for browsing, and a couple of computer stations at the rear of the custom-made vehicle. There’s a hotspot for internet access and a printer, too. Peters predicts that to be popular among patrons who climb aboard when the bookmobile is out in the community.

The route is still being established, but Peters said for sure the bookmobile will make its way to schools, neighborhoods, the food bank, nonprofits and more places throughout the county.

The library applied for and received a grant for about half the cost of the bookmobile back in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic put a pause on construction, but it gave the community a chance to show its support through financial donations. Now, four years later, the library on wheels will be rolling out into the county to meet patrons in more rural areas who may face challenges preventing them from visiting the brick-and-mortar facility at 205 Breckenridge St.

Peters said she’s brainstorming ideas for how to use the bookmobile, from “literacy in the park” events to story time and a movie (yes, the bookmobile has a movie screen, too!) and much more.

Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Spectacular Specials in September at Perry Memorial Library

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Just as we’re getting a taste of cooler weather, Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters said fall programming is heating up big-time at Perry Memorial Library.

The long-popular Mother Goose Story Time launches its familiar half-hour programming on Thursdays, followed by a community play time.

Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny! Henderson enjoys a long history with the story time, so when she arrived on the scene a few years ago, it was a no-brainer that the program would continue.

It’s a really nice way to build that community for kids who don’t have a daily preschool experience, she explained. And she’s noticed that it’s a nice way for moms to connect and make new friends, too.

Thursdays are jam-packed with activities for children of all ages – including a 3:30 p.m. story time for children in grades K-3. This program is designed for “families on the go,” Peters said.
“They come in but they don’t have a lot of time,” she said. Still building literacy, the kids hear one book, play for a bit with some bubbles, and then skedaddle.

Some may head off to the Lego program at 4 p.m. or watch their older siblings go to Teen Time in the Maker Space.

Fun Fridays happen on first Fridays of the month and come in a close second to the Thursday whirlwind programming. The 10:30 a.m. Baby Rave for infants 0-2 is a continuation of a fun summer program that parents wanted to keep around.

Then from 11:30 to 12 noon, ages 3-5 can enjoy Parachute Play. The Fun Fridays are scheduled for Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.

And Home School Social Hour begins at 1 p.m. There’s no registration for this program, Peters said, which provides an opportunity for different home school groups of all sizes to come in and share some time together.

The Life Skills program for teens kicks off a three-month program on the second Tuesday of the month with a “Money Matters For Teens” The sessions are Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 13 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Get the kids in their pj’s and to the library for Pajama Story Time this fall, too. The first one is tonight at 6:30 p.m., and future story times are Oct. 7 and Nov. 4.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/home to learn about all the programs and activities at the library.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Growth and Excitement at Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library is all the things a library should be – it’s inviting and chock full of books and other reading materials for patrons to enjoy. But Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters is someone who likes to be in “the mix,” as she put it, so whenever she’s able to, she likes to be out and about – bringing the library and its services into the community.

“You have to go out to get people to come in,” Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

With another successful summer program under their belts, the library staff is gearing up for the fall, but there’s a bit of a breather that has allowed Peters to do some outreach activities, most recently with The Salvation Army and AIM High.

And on Saturday, you’ll most likely find her at the Way to Grow Fest in downtown Henderson.
“This is happening in our backyard – we have to be there,” Peters said.

Stop by the library’s table on Saturday and enjoy a bracelet craft activity as you learn more about the various programs the library offers.

Then stop by the library on Thursday, Sept. 11 at 2:30 p.m. for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome to library’s fancy new Bookmobile.

“This is big news – this is huge!” Peters exclaimed.

A Greensboro-based company designed and outfitted the bookmobile’s interior. It’s got a ramp and all the bells and whistles, she said.

“People are going to love it! It opens up a whole new level of outreach,” Peters said.

 

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Perry Memorial Library

The Local Skinny! Summer Reading Program Highlights And New Fall Programs At Perry Memorial Library

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Perry Memorial Library Youth Services librarian Melody Peters likens reading to physical exercise: Reading exercises your brain just like physical activity exercises your body.

And as Peters reflects on the success of the recently completed summer reading program,

participants got a lot of brain exercise!

She told WIZS’s Scout Hughes that more than 600 youngsters and adults participated in the summer reading program sponsored by the library. The goal was to read a minimum of 30 minutes a day over a seven-week period, complete a reading log and turn it in for prizes each week.

Peters and staff knew that participation was bigger than last year’s, but when she looked at the numbers, she said it was double last year’s program. And those 600+ participants recorded 688,000 minutes of reading time.

“It was amazing,” she said. “It is mind-blowing…very exciting to see the growth.” She said there were lots of return participants, but so many new people and new families also joined the fun.

All the prizes, incentives and coupons were donated from area businesses, Peters said. “We were so grateful that they were all donated…and we gave them right back into the community.”

As the dust settles at the library after such a successful summer program, Peters said she’s happy to report a couple of new programs will launch this fall to take their place among the library’s existing regular programs.

One is a new Life Skills program on the second Thursday of the month. A team from Coastal Credit Union will help teens learn about financial money matters over the course of a few months. And then the Life Skills time slot will focus on other types of basic skills, from sewing on a button to basic carpentry.

And then on Fridays in the fall, there’s Baby Rave at 10:30 a.m. and Parachute Play at 11:30 a.m. Baby Rave is for children 0-2 years and Parachute Play is for children ages 3-5. The dates are Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.

Not one to rest on her laurels, you’ll find Peters at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market tomorrow – Wednesday, Aug. 6 – at 10 a.m. for a special Story Time at the market to celebrate National Farmers Market Week.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org to learn about all the programs and services at your public library.

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