For many parents of school-age children, Spring Break offers a reminder that summer’s coming – quickly – and that means lining up vacations, camps and child care for when the kiddos are out of school for a couple of months.

Perry Memorial Library’s Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters wants parents – and their children – to save a spot for the library’s activities this summer – they’re going to be a lot of fun!

“I want people to be thinking about it (now),” Peters said. “I want the library to be a priority.”

This summer’s reading theme is “Unearth A Story,” Peters told WIZS’s Scout Hughes on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

The regular programs and story times are all embracing the theme, and Peters said she and the staff are planning to have weekly activities that include dinosaurs, paleontology and archaeology.

“It’s a great theme,” Peters said. “You can do so much with it…it’ll be busy all summer!”

The Summer Reading kickoff is Tuesday, June 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and continues through the end of July.

The library will host several special programs during the summer on Tuesdays. First up is Big Bang Boom! a group of dads who play kids’ music.

“They’re a fan favorite,” Peters said. “They do a fantastic job.” You know it’s a hit when the grownups in the audience are clapping and singing along with the young people, she said.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/home for all the details.

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Teens who have wanted to try out virtual reality headsets have a great opportunity at Perry Memorial Library. Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters welcomes creative programming at the library, and VR fits the bill.

Tuesday was the first opportunity to experience the VR headsets during Teen Time, but there will be another opportunity on Mar. 24, Peters said on Tuesday’s segment of The Local Skinny!

A young man is bringing headsets and his VR programming knowledge to the library for teens to enjoy, Peters said. It’s something that kids have asked about in the past, she said.

“I’m really excited to see something new and different,” Peters said.

Then, on Thursday, as part of Read Across America Week, Vance County Schools is hosting its own Read Across Vance activity at Vance County Middle School from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

“It’s wonderful to be in a room where kids can get excited about reading,” Peters said, and to be among other young people who also are enthusiastic about reading.

Schools across the school district will be represented at this gathering, and the public is invited to participate. The school is located at 293 Warrenton Road.

To celebrate Earth Day this year, the library is participating in a program that provides free trees to children and families.

Peters said interested families can call the library’s Youth Services Desk at 252.438.3316 or email her at mpeters@perrymemorial.org to register for the tree giveaway. The deadline to register is Mar. 15.

Visit https://www.perrylibrary.org/home to learn about all the programs and services at Perry Memorial Library.

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The recent snow and ice “events” have put the brakes on some of the programs for kids and families at Perry Memorial Library, but Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters is ready with a flurry of activities, when the weather is a bit more cooperative.

Tuesday’s afternoon and evening activities were cancelled because the library will close at 5 p.m., but Peters said Thursday’s activities are “still a go” — as of now, unless Mother Nature decides to send in another round of bad weather.

That includes the 11 a.m. Mother Goose storytime, followed by Lego fun in the afternoon from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Then on Friday, Feb. 6, it’s Baby Rave for the 0-2 group at 10:30 a.m. followed by Parachute Play for kiddos ages 3-5 from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon.

Another part of the Fun Friday activities includes Homeschool Social Hour. Homeschooled families can come to the library at 1 p.m. to spend some time with other homeschool groups. It’s a chance to network, ask questions and learn from each other.

“It’s important for the library to offer opportunities for those families to be together,” Peters said. “Our space can accommodate different ages for learning and playing,” she said. It’s a flexible alternative to other more structured associations.

Peters said the homeschool social hour doesn’t require a commitment, but provides a way for families to connect with others, while allowing scheduling flexibility.

The Feb. 10 Teen Time program combines fondue and “found object” art for middle and high-school aged students. Come to the Maker Space at 4 p.m.

The Teddy Bear sleepover was rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21, Peters said. Drop off those precocious stuffed animals and loveys to spend the night at the library. Drop of is Friday, Feb. 20 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and pickup is on Sunday, Feb. 22 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Who knows what shenanigans they’ll be up to on Saturday? Peters and staff will document their mischief.

Visit www.perrylibrary.org for a complete listing of programs and activities.

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The holiday decorations are down, the kids are back in school and winter programming at Perry Memorial Library is returning to full swing. Youth Services Librarian Melody Peters and staff welcome patrons of all ages to the library for some social interaction and literacy fun.

Mother Goose Storytime fans can return Thursday morning, Jan. 8 at 11 a.m. Later that afternoon, kids can enjoy Lego Fun from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. One scheduling note is the Thursday afternoon story time, Peters said. She is pushing the start time back to 4:30 p.m., which she hopes will be a friendlier time for families with children.

Speaking of fun, Fun Fridays launch this Friday, Jan. 9.

Baby Rave runs from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the youngest kiddos, 0-2. There’ll be dancing and movement to music, complete with party lights and bubbles, Peters said.

The morning morphs into Parachute Play at 11:30 a.m. for a half hour of games and songs for children ages 3-5.

Fridays are busy at the library, with the Home School Social Hour cranking back up at 1 p.m.

This program helps connect homeschooling families – adults and children alike – allowing them to meet new people while they get together to share resources and other areas of interest.

Peters said she hears from homeschooling families routinely who want to find ways to connect with others. “If you’re new to the area, you may not know others nearby,” she said.

• Pajama Story Time is another favorite for families who may not have time during the day because of work or school commitments.

It’s a short program, just 30 minutes or so, but Peters said it’s all about parents and children engaging in the story together.

The program begins at 6:30 p.m. and continues on Jan. 13, Feb. 3, Mar. 3 and April 7.

• Teddy Bear Storytime kicks off the new program year on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
• Drop off your favorite stuffed animal or “lovey” at the library between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23 to take part in the “Teddy Bear Sleepover,” Peters said. Kids often ask what happens at the library at night, she said. “The animals take over the library, and we get to see the fun that they have,” she added. Lovey pickup is on Sunday, Jan. 25 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Check out all the library’s programs and activities at https://www.perrylibrary.org.

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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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