May, 2026 Edition
The Perry Cook Chronicle is a monthly newsletter featuring news, services, and events at Perry Cook Memorial Public Library. Print copies are available for reading at the library. Get library information and news straight to your inbox by subscribing to The Chronicle.
Early Literacy Programs
Registration for the Perry Cook Memorial Library's Early Literacy programs for September is open May 1st. We offer three programs: Tinker Tots for 2-year-olds, Little Learners for 3-year-olds, and A2Z for 4-year-olds. These longstanding classes are designed to gradually prepare young children for school, while introducing them to learning and literacy in a fun and engaging environment. Program information and application forms can be accessed for each program, Tinker Tots, Little Learners, or A2Z.
Kids in the Kitchen
Kids in the Kitchen will be visiting Italy this May, featuring DIY pasta salad recipes. Due to the program's popularity and positive reception with our patrons, we are pleased to offer both morning and afternoon sessions of Kids in the Kitchen this month. Choose your session and register your child or children online for the morning or afternoon.
Adult Education
Did you know that we collaborate with Knox Technical Center to offer GED classes locally in Morrow County? Additionally, we will provide an Adult Diploma Option specifically designed for individuals holding industry-recognized certifications, such as Firefighter or Nurse Aide. Through June, students will have the opportunity to complete the ACT WorkKeys assessment and earn a high school diploma. Certifications and licenses must be obtained through an approved industry-recognized program. Classes meet Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:00 pm at the library. You can see the upcoming class schedule on our calendar. For more information or to join the classes, please contact Monica Swank at (740) 393-2933, extension 1121.
Connect With a Book Club Today!
"The book is better", or is it? Find out at our children's book club! In this club, we'll read books with movie adaptations, comparing and contrasting between the two formats. Once we've finished the book, we'll compare it with the movie and discuss differences, which changes were good/bad, and what wasn't well represented in the movie version. We're reading "Because of Winn-Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo for May. Copies of the books and movies will be available at Perry Cook for check out, or you can place your own holds on titles through our catalog. Recommended ages for this book club are 9-12, corresponding to 4th-6th grade reading levels. Lights, Camera, Read will meet the first Wednesday of each month, 4:00-5:00 pm.
Pound on the Patio!
With this beautiful spring weather, we're excited to make use of our patio and outdoor space. So when the weather is nice, keep an eye out for Pound on the Patio with Toni. You might catch us soaking up the sun while having a great workout! Pound with Toni is a fun and friendly fitness class suitable for everyone, no matter where you are on your fitness journey. It's a lively full-body workout that mixes cardio and strength training, and features yoga and Pilates-inspired moves, all while using lightweight drumsticks. We hope to see you every Thursday evening from 6-7 pm - come join us, rain or shine!
Perry Cook Community Garden
The Northmor LEAD Team will be volunteering for a day to help prepare the Perry Cook Community Garden for the upcoming spring season. We welcome members of the community to learn about our plans. Our mission is to create an accessible, intergenerational space that promotes literacy, wellness, environmental education, and community connection. We invite everyone in the community to participate in this meaningful project.
Book Stuffies Bundles
We are pleased to introduce a new book bundle option, "Read a Story to a Favorite Stuffie." Recognizing that our younger readers also enjoy engaging with themed book collections, we are offering a limited time selection of books featuring popular characters. These bundles are perfect for reading aloud or snuggling while being read to.
NAMIWalks
The Morrow County library community is proud to come together as the MoCo Library National Alliance on Mental Illness Walks Team, united in a shared mission to break the stigma surrounding mental illness. By walking side by side, our libraries are showing that we are not just places for books, but spaces of support, understanding, and connection. Together, we are raising awareness, encouraging open conversations, and standing in solidarity with those impacted by mental health challenges - because as a county, we believe that knowledge, compassion, and community can make a powerful difference. Our NAMIWalk is on May 16, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm at Tanger Outlet and we would love you to join our MoCo Library NAMI Team.
Dream It, Plan It, Live It
Juliana's teen craft May 20, 5:30-6:30 pm. Ready to turn your ideas into reality? Join us for a fun and inspiring event where you'll design your very own summer vision board - a powerful way to set intentions, stay motivated, and bring your goals to life. Whether you want to focus on travel, personal growth, fitness, friendships, or just making the most of your summer - this is your chance to map it out and make it happen! Leave with a plan. Register for May's Vision Board Craft.
Did you know?
Hey, everyone! We're thrilled to share that this summer's reading program theme is "Unearth a Story!" We've got six fun and creative weeks of STEM activities planned to keep the summer exciting and help students build on their reading successes from the year. We're celebrating all readers - kids, teens, and adults alike - with some fantastic programs coming your way. Stay tuned for more details about this exciting summer event!
Jen's Corner
The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros is an emotional contemporary novel that follows Ella and Beckett as they navigate love, loss, and the lasting impact of promises made during wartime, unfolding through heartfelt letters and deeply human connections. As readers continue to fall in love with stories like this, there's also a growing trend of publishers turning hardback books into works of art - featuring painted page edges, foil-stamped covers, and intricate designs that make the reading experience feel even more special. You can check out The Last Letter at Perry Cook Memorial Library and enjoy not only a moving story, but the beauty of a thoughtfully crafted book inside and out.
