August, 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.
Lazy Saturday Mornings at the Library
We're reliving the ultimate '80s ritual: waking up Saturday morning, eating bowls of neon-colored sugary cereal, wearing pajamas, & watching vintage cartoons. It's a nostalgic trip that defined generations of childhoods.
Come grab a bowl of sweet cereal and grab a seat to watch some classic cartoons. You can wear pajamas, if you'd like.
We'll wrap up the program by 10:00 am when the library opens for regular hours. First four Saturdays in August from 9-10 am.
Chalk the Walk
Come in, grab some sidewalk chalk, and spend some time decorating the library's sidewalks and covered porch walkway with summertime-inspired doodles. Think flowers, rainbows, colorful ice cream cones, and other designs that make people smile and spread joy.
And because August 6th is National Root Beer Float Day, enjoy a sweet treat while you draw.*
Fun for kids (and kids-at-heart).
*Chalk will be available from 11-5. Root beer floats will be available to our sidewalk artists on a first come, first served, while supplies last basis.
Say Hello to Coen - New Digital Literacy Trainer
Perry Cook Memorial Library is excited to welcome Coen White as our new Digital Literacy Trainer, made possible through the Guiding Ohio Online grant!
A lifelong resident of Morrow County, Coen is passionate about helping others build confidence with technology. At just 19 years old, he is already a senior at Tiffin University, where he is majoring in Computer Science. A proud graduate of Highland High School, Coen combines his technical knowledge with an enthusiasm for teaching and community service.
Beginning in August, Coen will be leading Computer Programming classes at Mount Gilead Public Library, Selover Public Library, and Perry Cook Memorial Library. He will be at Perry Cook on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of every month. Whether you're curious about how coding works, interested in exploring computer science, or looking to develop new technology skills, Coen's classes will provide a welcoming and engaging environment for learners of all experience levels.
Thanks to the Guiding Ohio Online grant, these programs are helping bring valuable digital literacy opportunities to our communities. We invite everyone to join us in welcoming Coen and taking advantage of these exciting new learning opportunities.
You can complete our Digital Literacy Survey and let us know what technology classes and services are of interest to you.
Friends Wanted: Help our Library Grow!
A Friends of the Perry Cook Memorial Library group would be a team of community members who believe in the value of our library and want to help it thrive. Friends groups can support the library by volunteering, helping with special events and fundraisers, promoting library programs and services, and building stronger connections throughout our community.
Most importantly, a Friends group would give you - the community - a voice and an opportunity to be more involved in the future of Perry Cook Memorial Library.
Interested in learning more? We would love to hear from you! Please reach out to Jen Carrick if you are interested in helping us explore what a Friends group could look like, If we generate enough interest, we will hold an introductory meeting in September! Could you be one of our Friends?
Openings for Little Learners Wednesday Class
Our Early Literacy Classes have been a valued component of our community in Johnsville for many years. We are currently seeking a few additional 3-year-old participants to complete our Wednesday morning Little Learners class.
This session runs from 10:00 - 11:00 am on Wednesdays and introduces foundational phonics, socialization skills, and introductory STEM concepts.
This picture shows some of our last year's Little Learners.
Registration materials are available online. For further information, please contact or visit the Perry Cook Memorial Library.
White Elephant Bingo
BINGO!
We'll provide some prizes and you can bring along a white elephant to add to the prize table. No need to buy prizes - some of our most creative items came directly from garage sale leftovers!
Come join in the fun. BINGO is the first Tuesday of every month from 3:00 - 4:30 pm. Open to teens and adults.
Summer Meals at Perry Cook Memorial Library
Perry Cook Memorial Library is proud to partner with Children's Hunger Alliance to help provide nutritious meals for local children during the summer months. The last meals will be offered on August 10.
Many families rely on free or reduced-price school meals during the school year, and summer can create a difficult gap in access to food. Through this partnership, families can pick up free summer lunch meals every Monday from June 8 through August 10.
Meal pickup times are: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm and 4:00 - 6:00 pm.
Meals can be picked up at the library each Monday during the program dates. We are grateful to work alongside Children's Hunger Alliance to help support children and families in our community throughout the summer.
GED Classes Offered Every Wednesday
Earn a High School Equivalency (GED) or an Adult Workforce Diploma through one of two programs presented by Knox Technical Center at Perry Cook.
If you need a GED, register for weekly GED classes. Open to anyone age 16 or older. You will need to complete an orientation session, where you will learn more about the classes covered (usually math and writing skills), the four GED subject tests you need to pass, how the material can be customized to fit your needs, and get an assessment to determine your individual education plan and goals. Some of the classwork can be done online, but in-person classes are held weekly on Wednesdays.
There is no cost to you for these GED or Adult Workforce Diploma classes. If you want to register for either program or need additional information, please call Knox Technical Center at 740-393-2933, ext. 1121.
Jen's Corner
A Time to Reflect, Reconnect, and Refocus
This July, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Library Leadership Ohio Conference in Hocking Hills - an experience that gave me the chance to step away from the everyday pace of the library and spend some time thinking about leadership, librarianship, and the kind of impact I hope to make in our community.
Throughout the Conference, I attended sessions focused on leadership, librarianship in today's changing landscape, and the challenges and opportunities facing libraries and the communities they serve. Just as meaningful was the opportunity to meet other library leaders from across Ohio. Sharing ideas, experiences, successes, and challenges reminded me that while every library and community is unique, we are all working together toward something very similar: creating places where people can learn, connect, discover, and belong.
One of the most meaningful parts of the Conference was taking time to develop my own personal mission statement. After reflecting on why I do this work and what I hope to contribute, I came away with these words:
"My mission is to engage my community to connect and grow through sparking curiosity, expanding access to knowledge, and celebrating the culture of all people. My impact needs to be a sustainable harmony of serving others with a deep commitment to self-improvement and family well-being."
Writing those words down made me realize how important it is to occasionally stop and ask ourselves: what are we working toward? What matters most? And are the choices we are making helping us move in that direction?
As we move into August and begin to see the seasons slowly changing, I think this is a wonderful time for all of us to do a little reflecting of our own. Maybe the goals you set for yourself in January still feel exciting and meaningful. Maybe your priorities have changed. Perhaps a dream has been put on hold, a new opportunity has appeared, or you have simply learned something about yourself that has changed the direction you want to take. That is okay. We don't have to wait for January 1st to begin again. A new season can be an invitation to pause, reflect, refocus, and start fresh.
I invite you to take a few quiet moments this month to think about your own 2026. What have you accomplished that deserves to be celebrated? What have you learned? What still matters to you? What do you want the rest of this year to look like? And perhaps most importantly: Are you making room for the people, experiences, dreams, and moments that matter most?
For me, this Conference was a reminder that leadership isn't simply about accomplishing more. It is about being intentional about why we do what we do - and making sure that our efforts are sustainable, meaningful, and connected to the people and values that we are about. As I return from Hocking Hills with new ideas, new connections, and a renewed sense of purpose, I am excited to continue building a Perry Cook Memorial Library that sparks curiosity, expands access to knowledge, celebrates our community, gives people a place to connect and grow, and, as always, Opens Doors. And I hope that as the seasons change, you will give yourself permission to do the same.
Pause. Reflect. Refocus. Dream a little. And begin your next chapter.
