The Perryville High School Library continues to rebuild its book collection thanks to the generous support of local organizations.
The library was recently able to purchase 90 new books thanks to a $2,000 grant from Rotary Club of Perryville, First State Community Bank, and Zahner & Associates.
"I am incredibly grateful to the Rotary Club of Perryville, First State Community Bank, and Zahner & Associates for this grant,” said PHS Librarian Heather Baskin. “Our students and teachers are excited to have a wider selection of reading material.”
Members of the Rotary Club, FSCB, and Zahner & Associates met with the PHS Book Club on Thursday, Nov. 5, to insert donation bookplate stickers in the books.
“I was very excited for the new books,” said PHS junior and Book Club member Ziva Thurman. “One of the new books I saw was called ‘Grim and Oro.’ I read it and it was really good!”
The recent additions put the PHS Library’s collection up over 2,000 books. The library lost roughly 7,400 books in the March 2025 tornado that destroyed the PHS building. Baskin has been able to gradually replace the inventory that was lost with help from grants and other donations. She said she has focused on adding quality literature that both interests the students and supports the school curriculum.
See Also: Dollar General Presents $20,000 Grant to PHS Library
Rotary Cub Hosting Taste of the Town Fundraiser
Rotary Club of Perryville is hosting a Taste of the Town raffle through December 3.
The top prize in the raffle is ten $50 gift cards (a $500 value) for local restaurants/establishments while second prize is ten $25 gift cards (a $250 value). The restaurants/establishments include Beef ‘O’Brady’s, Ewald’s Bar-B-Q, Galati’s, Hoeckele’s Bakery & Deli, Spillway Tavern and Grill, Mary Jane Burgers & Brew, Park-et, Rozier’s, American Legion, and Stonies.
Raffle tickets are $5 each, or five tickets for $20. To purchase tickets, contact Becky Paulus at 573-517-1640 or ask any Rotarian. The drawing will be held during the Club’s December 3 meeting.
Fundraisers like these help the Rotary Club support scholarships and other charitable projects, such as the PHS Library grant.