The Perry Public Library has been awarded a grant to help bring a series of programs on Latino Americans to the area.

The library, which has been working with Humanities Iowa for the grant, has been awarded a $10,000 for the Latino Americans: 500 Years of History grant from the American Libraries Association and National Endowment for the Humanities.  It will pay for six programs at the library during the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Library Director Mary Murphy says the first two programs will be scholar-led discussions, one titled Migrant Worker Reform with Dr. Rich Sallas from Des Moines University and another called Latinos in the Military with Perry High School teacher and former marine Eddie Diaz.

Murphy says the third program will be a mobile lab, in collaboration with the Hispanics United for Perry and Hometown Heritage, that will have Latino immigrants record oral histories.  Next is an art mural created by Iowa State University professor Jennifer Drinkwater and community members.

The fifth program is a community read of the book Enrique’s Journey by Sonia Navario, along with a discussion with the author. And the final program is a progressive Latino dinner that includes food, entertainment and education.

The local grant is one of four awarded in the state.