The MySQL answer is simple.. use DBI and DBD::MySQL. With these two you get to interface to it in Perl's standard DBI method, which is both nice and easily transferable to other databases should the occasion arise.

There's also a lot of MySQL/DBI tutorials about, and you can happily use any non-MySQL DBI tutorial too. O'Reilly also have their nice 'Programming the Perl DBI' book which a nearby bookseller should be willing to exchange for a quick swipe of your credit card.