It has been a wonderful experience representing St. John the Baptist Parish as the Director of the public library system for the past three months.

Each day has been an enriching experience with many challenges that I look forward to.

My staff and I have been creating opportunities and brainstorming different ideas to make sure that all of the parish libraries are pleasing to a diverse group of people and offer a wide range of books that appeals to all.

Each library offers programs and technology for adults, as well as children. One out of eight books in our collection are offered in audiobooks or play-aways, which are available in both audio and video formats.

We also have a new collection of Spanish books that will be available in the upcoming month. For the e-generation, our library offers digital downloadable books through our very own Overdrive database, which can be located on our website (stjohn.lib.la.us).

Some other databases that can be found on our website are: Career Cruising, Chilton’s Auto Repair Library, Freegal Music, Freegal Television and Movies, Gale Legal Forms, and Gale Biography in Context. As a library system, it is our objective to appeal and inform everyone.

December will be an exciting time at St. John the Baptist Parish Library. The holiday season is upon us and many of the programs will be reflected by that. At the Central Library in LaPlace, “An Evening of Song” will be hosted by the library, St. John Parish School Board and Blessed to Be a Blessing organization on Dec. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m.

There will be appearances from various choirs and bands from the surrounding area schools. Everyone is invited to attend, and toys will be given out to children while supplies last.

Family movie nights will be hosted on Dec. 1 and Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. The movies that will be shown are “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Adult programming will feature a Book Lovers Book Club with a Christmas theme on Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. and a Christmas Ornament Making Craft on Dec. 10 at 2 p.m.

Tweens and teens will enjoy creating Shrinky Dink Ornaments on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., Snow Globes on Dec. 17 at 3:30 p.m., and Gingerbread Sheds on Dec. 21 at 6 p.m.

Children programs will include a Fingerprint Christmas Card on Dec. 5 at 10 a.m. and a Christmas story time on Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m.

At the Reserve library, adults can enjoy creating a Christmas-themed candle holder on Dec. 14 at 6 p.m. Tweens and teens will be able to create personalized Christmas ornaments on Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. and Fairy Light Mason Jars on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. Children’s programs will include a Santa’s Painting Workshop on Dec. 7 at 5 p.m. and a Make and Take Christmas Stocking on Dec. 12 at 10 a.m.

The Garyville library will host a Duct Tape Ornament craft for adults on Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. Children programs will consist of a Christmas Paint and Sip on Dec. 21 at 11 a.m., a visit from Santa on Dec. 21 at 3 p.m., a Christmas Duct Tape Ornament Craft on Dec. 22 at 2 p.m., and a handmade Christmas Card Craft on Dec. 23 at 2 p.m.

The West Bank library will host a visit from Santa on Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. for children of all ages.

For a full list of all programs, please refer to our online calendar on our website or pick up a newsletter at any of our four branches.

I look forward to building substantial relationships with the patrons of the library. I welcome the opportunity to serve you all.

I also personally invite all of the citizens of the parish to allow the staff at any of the parish libraries to act as your guide as you explore all of our treasures.

Natalie D. Beam is St. John Parish Library Director. She cane be reached at 985-651-2458 or ndbeam@stjohn.lib.la.us.