February will be an exciting time at St. John the Baptist Parish Library.

In celebrating Black History Month, all of the library branches will participate in a program titled, “What Does Black History Mean To You?”

Patrons will write their thoughts on a template that will be cut out in order to make a Black History wreath. Each branch will be responsible for conducting their wreath and showcasing it in their library for the entire month of March. Patrons are invited to go to any of our four libraries to participate in this program.

The month of February also brings the Mardi Gras and Valentine’s Day spirit to the library branches. On Feb. 1, Mr. Nick Melancon, of the Red Flame Hunters Indian Tribe will do a presentation on the History of the Mardi Gras Indians at the Reserve Branch for 6 p.m.

Patrons will also have the chance to conduct craft items inspired by the Indian tribes. Also, the Reserve Branch will be creating Love Shacks on Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. and hosting a Make Shoppe featuring Candy Bouquets on Feb. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

The Central Library will be hosting “Walkout with Your Friends” for all adult patrons. Patrons will be able to enjoy a little “me” time as they walk into fitness and relaxation using Jane Fonda’s “Walkout” video as a guide. This will be a weekly program at the library, which will be held on every Wednesday in February at 5 p.m.

Other adult programming will feature the Book Lovers Book Club meeting Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m., the Cookbook Book Club meeting Feb. 18 at 11:30 a.m. and a Family Movie Night Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. Tweens and teens will enjoy creating Valentine Cards at 6 p.m. on Feb. 1, R2D2 Pencil Cans on Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. and Bookend Paintings on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.

The new children’s program “Reading! Rhythm! Readiness!” will be held weekly at the Central Library. Children ages 3 to 5 will enjoy a theme based story and music; plus engage in activities based on the months of the year, letter recognition, sounds, matching, counting and other beginning literacy skills.  The session will be held Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. Children’s programs will also include Lapsit Storytime every Friday in February at 10:30 a.m. and Crafting with Toddlers on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m.

At the Reserve library, adults can join in on the River Readers Book Club meeting Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. and also enjoy watching “San Andreas” with their families Feb. 29 at 5 p.m. Tweens and teens will be able to create Valentine Candy Grams Feb. 4 at 5 p.m., create a masterpiece by making a Mosaic Bead Art Craft Feb. 25 at 5:30 p.m. and take part in the Page Turners Book Club meeting Feb. 26 at 4:30 p.m.

Children programs will include the Preschool Book Club, which will be held on every Wednesday in January at 4:30 p.m.

The Garyville library will host a new program titled E-Reader Tutoring on Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. This program will be offered to all adults who want to learn more about their sometime difficult e-readers. The Adult Coloring Program will be held again Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. The program will allow seniors, craft designers and any other interested adult to relax and enjoy time for themselves. Tweens and teens will be able to demonstrate their skills by playing Jenga Feb. 19 at 4 p.m.

Children’s programs will include a Black History Month activity, which will last throughout the entire month of February, PJ Storytime, which will be held on every Thursday in February at 5 p.m. and Valentine’s Day Card Making Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m.

At the Edgard library, adults can join in on Kitchen Conversations, which will be a new program at the branch. Patrons will have a chance to converse and exchange recipes like they would in their own kitchens. Seniors, chefs and any other food lovers are welcomed to attend and enjoy the fun on Feb. 26 at 11 a.m.

Adults can also partake in a Movie Day, which will be held Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. Tweens and teens can participate in The Tween Scene, which will be held on every Thursday in February at 4:30 p.m. The library branches will also be introducing three new databases to our website: Comics Plus Library Edition, One Click Digital and Zinio for Libraries. These databases will be added to the extensive collection that is already available on our website: stjohn.lib.la.us.

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 hope you all can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Kearston Poche’ is the administrative services coordinator for St. John the Baptist Parish Library. She can be reached at 985-652-6587.