April will be an exciting time to attend St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries as we celebrate National Library Week from April 9 through 15.

National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country. It celebrates the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians to promote library use and support. The American Library Association decided to go with the Libraries Transform theme for a second year in a row.

The Central Library will host festivities throughout the week to celebrate. On April 9, a StoryWalk® will be held for 2 p.m. for children and their families. StoryWalk® is an innovative approach to encouraging people of all ages to get out and walk while enjoying wonderful children’s books. Johnette Downing’s “Down in Louisiana,” will be the featured book.

On April 10, a Paint Party will be held for tweens and teens at 6 p.m. Tweens and teens, ages 8 to 18 are invited to paint, take selfies with our National Library Week frame, enjoy refreshments and have a grand time. Adults are invited April 11 at 6 p.m. to partake in a presentation hosted by Chef Avis White, who will talk about her culinary experiences and cooking. She will also be preparing a dish. Patrons of all ages are invited April 13 for a Hot Dog Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Library at 11 a.m. Nachos, chips and drinks will be sold.

The Reserve Branch will celebrate by hosting a Make Shoppe at 6 p.m. April 10. Patrons will be crafting an Easter Book Page Banner. A Library Scavenger Hunt will be held at 5 p.m. April 13. Tweens and teens will learn more about the library while participating in the hunt. At 2 p.m. April 15, patrons of all ages can join the branch in playing Reader’s Bingo. Library related words will be used to generate the playing cards and patrons will have to yell “BOOKS” in order to win a prize.

The Garyville Library will give tours to inform about the services they provide starting at 10 a.m. April 10. Patrons will have a chance to register for a door prize that will be given away April 12, which will be the final day for library tours. Also on April 10, children, ages 5 and up, are invited to participate in a coloring contest at 10 a.m. On April 11 at 3 p.m., tablet tutoring will be offered for teens and adults.

Staff members will also be promoting Hoopla, a library database that streams audiobooks, music, videos and eBooks. Please join the branches of the library system for their family friendly events.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library System is proud to celebrate “National Poetry Month” inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996.

Adults are asked to come out to the Central Library for a Night of Poetry at 6 p.m. April 12 to perform their original poetry or recite their favorite poem over a jazz beat. Patrons are welcome to send in requests for their favorite jazz music before the event.

Tweens and teens are invited to the Central Library at 6 p.m. April 17 for a Poetry Slam/Open Mic Night, in which they can share their poetry with other poetry lovers. They are also welcomed to express themselves through song or a comedic act. The Reserve Library will host a Poetry Creation Station at 6 p.m. April 20. Tweens and teens will have access to cut out words from magazines and then use them to construct a ransom style poem.

For a full list of all programs, refer to our online calendar on our website, Facebook (St. John the Baptist Parish Library) or pick up a newsletter at any of our branches. I hope you all can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

All library branches will be closed for Good Friday April 14 and for Easter April 16.

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