May will be a wonderful time to visit St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries as Children’s Book Week will be held during the first week (May 1–7).

Children’s Book Week is the annual celebration of children’s books and reading. It was established in 1919, and is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. The program is administered by Every Child a Reader and the Children’s Book Council, which is the anchor sponsor.

Every Child a Reader creates and supports programs that strive to make the reading and enjoyment of children’s books an essential part of America’s educational and social aims. To show support to the organization and celebrate Children’s Book Week, St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries will showcase a plethora of books throughout the week to highlight the “One World, Many Stories” slogan.

Programs will also be hosted throughout the week at all library branches. Please contact your local branches for more information.

St. John the Baptist Parish Central Library will be hosting a program at 6 p.m. May 9 to celebrate Physical Fitness and Sports Month. National Physical Fitness and Sports Month is a great time to spread the word about the benefits of getting active.

Regular physical activity is good for everyone’s health, and people of all ages and body types can be physically fit. Local coaches will be discussing the importance of sports and why it helps with physical fitness.

Athletes will also be joining them to run different drills associated with football, basketball and track.

Please join us to learn more about the benefits of physical activity and why everyone should get involved.

Mother’s Day will be celebrated May 14, and the library system will provide several programs the week leading up to Mom’s big day.  The Central Library will host “Mother’s Calendars” at 6 p.m. May 10. Using Microsoft PowerPoint, adult patrons will design a Mother’s Day calendar using their own photos.

The class is limited to the first 10 people that sign-up. For more information, call JoAnn Proctor, branch supervisor, at 985-652-6857.

The Garyville Library will host “Handmade Greeting Cards” at 4 p.m. May 11. Any doting mother, grandmother, step-mother or mother-figure will love receiving a nicely decorated, handmade greeting card created with love especially for her.

This program is for patrons, ages 6 and up. For more information, call Elmira Duhe, branch supervisor, at 985-535-6868.

The Reserve Branch will host a “Mom and Me” painting session at 6 p.m. May 11. Children and their mothers are invited out to spend time painting a special piece together. Registration is required for this event. For more information, call Rona Joseph, branch supervisor at 985-536-4107.

The Central Library will also host “Mom and Me Storytime” at 10:30 a.m. May 12. Children and their parents are invited to listen to stories, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities. Muffins will be given to all parents and children in attendance. For more information, call Outreach Librarian Lynn Braud at 985-652-6857.

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, the Garyville Library will host “Sombrero Coloring” at 4:30 p.m. May 5.

Tweens and teens will celebrate the history of Cinco de Mayo while coloring a festive sombrero and completing a word search activity related to the celebration. For more information, call 985-535-6868.

For a full list of all programs, please 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 can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Also, St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries now have Twitter and Instagram accounts. Please follow us and like us!

Reminder: There will be a Community Resource Fair at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Central Library. Residents will have access to 20 vendors who will be providing information and resources that are available to them within the region.

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